GM Foxy's Carrion Crown

Game Master Foxy Quickpaw

Herm clears his throat and starts off.

"Herm Dunlaven I am a Knight of Ozem in training and a Paladin of The Inheritor. I met your father many years ago I was about 14 or so He is 27 now he was at the training academy that I was boarded. I think I had called him many names and professed that studying things like did was a waste of time." Herm takes a sip of the tea then continues. "My instructors were ready to whip me but your father challenged me to accompany him upon a journey northward to Last Wall. I think I embarrassed myself many times during that only to learn many things from him. From then on we were fast friends, I could always count on his council and advice when I needed and it and he could count on my strength of arm and conviction to help him when he needed it."

Herm takes a long moment to collect himself, taking another longer sip of the tea. "I came here seeking his council on a matter that is rather important. Once the will is read and settled I would like a longer conversation with you Kendra."

"Of course. Time is the thing I have a lot of now, Herm" Kendra replies.

Previously
Tamara feels great relief and comfort when Carmine wraps his arms around her. She relaxes into him. I'm not alone. Things that happened are sad, but I'm not alone.

She takes the handkerchief with a barely audible "Thanks." and uses it to dry her running eyes.

Eventually she calms down, greatly aided by the comfort of Carmine's arms. It's nice to stay just like this. flies through her mind unbidden and she lingers just a moment longer.

I shouldn't enjoy this, this is a day of sorrow. She thinks to herself embarrassed and finally frees herself and takes a step away. "Thanks, that helped. The professor really meant a lot to me." She finishes drying herself and offer the kerchief back.

"I'm Tairan. Tairan Avel. Many years ago your father came to Ardis on some business or other and hired me as his guide. After his business was concluded he encouraged me to apply for entrance to the Sincomakti School of Sciences in Rozenport. I'm a graduate student there at the moment."

Bluff: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

Amira of the Noble family the Ravenheart's, i travel the world granting people wishes. I found the professor in my travel while looking for my birth parent's. The last thing he said to me was "I'll never forget you". I was resting at home when i got a letter telling me about this will . Amira looks briefly over to Tairan nodding, a mischievous smirk on her face.

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

"What kind of wishes are you granting?" Kendra asks suddenly, hope in her eyes.

None that can bring back the dead...not yet anyway i'm not strong enough to do such a thing yet. If i could i would have done it already. Besides he wouldn't want that you know that. Death happens, it's a cycle...though if i ever get strong enough to i will grant your wish that's a promise. Though what i can do for you as of right now is investigate this, why do the towns folk think the professor is a necromancer?

"I'm pretty sure he would want to come back. He didn't die of old age. He died in an horrible accident." Kendra replies.

"The townsfolk don't think at all. They are just stupid." Kendra replies angrily. "He did research all kinds of undead to learn how they can be destroyed. And how to oppose those who create such abominations on purpose."

Well then as soon as i can i will bring him back, he deserves to live till old age. Research on undead is a dangerous pursuit, the road to fighting them and raising them is one and the same. she replies with calm smile

"He was such a kind man. It was hard to grow up without my mother but he did his best to compensate that. And he taught me everything he knows."

"Well, that is not true. He had secrets he deemed to dangerous to share with me. That necromancy stuff being one of them. But I got an excellent education. Not a second did he think about getting me to marry up. I miss him." Kendra muses the hope gone again as the wish becomes something a distant maybe.

"He did research all kinds of undead to learn how they can be destroyed. And how to oppose those who create such abominations on purpose."

"I can attest to that, it is how I first into contact with Professor Lorrimor. I am Carmine Lolanka and my family is in the business of providing funeral and burial services. I was once the only survivor of a service where the deceased rose as a wight during the ceremony. Professor Lorrimor was interested because it was such an unusual occurrence.

As I would learn from the Professor, wights typically are created by other wights and arise almost immediately after death. In this case the deceased was a "wight of possession". A powerful evil spirit bonded to the body after death, arising spontaneously as a wight.

[b]The Professor interviewed me extensively about the facts and circumstances, but I must say I am sure I learned far more from him than he did from me. He was certainly generous with his knowledge. It appears I did not know him as well as many of you, although we did continue to correspond. But, I found him to be a man of keenest intellect and good heart."]/b]

Tairan gives Kendra an inquisitive look. "If you do not mind me asking, what sort of accident took the Professor's life?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Tamara spent some time in thought, listening to the stories of the others. She like to hear about these others that were close to the professor. Maybe by talking together like this they could become friends too? She's too occupied with her thoughts and the words of the others to notice anything off about Tairan.

The young half-elf keeps glancing over at Carmine. She keeps remembering his hands around her at the funeral. It's been such a long time since she has felt anything like that. The professor never did anything of the sort, not since her father...

Finally she speaks up in a soft melodious voice. "I'm Taram Hart. As I said at the funeral, I met Professor Lorrimor when he was in mortal danger. He had been in some kind of fight and was bleeding out. Luckily I was able to save him with my healing. We traveled together for quite some time and I learned a lot. He did actually tell me some about the undead he was researching, it's an interesting, but horrible topic. It was kind of unavoidable given the nature of how I found him. There were several skeletons spread about. He had been battling them."

"It's not actually that many months past that we parted ways. He said he had something he wanted to do alone. Maybe he didn't want to bring me into danger? Since then I've just been travelling around and offering my services where I can. I am a healer, though the goddess has lately also offered me other powers. Desna is my patron, hopefully I can make her proud by experiencing as much of life as possible and help others do the same."

"The hope that there are others to walk along in the time to come is what keeps me going these days."

"As for the accident. The Professor was investigating something at the Harrowstone. He didn't tell me what it was. He even sneaked out of the house that one night so I didn't notice. He was very tense all of the week before his death. I realized that he sneaked out when he wasn't there for breakfast and couldn't be found in his room or office and the whole house. I asked the Sheriff Caeller to search for him at the Harrowstone. And there they found him. Smashed by a gargoyle statue that fell from the roof. I could only identify him by the clothes he was wearing." Kendra explains, her words becoming sobs more and more and at the end she is openly crying as she sees that horrible picture in her mind again.

Herm lays a hand on her shoulder, looking her in the eyes and smiling. "He loved you and he will be missed. If we were to look for clues as to his murder and I will call it that this Harrowstone is place to start?"

"Murder you say?" Kendra replies aghast.

There is a knock at the door.

Kendra braces herself and wipes her tears with her handkerchief. "Excuse me." She gets up and walks to the door and opens it.

It is Councilman Hearthmount. He greets Miss Lorrimor comes into the parlour and greets everyone present. "Good morning. I'm councilman Vashian and I'm here to read the last will of Professor Lorrimor." It is obvious that he is not happy about the situation that there are strangers involved in local matters and is in a hurry to get it done. Councilman Vashian produces a scroll case, shows that the professor’s personal seal is unbroken, then breaks the wax and opens the case. As he does, a small iron key falls out of the tube, clattering noisily onto the table. Undaunted by the key, the councilman begins to read.

"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.

I, Petros Lorrimor, hereby sign this will in Ravengro on this first day of Calistril"

The Councilman lays the Professors will onto the table and says "That's all. I will leave you know I have another appointment. My condolences Miss Lorrimor. Good bye." And with that he shows himself out.

Kendra also leaves the room going into a the Professor's office and returns with said trunk, places it on the table and picks up the key offering it to the group. "Who wants to open the trunk?"

"In my opinion Gargoyle statues don't just fall off and kill people."

Herm then looks around the room to see who will Open the trunk. "I have no contact at the University of Lepidstadt but I will accompany the person who does take them there to make sure they arrive safely."

"Before I forget. If you decide to stay here in Ravengro like my father asked in his will you're invited to stay here at our... I mean my house." she wipes another tear away with her sleeve. "I can offer a separate room for each of you. And I'll cook the meals for us."

"I don't know yet what I'm going to do. If I stay here, or if I sell the house and move to Lepidstadt."

Haval had been quiet for quite a while now. The situation at the graveyard had surprised him and while the others talked his hand had reached for a blade, waiting for the need to use it.

That moment luckily never came though.

Now, after the reading of the will, he spoke up for the first time since he introduced himself. "I have contacts at the University. I didn't leave under the best of circumstances but I know the way and I know the people the Professor speaks of."

He then turns to look at Kendra, "I, Haval Tsarini, would be glad to take your offer while fulfilling your father's last wish. It would be an honor." Haval offers Kendra a soft smile as he speaks. The poor girl had been through enough for the moment, she deserved peace and quiet.

As no one volunteers to open the chest Kendra puts the key back on the table. She sits down and takes up her cup of tea. "Thank you. I really need some company. Since my fathers death most people ogle me with suspicion and avoid me."

"And now I know that I even have some people hate me." She takes a sip from her cup and takes a piece of the cake with it.

i'll stay as well, i did promise to look into this. I mean his death sounds to convenient to be an accident...Kendra you should keep the house, leaving everything behind isn't how you deal with death Amira moves around a lot never staying in the same spot for long, the purple crystal still floating around her with equal energy. So guy's whose up for a little investigating

"I can certainly remain here while you settle your affairs Miss Lorrimor. I live in Lepidstadt and delivering the books will be an honor."

Only waiting 3 hours before concluding that no one wants to open the chest seems a bit rash. I wish I had all day (and night) to play, but sadly I also got other commitments.

"Of course I'll stay. It's the least I can do to see to the last wish of my dear friend." She offer the slightest of smile to the other girl.

"But I'll do more than that. As Herm says, the circumstances around your father's death does not sound natural. Also the fact that the will is so recent worries me. He knew he was going into something dangerous when he wrote it. He knew he might not survive it. The professor didn't write it in his will, but maybe he needed someone to help out in case he could not complete his work? Maybe that is what he means by keeping my daughter safe and sound We need to know what's going on. Maybe the chest contains more answers. We should see what's inside."

Tamara bends over to grab the key then moves to the table to open the chest.

"Carmine, will you help figure out what's going on as well?" Tamara looks over with a hopeful look. I need someone to protect and support me. I need your strong arms. I don't want to be alone again.

Tairan lets out a huge sigh when the reading of the will is concluded, as though some huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Ms. Lorrimor, I would be happy to fulfill the terms of your father's will."

He gets up and moves over to examine the chest. What secrets do you hold?

He concentrates, and though magical rune-inscribed circles of light surround his head he does not speak or gesture as he examines the box.

Take 20 Perception to search the chest for traps, hidden catches, etc.: 20 + 7 = 27

The chest itself is a relatively small object of oak and iron secured with a fine lock.

Take 20 on perception for searching traps and hidden caches takes half a minute.

"I don't see anything dangerous about the chest itself. It has no magical auras, and unless it is lined with an inch of common metal or a thin sheet of lead, it also contains nothing magical."

With a sweep of his arm to indicate that the chest is all hers, Tairan steps back to make room for Tamara.

Tamara is very curious about Tairan's inspection, but no matter how she wracks her brain, she can't figure out what he's doing. "Your magic is unlike anything I've ever seen. It would be nice to know more about it at some point, though now we have more important things to deal with."

She steps up to the chest to open it, using the key if necessary.

The key fits the lock perfectly and opening the chest reveals 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.

The contents of the chest are:

The 'read me now' book

A jet-black book titled 'On Verified Madness' with a note to deliver it to Montagnie Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University.

A tome titled 'Serving Your Hunger' with a note to deliver it to Montagnie Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University.

A book titled 'The Umbral Leaves' with a note to deliver it to Montagnie Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University.

A book with a rich purple cover 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. The key is nowhere to be found.
A note pinned to it tells it should be delivered to Embreth Daramid, a judge at the Lepidstadt Courthouse (although the note asks for this delivery in particular to be handled discreetly, and includes the address of Embreth’s home so that the PCs can deliver it there).

Tamara gets out the read me now book and starts reading it out loud. Luckily the professor taught me to read. "This says read me now, let's hear what it contains."

After listening intently to Tamara read the book, Herm paces around the room. He reads a few lines again over Tarmara's shoulder then turns to address the group.

"We must go to the temple on the morrow, first thing, it doesn't say if the Professor retrieved the items that he indicated. Also I don't have much knowledge of this area, what is this "Fire" that the Professor is talking about? We have a few places set out before us to explore to uncover the reason the Professor encountered this "accident" that caused his death."

Herm pours himself more tea, then looks to Kendra. "Do you thing the Father will allow us to have a look at this false tomb?"

Kendra eyes are blank and she gazes into space as the last days are read. "So it is true." she says and silently starts to cry again imagining how her father became victim to a murderous cult of necromancers. His fight against evil and undead ended by the enemy.

She hears the words but doesn't perceive them. After a moment of silence she realizes the question was directed at her. She looks up startled. "Sorry. What was your question?"

After Herm repeats it she replies "I don't think so. If my father didn't ask but 'borrowed' the items, you as an outsider probably won't get anything from them. Much less for free."

To Tamara:

"It is a strange new form of magic that I discovered in my studies. I call it 'psychic magic', though I believe it is not new but in fact so old it has largely been forgotten. I have found references in copies of copies of ancient writings which I believe obliquely refer to psychic magic."

To Kendra:

"Ms. Lorrimor, can you tell us what Harrowstone is, and where it is? As Herm mentioned, I assume there was some sort of fire there? Can you tell us about that?"

Replying to Kendra's comment about 'borrowing' items from the Temple of Pharasma.

"I'm sure that if we explain to the priests the gravity of the situation that they'll see reason and help us."

To Herm:

"The Professor writes with some urgency and many days have already been lost due to his tragic death. I propose that we act without delay."

"The Harrowstone was a prison built 4594AR for the most dangerous of prisoners from all over Ustalav. But it burnt down in 4661AR with all the prisoners and most of the guards dying in the fire. There is a memorial standing at the river." Kendra explains. "Today no one dares to go there anymore. It is said to be haunted."

"About Father Grimburrow. I don't know how he would react to that. I don't know him that well. But you can try for sure."

Even as Tairan speaks to Herm Kendra interferes "Please be careful whatever you do. I don't want to attend another funeral in the foreseeable future."

As requested by Tairan Avel, about the book with purple cover and a brass scarab on it

Tairan fingers the book with the purple cover and brass scarab on the cover.

"This is the symbol of the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye. It is a very secretive organization and I know nothing about them beyond the fact that this is their symbol. Perhaps Embreth Daramid is a member? Ms. Lorrimor, do you think that the Professor might have been as well?"

"Obviously he told me even less than I thought. Maybe he is. Maybe he only knows one of them. Or he just got this book in some mysterious ways. I hve no idea." Kendra replies. "Sorry that I'm no help here."

Oooh Haunted Sounds fun, and i'm sure if we tell the priests that we are handling something potentially involving necromancer they will help. Pharasmin priests are pretty much required to when it involved such things.

"I like your optimism." Kendra says with a slight smile on her face. The company already doing wonders on her. It is relaxing to be with people who are friends. Maybe not hers but her fathers friends. And that is much more than she had the last two weeks.

"I agree that it being haunted and a necromancer that might be involved is a good reason for the Priest of Pharasma to be involved. We should head there at once and see what sort of items or supplies they have that may aid us."

Herm will gather his gear up, placing it by the door then coming back to the parlour.

Tairan pulls himself to his feet.

"We should secure these valuable tomes back in their chest, and see if we can find a place to hide the chest. The Professor thought that having them might put Ms. Lorrimor in danger, and we should respect his judgment."

"As long as you stay here the tomes can stay locked in the chest in his office beneath the desk where it always stood. I think it is safe for now as no one knows about them." Kendra replies.

"If you decide to investigate at the Harrowstone please be aware that I for sure won't go to that haunted prison ruin. And I wouldn't dare to voice requests for support to the locals here in Ravengro."

"But if you need help with knowledge I will gladly support you. And you can always use the Professors extensive library here in the house." Kendra offers.

She has mixed feelings about investigating the Professors death and the Harrowstone. She would like to know what happened to her father. And it is what her father would have done. But death is what he got for that.

While the rest are talking Tamara mutters a quick prayer. "Please Desna, help me remember what Petros told me of the whispering way. Didn't he mention it before we parted ways?"

Knowledge religion with guidance about the whispering way: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"It is imperative the Way does not finish." Tamara repeats. "That's what he wrote. Whatever it is that is going on, it's something important. I think we should figure out what it is and if we can stop it as well. I'm certainly not going to stand aside while evil murderers are afoot."

She turns to Kendra, "Did you miss Herm's question about the fire? The diary spoke of a fire." She reads out loud from the book. "I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list."

She then looks to Herm "We could go to the temple to acquire that list. However without knowing more about why he wanted it I'm afraid we wouldn't get much use out of it."

The young half-elf shakes her head in disagreement, making her long locks fly. "However, I do not think it is worth it to go there to ask for permission. If Petros could not get it, why would we? Better to go to the crypt to find the items if that is what we seek. I do think we should do that as well."

"First though, we should get more information about Harrowstone and this fire. If Kendra can't tell us, maybe we can learn more from the professor's other friends, Jominda, Zokar and Muricar."

"We can use that information to investigate if we want to look for the records from the temple or go straight to the crypt first."

"despite there being items in the crypt that may help us, I cannot condone stealing to get what we need. Maybe I can go alone to talk with the father and see what he has to say about it."

Herm looks to Tamara

"I can visit the local constables to see if there is a record of the the inmates that were kept at Harrowstone, and if they have any reports from the night of the fire."

Is it Knowledge religion for knowing stuff about the Whispering Way? Being a Knight of Ozem initiate I might know stuff

Tamara finally shows some spirit as she argues with Herm. She's not angry, but quite determined, though her voice is pleasant to listen to as always. "Stealing? They don't even know it's there. Can't steal something they don't know they have. And we'll give it back afterwards, just like the professor, borrowing if you will. He said the entire town would be at risk if he was too late. That'll be even more true for us who have a delayed start and don't even know what we are looking for. Do you rather want to spend our time arguing with priests rather than figuring out this mystery? We might already be too late and we don't have time to waste."

"Just let me get this straight. You'd rather give evil cultists more time to enact whatever vile acts they desire than use some tools nobody but us even knows exist? Your goddess must be so proud." Haval shook his head. He knew those were hard words but sometimes that was what was needed. Herm clearly was a man of noble intent but he also seemed tangled up in his own rules.