The next book, On Verified Madness, is jet-black. You happen to open the book where a note has been tucked. The note indicates that it should be delivered to one Montagnie Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University. Through the text, you figure out the book is a treatise on aberrations and other entities found on Golarion that possess remote ties to the Dark Tapestry.
"I may read this on the way to drop it off... It seems like good information."
He moves on to the next book in a similar manner, preserving where the note was in the last book.
Again, you find a note repeating the same message as the other in On Verified Madness. Serving Your Hunger is a copy of one of several unholy books sacred to the goddess Urgathoa. Lorrimor's notations liberally sprinkle the margins.
Whispering way??? Ghosts??? This all sounds very dangerous... I will stay and help protect Kendra but won't get to involved unless it's necessary. Two months of the crazy that's here already is enough.
Dorfen validates Gulzin's concern, "That journal reading... did worry me also."
Kendra stands silent with a stern look on her face and her hands politely cupping the other in front of her.
Another book with the message to deliver to Montagnie Crowl, The Umbral Leaves is a translation into Common of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon.
As they near the end of Ravengro's boundary, a large lake comes into view. Vynlastion realizes that he is going to have to circumvent it. He pulls the reins to his left to signal the turn. There seems to be less foliage this way.
Even with all that has happened this morning, it is hard to ignore the beautiful day. The warm sun is peeking out of the fluffy clouds over the calm, blue water. There are fisherman here and there relaxing as they patiently wait for fish to take their baits. A group of kids are running around, playing their own little game.
Vynlastian takes heart in the beauty around him, and chooses to take the warmth of the sun as a sign that his goddess approves of his actions. He offers a small prayer to Iomedae, and then continues on his way, careful to avoid the children so as not to interrupt their game, and more importantly, so as not to run them down. As he rides, he sings a hymn to Iomedae
This is why I never wanted to know what he was doing. This is all very dangerous to be getting into. I can see us getting into so many fights over all this info. Where so we start with all this in this town???
"Obviously, we would not tell anyone about having these in our possession. I just want to get the delivery of these tomes over with, but we have to wait per Lorrimor's instructions," Dorfen stares at Gulzin, "It scares me that we do not really know Lorrimor's end..."
Dorfen asks Daveak"The tome that was under The Umbral Leaves. What is it?"
Well, what's out first course of action? What are we going to do for a month here before we deliver these books???
"Take care of Kendra, as Professor Lorrimor requested," he states flatly.
"How about you teach me about your weapon there?" Looking at the rat humanoid. "We all can train to pass the time as well. Anyone skilled in swordplay?" Millard smirks and looks over to his fiance and friend. "Are you to ready to train for a month?"
"Sure why not. I really want to read some books though."
"I can't get rusty now can I?"
"Let's find out!" he replies to Dorfen as he moves to the next book.
As he opens the next one about midway, he says, "I can't help gut notice that Lorrimor passed about the same time he made his last journal entry. Yes, yes, I know, that only makes sense, but it's the contents of the entry that have me a bit... suspicious... As soon as the paladin gets back from his stupid errand into futility, we should discuss the circumstances behind the professor's death. I don't like it."
The last book has a rich purple cover with a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. Upon closer inspection, the covers are rimmed in polished steel. As you try opening it, you notice the covers will not budge. The book is clasped with a small but intricate lock, the keyhole of which appears to be for a key with a strange, triangular shaft.
Dorfen leans in towards the book,"What a peculiar-looking book," he says with a slight Varisian accent showing through.
"Exactly! That last passage was eerie. He knew he was heading towards danger," he responds, "I want to investigate it."
"Nothing more intriguing than a book with a lock. Anyone have a way to get it open without a key? Someone deft with a knife? Little jeweler's tools to pop the hinge out of place on the clasp? Oddly shaped tooth?"
"Can I try baking it?"
"It sounds kind of bad, but maybe someone in here can pick locks?" Dorfen chimes in.
Millard just gets a weird look and a shaking head from Dorfen.
Kendra loses it at Millard's question, "What?!" she busts out laughing.
I mean break it damn keyboard... I mean mouth.
After Millard proposes the idea of just breaking the lock, Dorfen slowly repeats after him nonchalantly, "Or... he can try... breaking the lock."
Millard Draws his dagger and reaches his hand out toward the book.
Daveak holds the book close to his chest.
"Before you attempt, you must swear to me that you don't damage the pages. Books are sacred!"
"How about you give me a change." Gulzin pulls out some tools and and steps forward. How about a disable device roll of 20? 12 dice+ my 8
"Just so we are clear, if Kendra or myself is in any danger, I shot first, ask questions later. I don't like taking risks, anything can come back and bite us in the ass.
"If you're sure that you can do it..."
Daveak hands the book to Gulzin.
Even after all the concentration on opening the lock, it does not budge.
Well, crap. I forgot.
Gulzin tries again. 18 dice roll, +8 is 26.
After we mess around with the book, Gulzin wants to scout out the city at night. I got a 5 perception (2 roll 3 stat) 21 stealth (9 roll 12 stealth)
This is obviously a difficult lock. Gulzin gets the disappointing feeling that this lock might be above his skills.
"By the gods..." Daveak grumbles, as he swipes Gulzin's tools and makes an attempt for himself.
As you are picking, it looks very promising. However, you do not quite get it open.
Gulzin left after his failed attempts. What does he see when he scouts out the block??
When Gulzin steps out of Lorrimor's house, he sees a house on the other side of the dirt road. There are a few more scattered houses to the left of that house. To his right, there is a small bridge that crosses over a stream.
"Undur Kurv...", Daveak swears to himself, carefully replacing Gulzin's tools back in their case, and setting them aside to return to the ratfolk once he returned.
"Well, that's the last book... I plan on trying again later, once my head has cleared a bit, but that'll do for now. I guess all we can do is wait for the paladin to get back."
Most of gulzin's time will be sneaking around town during the day and scoping out the people. He's looking for anyone that was rioting at the funeral and and one who is doing any crime because the could be dangers to Kendra. Right now does he see anyone out in the neighborhood?
Kendra turns to Daveak, then the rest of the group, with a funny look on her face, "Did Vynlastian even mention WHERE he was going or how long he will take?"Her expression turns more unhumorous, "I do not have time to just... wait around for him. I have matters to take care of."
As Gulzin heads towards the heart of town, he begins seeing townsfolk here and there. None of them seem to be the farmers he came across earlier. However, he sees that not only does every one he passes notice him, but they either stare, gossip, or both.
"He is at the Temple of Pharasma, securing a resurrection for that farmer that decided to try to stab people at a funeral. Personally, there was plenty of room for him in the ground, and this paladin is wasting his time. I have no idea how long it will take."
"Is that not the place he went to first? Why would he go there, come back here, then go back there?" She asks with a puzzled look.
Vynlastian stops Arnisant about twenty minutes after leaving, and swears lightly upon the realization that he neglected to mention his destination. He then turns around and rides back to Ravengro. He get's to Kendra's house, and walks inside. "it has occurred to me that I didn't mention from where I was going to procure this resurrection. I have to go to Lepipstadt for a priest who had the strength of will and faith required to bring one back from the dead. I will be gone a little more than a week, and upon my return, I will perform any sort of recompense you require of me for leaving against your father's wishes. But I gave my word, as a knight of Lastwall, and a paladin of Iomedae to save this man's life. My apologies for leaving so abruptly." He then waits for a moment for comments and questions.
Well I rolled stealth earlier so I wouldn't be seen, I was scouting around. It was a 21 for stealth but my perception was 5. Should I roll more?
Daveak is visibly perturbed by Vynlastian's announcement.
"See, here's the problem. If you hadn't been giving your word out like it was a crust of bread, you would have been here. You would have heard the worrying things that the Professor had written in his journal. You would have seen that there just might be a reason that the resident buffoons thought he was a necromancer, and that we as individuals capable of investigating these things, since most of us have at least half a brain, should. The idiot who died attacking a fully armed and armored paladin and, oh yeah, a Half-Orc knew what he was getting in to. His carcass isn't going anywhere. Besides: we have reason to believe it just might get up. I want to prevent that.
"The professor's journal, and his other books, are on the table. We'll wait while you catch up."
Vynlastian looks at Daveak, and sighs. "I do not give out my word as though it were a crust of bread. If I did, it would mean little. So when I promise to do something, I do it. The man who died didn't need to. His death could have been prevented, and I know none of you want to hear it, but his blood is on your hands," Vynlastian walks right up to Daveak, his eyes blazing with a holy light. "But I'm the one cleaning up your collective mess. Your recklessness led to Crutumal Carter's death. Did you know he had a name? A life? A family? What will they do if I go back on my word? How do you think they will get by? His death didn't need to happen, and I will be DAMNED before I let your carelessness ruin another life. So I'm going to go to Lepipstadt. I'm going to get that priest. I'm going to set things right. If you seek to bring further shame on yourselves as a scholar or a soldier in the Prince's army, or whatever else, then fine. But expect a reckoning upon my return. Because Justice doesn't care who you are, or where you come from. Only your deeds are weighed. I would advise you to behave lest you find your deeds wanting." He turns to head out the door, muttering something about wasted time as he does so, and then he's gone.
Daveak chases Vynlastian out the door.
Speaking urgently but quietly, he asks Vynlastian,
"Did you not hear a word I said?! Necromancy! This entire town may be in danger!! You can resurrect one man, and then come come back to find the whole town is in smoking ruins, and the reanimated corpses of everyone here! How does that fit in with your honor?! Resurrect Mr. Carter later. He is not our greatest concern right now."
Vynlastian spins to face Daveak. "There isn't a later with this! I only have a few days, just over a week on the outside to get there and back. I heard you, yes. Necromancy, and the only reason I feel comfortable enough to leave to do this, is that you are as concerned as you are." Vynlastian's face softens. "Daveak. You're a good man, I can see that. I know that you will do everything in your power to prevent any kind of calamity form occurring, and if one does, to prevent the damage from being too severe. So trust me when I say that I trust you to take care of things. As much as I dislike the soldier and his companions, and as much as I distrust the rat-man, I know that you are surrounded by capable folk. None of us would be here if the Professor didn't think so. The town will be fine in my absence. But I need to do this. This country has seen so much death, if I can relieve some of it, I will. I'll be back soon." He turns, and whistles for Arnisant, climbs into the saddle, and looks back to Daveak, a reassuring smile on his face. "I promise."
Gulzin walks back to the house, since he has no luck searching the town. Do I see vyn leaving?