GM Cyrioul's Carrion Crown (Inactive)

Game Master Jason Lillis

Cursed and haunted, Ustalav rests upon the bones of the foul empire of the legendary lich-archmage known as the Whispering Tyrant. In the centuries since the undead conqueror’s defeat, the land has been resettled, but superstition and horror still lurk in the country’s shadows.


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Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

"That is indeed a very strange custom, that the dead still have a say about their things that affect the living. Where I come from, only the living have a say in things that affect the living."


Male Ifrit Slayer 1| AC 16| T 13 | F 13 |HP 12| CMD 16 | F +3 | R +6 | W +2 | Init +3 |Per +4 |

"However strange it may seem to you, it is the custom here. I don't think it's likely to change any time soon." Griar shrugs.
"Perhaps we should listen to what Mr. Hearthmount has to say."


Was waiting formCassandra, but we'll move on.

Hearthmount nods, proffers the scroll case, showing the unbroken seal of professor Lorrimor. He snaps it cleanly, then unfurls the scroll. A small iron key clatters to the floor, which Hearthmount, emitting a somewhat exasperated gasp from his rotund form, otherwise ignores. Mopping his forehead and smoothing his small moustache, he proceeds:

“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, save those as directed below, entirely to my daughter Kendra. Use them or sell them as you see fit, my child.

"To Baer Mytr, the studious, I leave my duster. There have been many times when I have needed to move about unrecognized, and this seems to have absorbed and aided me in my need. May it grant you easier access when your heritage does not."

"To Griar Brand, the righteous, I leave my gloves. They have healed many wounds in this land of many wrongs. May you continue that healing through your service to Erastil, and bring new life to these lands."

"To Hung Hei Kwoon, the focused, I leave my hat. Besides keeping off the rain, it always helped me hear the true nature behind a person's words. May you continue to always hear the best potential in a person."

"To Cassandra Blackmoore, the blessed, I leave my goggles. I have enhanced it over the years to help me see more clearly the properties of magical curios. May it help you see these - and your own path - more clearly."

"To Uzziah, the curious, I leave my copper armbands. My life was not without danger or capture, and these helped me slip bonds more than once. May they always keep you unbound."

“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 sixty 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 4711 AR."

What do you do?


Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

Hung Hei Kwoon puts on the hat. "I like it, and it fits. But, may I ask, who is Uzziah? Is anyone here by that name?"


Kendra shakes her head. "Another associate of my father's. I have not heard from him since i requested his presence, and i hope he is at least well and unhurt."


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

Not sure Cassandra is still checking. After 5 days of nothing, we should find another while it's early.

Baer rises to go sit next to Kendra.

"You have my aid, Kendra. I would do anything for your father, and so shall I do for you. Whatever you need, just ask it. We shall be as sisters," Baer says earnestly, her hot breath swirling around her tusks.

Baer wraps her own black sleep's cloak around Kendra, a symbol of solidarity with her new sister.

After hearing what Kendra has to say, Baer will examine the offered Duster.

Cast Detect Magic. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Spellcraft
Baer will spellcraft any of the offered items, if anyone needs help.


Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

"The human head is a constantly moving and turning pedestal, but with a hat it becomes a sculpture. Yes, please, examine this hat, his commentary makes me think something might be magical about it."

Hung Hei Kwoon takes off his new hat, rolls it down his arm and into his fingers. Bowing, he offers the hat to Baer.


I did get a PM from Cassandra: work and a sick child. Unless i hear otherwise, we'll GMPC as needed.


Kendra pats Baer's arm gratefully.

Grief seems to have clouded Baer's arcane vision, and she is uncertain of the duster's full potential.


Male Ifrit Slayer 1| AC 16| T 13 | F 13 |HP 12| CMD 16 | F +3 | R +6 | W +2 | Init +3 |Per +4 |

Griar takes a moment to admire the gloves, then tucks them under his belt . He will try them on later.

"It would be an honor to help you set your affairs in order, Kendra." The paladin gives Kendra a bow as he says this. Then he turns back to Hearthmount.
"What about that key, Mr. Hearthmount? It was not mentioned in the Professor's will, but it was included in the scroll case. Do you know what it is for?"


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)
Hung Hei Kwoon wrote:
Hung Hei Kwoon takes off his new hat, rolls it down his arm and into his fingers. Bowing, he offers the hat to Baer.

Baer tries to shake the grief from her heart and eyes long enough to examine the hat.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Spellcraft

Baer smiles as the Void speaks to her, revealing the secrets of the hat.


Hi, team. Posting in the morning. Hope y'all have a good night.


The black barber's bowl hat is wide brimmed, and has a white band around the base of the crown. When worn, it seems to catch word inflections more clearly. This imparts a +2 bonus to the wearer's Sense Motive check.

Griar's gloves are grey leather, and each bears the symbol of Pharasma stitched into the back.

With her arcane sight prepared, Baer notices that Griar's gloves, Cassandra's goggles, and the armbands for the unseen Uzziah are also magical.

Hearthmount shakes his head. "I know not what the key might be for, save that it was included. Is there aught else you require from me, Miss Lorrimor?"

Kendra nods to Hearthmount. "Thank you, Councilman, for your service. You may go." Hearthmount nods hurriedly, hands the scroll to Kendra, and makes for the door.

Looking at each of you as she speaks, Kendra offers, "You are, of course, welcome to remain here, as friends of my father, and I thank you for your willingness to do so. We have enough rooms here to accommodate any who wish to stay. There are many things for me to decide over the next month, and I will appreciate your presence... and counsel."

Kendra turns to Helena and asks, "Please fetch the chest in my father's study, Helena, as I believe this key will open it." The serving woman returns shortly with a small oak chest, bound in iron. Kendra proffers the key, inviting one of you to open the chest. "I would rather not, myself. I know that my father was not an evil man, but I am... nervous about some of his artifacts. Would one of you mind?"

What do you do?


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

Baer will decline to examine the magics of others (twould be rude), and suffices to explain to Kwoon about his hat.

"...and it will allow you hear the taints of deceit on the lips of others."

Baer looks at the chest, focusing her divinations on piercing the wood to see if magic lay inside. Needs 3 ft' of wood to block.


There do not appear to be any magical emanations from the chest or its contents. It is likely that the tomes inside - as referenced in the will - are simply page, ink, and binding.


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

Baer accepts the key and the challenge to open the chest. She sees it as a chance to protect Kendra from any harm.

She inspects it first, slowly, taking 20 for a 24, which will others a chance to jump in if they want to do this,...and eventually put the key in the lock.


Male Ifrit Slayer 1| AC 16| T 13 | F 13 |HP 12| CMD 16 | F +3 | R +6 | W +2 | Init +3 |Per +4 |

Griar realizes that Baer is a spell caster of some sort when he sees her identify the hat. "Will you have a look at these too, please, Ms. Mytr?" Griar offers the gloves for examination.

Griar also has a look at the chest, though he knows nothing about traps and doesn't really expect the chest to be booby trapped anyway.


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

"Your gloves?" Baer looks from the gloves to the 'man' holding them. "Of course, let me see them. I pledge to aid Kendra and those the Professor have deemed worth, like me, to honor his life. You must have been important to him to be here today."

Baer takes gloves, turning them over and over again in her meaty, green hands.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 Spellcraft - Gloves

"How again did you know the Professor? I...I...was consumed earlier..."


Male Ifrit Slayer 1| AC 16| T 13 | F 13 |HP 12| CMD 16 | F +3 | R +6 | W +2 | Init +3 |Per +4 |

"He saved a village from a demon. I was there, one of the few to survive the fight. He taught me much about demons, and the ways they may be fought." Griar smiles wryly. "Honestly, I would have little chance of defeating such a creature as we fought that day. If Professor Lorrimor had not been there, there is little doubt that the whole village would have been destroyed." Griar's face grows dark with the memory, the carnage had been truly horrific.


The gloves are infused with magic from the conjuration school, and would appear to provide assistance with tending to the wounds of others. +2 competence bonus on Heal checks.


Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

"Allow me the honor of opening the chest." Hung Hei Kwoon, with his fist in the other hand, bows to Kendra. "I would be honored to do such a task."

Assuming she gives him the key, Hung Hei Kwoon will open the chest.


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

Baer hands off the key to Kwoon as she continues to talk to Griar.

Griar Brand wrote:
"Honestly, I would have little chance of defeating such a creature as we fought that day. If Professor Lorrimor had not been there, there is little doubt that the whole village would have been destroyed."

"That is...I mean, *was* the Professor...his essence. A hero and a teacher. Someone who could rally a village to defend themselves or see the good in others," Baer replies, her voice trailing off with another round of grief. She shoves the emotions into the Void...trying to keep them contained.

She turns away from Griar, lest she cry, and turns her attention to Kwoon and the chest.


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. It appears to be a personal journal that the professor kept. The majority of the entries are relatively bland, accounting for day-to-day activities in a small town. The professor has circled several entries in the book with red ink, though, clearly what he considered of greatest import.

The other tomes comprise the books of dangerous lore mentioned in his will—three of these have notes tucked into them indicating that they should be delivered to one Montagnie Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University. One has a jet-black cover, as though a starless midnight were bound around pages. The second, a curiously pale leather cover with clasps of bone holding the book shut. The third is a shadowy gray, slashed with darker gray streaks and held shut by a small iron chain links.

The fourth has a note indicating it should be delivered to Embreth Daramid, a judge at the Lepidstadt Courthouse. The note asks for this delivery in particular to be handled discreetly, and includes the address of Embreth's home so that you can deliver it there. The rich purple cover of this tome contains a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. 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.

What do you do?


Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

"Miss Kendra Lorrimor, do you recognize the names Montagnie Crowl or Embreth Daramid?" Hung Hei Kwoon considers the books, and passes them out to the group. "Perhaps some of you might recognize these books or find something useful inside them. While I have learned much wisdom from the masters, reading books was never my priority."


"Associates of my father's. Judge Embreth Daramid is part of a tribunal in Leipstadt, and "Uncle" Monty was a fellow professor with father at the University there."


Male Ifrit Slayer 1| AC 16| T 13 | F 13 |HP 12| CMD 16 | F +3 | R +6 | W +2 | Init +3 |Per +4 |

Griar focuses his mind allowing Erastil to sharpen his senses. (Using detect evil) One by one, he examines the books to see if they have the taint of evil on them. he does this without actually handling any of the books.


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

Baer stuffs her fear into the Void and reaches to examine the contents of the chest, trusting her mental strength and having a fervent believe that books themselves could not be harmful.

She reads the spines of the books out of curiosity, looking for titles.

When she is finished, he returns the books to how she found them, taking up the "Read Me Now" tome and flipping through the pages. She looks to the others.

"If nothing else, the Professor and I shared a love of the esoteric and strange. I have seen his notes before...if you don't mind, I will read this and share what it says."


The book with the ornate cover and clasp does not appear evil to Griar, though the remainder appear to be somewhat tainted. Perhaps by their contents. Do you read them?

The book Baer now persuses appears to be a journal of sorts that the professor kept. The journal describes many years of investigations, but there are several entries that appear to have their dates circled in comparatively fresh ink.

Circled Entries in the Professor's Journal:

Ten Years Ago: The Whispering Way is more than just a cabal of necromancers. I see that now. Undeath is their fountain of youth. Uncovering their motivation does not place me at ease as I thought it might. Their desire to be eternal simply makes them more dangerous.

Two Months Ago: It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be?

One Month Ago: Whatever the Way seeks, I am now convinced their goal is connected to Harrowstone. In retrospect, I suppose it all makes sense—the stories they tell about the ruins in town are certainly chilling enough. It may be time to investigate the ruins, but with everyone in town already being so worked up about them, I'd rather not let the others know about my curiosity—there's plenty of folks hereabouts who already think I'm a demonologist or a witch or something. Ignorant fools.

Twenty Days Ago: It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list.

Eighteen Days Ago: I see now just how ill prepared I was when I last set out for the Harrowstone. I am lucky to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not find it prudent to investigate further) prevented me from transcribing the strange symbols I found etched along the foundation—hopefully on my next visit I will be more prepared. Thankfully, the necessary tools to defend against spirits are already here in Ravengro. I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down below. If my luck holds, I should be able to slip in and out with a few borrowed items.

Seventeen Days Ago: Tomorrow evening I return to the prison. It is imperative the Way does not finish. My caution has already cost me too much time. I am not sure what will happen if I am too late, but if my theory is right, the entire town could be at risk. I don't have time to update my will, so I'll leave this in the chest where it'll be sure to be found, should the worst come to pass.


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

Baer was only reading bindings, quite willing to heed the warnings of the Professor.

Baer shares her journal findings with others. As she reads, she feeds her most burning questions into the Void...so that they may fester and boil in her subconscious. Other questions, she asks aloud, so that others may opine.

If she knows anything about:

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Know (Arcana, Local, Religion) - on 'Whispering Way'
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Know (Arcana, Local, Religion) - Restlands
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Know (Arcana, Local, Religion) - Eversleep, Black Path?


Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

Growing restless of inaction, Hung Hei Kwoon turns to Kendra and asks, "These other associates that were mentioned in the, uh, 'will', yes, are they going to be joining us or should we move to see the Sheriff? Perhaps if they are not joining us, we could perhaps find others who will help in our cause. I am anxious to get moving. My masters always chided me over my inability to be still, and I'm afraid I still have that problem."


Male Ifrit Slayer 1| AC 16| T 13 | F 13 |HP 12| CMD 16 | F +3 | R +6 | W +2 | Init +3 |Per +4 |

"Old Deadeye allows me to see the evil in powerful people or items. If they are evil...

Griar indicates the books that have the aura of evil about them. "These books have the touch of darkness to them. I suggest they be handled with extreme caution." Griar regards the tomes with distaste. "I certainly won't be reading them. Perhaps, let's lock them back up for now."

Griar looks at Kwoon. "Yes, let's have a talk with the Sheriff." Griar has a thoughtful look on his face. "We might want to keep the contents of the Professor's journal to ourselves, though. Let's just hear what the Sheriff can tell us about Lorrimor's death, for now."


Baer's Knowledge re: The Whispering Way:
The Whispering Way is a sinister organization of necromancers that has been active in the Inner Sea region for thousands of years. 
Agents of the Whispering Way often seek alliances with undead creatures, or are themselves undead. The Whispering Way's most notorious member was Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant, although the society itself has existed much longer than even that mighty necromancer. 
The Whispering Way itself is a series of philosophies that can only be transferred via whispers— the philosophies are never written or spoken of loudly, making the exact goals and nature of the secretive philosophy difficult for outsiders to learn much about. 
Exact details on the society are difficult to discern, but chief among the Whispering Way's goals are discovering formulae for creating liches and engineering the release of the Whispering Tyrant. Agents often travel to remote sites or areas plagued by notorious haunts or undead menaces to perform field research or even to capture unique monsters. Their symbol is a gagged skull, and those who learn too many of the Way's secrets are often murdered, and their mouths mutilated to prevent their bodies from divulging secrets via speak with dead.

Baer's Knowledge re: The Restlands:
The name given to the Ravengro Graveyard, a large stretch of moorland reserved for interring Ravengro's dead. Thanks to the Pharasmin church's influence in town, Ravengro's graveyard is large and well tended. Tradition dictates that whenever one passes by (or through) the Restlands, one must always first draw a spiral on her heart as a sign of respect. The sign wards against the risk that the traveler's passage will disturb the sleep of the departed.

Baer's Knowledge re: Eversleep/Black Path:
These are names for two of the roads in the Restlands.
 

Will post more from Kendra and the Sherriff tomorrow. G'nught!


RE: Looking at book covers: The other books do not appear to have titles on the bindings, and may take perusal to determine their exact nature, save one. Given her area of expertise, Baer thinks the book with the jet black cover and binding to possibly be a copy of "On Verified Madness", a treatise on those entities that possess remote ties to the Dark Tapestry.

The runner returns to share that the Sheriff will be able to come by after dinner to discuss the professor's passing with you and Kendra.

Dinner that evening is a simple affair of roasted chicken, potatoes, spring greens, and wine. After you finish the meal, Helena brings out smaller glasses and a bottle of brandy for any interested. Kendra eats and drinks little, but does ask, "Have any of you had experience with this group my father has indicated, the Whis-... I wonder, should I even say their name? Or are they the kind of group given more power by providing them identity?"

The Sherriff should arrive shortly, but you each will have time to answer, or make a Knowledge(History or Local) check to determine what your PC knows.


Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

Kwoon coughs. "I'd be afraid of not saying their name. We should know our enemy, and denying their name denies us our advantage. If you know your enemy and know yourself, there is no fear of battle. If you know yourself but not your enemy, victory and loss are equally likely. If you know thy enemy but not yourself, you will wallow in defeat every time."


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

Baer's nostrils flares as she recalls her talks with the Whispering Way.

"No, we need not hide the name from our lips. The Professor spoke of them openly to me, but not necessarily openly to those he did not trust. He told me much, however..." Baer says, relating the spoilers above.

Baer frowns, re-reading a passage in the journal.

"Says here that there is a false crypt in the Restlands. I think I shall retrace the Professor's steps while I am in town. You all are welcome to join me. I shall go on the morrow...after we have digested what the Sheriff has to say."


Male Ifrit Slayer 1| AC 16| T 13 | F 13 |HP 12| CMD 16 | F +3 | R +6 | W +2 | Init +3 |Per +4 |

"Thank you Baer." Griar says after Baer shares what she knows. He had actually guessed that Eversleep and the black Path were the avenues in the cemetery, but the other information was news to him.

"There is one danger to speaking the name,'Whispering Way': If one of its members or agents hears you, they may wonder why you are talking about them."
Griar looks grim.
"From what Baer says, they sound like a 'knife in the back' sort of crowd."

Griar is conflicted, he does want to investigate the secret crypt mentioned in the Professor's journal. On the other hand, protecting Kendra is what he is bound to do. A duty that is best served by being close to her. The paladin decides to wait to see what the sheriff has to say, before deciding.


"Thank you for your thoughts. I trust your judgment in knowing who we should discuss this with - particularly if you feel that the Sheriff should know."

There is a sharp knock on the front door, as if Kendra's word caused the man to arrive. Helena goes to answer it, and she leads in a grim-looking man holding a wide-brimmed hat and wearing a long coat into the living room to speak to Kendra. He has a silver badge pinned to his coat, and a cudgel swings at his waist. Looking over your group, he turns and greets Kendra first.

Sheriff: "I am sorry for your loss, Miss Kendra, but I'm more sorry for the display you had to endure at the Restlands this afternoon. I've had a stern talk with Gibs and the others. If they give you trouble again, they'll be spending time in the holding cells."

Kendra: "My thanks, Sheriff Caeller. They are ignorent men to have said those things, but no matter. I thank you for coming. My friends, this is Sheriff Benjan Caeller. These are friends of my father's, and have some questions about his passing. As I have yet to hear the whole tale as well, I ask you to provide as many details as you can."

The Sheriff gives the brim of his wide hat a twitch, looks each of you over, then smooths out the brim. "As you wish, Miss Lorrimor. I found the Professor on the grounds of Harrowstone Prison the morning after his death, now two weeks past. He appeared to be in his typical attire, but I had not heard that he had more than a passing interest in the prison. There is nothing against going on the prison grounds - folk simply don't, that's all. I found a gargoyle... ahem... near his head. It appears to have fallen off the top of the prison as he passed underneath." His hands twitch on his hat again. "I am sorry for your loss, truly, but I do not know what other information I can provide."

What do you do?


Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

Hung Hei Kwoon will bow to the Sheriff Caeller. "Greeting Sheriff Caeller. You may call me Kwoon. This is Baer, Griar and Cassandra. We thank you for coming here and meeting with us, and we appreciate your information on the Professor's death."

"Professor Lorrimor has asked us to continue some of his research, so I should inform you that we will likely be up at the prison in the near future. I'm glad to know there is nothing wrong with doing this, but you should be informed of our activities, as we are new to the area and don't wish to generate additional suspicions."


Male Ifrit Slayer 1| AC 16| T 13 | F 13 |HP 12| CMD 16 | F +3 | R +6 | W +2 | Init +3 |Per +4 |

Griar smiles. "As my esteemed colleague, has said, we are not from around here." Griar has a puzzled expression on his face. "It seems like a prison would be closely guarded and everyone's movements into and out of it would be closely monitored."

Griar's face brightens as he realizes what it must be. "Is it an abandoned prison, Sheriff?"


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

Baer nods as Kwoon makes the introductions.

Well, some of us *are* from around here, but driven away by suspicion and distrust.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 Know (Local) Harrowstone

Baer snorts loudly, trying to rid herself of extra energy and find calm before asking her questions.

"Sheriff, did the Professor have any enemies? Is Kendra in any danger?"


Baer knows the following about Harrowstone:

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.
Harrowstone 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.

More in an hour or so!


To Kwoon: "Hmm, continue his research you say? And what would that be? "

To Griar: "Yes, abandoned since the fire. Had you not heard? A sad tale, to be sure."

To Baer: "You ask if he had any enemies - a man who explored abandoned sites and delved into dark things? Quite likely, but though many here in town disliked his oddities - no offense, Miss Kendra - I doubt that they harbor enough ill will to wish harm upon her."

Sense Motive Checks:

Kwoon: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Griar: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Baer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Cassandra: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12
Baer gets the sense that the Sheriff appears to be uncertain about you and your intentions in his town. Diplomacy Attitude = Indifferent, bordering Unfriendly.


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

Gotta be honest, we need a few more players here. I see that Cassandra is posting under other aliases. Did she/he forget about us?

Baer thanks the sheriff for his time, seeking to let him go. She doesn't feel the need to burn his limited good will unless necessary.

* * *When the Sheriff is Gone* * *

"As I might have mentioned before, I intend to pursue what I can pursue about the Professor's death. I shall start with this crypt in the Restlands. I can leave this afternoon or tomorrow, whatever serves us best," Baer states with unwavering conviction, her snout flaring.


Got it. I'll check in with Cassandra, though to be honest I usually prefer fewer players over more. I'll take a look at finding another dedicated "leader/healer" if Cassandra is not interested.


Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

"Well, Sheriff, he was investigating the Whispering Way. Have you heard of this group?"


"Can't say that I have, but they sound rather sinister. You think they have a hand in this?"


Male Human Monk (Flowing/Qinggong/Vow)/2 (HP 19/19 | AC:16 | T:16 | FF:12 | CMB: 5 | CMD:17 | Fort:+6 | Ref:+7 | Will:+6 | Init:+4 | Perc: +7 | Speed 30)

"I was told once, 'do not speculate, but investigate'. So, I'm not sure. Anyhow, I am glad we have met. Thank you."


The sheriff nods to you all, and unless there are further questions, he heads to the door and departs.

Let me know if you have other questions for the Sheriff, otherwise we will move along to day 2.


Stats:
F HalfOrc Barrister 7 (HP 57/57| AC:21 | T:13 | FF:18 | CMB: +9 | CMD:24 | Fort:+7 | Ref:+6 | Will:+6 | Init:+3| Perc: +16 | Speed: 30 ft.)

When the Sheriff is gone, Baer will do a quick search of the Professor's house, looking for areas of insecurity or access.

She will make her bed as close to Kendra's as she can even in the same room...they are now sisters, after all.

During her time at watch, she will study her books and practice feeding the Void, the center of her being and energies.

Set Watch?:

8pm-12midnight: Griar
12-4am: Kwoon
4am-8am: Baer


Male Ifrit Slayer 1| AC 16| T 13 | F 13 |HP 12| CMD 16 | F +3 | R +6 | W +2 | Init +3 |Per +4 |

Griar gives Sheriff Caeller a level and honest gaze. "It seems like the Professor's death might be supposed to be an unfortunate accident."
Griar shakes his head. "As close friends of Professor Lorrimor, I think I can speak for my friends, as well as myself, when I tell you that we intend to fully investigate this matter."
Griar pauses.
"I understand that you have many matters to attend to, and we certainly don't want to interfere with your duties. However I must ask for your blessing and support in this matter. I would consider it a great honor, if you would do so."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

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