GM Foxy's Carrion Crown

Game Master Foxy Quickpaw

Let's calm down everyone, no need to be fighting ourselves when there are bad guys to fights. We don't know what the cultists at this time know the smart thing to do is assume they have knowledge equal to or greater than what we know. Following that We gear up and leave to solve this instead of arguing amongst each other, Agreed? Stealing is some times necessary to live, though i do not believe this to be one of those moments, if the priest do not wish to help of there own accord then we do not have to help them should something go awry.

"I said I cannot take part in the stealing of items that belong do not belong to me, I will go and have a chat with the Father and see if he can be brought to reason if not then we will be off."

He then turns to Haval, a smile coming to his face.

"Ser I will give evil no quarter and will give it no ample time to prepare my demise. I will as I have said go and talk with the father, the rest of you prepare as you will. The Inheritor will Judge me as she sees fit not a mortal man as yourself. I hold no Ill will towards you. Be ready to travel to the prison in one hours time."

With that Herm will bow towards Kendra, "Milady I will return with answers for you."

Amira loks to her floating crystal Gonna have to work on lightening him up a bit aren't we Luna the crystal flashes a bit in response i'm going with you, not that i don't trust you or anything. But i hate waiting for people and i've been stuck cooped up for too long now

"I think that taking this cache of items without permission is a bad idea. I believe that if you give people a chance to do the right thing, they generally will. Ms. Lorrimor said we could use the Professor's library to do research. I think it might be a good idea to see what he was looking in to. If you like, I can stay here and do that while the rest of you do other things."

Tairan smiles weakly.

"As you read in the Professors journal he researched the Whispering Way for many years. You'd find a lot of books about this cult and about things he deemed them involved in his library." Kendra tells.

The library actually gives a +2 bonus on research about the whispering way. This can be done with Knowledge(Arcana) or Knowledge(Religion) and within a library the rolls can be repeated once per day. So standard procedure would be to check what you know on your own and if that's unsatisfying to go to the library and check for more.

There is a lot to know here in this AP so I won't spoiler everything for you to roll but you tell me ooc what you want to know and give me a roll and I give you the spoilered information matching that roll.

Haval shook his head, "I'll go with you to the father. It has to be made very clear we need this to save his flock. I won't have people die because of your or his silly notions of how things should be."

Well, I already did my knowledge check for the day, did it reveal anything?

"I don't like splitting up, we are all in this together." She remembers what happened to her father and shudders.

"But maybe it's a good idea that you stay behind to research while the rest of us go out to talk to people. Let's stop by the other people Kendra mentioned though. It's on the way. Maybe they can tell us something useful. Kendra, could you tell us where we can find them? After talking with them we might have a better idea of why we might need the records of everyone who died in the fire, then we can ask of those from the father as well. I'm guessing it has something to do with the ghost mentioned in Petro's journal. We might wish we had that information if we head to harrowstone without it."

Sorry, I forgot that.

Tamara shudders again as she rembers what the professor told her about the sinister organization. "I've been trying to recall what the professor told me about the Whispering way and I just remembered.

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.

Necromancers dealing with undeath. That's pretty grim. If that's what we are facing here I could imagine why knowing who died there would be of use."

"You mean the people who actually were friends with the Professor? That would be Jominda. She owns the apothecary. It's at the market place. You might have seen it on our way here."

"Councilman Muricar's Manor is to the right of the temple." Kendra explains. "Did I forget someone?" she asks and disappears in thought.

Herm takes the final sip of his tea, turning to Kendra "Thank you for the drink and the snack, I am off to see Father Grimburrow now. If any of you wish to join me you are more than welcome."

With that he gathers his belongs and sets off out the door.

Herm and Haval and anyone coming along leave the house in direction of the temple. Both ways, to the right and to the left would lead to the temple eventually. But the one to the right is shorter.

Over a small bridge that crosses a small creek and then to the right through another roofed bridge and across the river the way leads to the temple.

This temple is devoted to Pharasma, the Lady of Graves. Ravengro’s only religious structure, the temple is also the town’s most elaborate building. Its eastern facade displays an intricate stained-glass mural depicting a stern Pharasma judging Count Andachi, one of Tamrivena’s most infamous previous rulers.

Wide stairs lead up to a impressive portal. The large wooden double door is closed. A normal sized door is set into one of the two door wings.

Father Grimburrow stands on the stairs sweeping them with a broom. As he sees the group approach he stops and stands there resting on the broom.

Herm stops about 5 feet away from the stairs, smiling up at Father Grimburrow.

"Hail and good day father, thank you for your kind words and allowing us to proceed with the burial today as planned. I have come here on an urgent matter and would ask a favour of yourself."

Herm looks at those with him.

"It has come to my attention that there have been some Strange occurrences happening at the old Prison, and that Professor Lorrimor was investigating them. Apparently there are some lost souls who need to move along to Pharsma's judgement and the Professor lost his life in pursuit of knowledge there."

What just happened? Wren't we stopping by the marketplace on the way there?

Herm said explicitely he goes to Father Grimburrow. He never agreed to any excursions.

It is a shame that the picture of Father Grimburrow isn't in the avatars. Please google him. The one I have looks much too nice.

Father Grimburrow ponders the words and then replies. "That is nothing to be discussed here. Please come with me."

He leads the group into the temple. There he takes a moment to mumble a prayer to Pharasma and then continues to his workroom. A rather simple room with a small window a desk and a chair. The Father takes a seat behind his desk.

"I would offer you a seat if I had some."

Adressing Herm he continues "You look like an upright man with the best intentions. Therefore I tell you this instead of sending you on your way directly."

"It came to my ears what Gibs has tried this morning at the Restlands. I am glad and thankful that you managed to solve that in such an diplomatic manner. But if you as an outsider go down the same path as the professor you'll have half of Ravengro with torches and pitchforks after you in no time."

Father Grimburrows head is red now from talking himself into a rage. He sighs. Calming down for a moment he asks seemingly exhausted "Does that answer your question?"

They don't understand magic, as much as i want to blame the towns folk it's not there fault. The professor is innocent, they can try and chase me away but i'm determined to prove what he was doing was just...all we have to do is keep what we do secret, at least until we can prove foul play.

"Spare me your reasoning. As I told you I want no part in this. I don't even want to know what you plan despite my good advice." Father Grimburrow tells Amira giving her a glare.

What kind of priest would have a man blamed for mingling in raising the dead! The townsfolk believe him to be a necromancer, when those who truly know him know he would never do such a thing. Your just like the rest of them, ignorant and cowardly Amira now yelling in anger, storms outside frustrated.

On the way Tamara is annoyed that Herm doesn't want to stop to see the professor's friends, though she does her best to hide it. "Maybe we can see them on the way home."

On the way inside the temple Tamara mutters her own prayers for guidance. "Please guide me in this matter Desna so I can chose the right words to get the father on our side." Casting guidance

Tamara looks at the man with a sad expression. "I'm sorry for involving your father. I really do wish it was not necessary. However we are not doing this to satisfy our curiosity. That's not what this is about at all. We believe the town is in danger. And the only way to stop that is to first figure out what is going on. Would you just ignore it if some foul necromancer is threatening the town?"

diplomacy with guidance: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

She waits to hear the man's reply before continuing. "If you help us, we stand a greater chance of stopping things from spiraling out of control. We need to know more about what happened there. Do you have any records of the fire? Certainly the church of Phrama keeps track of such deadly accidents like that?"

Hopefully that'll be enough even with the penalty from Amira's actions.

"Can't you decide? Fist you say Professor Lorrimor wasn't a necromancer. Then that flighty girl says he mingles in raising the dead and you fabulate about some dangerous necromancer threatening the town. You should listen to yourself and once you realize what gibberish you tell here you should simply stay quiet. And then you should go home again to where you came from. There you can hunt your fantasy all you like."

"I was with the sheriff at the Harrowstone to retrieve the body of Professor Lorrimor. He was there and that thing that fell on him was there. Nothing else." Father Grimburrow replies growing impatient.

"I think we're done here. Thank you father. We'll see if the sheriff has more details on how the Professor was found." Haval already moved towards the temple's exit. "Let's leave the father to his business, I don't think the good father will be of much help."

Who said he mingled in raising the dead??? The necromancer I was referring to was not the professor. Really surprised to see my diplomacy check have no impact at all on his attitude...

"He did not mingle in raising the dead. He fought against those who do so. The whispering way a cult of necromancers might be behind this. A statue doesn't just fall on its own. I wish things were different and you would see things from our perspective. I guess we can't do anything except leave you be."

She looks to the others. "Come, let's go. We can't accomplish anything further here."

Herm just shakes his head at the Father.

"As a man of the cloth and one of Pharmas only flock you would think a talk of raised dead and necromancer's would be enough to have you grabbing for your holy symbol to keep them at bay. I agree with Haval that we are quite done here. May the Inheritor and Pharsma watch over you father."

With that Herm turns and walks away. He looks down at Tamara and talks quietly "I am sorry my dear for wasting time, I thought a devout man such as him would be helpful but we cannot all be strong like yourself. If you would so kind as to lead us to the first person you wish to talk too." He then addresses the group with him. "As I said before I cannot partake in certain actions."

Outside Takara turns to the others with a dissapointed look. "I know folk around these parts are suspicious of outsiders, but I hadn't expected such a vhement reaction. I'm disappointed my words could not reach him. Maybe this is why Petros didn't have a list along with his journal.

Let's try speaking to these friends that Kendra mentioned, but I don't expect more success there. Then we can head to the Barrow before going to the prison."

Amira still clearly frustrated, tapping her foot rapidly looks toward Herm as she speaks eventually moving her vision to the group.Understandable, it's part of your job right? there are certain things you can't participate in. people are always suspicious about necromancy, they swear back and forth it's all evil. people are hesitant to even accept any part of it can be used for good. the only people we are going to get unbiased answers out of are the professor's friends, even then we should be cautious about who we tell things to

You read my explanation in discussion?

"May Pharasma guide you." Father Grimburrow replies and lets out a sigh of relief as all are gone and he is alone in his room again.

@Tamara you walk the group to the next location?

"My question is, can you watch our backs while we perform said actions? All in name of the greater good of course." Maybe the talk with that ridiculous excuse for a clergyman had not been a waste of time after all.

"I wish visit with Professor Lorrimor's grave prior to continuing our journey through town, unless people want to move more quickly."

Meanwhile at the Lorrimor house
_______________________

"I'll leave you to your study. You'll find the books here" Kendra says pointing to the shelves. Pointing to a door she adds "and more in the Professor's office. If you need something please don't hesitate to ask. I'll be in the kitchen preparing a meal for tonight." Kendra excuses herself and leaves Tairan alone in the parlour.

With that Herm turns and walks away. He looks down at Tamara and talks quietly "I am sorry my dear for wasting time, I thought a devout man such as him would be helpful but we cannot all be strong like yourself. If you would so kind as to lead us to the first person you wish to talk too." He then addresses the group with him. "As I said before I cannot partake in certain actions."

"Don't worry about it Herm. At least now we know where he stands. As for partaking in actions, you can protect us on our journey still, right?"

"I wish visit with Professor Lorrimor's grave prior to continuing our journey through town, unless people want to move more quickly."

"We can visit the grave since we are right here I suppose. It won't take long. Councilman Muricar's Manor should be right next to the temple a short walk away, let's head there right after." Tamara nods to the knight. She starts walking with the others towards the grave.

You should probably state what you want to do there/look for so Foxy can respond to that immediately. We can then proceed to the manor once that is done.

The group walks towards the Restlands. On their way out of town they come past a large house which has to be the manor of Councilman Muricar. From the entrance of the Restlands only the temple can be seen. The rest of the town is hidden by some trees.

As the group walks into the cemetery a local elderly woman gives them glares and draws a spiral at her chest and points at them. She shakes her head an continues with her work weeding an older grave.

Following the same path as in the morning they reach the grave. Where the way forks a small wooden sign stands at the ground reading 'The Eversleep'. The grave is now a mound of earth. On top of it lies a single white rose.

really I am giving you guys the chance to go to the crypt and get the stuff and I won't feel like I am part. Unless there are bad guys then I am totally there

"I will keep you and everyone here safe milady you can count on that. I just wish to say one final good by to an old friend and mentor."

Herm will walk over to the grave site.

"Good by I will find out what happened to you, I will look after Kendra as best I can and if she will let me. I will have to search harder and by myself from now on for those answers you always seemed to have an the wit that came along with them."

As you tend to play while I'm asleep. Just include the information you find into your posts so the story makes sense when reading.

Since I am not there I will read them after people have done the actions. It is hard to not open them and read them

"We can wait for that." Tamara says. "The crypt mentioned in the journal is probably somewhere here. I don't want to go in there unless we got everyone. In fact, I got a bad feeling about leaving Tairen to search the library instead of coming with us. Though he's probably not done already, but needs more time. Instead of going back to stress him, we can use the time for something worthwhile. The councilman's manor is right next to the graveyard. We could go there first. Then head back to town and talk to the others before picking up Tairen and coming back here."

Next stop the manor right outside the graveyard. Herm can either come or stay here to pray while we work out what happens there.

Tamara and anyone coming along walks back the way they came from the temple. The manor stands proudly on a large premise. Most of it is used as penfold, vegetable garden, or for some chicken to roam, but the entrance is made to show off a little.

A short alley with nicely trimmed trees line the way up to the entrance of the house which is paved with granite. It ends at a large door with a brass lion head doorknocker.

While at the Grave of Professor Lorrimor Herm Prays:

"Inheritor I have done what I could with in my power to convince the

think that it would help."

On the way up the path Tamara prays. "Desna, please guide my words so this encounter is more favorable than the last." She then approaches the door, inspects it and if she finds nothing weird knocks using the doorknob.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

After a few moments the door is opened by a woman wearing an apron over a tidy dress. She looks surprised as she realizes who is standing there. "How can I be of service?" she asks carefully staying behind the door and opening it only as far a necessary.

Tamra gives the woman a smile and answers with soft words. "Good day good woman. I'm Tamara Hart. We've come to the town to honor the late professor Lorrimor and we heart that Councilman Muricar was a friend of his. We would very much like to speak with him if that's the case. Could you verify that and show us to the good councilman?"

diplomacy with guidance: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"I'll go and ask him. One moment please." she closes the door again. Shortly thereafter Councilman Muricar opens the door. "Ah, good afternoon. The friends of Professor Lorrimor I assume? What brought you here?"

Herm will go with the party, he knows that he will be needed and has communed with his God

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Herm smiles politely at the woman, as friendly as he can muster at this time.

While the woman is away Tamara prays swiftly for guidance again. "My goddess, the goddess of luck can grant us the extra bit of fortune we need to make things go our way, you never know when it might come in handy. Please grant us this favor Desna." Tamara says as she briefly touches those around her. Guidance for everyone.

Tamara curtsies before the councilman. "Good day to you Councilman Muricar. I'm Tamara Hart and I was indeed a friend of the professor, we all were. It saddens me to hear he died in such a manner. Which is what brings us here. A statue doesn't just fall over by itself. Perhaps you know something about Harrowstone that you could share with us? We would very much like to figure out what happened and prevent anything bad from happening to anyone else."

diplomacy with guidance: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

The councilman thinks for a moment before he answers. Then he looks up and down the street and replies "Please come in." he leads the group to his study.

The rooms furniture are made of teak. The bookshelves at the wall, the large desk, the frame of the globe, the small bar. "I'll take a drink. How about you?" he asks pouring himself a glass out of a crystal carafe (bourbon).

The councilman takes a swig from his glass. "I'm sorry. But I don't think I'm a big help if you want to know what happened to the Professor. The sheriff gave us a report at our council meeting. The Professor got hit by a statue that fell off the roof. If you talked to Miss Lorrimor you probably know that already."

Taking another swig he continues "The Harrowstone is old and it's a ruin anyway. It burnt down long ago, you know. No one is surprised that something collapsed. It is tragic and really bad luck to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. But I don't see where you get the idea this should be something else than a horrible accident."

Herm sits after all the women are seated. He will smile politely and take a drink as well.

"I will have whatever you are having Ser."

Councilman Muricar puts down his glass and pours another glass of bourbon and hands it to Herm. Taking his own glass again he lifts it towards Herm "A votre santé!"