DM-Camris' CARRION CROWN Chapter 1: The Haunting of Harrowstone (Inactive)

Game Master Camris

Ysabot agrees with her brother and after a moment relaxes. She puts her darts away after Agrmar sits down then walks over the knight.
"Hello Sir Theodric Vorsaife and Dominnia. My name is Ysabot and my brother is Agrimar Vaskel."
Turning to Erviss, "That was an outstanding imitation sir."
Turning back to the knight, she taps the armor with a sharp nail making a 'ping' 'ping' noise. "So, what are you?" she asks with a smile.

The knight seems taken aback by Ysabot's boldness. He pauses as the others look on as if they to are waiting an answer.

"Milady Ysabot," he says with a slight bow backing away from the outstretched hand. "I learned from our dearly departed friend Professor Lorrimor that I am what has become known as an eidolon. A creature of the outer planes linked to someone of the material world. I was once a man. Once alive but now I am but a shell of the man I was before, if a man I still be."

The helm turns to stare towards Dominnia as she finishes cleaning the mess on the floor. "I have but one purpose and that is to protect Dominnia. She must be allowed to continue on her own path. Whatever The Inheritor has in store for her I will be there to help her see it through."

Dominnia looks up and smiles at the armor fondly.

Agrimar listens intently to the words of Sir Theodric, and simply nods his shaggy head in approval.

Jevalt smiles ever so slightly, glad that everyone has calmed and is in such good spirits. He moves back closer to the fire, attempting to drive away the ever- present cold pervading his bones. Let them enjoy each other's company. Soon this reading would be over and he could return to Caliphas. He shuddered to think of what the "locals" we're doing in his absence.

Ysabot tilts her head up and moves closer to Sir Vorsaife with a giggle, "Milady Ysabot, I like the sound of that." She peers at the eidolon trying to look through the slits in the armor and continues, "Protecting family is important and I can support that type of behavior. She taps the armor again with a 'ping', A shell you might be because you echo like one. I like you Knight Theo. We should have more conversations later on."

She hands Dominnia a scarf, "Use this to wipe your hands it is scented dried roses and crag moss petals. It takes the sticky off and makes you smell pretty at the same time."

Ysabot then turns around looking about the room until she spots the snack tray. The cat under Agrimar's chair perk's its head up, stretches, and scampers over to Ysabot. Ysabot sits next to Agrimar and hands him a plate and drops a hand, with a cracker in it, to the cat. "Keep your wits about you little one and don't get underfoot."

To Agrimar, "Eat a little bite of this sausage, it's spicy."

To Agrimar, "Eat a little bite of this sausage, it's spicy."

Agrimar happily accepts the morsel from his sister, and wolfs it down hungrily. "You're right, it's good. I notice you offered food to Persimmon first, though." A slight tightening at the corner of his mouth indicates that Agrimar is joking, the first sign of any sense of humor evidenced by the big paladin.

Eilinica compresses her lips at the knight's words about Dominnia's path, slightly frustrated that she has little to add to the conversation. Knights of the Inheritor... she looks between the ... Eidolin, and the living knight and blushes slightly, then places her mostly consumed glass of wine on a nearby table. She quickly looks away, unwilling to intrude on the moment between the pretty woman and the knight, and recognizes that the crossbowman has withdrawn further. She goes to him.

"Those men might well have murdered the grandfather if I were not on hand to assist," she says softly. "It was... ungracious, the way the huntsman singled you out among all of us who attacked. You could not have known that we were not actively trying to harm them."

Ereviss deliberately approaches Ysabot and notices that he can be more easily tricked or lured by Ysabot due to her exotic heritage.

He dramatically bows and offers his delicated hands in a flourish. "I would love one of those scarves and the taste of something spicy. I may even ask for one those sausages. Can you provide me with a reading?

He leans over to whisper to Ysabot.

Ereviss still hopes a reading gives him an opportunity to "soulgaze" and hold hands."

Jevalt's eyes flick towards the dark-haired woman and linger only a moment before returning to their original position of staring into the flames. "He is entitled to his opinions on methodology as much as I am to mine. He assumed incorrectly that my intent was to kill when it was not. I am not unfamiliar with such accusations. Had I not been versed in some divine spellcraft, he would have been correct. Yet he had no way of knowing what I was capable of. He merely jumped to a logical conclusion based on the evidence he had without knowing that he was missing information. It is a common mistake, and I cannot fault him." Silence lingers after Jevalt's explanation before he adds, "But I thank you for the thought nonetheless."

Merenso can't help but overhear parts of the conversation with his keen senses. He grumbles to himself, very quietly, but still aloud: "Harumph. And here I was thinking nobody uses more fancy words than the professor. Well, as uneducated as I am, I still know that you can't make a bolt not pierce the flesh." He then wonders if he is so upset because Eilinica has left his side for that... creature. He tries not to dwell on it too much.
"The councilman is sure taking his time, isn't he?, Merenso speaks up in a loud voice, somewhat unnaturally. "You know what else never hurries? Zombies. Come to think of it, the shambling undead would make a good candidate for this office - it can't be bribed, it doesn't have emotions, it doesn't even need a salary, and it is capable of settling disputes which would otherwise take a lifetime. Or it would be, if it could speak or think, anyway." He laughs loudly, not paying attention to the reaction of the people in the room. He's clearly had one glass too much.

Eilinica's eyes widen at Jevalt's answer. Like his benediction at the Professor's grave, his words seem to travel right over her. Methodology, logic, evidence... Not faith?

She colors at Merenso's comment and turns to regard the huntsman. "But neither can it dream, or make promises," she continues the jest. "Which would suggest that it would make a very poor candidate."

"Also, it would be hacked to bits on the edge of my axe," Agrimar mutters with stone cold seriousness.

Jevalt pointedly ignores Merenso's comment, recognizing the half-elf's inebriation, but grins slightly at the half-orc's, Agrimar's, comment. I think I could grow to like this one.

Ysabot looks at Ereviss with a puzzled look on her face. In a normal voice she replies, "I haven't met Jevalt or Eilinica so I have no idea what kind of changes exist." She looks around to see if they notice their names being talked about.
Back to Ereviss, "And what is your name my whispering man? You may call me Ysabot and you'll have to ask my brother what he would like to be called."

Noticing the talk about zombies she giggles. "Zombie councilman, 'hrmrrrr'," making stretched out hand gestures at Agrimar. Then miming them being cut off and slowly scittering away.

Ereviss turns to the group and looks them each in the eye as he speaks in slow, measured tones.

"The professor touched each of us enough to get us together and I do not want this opportunity wasted. I propose to set aside my life of pampered luxury for at least the time it takes to find out what is going on here. I ask you to make similar sacrifices and take a break from your professions and obligation to join me."

Merenso cocks an eyebrow. "Oh? And what IS, exactly, going on here? As far as I'm concerned, we're already through the hardest part of the affair - the esteemed professor's body was given its deserved rest in the ground, hopefully a hallowed one. And I daresay, you have conveniently missed all the ruckus that accompanied the funeral. Now all that remains is to hear his will and leave this not too welcoming place for good."

"That conclusion is a tad hasty," Eilinica says, and presses her full lips together for a moment. "Regrettably, good is an essence that requires nurturing to flourish. I think that while it is very easy to be evil, it is..." her voice drops out as she flushes with embarrassment to be speaking of such things without reference to evidence.

"My Lady Desna and Pharasma too, weave the paths, it is the choices men make which carry them towards one or another. We... What good would we be if we dismissed the entirety of the community for its terrible representatives?" she inquires. "There were men and women who started that journey with us. I understand that they could not find it in their hearts to commit when the sanctity of the ceremony was interrupted, but we had given them no reason to trust that a number of strangers were interested in their protection."

Eilinica is silent for a time after her speech, then looks to the pretty young woman. "I am Eilinica, Lady," she identifies herself.

Ereviss removes a book from his pack covered with a rich blue material.

“This 'situation' we are in is my area of expertise. This is just one of the many dramas I have been associated with, but this time the stakes are higher than ever. A bad performance, and (dramatic pause) this may be my last performance. I am putting aside my life of luxury to be a part of this.

Ereviss writes in his book with a dramatic flourish. Then approaches Lady Eilinica.

“I know you do not make commitments lightly, but would you like to join me? I wasn't here when the curtain went up, but that doesn't mean I won't be around at the end of Act 3. This is just the opening act, and there is much more to come. I have abilities beyond the arcane and divine to ensure that anyone with me plays their parts to make this drama a heroic effort vice a tragedy. Take your cues from me"

Ereviss hands Eilinica a quill and a book titled 'Something is up' with two masks prominently displayed on the cover. The page open is titles Dramatis Persona, and Ereviss' name is at the top of the list.

Eilinica takes the book and raises a thick eyebrow. "Easily one of the most memorable propositions I have received while traveling," she teases, and laughs softly. She balances the quill between the tips of her fingers for a few moments before signing her name. "Understand that the history of my people is verbal, living memories. Set to a page..." she wets her lips and touches the tip of the quill to the page, "our spirits are forever suspended in that moment. This is not our way, but I will trust your representation will be... dramatic."

Eilinica signs her name.

The relaxed atmosphere of the wake is shattered by the sudden loud knocking on the door. Kendra hurries over, opening it to the gentleman you recognise from the funeral. Kendra smiles, "Glad you've arrived Councilman Hearthmount, we've been waiting to complete the formalities."

Councilman Vashian Hearthmount enters his round face, puffed and red from the exhertion of hurrying from his last appointment. He apologies profusely to everyone as he looks around the room, frowning somewhat as he checks that everyone is present, checking you an old clutch of papers in his hand. As he looks at the armored gentleman, he takes several seconds of silence as he studies the man hard. From the corner of his eye, he waits until Kendra nods, then he continues. You get the impression that he doesn't really approve of all these 'outsiders' being here. He produces a scroll case, shows that the professor's personal seal is unbroken, then breaks the wax and opens the case. As he does so, a small iron key falls out of the tube, clattering noisily onto the table. Undaunted by the key, the councilman begins to read, seemingly eager to be done with the business and to get back home.

"Hrm,hum, quiet please, I'll begin" he pauses and clears his throat. "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 entire 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 Calistril, in the year 4710."

Jevalt's face is unreadable as the will is being read. After the councilman has finished giving the reading, Jevalt points to the key that clattered onto the desk. "Show me this trunk, if you will," he asks Kendra coolly.

Xiuj slowly reaches out and picks up the fallen key. He peers at it closely, trying to determine what kind of lock it would fit.
(Door? Chest? Padlock?)

Appraise: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Merenso tries to sober up when the councilman comes in. He listens to the will with a solemn expression, but when the second favor is called, he is unable to contain himself. He stands up, nonplussed, then sits down under the glances of his companions. As the reading is finished, he whispers to himself One month..., then stays silent for a while, trying to accommodate the sudden change in his plans with the wine still humming in his head.

Once the will is read, Councilman Vashian looks to Kendra, who thanks him and dismisses him. He departs without further ado, saying not a word more to the strangers around the table, though he looked rather put out when hands moved onto the table to take the key, mumbling, "Impatient outsiders, should show more respect." A black look passes over his face, his eyes lower and he is gone.

Putting on a brave face, Kendra turns to you all.

"Firstly, thank you all again for coming, I know this is the first time we have met, but it was you my father trusted, even entrusting my well being to your care and protection. I'll need at least a few weeks to decide if I want to sell my family home or remain here in Ravengro — in the meantime, as stipulated by the will, I'd like you to remain as well. Naturally, you may stay here - the house, as you've seen, is quite spacious. As for the chest, yes I know it well. Excuse me while I fetch it."

She's soon back. The chest itself is a relatively small object of oak and iron. She places it on the table beside the key.

"I... I wonder of one of you would be so kind... as to do the honours. I'm none too sure of what is within... my studies are of a somewhat different nature to my father's."

"Please allow me. I am normally suspicious of locked chests, but this one should be fine."

Ereviss examines the chest carfully and then opens it.

"One can never be too careful. Elinica, I would be glad to help you pick out a room. I am somewhat of an expert on large houses having grown up in one."

Ereviss advances on the box, key in hand, as everyone else watches. The key fits the lock perfectly, and within are several old tomes and one relatively new one. The newest tome sits on the top and bears the phrase "Read me now!" scratched into the leather cover. Opening the journal you see several portions of text highlighted.... Kendra looks on apprehensively, a little pale, "What does it say? Does it shed any light on his accident?", a tear slowly rolls down her cheek. she dabs it away as Everiss reads the text from his journal.

Underneath the journal are other old and dangerous tomes described in the will, Details of these to be added later.

Eilinica, standing near the hunter empathizes with his quiet statement concerning the absurdity of staying in one place for such an extended period of time. At Ereviss's suggestion, she colors slightly and moves slightly closer to the hunter.

"I thank you for your concern, sir, but having wandered in the wilds with none but the light of my Lady's spheres to guide me, I count myself more than capable of navigating an enclosed space. Besides which, I have been told that my tendency to wander in the evening causes no small amount of discomfort."

Eilinica listens quietly while Everiss reads the passages. Fountain of youth? How absurd... Eilinica purses her full lips and glances at those assembled under the Professor's care. Certainly the lady's knight...

"I am unfamiliar with the place Harrowstone," she says when Everiss has concluded speaking. "How would it have held anyone?"

Ereviss hands Kendra a handkerchief with the 'Ereviss' embroidered on it in careful script.

"It is as I suspected, he died fighting evil and protecting the town. That noble man, if I only knew about this earlier, I would have been with him.

Ereviss approaches Kendra carefully and gives her a chaste hug. Ereviss is genuinely sad too. "I feel bad too, I may have had the talents to avert this tragedy. Maybe I was a little to self absorbed. I knew something was up, but I had my own things going on and wasn't there in the hour of need."

You may make knowledge checks, Local or History and Arcana or Religion to discover what you might know of any subjects, for those who's characters might have knowledge of Ravengro and the surrounding areas. Such topics might be Harrowstone.

History 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Local 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Gather info 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Ereviss will check in at the local watering hole. Makes the last roll relevant.

Eilinica kn. Religion 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

After hearing Ereviss's reading, Jevalt brings a hand to his chin in thought. Harrowstone? Knowledge (History) 1d20 ⇒ 12 The Whispering Way? Knowledge (Religion) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

What do I know of these topics, DM?

Merenso looks completely puzzled. Real necromancers in this backwater place? Ghosts? Harrowstone?
Not being a learned man himself, he looks at the people around him in hopes that there will be someone for whom the mysterious words ring a bell.
But if the necromancers are seeking something here, why would Petros set a timeframe of one month for us to protect Kendra? What's going to change if they don't find their goal in one month? I doubt they are just going to leave.

Xiuj considers deeply...

The Whispering Way
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Strange markings along the foundations of Harrowstone
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

The other books in the chest
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"Most like the will was written before the professor knew the full extent of the goings on here. He probably meant the one month time frame exactly as he said. To help Kendra get her affairs in order," Jevalt mentions off-handedly to Merenso without glancing up from his internal reverie.

Pointing to his book Ereviss says, Is it the fair lady and me against the necromaners, or do I have more help?"
Ereviss carefully gathers the older tomes for further examination later and speaks dramatically and drops his voice to a low pitch at the end...
"If you're not with me can you please keep Miss Kendra safe for a few days from the gathering forces of evil?"

"Not so fast prettyboy!"
Xiuj narrows his eyes and stabs a finger out to pin the books in place before they can be swept out of sight.
"Maybe Xiuj will look at books as well, see what they can tell him."
He points the stem of his pipe at Ereviss.
"All of us, we against Necromancers! Not just you. All of us!"

Merenso mentally applauds the funny Tien.
This guy may be talking like a 3-year old, but he sure has his priorities straight.

He addresses the elf in a fairly cold tone:
Indeed, Ereviss, why the signatures? Are you implying if we fight against a necromancer together, it won't count because we're not in your book? I think we're already bound enough by the Professor's will here.

Having calmed down a bit, he continues in his normal tone, if slightly worried, addressing no-one in particular.

I am not much of a bodyguard or a bookworm, I'm a hunter and a guide. So I propose we stick to what we do best. My intent is to go and investigate this false crypt where the ghost-repelling tools are supposedly stored, when the situation allows it. But first we need to learn what exactly we should be looking for there. And someone should be near Kendra at all times, or we could take turns.

The young elf is taken aback.

"A symbolic act of signing on to thwart a great evil is not necessary. A written pledge to unravel this great puzzle and mystery is not necessary. We will stick to doing what we feel we do best and the force of the professor's will is sufficient to have us all fighting necromancers together."

He shakes his head.

"I don't buy it. Exploring crypts and fighting horrors is not what I do best, but I definitely plan on doing it anyway."

"I agree with Merenso," Jevalt says flatly. "If there are indeed necromancers lurking in or around the prison, it is a fair bet that rumors of its haunting are to be believed. The professor certainly seemed to. It would be unwise for us to approach the situation without first gaining whatever advantages we can get." Jevalt stands and, still with a thoughtful hand to his chin, he addresses those gathered. "But it will be difficult getting into this false crypt. The majority of the town already seems to bear us no small amount of ill will, and somehow asking to dig through a mausoleum won't go over well I think. I shall maybe see if I can use what pull I have within the church to convince Father Grimburrow to allow us in."

Eilinica sighs when Jevalt makes his suggestion, the tension in her shoulders lessening considerably. "As a woman of faith, I do not believe I could have borne a sin against the Lady Pharasma in Her own domain," she says quietly.

"We are doing what we need to do, Jevalt says evenly to Eilinica. "Obtaining the means to more actively combat those souls who have not moved on to the Lady's graces as well as those who would force them into such a fate is hardly a sin. It is, in fact, something that the church here should have done long ago." Jevalt's gaze once again turns introspective. Unless they're in on it. Something to look into later. "I only hope the church here sees it that way," he mumbles to himself.

We shouldn't jump to conclusions so fast. As the journal says, the crypt is false - so while it looks like a tomb, it may well not be one.
I'd say what we currently need the most is information. And closely following it is trust.
Merenso looks at Ereviss, and his expression is one of regret.
You may be right after all - symbols can be important. Where do I sign?

"Thank you Merenso, your skills are vital for success. Although I trust the professor's judge of talent and potential, I would feel better with an additional individual commitment to the task at hand. My abilities and talents center on the ability to inspire others to achieve much more than they could alone. I was worried I had failed to get us together before we had even begun."

Ereviss hands his journal and a quill to Merenso with a bow. He speaks dramatically,

"And then there were three..."

Knowledge (history) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
"We're committed to carrying out the professors will.

I do think the one month time period is a bit odd but I'm sure he has his reasons. He didn't always explain himself before and he won't be doing now either.

Kendra softly spoken, yet with determination to see her father's will be done says, "Already you have felt some of the locals anger towards my father, I know his wish is that I will be safe following his death and that he obviously sees you, as his most loyal friends, as his instruments to be trusted with such a task. I know you must all be good people, but if any feel the need to leave before the month is up, I am sure my father would understand. Although any help that might be forthcoming from his writings and study would then not be available to you. For those who decide to stay and help in furthering his research and fulfilling his will, shall be welcome to stay here and use the libraries he created here. Your destiny and mine are knotted together through the knowledge of my father, I hope it will be beneficial for us both. If you wish me to leave, whilst you discuss it amongst yourselves, I have things to do in the kitchen, let me know when you have decided on you plans, if I can help in any way, I will."

Before Kendra leaves for the kitchen , she turns, "Please, my father's library is at your disposal, should you wish to use it."

As Ereviss puts down the journal you take the other books from the casket:
Serving Your Hunger - which shows on its cover a fly with a skull like pattern on its thorax. A clasp resembling skeletal fingers keeps the book closed.
The Umbral Leaves - a dark red cover, showing a skull sitting atop pile of steel manacles. The book looks well used, the corners of the cover are worn down as is the edge furthest from the binding.
Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye - written in gold on the rich purple cover, that contains a brass scarab set with a single eye in its centre. The book’s covers are rimmed in polished steel and clasped with a small but intricate lock, the keyhole of which appears to be for a key with a strange, triangular shaft.
On Verified Madness - written in white silk on a jet black leather cover, this book is tied shut with black ribbon.

One extra little rule as you decide what to do for the rest of the day and tomorrow, each night you go to sleep, (includes those who do not truly sleep), please make a will save.

"The Whispering Way," Eilinica says quietly, and frowns as Everiss displays the remainder of the books.

"I... If these were the books that the professor was studying before his demise, they may give us some indication of what his enemies were plotting," she observes in a stronger voice. She touches The Umbral Leaves and shivers, not enjoying the fell or the presence of manacles on the cover.

"We are meant to deliver these tomes elsewhere," she recalls from the will, "this imagery..." she trails and shakes her head.

Merenso can't shake off the feeling that the room somehow became darker once the books have been produced.
"I could never understand why Petros was dabbling in such things. I understand knowing the beasts you hunt is important, but one must tread carefully to avoid becoming one of them. I do not feel inclined to peruse those tomes. Right now, the only task I see which I can help with is ensuring Kendra's security. To that end, I volunteer to stand guard during the night. Is anyone with me?"

Ereviss explains,

"Harrowstone is a ruined prison—
partially destroyed by a fire in 4661, the building has
stood vacant ever since. The locals suspect that it’s
haunted, and don’t enjoy speaking of the place.

It was built in 4594. Ravengro
was founded at the same time as a place where guards and
their families could live and that would produce food and
other supplies used by the prison. The fire that killed all
of the prisoners and most of the guards destroyed a large
portion of the prison’s underground eastern wing, but
left most of the stone structure above relatively intact.
The prison’s warden perished in the fire, along with his
wife, although no one knows why she was in the prison
when the fire occurred. A statue commemorating the
warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in
the months after the tragedy—that statue still stands on
the riverbank just outside of town. "

"I remember hearing the casualties of the fire could be significant. The statue by the riverbank could use some investigation. I find the fire to be suspicious; often fires are used to cover up nefarious activities."

After making this announcement and holding his book, Ereviss seems to channel a strange bardic magic.
Those wrapped up in Ereviss' 'story' find themselves capable of greater investigative benefits for one hour- +1 INIT/perception/disable device and +1 AC vs traps