GM Fateweaver's Charnel Crown PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Wildebob

I'm assuming here that something of your regalia identifies you as an inquisitor, Coiger. If you're dressed as a common priest then strike that.

He probably does, but it would be the sort of thing that would require a Knowledge (religion) check for those not in the church--like a layman trying to determine whether a given Roman Catholic priest is a member of the Dominican or the Franciscan Order. Or! For a darker analogy, like the difference between typical Nazi Wehrmacht officers and those of the SS. Same basic uniform, more extreme color pallet.

"Of course Father. Thank you for your time." He bows his head respectfully and prepares to leave.
After the door closes he passes Richter and says: "You're coming with us, aren't you." (Question, statement, subtle threat, resignation--you're not sure.)

well then...

She said simply not really knowing what else to say or do, She turned to go just the same. They would just have to keep a wary eye out for trouble about the berg, perhaps they could do a bit of poking around places and not get 'near' the sight of the supposed grounds. Still it was perhaps best to be getting back to Miss Kendra.

Back at the house, Morgrym finds a comfortable chair, asks permission from Kendra to smoke a pipe indoors or out, does so as appropriate, and then find a comfy chair to settle into for a bit before sleep.

Righter smiles as Coiger walks by. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

(Statement, subtle threat, resignation--you're not sure.) lol

Richter moves off with the group back to Kendra's home.

It's quite dark out when you arrive back at Kendra's home. She answers the door in a heavy robe and brightens up somewhat to see you all. Oh, good! You're back. How did you enjoy Zokar's place? I'll put some tea on. I have the most relaxing herb. I believe it comes from Rahadoum. It always helps me to sleep better. My father like to make sure to have some around. Sit. Sit.

Coiger sits in a corner seat, takes tea, but is lost in thought going over the particulars of the case before him occasionally growing visibly frustrated now and again whenever his thoughts lead him to an impasse that could be solved by a simple lack of stupidity on the part of those in power!!!
And then he calms down again and sips more tea.

Richter nods to Kendra as she welcomes them in. "Miss Lorrimor, It is a pleasure to see you again. I a sorry I was unable to make the Professors funeral. It sadden me to hear of his passing." Richter remembers Kendra from the few times that him and his father used to travel to Ravengro. He walks in and takes a seat and accepts the offered tea. "Thank you."He smiles warmly at her.

Sohar thanks Kendra for the tea and pours a little in the saucer which Lyra begins drinking, ruffling her feathers in appreciation.

"Miss, Kendra, it seems we've hit a bit of a wall with then councilman types. They want more proof which would most likely be found at the site. Do ya know how your pa got permission to go there?"

"I can answer that." Coiger says. "He didn't. That's partly why everyone is being doubly stern with us."
He then looks to Kendra for confirmation.

Kendra smiles warmly and gives Richter a hug. It's good to see you, Richter. Thank you.

As Coiger makes his inference, she lowers her head and answers softly. You're right, Coiger. He didn't. Many of the locals believe he got what he deserved. That he died a criminal. She scoffs. Trespassing. He spends his life laboring for good and he is labeled a criminal in death for trespassing.

She takes a deep breath to regain composure. So, proof? I don't know. Honestly, we have none. Just my father's diary and some suspicious coincidence. What do they think we're going to find? A written confession from a necromancer? Maybe the Sheriff would take you up there to look around where they found him? Help with his investigation? She sighs. I don't know. Maybe things will look better in the morning? I'm going to bed. I've had all of today that I can handle. She smiles weakly at each of you and then moves upstairs. She stops halfway up and turns back, Oh, your rooms have been made up. Richter, I wasn't counting on you. Will you be staying here?

Richter smiles warmly. "I would not impose on you at such a time. I need to return home to check on my mother anyway. But I do sincerely appreciate the offer Miss Lorrimor." After Kendra retires upstairs he looks to the group. "It seems we have few options left open to us if we wish to find out what has happened to the Professor. At least while the trail is fresh. So the questions is, do we wait for it to go cold and the residents to cover it up or do we sneak our way in tonight?"

"There are more contacts to speak with tomorrow. Now that we've tipped our hand, I would not put it past our civic-minded councilman to put a double watch on the place tonight. Whatever is afoot was good enough to unkindly deal with the professor and we as group don't even know half of what he did about the place. I for one suggest caution for now--at least until we have gathered more intelligence. And to that point-" And now Coiger looks rather pointedly at Richter. "-who exactly are you?"

Once he receives an acceptable reply, Coiger then asks Morgrym and Chellian to share what they learned from the estimable Mr. Gibbs and company.

Once that is all settled, Coiger plans on sifting about for any books relating to Harrowstone (or other local color--he has a name now), and then retiring to his room with them where he reads them into the wee hours of the night.

Coiger is a divine caster and therefore doesn't need a full eight hours rest. He usually takes six, but if he finds something really interesting he pulls an all-nighter and reads 'til daybreak. Then he gets up and goes through his morning routine.

All-night cram session (if needed): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 (Endurance doesn't seem to apply).

Edit: Joy! If he pulls the all-nighter, he's a bit of a bear the next morning, and not at all his usual charming self. ;)

Before finally retiring he announces (as if he's going through his own mental checklist): "Tomorrow we'll need to have another walk about town, if only to speak with the apothecary, Jominda, she seemed helpful at least. We might talk with the Sheriff as Kendra mentioned, though I have my doubts about the local law enforcement. Someone will have to be here for Mr. Adrissant's threatened arrival. And we should probably visit the post in town with all the local goings-on as well as the Restlands to get an idea of where Lorrimor's cache is... And on that note, the key-" Coiger looks over at the key, probably still on the table beside the will's scroll case. "We'll need to see where in the puzzle that fits."

Does it look like the key might fit the purple and gold scarab-bound book? If so he tries it. If it opens, the book instantly hits number one on his reading list and he stays out in the common room to read it cover to cover--if he can.

Sohar makes note of the warm welcome exchanged between Kendra and Richter. Well, he's probably all right, after all.

"Thank you kindly, Miss Kendra. The suggestion to see the sheriff is a decent one, you never know. Maybe we'll do that after your mornin' meetin'. Evenin', miss."

"Aye, 'til tomorrow. And after the meetin'. You joinin' us, Richter?"

Sohar will rest in the provided room.

Answering Coiger's question. "I apologize, it seems in all of this mayhem and confusion I have not properly introduced myself." He stands and straightens his attire. "My name is Richter Kyras Cleric of my lady Sarenrae and follower of the lady Pharasma. I have been in Ravengro a few months now with my mother. I have had the pleasure of meeting Professor Lorrimor on several occasions with my father when I was younger." His face takes on a sullen expression and it is as if he is remembering something from long ago. He sits back down and sips his tea.

He looks to Sohar "Yes I would rather like to join your group I believe. He stands to leave after some time. "I must be going but I will return early tomorrow morning." He stands and makes his way to the door. "Have a goodnight everyone."

@Coiger, if you're referring to the key that was with the will, that key opened the chest that the books were stored in.

Knowledge (religion) on Coiger's behalf for researching in Lorrimor's library: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Hmmm... Maybe I should let you roll that one.

You find nothing on the Harrowstone prison, but you do find a vague reference to the Whispering Way. Perhaps if you looked a bit harder...

Key: Oops, my bad. Forgot.
Knowledge check: Depending on the particulars of the religion check I might get a +4 (inquisitor) monster lore bonus, or depending on the overall nature of the book collection, the library itself could count toward an equipment bonus on the check (or whatever knowledge(s) that are represented in it) and might eliminate the necessity to be trained in a given knowledge skill, though it does add to the time.
Currently Coiger's just looking for any reference to Harrowstone which might be a perception (search) check, or a knowledge local or history check. He'll search by hand to be thorough. The actual knowledge he's looking for is likely to be in the field of History or Local, neither of which he is particularly skilled in. I'll roll some dice and leave the interpretation (if any) to you.
Perception? Knowledge (Religion)?, Knowledge (History)?, Perform (Keyboard)?: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Second roll for good measure, could be more searching, or correlating data found: 1d20 ⇒ 15
If that fails to yield anything he changes tact and starts trying to pin down more info on the Whispering Way.
Raw d20, probably Knowledge (religion), or Perception to find references to them: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Second roll if necessary to correlate data: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Again not sure if any of that helps, but by the time he finishes the sun will be rising and he'll be fatigued and suffering eyestrain.

Edit: I gotta get me a new dice bot!

After hours of searching, still no mention of Harrowstone in the Lorrimor's library.

While you suspect very strongly that you've only scratched the surface, you are quite confident now that the Whispering Way are an organization of necromancers that appear to have been active in the Inner Sea region for thousands of years.

She relates what little information she learned from the local men, it was clear that questioning people was not... something she did very often. At any rate it wasnt much, the ruins were an old prison, supposedly haunted. The Dwarven smith was old, but then that too wasnt exactly strange to hear coming from humans.

Maybe she might know a bit more about the prison? If she is as old as they thought, and was here surely the jail would need her skills occasionally?"

She asked referring to the dwarven smith. The Smith at least she felt she could talk to without being too tentitive.

It does not take long before Morgrym is snoring lightly in one of the armchairs, but if woken, he heads to bed for the night. When Chellian mentions the dwarven smith, he pipes up, "I'd be happy to trade words with 'er, if ye like, lass. But t'morrow, t'morrow. Time now to sleep in one o' yer tall-folk beds. Never gotten used t' it."

That night, while you're sleeping...

Around 1:00 am, a bloodcurdling scream tears you from what you were doing (all sleeping, except Coiger). It's coming from Kendra's room. As you burst in to see what's happening, you see her cowering in a corner near her bed clutching at her throat and weeping inconsolably.

Sohar bolts upright into a sitting position. "Aah, aah, aah!," he exclaims, swatting at a rat that isn't there. Seeing the bars, he clutches the blankets to his chest as he tries to launch himself at the window. Thunk! His feet get tangled in the blankets and he falls to the ground, nearly hitting his head on the windowsill.

The sudden jolt helps to clear his head some. He looks around frantically, realizing that he is not in a cell after all. Shivering, he stands and speaks a phrase into the darkness, "Solas spiorad." As before, four glowing spheres leap from his hand.

The illumination allows him to see Lyra anxiously flying around the room. It is only then that he registers the sound of her frightened twitters. He calls her to him as he sends the globes into every dark corner of the room.

Was it a dream? A portent? A memory not my own?

Sohar's dark reverie is broken by a bloodcurdling scream. Was that... He throws open his own door and sprints to Kendra's room. He bursts in, rushing to Kendra's side. "Miss Kendra, what happened?!" He looks around the room, duplicating his action from just moments ago, sending the spheres into each nook and cranny.

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Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

I hope you don't mind that I adapted it some. I can change it, if you do.

The scream died in her throat as she startled awake her hand flying to her throat as she managed a strangled gurgle while staring in horror at the blood on the wall. She just... her mind for the moment wouldnt work, wouldnt form words. Even though she heard the Miss Kendra's scream it became her own.
will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

You are big girl Chelli dont be afraid its a bad dream a figment of your mind.

She finally mentally managed to form coherant thought though they didnt help her at all really. She drew her knees up to her chest and rocked back and forth her eyes staring at the blood on the wall. Bad dreams were one thing... bad dreams with tangible evidence left on the walls... that was another. She kept rubbing her throat every few seconds as if to check to make sure it was indeed still whole.

Chell will be with you all momentarily.. she uh... having a rough go of it.

"What in the forges of Torag be that?!" Morgrym stumps out into the hallway, sees Sohar heading into Kendra's room, and follows along quickly to see what is amiss.

Scream(s), all roughly simultaneous? Or are some more muffled and occurring before 1am.
Perception (Where? How many? Who?): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
If there is a lesser commotion before the one at 1am. Coiger walks quietly to the door he guesses it came from and listens for a moment.
Stealth (Creeping down shadowy hallways at all hours of the night): 1d20 ⇒ 19
Perception (Listen at the door): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

If he hears a particularly loud scream(s) (i.e. 1am):
"Blast!" Coiger grabs his mace from next to the table he's commandeered no armor on, doesn't take his shield figuring it to be too bulky in the house and heads toward the nearest, or most concentrated set of cries.
"What's happened?"
He takes a quick accounting of the scene before bolting off to find anyone who might be missing.

Yes, it was all simultaneous.

As Sohar, and then Morgrym burst into Kendra's room, you find her mumbling and weeping in the corner. Following me... name... blood... razor... throat... Oh, gods! It was so real. Never have I had such a real nightmare. I could detect every sense. She shudders again and wipes her eyes. Now that you're all standing there, I feel rather foolish. I'm fine. I'm fine.

Morgrym gives Sohar a troubled look, but quickly offers Kendra a hand to stand up. "No worries, lass. Ye've had a bad enough day that none'll fault ye fer a bad dream. Some tea t' settle yer nerves? I can make it up meself if ye like."

Coiger takes a quick head count. "Where's the tall one?"

Kendra smiles at Morgrym. No, Morgrym. Thank you. I'll not bother you any more tonight. I'm fine. You can go back to sleep.

Coiger takes a quick head count. "Where's the tall one?"

"Said he was gonna check in with his mother, come by again in the morning." He nods to Kendra, taking her at her word, and returns to his room to sleep.

"If'n you're truly certain, Miss Kendra. One of us could stay," Sohar suggests protectively.

Once out in the hall with her door shut, he says quietly to the others, "She wasn't the only one to have a real-feelin' dream. Mine was... disturbing, to say the least. Maybe we better check on Miss Chellian."

If nobody protests, he will knock on Chellian's door.

The sound of the knocking made her jerk out of terror that the blood on the wall held. Oh Coming!

She called rolling from the bed and reaching for her glaive. She opened the door in her thick woolen nightgown glaive in hand.

"I what? is there trouble?"

She began bravely enough, though her eyes still held a haunted and troubled look. She swallowed and looked ready enough to fight if need be.

"Miss Chellian, you alright?!," Sohar asks with concern upon seeing her. "Not trouble exactly. But strange goings-on happening tonight. Crazy dreams by me and Miss Kendra, looks like."

The tall maiden's eyes widened slightly when the others mentioned dreams... I didnt ... i mean...

She pushed open the door to the room she had been in and pointed to her name half spelled in dripping blood. She shuddered and wrapped her arms about herself even holding on the haft of the glaive still.

There was an alley, and something stalking me it felt like giggling madly... then my throa... Oh by the light it was ... She grew quiet for a moment with a soft frown.

You and miss Kendra too? whats it all mean? She asked quietly worry in her voice.

When Sohar's gaze follows Chellian's indication to the spot on the wall, he sees nothing there. When Chellian looks back, she doesn't see it either. No trace.

When Sohar's gaze follows Chellian's indication to the spot on the wall, he sees nothing there. When Chellian looks back, she doesn't see it either. No trace.

Coiger sweeps the room (and those nearby) with detect magic.

There was... there was my name... well half my name scrawled in blood...It was there!

She began her voice rising slightly almost sounding frantic. Her hand unconciously went up to her throat.

"What.... what devilry is this! She added her frantic tone started to sound a bit harder... angrier in a way.

detect magic reveals nothing.

"No, no, I believe you. I reckon what I saw in my room wasn't real, either. I'm not sure what might've caused it, though. I wonder if someone didn't like the questions we was askin' earlier."

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Would Kn: Arcana or Spellcraftgive any clues as to what affected us? Just in case:
Kn:Arcana/Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Some casters have been told to gain some power over dreams. It's possible. It's equally likely that it was something supernatural, rather than arcane.

Unless anyone wants to do anything else tonight, I'll assume everyone goes back to bed when Kendra does. I don't want this to drag on.

The next morning at dawn, a loud, fast knock booms on the front door. The first to reach it finds no one, but a note lies on the doorstep. It is written on very fine parchment with a purple wax seal stamped by a family crest dominated by a ship.

Inside, a message is written with extremely fine calligraphy.

Instead of going back to his room, Sohar grabs some blankets and heads downstairs to be near the large fireplace. He throws a couple extra logs on for good measure. So cold.

After the rest of the night is passed in restless sleep, Sohar is almost eager to deal with the appointment with Adrissant. The knock on the door rouses him, he retrieves the message, and goes to find Kendra.

Being up early Richter stretches with the morning light and dons all of his gear and clothing. After he makes breakfast for himself and his mother he says goodbye and heads out the door.

Richter walks to the neighbor next door and knocks. Knowing the people next door he knows they will not be rude to him.

Coiger needs coffee. Is there a Starbucks in town? Or the next best thing--the apothecary!

The Apothecary! He was going to pay them a visit anyhow. Perhaps they'll have something of a pick-me-up, failing that the crisp morning air might help clear the sleep from his head. He makes plans to get there very early; just when he suspects they are opening. He begins his morning ritual: calisthenics, vestments, mustache wax, prayer, in the pre-dawn--explaining how he missed the letter's arrival) and prepares to leave once he is complete. He stops to take note of the note, but is not in any mood for discussion. To his mind its one less thing to worry about--for now.... He looks up from it to Sohar (who's probably not dressed yet) as if he hadn't noticed him before, even though he nearly walled off the area around the fireplace (Sohar included) with stacks of books he'd pulled down like a nefarious Poe character might have done with bricks.

"Oh. Are you coming too?"

Getting back to sleep had been difficult...in fact she was entirely unsure if she had slept at all. At one moment she was sitting up in the bed half rocking and watching everywhere, the next the sun was creeping in the room. She hurried and dressed, not wanting to be in that room any longer than necessary. She blinked at the sight of Sohar and Coiger up and moving already, biting back a yawn.

Early for a messenger, Must be important." She muttered fighting off a yawn.

"Huh, what? Oh. No, I'm gonna wait by the fire. I mean, wait for Miss Kendra."

"Suit then after looking him up and down again (or don't) yourself. Chellian? Care for a walk?"

Sense Motive (s'up wit him?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Edit: Shrug. Elves.

Where are we going?

the tall blonde asked blinking at the strange interplay between Coiger and Sohar. She wondered briefly for a moment if all menfolk were just a bit touched or something. Perhaps it was just the mustachioed one.

Morgrym stumps down the stairs, yawning and scratching his belly. "Wha- ye're all up already? I be just gettin' started and I'm already behind. Jus' a moment, then..." He stomps back up the stairs, rummages around for a bit, then returns with a wide brimmed hat on his head and a pipe in his mouth, a leather coat over his shoulders. He, too, looks at the two men, then to Chellian and shrugs, then goes over to open the door for Richter. "Ah, ye're back! Good. We's just about to head int' town. Come, if ye're from here, or know folk here, introduce me t' this lady dwarf what runs the forge. See if we be related or no."

Ready to head out into town!

You reach town very early. A cold mist clings to the ground, but judging by the breaks of blue sky in the cloud cover, you suspect you might even see of sunshine today.

When you reach the town, there's a commotion among those gathered there, many still in robes. People are whispering rapidly and casting suspicious glares about. When the three of you (Coiger, Morgrym, and Chellian, right?) enter the town square, the gossiping stops and nearly every eye is on you.

Among the crowd you spot a couple of familiar faces: Hearthmount, Jominda, and Zokar. All three look grim.