"It is the way of this land to fear. But you need have none. No one shall molest you with an escort five strong I think." Vitaliy says in a monotone. He sticks to what shadows he can find on the way into town.
Why would he name me as an heir? If it is a lagress and his child protests, I will decline. But if it a burden be, then I will accept and make payment upon my debts.
Catherine clearly knows her way around Pharasmin ceremony and catechism, bowing at all of the appropriate times. Very little effort inevitably gives you the chance to see her Pharasmin holy symbol around her neck, although the marks on it are strange and it is partially hidden by her collar.
Catherine seems oblivious walking down the main street of town. Her hands now rest on her weapons, mostly to keep them from jingling as she walks since her eyes betray no hint that she considers the villagers here a threat.
Catching up to Kendra, she says, "Mistress Lorrimore, I'd like to speak with you a moment about the man who tried to disturb our procession, Antrellus. He claims a beast dost stalk this down, one with many legs. Les Bêtes en Noir hunt beasts, whether they go on two, four, or even more legs. While most of us are in the north around the Shudderwood, a simple message could no doubt bring more, were the...arrangements... satisfactory. Big town like this could surely cough up enough euchre to stop any beastly slayings ye might be havin."
Having made her pitch, Catherine pulls back to let the lady mull her words. Kendra may seem distraught and weepish, but Catherine could tell, this was no weak hearted milkmaid, fearful that the next stiff breeze might knock the wall down and let in the wolf.
Let us see how this plays out. See who is offended and who is not. Who leaps to her aid and who against her. And lastly, lets find out exactly how confident she is that she can take care of her own problem, whatever it be.
While walking along in their unusual escort formation, Echo thinks a little more about this entire situation that they were all in. Summoned together to recieve an inheritance of some sort from Prof. Lorrimor, but also summoned to a strange and out of the way place. At least, out of the way for everyone else. Echo mentally kicked herself for not coming here sooner, if only she had then she could have gotten a few questions from the Professor. Especially questions that Arnae was unwilling to share with her.
Perhaps Kendra knows something, something that her father left with her. That thought keeps creeping through Echo's mind in different forms, but she keeps pushing it further back into her mind. She just lost the father that she knew and loved her entire life. This is no time for probing inquiries.
She looked around at this disparate group of men... er, um, males, and women. I don't know what the rest of these will do, but I for one will stick around a few days and see if I can get some answers. Maybe Jominda would have some work for me to do if I run short of money. She at least seems reasonable enough, and I'm sure I could be of assistance if needed.
Leaving the Restlands, you find yourselves in a swampy stretch of land between Ravengro, and Lake Lias to the north.
When you first cross into the town proper of Ravengro, you are immediately impressed by the smell of the town--a combination of the odor from the swamp as well as greasy cooking fires, bitter ale, and the tanning businesses that ostensibly support this town. Curiously, though, the town is quiet. The only noises that mar the buzzing of the swamp are the joyous sounds that spill out from behind the closed doors of the temple of Pharasma, and the sounds of tradesmen at work. Strangers pass with appraising glances or hardened stares. Neither do anything to set the traveler at ease. While Canterwall children are never what one would call ever-present, in Ravengro they are akin to ghosts; seldom glimpsed except in fleeting moments when their parents require their presence in town on some errand.
While the ramshackle buildings across the river at the center of town seem to blend into the swamp itself, on this side of the river, you see a few nicer houses, surrounded by farmland, which appear to be set apart from the town. Nearing the bridge, on the far bank of the river, you see a 25 foot tall statue of a man. What it could possibly be for is anyone's guess. Beyond the statue, to the south, atop a hill, you can see a large building made of black stone. In the mid-morning sun, it appears to absorb the light, and cast a shadow over the area.
Crossing the river, you see an elven violinist sitting cross-legged on a blanket. With a small ceramic bowl placed at the edge of the road, she teases a song out of the instrument as you approach. Dressed in dark gray leggings, and a low-cut top, her brilliant red hair is in sharp contrast to her drab clothing.
Kendra leads you a short distance from the bridge to her home. The home previously owned by Petros Lorrimor. Stepping inside, the curtains are drawn, keeping the light out, giving the house the feeling of being in a museum. The walls of nearly every room are lined with shelves, books crammed into every available spot. Moving into the lower drawing room, Kendra slumps into a chair.
"I'm sure you all have many questions. Please allow me a few moments of comfort before you ask them." She smiles at the nearest party member, and asks, "Could you bring me some iced tea from the kitchen?"
---
---
Ravengro Map -
Temple of Pharasma - E
Nicer houses - M1-M4
Statue - O
Black stone building - R
Lorrimor house - N
Kendra turns to Catherine, "Antrellus, the poor old soul. I have never been able to have a proper conversation with him, but father is very--WAS very interested in his stories. He mentioned once that Antrellus was helping with some research."
She stops and thinks for a few moments. "I can't fathom what beasts he was shouting about. If you're staying in town long enough, you may run into Antrellus again. You could ask him yourself, though most days he's fairly unintelligible. As for helping with any 'beast slaying', that would be up to the Ravengro Council."
I always have loved the sound of the violin... it would be nice to hear some again. Echo dug into her moneybag and pulled out two copper coins. "Please, would you play a lament for a fallen friend? She drops the coins into the bowl, hoping to evoke a song. Hearing the music allows a small sigh of relief to pass by Echo's lips.
Upon hearing Kendra's request, Echo stands up and says, "I think I could bring you some. Days like today are ones that demand either tea to calm the nerves or something stronger to deaden them." Right before she heads through the door she turns to Kendra and says, "Maybe we'll join in something stronger after the will is read."
The bandaged man gives Echo a hard look when she drops the coins in the elf's bowl. He approaches the elf and deposits a silver piece of his own. "My appologies, she probably did not know the signifigance."
Rejoining the group, Vitaliy whispers to Echo. "That was not wise detenysh. In this land, two pennies are for the dead's eyes. Especially on a day like this. You are a recent arrival, no?"
* * *
"Of course. Take all of the time that is needed." Vitaliy paces slowly around the room, peering in at the antiquities displayed along the walls.
Shocked at her faux pas, her face drains of blood. "Yes, I haven't been in Ustulav for more than two months. This has been the first time I've seen someone's funeral arrangements up close. Honestly, I hadn't given much thought to how much I gave to her. I just have so little money and a single copper would be a total insult. Now I just hope two was not worse than one."
Echo looks at the wrapped man-like-figure quizzically. "I take it you have spent much of your life here then. Have you lived near Ravensgro, or from much further away?
Dawn sits down primly in a small chair, folding her hands serenely on her lap. She looks at Vitaliy and asks him, "Nu în care locuiți Ravengro? Care am crescut în Karcau, dar mă tem că nu sunt familiarizați cu acest sat. Știți mulți dintre sătenilor?"
Looking over to Kendra, she smiles and says, "No, I have no questions at the moment. I do confess to being curious as to why your father sent for me, though. Perhaps... perhaps this Will reading might shed further light on the subject. That is if you do not know the reasoning yourself, Miss Kendra."
"Do not fret over much about it. Yes, I have lived in this country for my entire life. No, not specifically here. I am originally from the city of Ardis, to the east. And yourself? Where do you hail from?" asks Vitaliy.
He stares in incomprehension at Dawn's query, trying to pick out the words he knows. "I am sorry, I was never gifted a the western tongue. Karcau... I had wished to go there some day, I hear it is beautiful."
Viktoria ovearhears Dawn speaking in Varisian. After neatly hanging up her hat and coat on a rack near the sitting room, she wanders over to where the cleric is sitting with the cloaked gentleman.
Viktoria attempts to join the conversation, but manages only a few words in broken Varisian, "Sunt, de asemenea, de la Ustalav. Din Bladswell, nu departe de aici.
With a stunted nod she adds,
"Îmi pare rău, Varisian mea este foarte rău."
"I am from Ustalav also. From Bladswell, not far from here."
"I am sorry, my Varisian is very bad."
Having said this she turns her gaze to Kendra and asks, "I apologize Ms. Lorrimor if it is rude of me to ask, but I have not heard how your Father died. What was his cause of death?"
To Dawn, "I do not understand why he asked for all of you." Sipping her tea, she then continues. "Perhaps his late-night adventures caught up with him, and he needed help." She sighs, slumping slightly. "But you're here now, and hopefully we'll all be able to get some resolution."
To Viktoria, "He was found up at Harrowstone prison, a stone gargoyle atop him, obviously having fell from one of the towers, crushing his face and neck." Silent tears stream down her face, as her eyes unfocus, lost in the memory of seeing him. "When I found him, I immediately called on Father Grimburrow, to see if we could learn what had happened by talking to his spirit. The good Father tried, but said he was too tired, and the spirit may have been too long away from the body."
Ulam stands apart from the group, gazing out the front window. His hood still drawn over his head, worn since the group entered town. He abruptly throws it back and asks Kendra, by the river, the stat-ue of a man. Do you know who this man is? It is very big.
"It's a memorial to Warden Hawken. The town built the statue to commemorate the warden when he kept the prisoners contained in Harrowstone the night they rioted. The town surely would have been lost..." her words trail off, as she realizes you don't know what she's talking about.
"The big, black building up on the hill? That's the old Harrowstone prison. Father has a book which recounts the tale. Remind me to dig it out for you before you leave."
After a short while, Echo rejoined the rest of the group carrying a pitcher of Iced Tea, along with enough cups for the entire group.
After pouring a glass for Kendra she asks, "How long have you and your father been here in Ravengro?
"We've been here fifteen years. Right after Father retired from the university in Lepidstadt. He said it would make me well-rounded to spend time out here in the country."
Dawn smiles comfortingly at Vitaliy, "Well, I would not say western tongue. I think one would be hard pressed to find one not proficient in our ancestral tongue." She quickly adds, laying a slim hand on her chest, "I mean no offense, of course, yes? I mean, many do not speak it anymore, and it fades from our memories. And Karcau is still part of the Soivoda, so not so much western as you'd think," she smiles. "Karcau is indeed beautiful, but I am sure such a large city as Ardis has its fair share of beauty, as well."
She then nods, listening to Viktoria carefully, piecing together her strange structure, and smiles at her as well, "Do not worry, you speak it well enough. I have not heard of Bladswell, before, I'm afraid. At least you did not journey far, though, no? But it sounds as if you live north, yes? I am sorry, but I overheard you speaking with Miss Kendra about the Shudderwood."
Dawn nods at Kendra's comment when she mentions Lepidstadt, "I see. I was wondering why the Professor was living out here and not somewhere more... studious. He must have loved you dearly. Did he have many colleagues in Lepidstadt? I am surprised we are the only ones not from Ravengro here. But perhaps they were very busy, or distraught to come, yes. There is much danger on the roads, too. I know this."
"I am from Morcei, in Lozeri. I am with Les Betes." Catherine assumes everyone is familiar with the mercenary company, a no doubt inaccurate conceit.
Circling the room, Catherine takes the opportunity to inspect the books and pieces occupying the shelves. She doesn't seem interested in any one in particular and has the air more of one killing time.
A matter for the Ravengro Council? Interesting. And she was the one to find her father's body. Aside from the obvious question of what he was doing up there, did she just happen to be there as well? Why would she be there but unaware of his purpose? What is it that I don't like about this woman?
...I am only from a small andoran town. I was travelling when I bumoed into the professor. Honestly, my time here with you all was longer than the time I spent with him. I did help him when he was in need though, and he said he owed me. I just thought he would repay it with a warm meal or even sharing some advice, not a place in his will...
Did he have many colleagues in Lepidstadt?
A smile flits across her face. "Oh yes! Over the past few months, Father has been corresponding quite frequently with Judge Daramid in the Lepidstadt courthouse. Father always said she was one of the few people he trusted most in this world."
Kendra finishes her tea, and has placed the glass on a nearby cozy, when there is a series of three sharp raps at the door. "That must be Councilman Vashian," Kendra says as she stands and goes to the front door.
Leading the short, pudgy man into the drawing room, Kendra reclaims her seat. Vashian looks around the room, before seating himself at a small desk. "It's good to see that the wishes of a dead man were fulfilled," Vashian wheezes out, his face beet-red. Taking a glass of the iced tea, he continues on between gulps, reading from a crisp piece of paper he's fished out of an inner pocket. "We are here, on 7th Sarenith, to read the will of one Petros Lorrimor, in the presence of his daughter," indicating Kendra. "The late Petros has also requested that six other individuals be present, though there is no indication as to why."
He harumphs, then re-reads the document to himself, his lips moving with each word. Clearing his throat, and replacing the paper, he then pulls a scroll case from a small bag he has brought with him. He presents the scroll case to everyone in the room, pointing out that the professor's wax seal has been unbroken. Vashian cracks the seal, and unfurls the scroll, sending a small key that was contained inside clattering across the desk and onto the floor. Ignoring the key, he reads the will.
----
“I, Petros Lorrimor, being of sound mind, do hereby commit to this parchment my last will and testament. Let it be known that, with the exception of the specific details below, I leave my home and personal belongings entirely to my daughter Kendra. Use them or sell them as you see fit, my child.
“Yet beyond the bequeathing of my personal effects, this document must serve other needs. I have arranged for the reading of this document to be delayed until all principals can be in attendance, for I have more than mere inheritance to apportion. I have two final favors to ask.
“To my old friends, I hate to impose upon you all, but there are few others who are capable of appreciating the true significance of what it is I have to ask. As some of you know, I have devoted many of my studies to all manner of evil, that I might know the enemy and inform those better positioned to stand against it. For knowledge of one’s enemy is the surest path to victory over its plans.
“And so, over the course of my lifetime, I have seen fit to acquire a significant collection of valuable but dangerous tomes, any one of which in the wrong circumstances could have led to an awkward legal situation. While the majority of these tomes remain safe under lock and key at the Lepidstadt University, I fear that a few I have borrowed remain in a trunk in my Ravengro home. While invaluable for my work in life, in death, I would prefer not to burden my daughter with the darker side of my profession, or worse still, the danger of possessing these tomes herself. As such, I am entrusting my chest of tomes to you, posthumously. I ask that you please deliver the collection to my colleagues at the University of Lepidstadt, who will put them to good use for the betterment of the cause.
“Yet before you leave for Lepidstadt, there is the matter of another favor—please delay your journey one month and spend that period of time here in Ravengro to ensure that my daughter is safe and sound. She has no one to count on now that I am gone, and if you would aid her in setting things in order for whatever she desires over the course of this month, you would have my eternal gratitude. From my savings, I have also willed to each of you a sum of one hundred platinum coins. For safekeeping, I have left these funds with Embreth Daramid, one of my most trusted friends in Lepidstadt—she has been instructed to issue this payment upon the safe delivery of the borrowed tomes no sooner than one month after the date of the reading of this will.
“I, Petros Lorrimor, hereby sign this will in Ravengro on this first day of Gozran, in the year 4711.”
----
With the reading of the will concluded, Vashian looks to Kendra. The woman is shocked, his lower lip quivering. She pulls herself together, thanks Vashian, and walks him to the door. A few moments later, she returns to the drawing room.
Vitaliy wheezes a sigh of relief that there was no awkwardness at some of the young lady's inheritence was diverted away to the likes of him. Only to choke at the later promise of reward. "Of course, my service is yours Ms. Lorrimor, should you wish it. If not, I would only trouble you for the name of an inn hereabouts which would be troubled not by an outsider."
Kendra: "Mister Vladovich, stop talking such nonsense. My father trusted you with the task of delivering his tomes, and to watch over me while I sort out the estate. I insist that you all stay here as long as you need."
"Very well. Where are these dark books now? I will stand vigil this night until we can devise a more permanent way of securing them before the journey. Also, do not stand on formality on my account. You may call me Vitya."
"I believe I know which trunk my father spoke of," Kendra says. "I'll be back in a minute, if you'll excuse me," she finishes before leaving the room and heading upstairs.
"For me, this is no big surprise. Professor good man, but also makes much trouble. Now he is dead and he still makes trouble. Good thing he has friends like us.' With this, Ulam actually chuckles. "I will duh-definatley help the Professor. One more time."
He treads over to where Echo set the serving tray. He pours himself a glass of ice-tea, and downs it in one gulp. He wipes a stream of tea from his chin and smacks his froggy lips. "Delicious." He carries on. "To make a trip to Luh-Lepidstadt is no big trouble. But I have one question to make. What is "tomes"?"
Echo carefully thinks and then slowly responds "Tomes are books that are big or old. They could break easily, so they need to be treated gently."
Well that would take care of my monetary problems for a while. I do wonder what kind of troubles could happen in the next month though. No matter, I'm sure we can handle them. Still, I hope I can see if Kendra knows anything about my parents, although she's close to my age. She might not know anything at all...
"They are books. That they warrant such precautions implies they are full of taboo knowledge and dark magic." Vitaliy answers. He shakes his head "Something is not right. I would wager that the professor's death was no accident. The dead, especially one such as him, do not stay silent when priests commune with them. Either Lorrimor did not trust Grimburrow, or something prevented his speech. This I know."
"The dead, especially one such as him, do not stay silent when priests commune with them. Either Lorrimor did not trust Grimburrow, or something prevented his speech. This I know."
Catherine meets Vitaliy's gaze, one eyebrow raised. Choosing not to pursue the matter, she takes a different angle.
"Something is not right. I would wager that the professor's death was no accident."
"It seems that we will be here for a month and that the site of his demise is within easy walking distance. As we have been hired to protect his daughter during this period, it seems merely proactive to examine the place lest what happen to him happen to her."
Well, it is a blessing that the man has respect for our time. It would be awkward to refuse the request of a man in front of his children at his own funeral. Hmmm, actually, The Lady might make that more than simply awkward.
To Viktoria, "He was found up at Harrowstone prison, a stone gargoyle atop him, obviously having fell from one of the towers, crushing his face and neck."
Echo paused for a short moment, and thought about the circumstances of the professor's death. Quietly, as not to disturb Kendra in the other room, she asks, "Would the professor's body have been able to speak at all? I don't know a great deal about what happens to the body after death, but his body probably would not have been able to speak if his face had been crushed. Or was it his ghostly spirit they were trying to commune with?
Echo turns to Vitaliy, "You seem to have more experience with this than I do. What do you think?
Kendra returns with a small oak chest, secured with iron fittings. Struggling with the weight of it, she nearly stumbles into the room. Doing her best to be dainty about it, she drops it onto the desk that Vashian sat at only a few minutes prior.
"It seems to be locked," she says, as she searches about for the key that was in the scroll case. She holds the key to the chest, and her hand starts shaking. "I...I can't. Who knows what Father kept in there." She turns away from the chest, and hands the key to the nearest party member, who happens to be Ulam.
Ulam shrugs, goes over to the chest, and turns the key in the keyhole. There is a faint click, and the latch pops open. Inside the chest, there are three dusty old books, and a fourth that is relatively new, sitting atop the others. Scratched into the red leather of the topmost book are the words Read me now!
1 - Vitaliy
2 - Catherine
3 - Dawn
4 - Ulam
5 - Echo
6 - Viktoria
Echo turns to Vitaliy, "You seem to have more experience with this than I do. What do you think?
[quote-Catherine]"It seems that we will be here for a month and that the site of his demise is within easy walking distance. As we have been hired to protect his daughter during this period, it seems merely proactive to examine the place lest what happen to him happen to her."
"I fully intend to and would appreciate your assistance in doing so"
"...but his body probably would not have been able to speak if his face had been crushed. Or was it his ghostly spirit they were trying to commune with
"I had not considered the former possibility. Perhaps you are right. Or perhaps the gods were simply fickle on that day."
* * *
"No immediate danger, if we are careful." Vitaliy extends a bony finger to point at the scrawl on the topmost book, but is careful to make no physical contact. "Kendra, this is potentially important. Is that your father's handwriting?"
Kendra looks at the book, and confirms it's the professor's handwriting.
With this confirmation from Kendra, Ulam reaches for the book.
It appears to be the professor's journal. Most of the entries are fairly bland. Skimming through the book, you notice that occasionally there is an entry circled in red ink, as if someone were drawing attention to them.
"PLEASE READ NOW." Ulam announces, and displays the red leather cover. "Looks like Professor's diary-book. Many red markings." He shows the group, pointing with a large, claw-like finger. "Here, here.. and here." He extends the book toward Vitaliy. "Now you look."
Catherine leans back against the wall beside the desk, interested to see how this will play out. Discretely, she looks into the box at the second book to see if there are any outside hints to its contents.
Hmmmm, interesting that the orc hands it to the potential necromancer. They did not seem to know each other before today, so should I assume this is a coincidence? Orcs don't usually go for something as subtle as necromancy and this one seems of that bent, so he's probably selected the one who appears the most bookish. Orcs may not be the brightest, but they are good to have at your back in a fight. Let's let the spooky one read the diary and report back. I can always read it after and check the accuracy...
The second book in the pile is a rich purple. On it's cover there is no writing, only a single brass scarab, set with a single eye in its center.
The book's cover is trimmed with polished steel, and clasped with a small but intricate lock. The keyhole is an odd shape, appearing to require a key with a triangular shaft.
Vitaliy accepts the book handed to him. He opens the front cover carefully and begins to silently read.
Seeing the book with a keyhole, Dawn asks, "Ulam, are there any keys in that box?" Turning to Kendra, not expecting there to be any, she then asks of her, "Miss Kendra, do you happen to know if your father possessed any keys that would fit this lock? It's a peculiar shape, so I'm hoping that such a key would stand out in your memory."
Kendra smiles at Dawn."It would take weeks to find a single key amongst all of Father's things. Nothing immediately comes to mind." Does she really think that I was privy to Father's books, let alone their secrets? It was all I could do to allow him to let me copy from Grimburrow's tomes.
A hint of anger flashes over her eyes, which passes as quickly as it came.
She thinks for a moment. "His room upstairs is the most likely place he'd keep a key. Feel free to look around, just try not to make too much of a mess." She indicates which room it is, and then goes off to see about some lunch.
A hint of anger flashes over her eyes, which passes as quickly as it came.
Ah, it's about time that the oh, so careful daughter makes a mistake. Now, exactly how angry was she at her father? Angry enough to accidentally knock over a gargoyle? Or maybe just angry enough to not give a warning push? I'm less interested in searching his rooms than hers. It's obvious he was into something unseemly, the only question was if she was a partner or competitor.
"Silly me, I've never been very interested in mysteries, I think I just don't have a suspicious mind. I'm going to go upstairs and search for that key. I wonder what could possibly be in these books.
Catherine heads upstairs, ready to neatly, but thoroughly, toss the entire room. Wherever possible, she removes every item from a shelf or bin, setting them aside and then replacing them. While I know this might take a great deal of time - 1) she seems to have plenty of it 2) she's patient and 3) she's not so foolish as to read anything other than covers or handle any object longer than 3-4 heartbeats.
Catherine goes through the professor's room as carefully as she can. After what she felt was a thorough search, she comes up with 2 keys. One made of black stone, the other a metal plated in red chrome--neither of them is triangular.
Aside from that, hundreds of more dusty books, a collection of insects on a peg board, and what looks like a large mechanical insect.
Ick, I thought this guy was into dead stuff, not mechanics. Maybe the necromancer will know something about this thing later. Two keys, neither of them triangular. I'm going to hang on to these, try them in a few locks. It'll be interesting to see what they open.
Seeing Catherine and Dawn's search for a key come to an unsatisfying end, Echo pulls her pack over. "Hmmm.... lets see, I know it's in here somewhere." She searched through her pack, diggering her way through the various loose items.
"There we go! She pulled out a small roll of leather that seems to be 'stuffed' with a varity of small metal tools. Echo looks over at the rest of the group, and says, "If you don't mind, I could see if there's a way through that doesn't involve a key."
Dawn nods as Kendra speaks, "The oddity of such a key was a hopeful shot in the dark. Thank you, Miss Kendra."
When Catherine returns without the key they're looking for, she'll look to Echo, "If you can do it without damaging the book, please. If it will harm the book, however, I do not wish that. I am only curious as to what could possibly be in a book that may or may not be worth the Professor's life. But our priority should be to deliver the books as we found them to his colleagues in Lepidstadt."
"Though I am curious as to the betterment of which cause such supposedly awful books would be ascribed to," she wonders aloud.
Echo deftly inserts the tools into the lock. A bead of sweat rolls from off her forehead into her eye, which she quickly blinks away.
Vitaliy sits in a nearby chair, nodding to himself occasionally, flipping the pages at a steady rate.
Vitaliy looks up from the tome. "I think that would not be wise. Books such as that one" He points to the scarab embossed volume, "are usually sealed for a reason. Give me a moment to see what other guidance the good Professor has left before proceeding."