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(See a portrait of ) Father Grimburrow continues, "I have Petros' resting place ready, we can continue as soon as Kendra is ready. The ceremony will continue as planned. I will answer your questions when we have safely laid Petros in the ground." He turns to his companion, "Dravig, stay here until Sheriff Caeller arrives, just to make sure that these two can be punished for their outrage." As he turns to you all "I hope you are able to help lower Petros' coffin to its final resting place? One of you please bring a spade, I wouldn't ask normally, but these are unusual circumstances. Pharesma, protect Petros as he travels to his resting place." He cannot disguise his anger at the desecration of the ceremony, of the disrespect shown to his god, his face reddens, his knuckles clench. It takes a moment for him to regain the poise and cool composure of a cleric of Pharesma. It subsides slightly as he feels the power of positive healing magic emanating from Eilinica.
As Kendra, dabs her cheeks with a cloth, wiping away the tale-tell signs of tears, doing her best to look respectable. Father Grimborrow answers Eilinica, "When we return after the service, I'm sure the sheriff will still be here, should any further healing be required. It is always a pleasure to welcome priests of other gods to join with us in prayer, even in such unfortunate circumstances. So who's path do you follow?" He smiles kindly at Dominnica as she retreats to the back of the funeral procession.
Even as an amount of normality is restored, the mists clear a little, you see the path ahead and around more clearly. The drizzle has stopped and a hazy yellow glow is diffused through the layer of cloud above the Restlands. Your faces feel ever so imperceptibly a feeling of warmth from the hidden sun, a calmness pervades the atmosphere, replacing the violence of before.
Once Petra is ready, Father Grimburrow leads the small cortege to the gravesite, and recites a prayer commending the Professor's soul to Pharasma, the Lady of Graves before asking two of you to lower the coffin into the waiting earth.
"For let us all remember that in life we are always close to death, and our Lady Pharasma awaits us all in the end. So while living, conduct yourselves as if she were due to call you in the morning, yet engage in your activities as if she would not receive you for a thousand years," he says by way of sermon, then turns to Kendra and asks her if she would like to say a few words.
Kendra fights back tears and briefly recounts a few of her father’s more courageous or self-less moments, thanking everyone once again for coming. She then invites anyone else to share a few stories or remembrances.
After the deed was finally done, Merenso felt his usual cheerful demeanor slowly coming back to him. As he mentally recounted his past adventures with the late Professor Lorrimor, he even went so far as to grin, perhaps somewhat inappropriately. Quickly pulling himself back together, he took a small step forward.
"I am not a man of many words, as the late Professor would attest. I couldn't really name himself among his closest friends either - unfortunately, we have only travelled together on Professor's business needs here in Ustalav. However I feel this gives me all the more right to say, that if even I, the uncouth forest dweller, can claim to have shared the best moments of my life with the departed, then surely he was a man who put the needs of the people who surrounded him above those of his own. May he rest in peace, and I pray to Old Deadeye to guide his way to the Pharasma's domain without error."
Having finished his impromptu little speech, Merenso quickly stepped back without looking at anyone. He closed his eyes and put two fingers on the eyelids. His lips moved in silence for a few more seconds, before he set himself completely straight and waited for the others to say their parting words.
When Xiuj comes to, he puts his hands over his face and wails in Tien...
He gets up suddenly, alarmed. He runs his hands over his clothing, sash, bottles, flasks and tubes. He relaxes with a sigh of great relief.
"They no broken!"
He gives Elinica a bow.
"Thank you lady! No bottles broke! I owe you now. Got potion lets you catch man. You want?"
Xiuj goes up to the podium, squints a little at the crowd.
"Professor Lorrimor, he worth ten times all you put together!
He stalks back to his position.
"There is no need, Grandfather," Eilinica replies, smiling gently. She points to one of the villains that is still on the ground. "The law will be asking questions of them. And it would be a poor choice for a priestess of my Lady to abandon a friend on his last journey on this earth."
Eilinica rolls her eyes after her elder patient speaks. The man's ways were grating, true, and... she was having some trouble determining what manner of saving graces he might have. Still, the Professor and his companions deserved better than hearing that none would ever attain his stature.
"I met this man along the ways," she begins. "I've Desna to thank for allowing our paths to meet. I am truly honored that I was invited to walk with him on this, his final journey," Eilinica pauses and looks to the sky. "May my Lady's songs guide you to your final rest, Sir, and may she smile upon all those gathered here to mourn you."
Jevalt glides silently to the fore of the gathered crowd. He is about to speak when he looks up at the tell-tale sound of a whippoorwill's call. He sees the small bird perched on a barren limb just by the grave site, and Jevalt grins despite himself. Fare thee well, old friend. He shakes himself out of his own thoughts and back to the present. "There are those among us who can count many they can call friend. I have never been one of those people. But there is one man that I could always, without doubt, call a true friend. That man lies before us here today. When I first met the Professor, he told me I saved his life. He was in Caliphas, and I happened upon him as he was being attacked by..." he pauses. "Creatures of the night. I did what any man in my position would have done. But I like to think he saved me. Because were it not for his friendship and guidance, I would probably not be here before you today. And so today my friend completes the cycle. The Lady is there with us when we come into this world, and so is she with us when we move on to the next." Jevalt glances back at the whippoorwill before drawing a beautiful wavy dagger from his belt. He begins to pray aloud, punctuating the verses with intricate movements of the dagger.
"Pharasma nostrum Matris,
Vestri vox addo nos ut ortus,
Vestri providentia rector nostrum ago,
quod per Vestri to order nos reverto ut unda.
Matris, qui intereo es levamentum in Vestri presentia,
suum ago abeo tamen operor non terminus.
Ego precor in spero prosapia,
parentes quod amicitia,
quod pro totus silenti etc notus vobis unus.
In vexillum vobis,
Quisnam dies quod iam ago
mae suum exsisto gauisus nostrum lacrima es deleo absentis.
Iunctum nos una iterum una prosapia."
After finishing his prayer, he stands in silence for a moment before sheathing the dagger and returning to his place by the casket.
As Jevalt concludes his prayer, a pair of newcomers approaches the solemn gathering from the misty recesses of the graveyard. One is an imposing man, easily 6-feet 10-inches tall, with an impressive, muscular build. A dark, hooded cloak conceals his face for the moment, but the glint of finely polished chainmail gleams from underneath. The wicked-looking greataxe and razor-sharp falchion strapped to the man's back would indicate he is no stranger to the art of combat.
From beneath the concealing hood, a gravelly bass voice rumbles, "We, too, are touched by the sudden loss of our friend Professor Lorrimor. I only regret that we have arrived late for this ceremony of remembrance. My name is Agrimar Vaskel, and I would speak as well, if none here object."
Eilinica smiles broadly at the newcomer. "None should object," she says sweetly. "Surely Desna smiles upon thee, friends, that you should join us now."
"A moment, Ysabot," Agrimar says gently to his smaller companion as he moves to stand at the front of the assembled mourners. The big man hesitates for just a moment, then throws back his concealing hood to reveal a homely face. The warrior's black hair is long and coarse, his skin a dark olive in tone. Dark eyes glitter from beneath a sloping brow, taking in the faces of those before him. After a curt nod of thanks to Eilinica for her encouragement, Agrimar speaks.
"I came to know Professor Petros Lorrimor under difficult circumstances, and I shudder to think what course my path might have taken, were it not for his influence on my life. It was he who encouraged me to take the turmoil of my inner demons, and channel these passions instead into zeal for a life of service to others. He introduced me to priests of the Temple of Iomedae, and now I willingly serve the church as a paladin of The Inheritor. Everything I am today, any small good I may have done...I owe it all to the friendship of Professor Lorrimor, the love of my sister, and the hand of Iomedae upon my life. Rest well, my old friend."
His words concluded, Agrimar returns to stand next to Ysabot at the rear of the gathering.
At the warrior's words, Eilinica steps closer to Kendra, and whispers a prayer in Varisian before laying a hand on her shoulder in a friendly fashion and beaming a smile at the larger man.
"You see, Mistress, your father was well loved," she whispers to the girl, "Do not think upon the earlier unpleasantness, rather, let us recall the good he did, for this young man and others."
The smallish thin woman watches Agrimar speak with a look of pride on her face. The cat at her feet perks its head up upon hearing Agrimar's voice then settles at the woman's feet.
When Agrimar approaches Ysabot leans close, puts a hand on his arm, and speaks quietly to the big man, "You spoke well little brother. The professor would be proud."
Ysabot continues watching the people gathered around taking time to examine each person.
"I spoke only as my heart led me," Agrimar replies softly to his sister.
Looking around as well, the big paladin spies Kendra. "Could that be Petros' daughter? Perhaps we should introduce ourselves, Ysa."
"A good idea. Let's wait a bit so she isn't overwhelmed and go pay our respects."
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Kendra seems moved by Jevalt and the newcomer Agrimar's words, she adds to her eulogy spoken earlier adding some simple yet heartfelt words, "Thank you for your kind words about my father. Father, hear your friends. Your search for knowledge and teaching led you to honor and prestige in Lepidstadt Universtity, your integrity and courage to find truth and goodness, made you a role model for not only your students but for me, my dear, dear father. Even now your friends speak of your inspiration and honest counsel, that shaped their lives for better. If only.." she stops, holding back the grief about to roll over like a giant wave. A few moments, a few deep breathes later she continues, "I can grow to be like you...dear father ... I miss you!" she dabs her handkerchief on the tears welling, before dropping it down into the hole, to rest gently on her father's coffin. She turns to Eilinica and gives her a gentle nod, acknowledging the warmth of her touch. She turns away from the coffin, standing back from the opening in the ground.
It is then Father Grimburrow says a few more words, before asking Jevalt and Merenso to act in place of the gravediggers to fill in the first part of the hole.
After the funeral is over, Kendra invites you back to her home, that was so recently her father's, for a drink and to hear his last will and testament, as described in your invitations.
As you walk back, the gravediggers are talking to a man, the Father points out the Sheriff, Benjan Caeller. He walks over and speaks with him, before Grimburrow holds his holy symbol, which bursts into a blueish light, healing the men lying on the ground. The father returns, saying the sheriff will take care of matters. Benjan recognizes the men and some of the base farm laborers in town, prone to violence and easily led as they receive scathing rounds of scolding and warnings from the town sheriff.
Walking through the town, your little group attracts stares, more curious than hostile although nobody seems particularly friendly. The Lorrimor residence is a modest home (area N on the Ravengro map) with crowded bookshelves in every room, and you are soon seated in a comfortable living room with a warm fire in the grate. Kendra has a full-bodied red wine that she offers to you all.
She's also prepared rooms for you, expecting you to at least stay overnight, and will heat water for anyone who wants to freshen up before taking their wine and hearing the will. The reading of the professor's will requires the presence of Councilman Vashian Hearthmount - who you saw briefly at the funeral and is the nearest thing the town has to a lawyer - but he has some other errands to run and won't be able to get there for about an hour.
Jevalt allows the warmth of the fire to course through him before being escorted to the room Kendra has prepared for him. He graciously accepts her offer to heat him some water to clean himself before the reading. After she leaves he rigorously scours his body until his skin is practically scrubbed raw. Afterwards, feeling much better after his cleaning, in modest, comfortable clothes before heading back downstairs.
Returning to the living room, he seats himself quietly. Upon being offered the wine, Jevalt stares at the bottle for a long moment before thanking her but declining the offer. He continues to enjoy the warmth of the fire until the councilman arrives.
Along the way back to the Lorrimor home, Agrimar sticks close to Ysabot, his face once again hidden beneath his hood. He says softly to his sister, "At least we didn't miss the reading of the Professor's will. Do you think he may have left us something? I can't imagine what."
Arriving back at the house, Agrimar takes a moment to formally introduce himself to Kendra. "Again, I do apologize for arriving late to your father's funeral. We did all we could to arrive sooner, but sometimes we find it easier to travel...discreetly. These are strange times, after all, and some of the local folk none too welcoming to strangers such as ourselves."
"Thank you for your generosity, we have nowhere else to stay, and little money for lodgings. I believe I would enjoy a bath. But no wine for me, thank you, it is important that I remain sober and vigilant."
As he waits for the arrival of the councilman, Agrimar turns to ask Jevalt, "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice those men in the graveyard. Was there some sort of trouble?"
Outside the Lorrimore home, Eilinica goes through what appears to be a rather elaborate process of shaking dust from her traveling cloak, pants, boots, and finally her hair, waving any who pause to watch inside.
"You are a most gracious hostess, lady," Eilinica replies to Kendra's offer to heat water to wash with a smile. "As your guest, I would be delighted to wash before we receive other visitors."
After washing, Eilinica takes the offered wine and scans the bookshelves for any titles of interest. At Agrimar's words, Eilinica frowns and turns, but finding that he is addressing the pale priest, she blushes and turns 'round again.
Merenso has gratefully accepted a bathing offer. After a sleepless night and the ruckus at the graveyard, the hot water made him feel woozy. He had to concentrate not to pass out while waiting for the councilman to arrive, and Kendra's kind offer of the wine could not get more timely. As the wine livened him up, he reclined in an armchair and glanced over his companions.
"I wonder, if there is anyone else here, whom this invitation has caught up by surprise? As for me, I could have easily missed it at all - it was delivered to my cabin at dawn, just as I was about to leave for a 3-day fishing trip on a boat.
Does anyone know of the Professor's cause of demise? It must have been an extremely unfortunate incident - he was not the one I'd expect to leave us so early.
But least of all, I expected to be invited here - there is no way I could inherit anything from him. We were good partners and had good fun when he needed me to guide him through Ustalav, but I've never met him when he was not on a mission. Maybe one of you has a different story to tell?"
Jevalt glances over the half-orc just long enough for him to begin to feel uncomfortable before answering. His red eyes seem to be looking into your soul, seeing all that there is to know about you.
"A minor disagreement with some of the locals. Nothing of great concern."
The paladin looks directly into Jevalt's eyes as the inquisitor replies. A careful observer might notice Agrimar tense up a bit, as his hand drifts a little closer to the haft of his axe. He takes a deep breath. Easy. Easy. He wouldn't be here if the Professor had not invited him as well.
Widening the conversation to all those nearby Agrimar replies, "Really? A disagreement that turned to violence? It seems that must be of some concern, at least."
"They were blasphemers," Eilinica reports, "like as not half mad with drink, as well. They interrupted the professor's journey to his grave, and refused to listen to reason. They are being held by the authorities, now."
Merenso scoffed. "Also took him for a necromancer, ignorant peons. And they say I'm uncivilized. Ha!"
He thanked Kendra for the additional wine and took a sip, his eyes half-closed with enjoyment.
"I wonder what their reasoning for being here was?"
She puts a calming hand on her brother's elbow.
Looking at Merenso, "Why was he thought of being a necromancer?"
"Beats me. They didn't seem to be in a mood for a metaphysical discussion. But they cited it as a reason for him to be buried outside Ravengro. That was their agenda, in a nutshell. As the holy lady here said, they refused to listen to reason. I did my best to scare them away, but they still attacked us first. As the late Professor used to say, the mob is always dumber than the dumbest of its members."
A young gentleman with delicate features is standing outside after you answer his polite knock on the door.
He dramatically shakes his hair so he can unhood his cloak, pulls off some leather gloves, and folds up a map.
He scans the room stopping when his eyes meet Ysabot. He quickly checks his appearance in pocket mirror.
"Sorry I was late. I rushed over as quick as I could and I had to ask a young lady for directions. I really wanted to pay my respects. I guess the mob with the torches and pitchforks has dispersed. Anyway, I could use a little adult conversation washed down with some adult beverages.
Agrimar appears to relax, if just slightly, as Ysabot comforts him. Trying not to think too hard about Jevalt's nature, he adds, "A disturbing turn of events, to be sure. Unfounded charges of necromancy are not something I would suffer lightly, but it sounds as if you defended Professor Lorrimor's honor with righteous vigor." Satisfied for now, the paladin settles in to wait for the reading of the will to begin.
Ereviss takes a deliberate stance and annunciates clearly and in perfect iambic pentameter.
"I asked the scholars who the best of the them was, and they intoned quickly Larrimore.
I asked the halls of academia if they were the same, but the dark halls then quoth 'Nevermore'.
I asked a stranger where I must go this very day, and they spoke suspiciously and hurriedly, to House Larrimore.
I then asked who believes these circumstances are natural or usual, and I reached out, grabben them by their coat and raising my voice to an eerie shriek said 'It sure the &%$@ isn't me."
Jevalt looks up as the elf enters the home. He looks him over, noting anything of import, before retreating back into himself while mumbling something softly to himself about missing the funeral but making the reading of the will.
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Cleaning up from her journey Dominnia let's her hood fall revealing her striking features, crystal blue eyes, and waist length hair. Blushing slightly when any of the men eye her for to long only adds to her beauty.
She takes a seat near the window and holds the offered glass of wine barely taking a few sips.
"Soon the reading will be over and I can leave. My worries about having to repay the professor were for nothing now that he is gone. I hope you forgive me for coming here grandfather. I miss you." she says to herself lost in her own thoughts, until Kendra asks for how those gathered know her father.
"What do I do? He was right, maybe I shouldn't have come." she thinks not knowing what to do.
When it is her turn to speak she takes a gulp of wine and then sits the glass down. "Your father was a very kind man to me. I... I was lost in the world, my path unknown. But the professor he sheltered and protected me without question. He took me to shrine of The Inheritor and told me that - Everyone has a part to play in the great story of history. The only thing that separates the common man from the hero is the amount of people who knows their story. - He left me there to study and find my way, saying that one day I would be able to repay him. I am so grateful, and sorry that now it looks like I will not get that chance."
Everiss takes his gaze from Ysabot to Domminia. He smiles and tries to look everyone in the eye. He then deliberately walks over to Jevalt and says, "I miss him too, although it is not in my nature to brood. You might say I'm crying on the inside."
As an afterthough Everiss' eyes wander over the rest of Jevalt with an appraising glance. "You know, the dark look doesn't look too bad on you. Your hair is striking, you need to find a way to show it off more. Your skin could really use more sun. But the main problem is this wardrobe. With some better accessorizing we can have you looking much better for only a few silvers.
Everiss then turns to Dominnia. "After my inspiring speech you still still don't get it. This IS your chance. Look around you and notice the august company the professor kept gathering here. Maybe he was fated to bring us together. Sure, I know you feel you just beat off a pack of pathetic, common, sedentary townsfolk, but I feel this group is destined for big things. Maybe two packs of pathetic, common, sedentary street thugs. Now please tell me you have something better than Merlot; I hate it when they serve Merlot.
Everiss grabs a bottle of wine and carefully checks the vintage and tilts the bottle looking for sediment in the sides and bottom.
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Taking up her wine once more to give her time to think Dominnia looks over at the great sword that rest against the wall near her spear.
"Gathered here?" she thinks. "But Ravengro is so off the beaten path. The closest thing beside Lastwall is..."
"GASP!"
CRASH
The glass falls from Dominnia's hand breaking on the floor as a strange light starts to come from her. She stands and looks frightened and cornered as she looks into the eyes of everyone.
The light seems concentrated on her forehead and is a bright ball that flares up before settling only moments later to a soft yellow glow. It gives the impression of the sun being cut through the middle by a jagged line.
After being drawn to the symbol that has appeared mysteriously on the assimar's forehead no one seemed to notice the six and a half foot armored form that appeared behind her.
As hard as that is to believe.
Just as Jevlat is about to say something inappropriate to the elf, a creature appears in the room almost without warning. Jevalt leaps out of his chair and, placing himself between it and Kendra, reaches for his hip only to find nothing. Gods blast it all! Never leave your armaments, even in a place you believe to be peaceful. Keeping his facing towards the suit of armor, he sizes up the apparition. Animated armor. Possible sorcery. Haunted? Don't remember seeing it here before, so not likely. Summoned outsider? Jevalt looks to the rune inscribed on the armor's helm and its match glowing on the woman's forehead. Highly probable. Best course of action? Distract to learn more of its capabilities and motives and attempt to escape back upstairs to reclaim weapons. A low growl escapes Jevalt's throat. To look at him now one would notices that his incisors are longer than normal. Not much, but enough to bare notice.
"What manner of creature are you, and be warned, I can sense falsehood?" Then turning to Dominnia, "And what is your connection to it?"
As the armor appears Ysabot grabs a pair of darts, one for each hand, and steps next to, and slightly in front of, Agrimar.
She was about to speak but pale skinned man echoed her thoughts in his words. She looks to the woman and the haunted armor wondering what will happen next.
"Jevalt, note that although his armor is old, it is quite fashionable and well set off by the glowing symbol.
He intervenes with intentions that are not malevolent. He obviously seeks to protect. The nature of this magic is a powerful magic known as summoning by the worldly and informed.
Obviously the connection is the matching symbols, and just as Domminia's beauty is not of this world, neither is this.
I am pleased to meet you. How should we address you?
Domminia, quick, this is serious. You must quickly soak up that spilled wine with a rag and rub what you can't get up in with salt or that nice floor will be permanently stained. I think then we can talk about whether or not you should avoid your fate at Gallowspire."
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The armored helm looks over the woman's blond head at the group. It's quiet sternness present, though you can see no facial expressions.
Creaking as the armor turns to look at Kendra, he bows in respect.
When he raises from the bow Dominnia leans forward putting her head on Theodric's breastplate. The glow of her rune reflects of the surface of the metal as well as the tears rolling down her cheeks.
Ereviss joins in the clean up.
"Sorry for my words. I sometimes forget I am no longer privileged with servants to jump at my call. My rich parents sometimes instilled in me the wrong priorities. I also did not mean to question your dedication.
Ereviss mumbles, "I also sometimes lash out when I am upstaged."
As the armor appears Ysabot grabs a pair of darts, one for each hand, and steps next to, and slightly in front of, Agrimar.
She was about to speak but pale skinned man echoed her thoughts in his words. She looks to the woman and the haunted armor wondering what will happen next.
** spoiler omitted **
At the sudden commotion, Agrimar leaps to his feet, the haft of his greataxe tightly gripped in hand. As it quickly becomes apparent that this armored apparition is not a threat, however, he whispers back to his sister, "Hold, Ysa. Curious as this knight may be, I don't believe he means us harm."
After a moment, Agrimar sits back down, stating loudly enough for all to hear, "And here I thought Ysabot and I would be the most unusual pair of relatives in attendance tonight. I stand corrected."
Jevalt visibly relaxes. He continues to look the "knight" up and down, though, as if just waiting for it to lay a curse on the assembly. When he seems convinced that it is not up to any foul sorcery (for the moment, at least), Jevalt sighs loudly. "Where in the nine hells is the councilman? I would rather like to get this underway."
The Tien man, having thanked his hostess and bowing deeply, made use of the heated water to freshen his aching body and change clothes before rejoining the party.
Taking the glass of wine, he examines the liquour as if he had never seen such before. Absent mindedly he lit a pipe of a foreign design, and let a greenish smoke leak from his mouth that smells more of exotic incense than pipe-weed. He is silent, listening to the others talk and seems to consider deeply what is heard.
When the armored figure makes his appearance, he quickly produces a flask filled with a reddish liquid ready to throw; then eases it back into his sash when the threat passes.
As the armored ghost appeared, Merenso has sprung up from his seat, still holding the wine in his hand. He stared at the figure incredulously, then moved his gaze to the wine.
"What in the planes did I just drink?!" He looked at Xiuj. "Or is this your accursed weed playing tricks on my mind?"
Then he noticed that everyone is just as alarmed as he is. He has imitated spitting behind his left shoulder and knocked on the armchair's wooden arm three times, completely forgetting that just a minute ago he was bashing peasant superstitions.
"Oh, my. I think I'm starting to get where all this necromancer talk has been coming from. Petros really had a knack for choosing friends." he said, calming down and lowering himself back into the chair.
Eilinica smiles broadly and sits down on the floor besides the gruff man, the apples of her cheeks more than a little flushed. More than half her glass of wine is gone, and she appears more than a little chipper.
"He was a traveler," she almost sings, and for a moment it appears that the wings of her butterfly tattoos shiver as the muscles in her arm flex and move, raising the glass to her mouth once more. "My Lady Desna, and the lady of the Graves, together they weave the webs that bind us to each other. Fate, chance," Eilinica sighs and smiles broadly. "Should I do a reading?" she suggests.
"Lady Ziorec, I would love a reading. But first I would like to cast some magic myself. Jevalt, nothing untoward I assure you.
Ereviss turns his back to the group and speaks and gestures with his delicate hands. His small frame grows and his features seem to change. When he turns around, he is the spitting image of the Professor with all his mannerisms and affectations. His voice changes from a deliberate, perfectly measured voice to that of the professor.
"My friends, I am glad you all came. Your presence has touched me more than you can know. I considered you all to be more than proteges; I considered you family. There is nothing you could have done to prevent my death, and in a way my demise serves a better person. I am proud of who you are, but more importantly, for what you will become.
Actual tears stream down his face and he is truly crying. Pausing and waving his hands in the air and composing himself; he speaks again. His performance is now less sincere, but more polished. Definitely this is now Act 2.
"You will find Ereviss to be quite a capable young man. Under his frivilous exterior is a frivolous interior, but under that frivolous interior is a natural leader. I give him my highest recommendation. Ladies, if I was 30 years younger (and still alive) I would love to cavort with him in a nearby hotspring. He is quite 'the catch'.
Oh, by the way, Jevalt is quite the cad once you get to know him. I can tell you about our adventure by the hot springs later. Do not let his gruff exterior fool you.
After Ereviss turns around, changes back to the features of a young elf. He turns back around.
"That first part really wasn't me you know. I was just playing a part. That second part, well I always have to embelish and push a good thing too far you know.
"Should I do a reading?" she suggests.
Ereviss walks over to Eillinica and offer her both his delicate hands. "I would love a reading. I am hoping you need to hold my hands and look deeply in my eyes."
Eilinica raises her mostly empty glass in a toast to the performer and grins. "To the Professor's hospitality!" she says cheerfully, and reaches to steady her ascent on Marenso's chair arm, her fingers brushing his arm for a moment. Under the dull lights, she can be seen to blush.
"As the man suggested, this is an occasion for us to celebrate the Professor's life, and how he has influenced each of us in our lifetimes. And perhaps, in making merry, we might also touch the hearts of his Lady daughter," she suggests with a broad smile, and inclines her head in a salute to Kendra.