Kendra seems poised to question the impertinent older woman further before being distracted by Bert's entrance, "Oh yes, I sent you a letter as well. I am Kendra Lorrimor, the Professor's daughter. The funeral was 10 days ago, I'm terribly sorry you missed it. His Will requested that those mentioned should stay in town for 30 days after the reading to look after me. After those 30 days, my father asked that you return some rather unpopular books to Lepidstadt at which time you will be rewarded with 100 platinum pieces."
"Since that time, there's been quite a number of unfortunate events that have befallen the town, apparently originating from the abandoned Harrowstone prison. I'll allow the others to tell you more about since they've had more direct experience. Although perhaps that should wait until we have been properly introduced to our other new guest."
A young red headed woman comes near the new, odd couple, her curiosity piqued.
Hello. My name is Vivian, Vivian Deberth. My mom was a friend of the late Professor, and we stay here to help Kendra and make sure she's safe, as requested by her father in his will.
A wooden spiral dangles at the end of a simple necklace.
There is a big, warm smile on Vivian lips.
Wider, when she looks at Brent.
The raining season came early this year and the mountain passes became even more treacherous. It annoyed Theodor immensely. He already left late as mercenary work is not something one can just walk away easily, now he was sure to miss the funeral of his friend and one time mentor of sorts.
He lost track of the days as his wagon slowly made its way through the muddy roads to Ravengro. Arriving at the village it was not hard to find the professor's old two store brick house. He walked to the door to knock but it was already open, some sort of commotion going on inside.
Errr... Hello, miss Kendra? Are you inside? The warrior says clapping his hands before poking his head inside. Clad in Lastwall's standart golden colored armor the good looking young man appears to be in his late twenties. He travels light with only one bag and a huge sword strapped to his back. He seems cheerful enough yet there is a deep sadness in his eyes.
"Who is this now?!?" Kendra asks with complete exasperation as she quickly moves to the door and peers outside to make sure no other strangers are coming towards her home. Shutting the door, she then addresses the latest arrival, "How do you know me?"
My name is Theodor Kass. The newcomer perform a formal bow to Kendra. I worked for your father back when he was doing some research in Lastwall. He introduced us once...
Its been a couple of years... He finally says a little embarrassed.
Here, I got a letter about his funeral. He fishes an envelop from his bag. My condolences miss Kendra.
The sound of conversation is what finally draws Tara downstairs for breakfast. Her normally well maintained hair sticks up in a small nest of elf-knots, as she takes in the three new-comers. "Oh, um, hello." Slightly embarrassed at being caught in her pajamas, Tara pats her hair in an attempt to get it to sit properly. "I'm going to go get dressed." Awkwardly shuffling backwards up the stairs, Tara takes off into a run once she reaches the upper hallway before closing the door to her shared room with a faint snap. Several minutes go by before the young cleric reappears, looking more alert and prepared to face the days challenges.
Theodor smiles as the new girl runs upstairs. Cute lass. He thinks distracted.
A man of about forty years with short, dark hair that's graying at the temples comes down the stairs. He wears a starched white shirt, black wool trousers, and a matching waistcoat. A large book is tucked under his left arm.
"Ah! It would appear that we have visitors. Good morning, strangers! What brings you here at this early hour?"
After hearing the newcomers' explanations that they had received word to attend the late Professor Lorrimor's funeral, he nods in condolence.
"Well, I am truly sorry that you all missed the funeral. Alas, with the passing of dearly-departed Petros, the village of Ravengro seems to have fallen upon dark times. Manifestations of malevolent spirits barred from their journey to the Great Beyond are plaguing this town, and..." The gentleman pauses and offers his hand around. "I'm sorry, where are my manners? Dr. Stefan von Herzog. I am a physician from Lepidstadt and former student of the late Professor. We had remained cordial in the intervening years, although the Professor had been spending less and less time at the University, and our visits had become infrequent. Nasty business about his passing."
"Oh yes, Mr. Kass! I do remember you now, my apologies for forgetting that moment with all the current ominous distractions. I don't recall the golden armor you're wearing, is that a new look?" Kendra asks with mild embarrassment, "I'm sorry you missed the funeral as well, but if you're willing to lend a hand the others can no doubt use your help along with Mr. Shieldworn." After letting that linger in the air, Kendra pointedly looks to Sophie, perhaps for a more detailed introduction.
Bert scratches the back of his neck. "Undead and such, you say. Uh, not much experience with them, you think I should get some blessing or something for my halberd and shield?" Bert asks.
At the mention of the living dead all the joy seems to leave Theodor. Of course miss Kendra, I would be glad to help out. He turns to the doctor. You mentioned an undead uprising Sir. Did that had anything to do with the professor's passing? I wonder what the professor was working on nowadays.
Teileanthis comes downstairs, weary look in his eye. Significant wounds, even if magically healed have taken their toll on the teifling. He carries his earth-breaker even to the table and raises an eyebrow questioningly then shrugging at the new arrivals.
Every help would be welcome.We will have to fight hard if we want to overcome the ghosts in the prison.
The doctor continues to engage the three newcomers in conversation, mostly about their relationsip to the late Professor, but also obliquely about their attitudes toward the undead. Satisfied that they are not spies for the Whispering Way, Stefan fills them in on what they'd discovered so far in the prison. He also shares what the party had learned about the Piper of Illmarsh, Father Charlatan, The Lopper, the Mosswater Marauder, and the Splatter Man.
The doctor then fills them in about what the ghost of Verissonia Hawkran had told them.
Afterwards, at the reading of the Will, the Professor had asked that the group returns a number of dangerous books to a contact in the city of Lepidstadt in return for 100 platinum pieces each, but first stay with Kendra in Ravengro for 30 days to make sure she's taking good care of herself.
Everyone agreed, but then strange things started happening the city, the dead began to rise from the graveyard, stirges attacked a local inn, and the city hall nearly burnt down during a meeting thanks to undead/supernatural forces. Moreover, one of the town folk seems to be under some supernatural compulsion to slowly write the name Vesorianna letter by letter on the base of a local monument that commemorated the Harrowstone Prison fire 50 years ago. The PC's caught the culprit and placed him in jail for his own protection.
In order to combat these threats, the group began to research into Harrowstone prison and something called the Whispering Way, the latter which was suggested by the Professor's notes. If you go to the Campaign Info tab, I've listed what they've discovered in their research.
The PC's then began to explore the prison, discovered a number of spectral presences and haunts, and did battle with two of the 5 ghosts who act as ringleaders for the rest of the undead. They also met the ghost of Vesorianna Hawkren, who currently serves as an ameliorating presence in the haunted prison by checking the strength of the malevolent ghosts. She inherited this role from the ghost of her husband, the former warden of the prison. The warden's ghost was abducted by the Whispering Way. The PC's learned that this cult was also responsible for murdering Professor Lorrimor.
Vesorianna also mentioned items useful in battling the ringleader ghosts and gave their vague location in the prison, but warned that they are also cursed. The PC's planned on retrieving those items and then journeying to the prison's dungeon to do battle with the remaining ringleaders.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. For the current players, if I missed any major information, please let me know.
When asked for her name, Sophie turns and says "I am Sophie. I am a huntress."
"Sophie? Oh yes, I believe I sent a letter to you as well as part of my father's final wishes." Kendra explains, warming up slightly to the intrusive woman. "I'm terribly sorry you could not make the funeral."
Ghosts... I need to replenish some itens before we go but it should be quick.
As discussions turn towards the current expedition into the prison, Tara slips away into the kitchen to busy herself with making some portable lunches. Packing seven identical rations all tied off with different color coded scarfs, she returns about a half an hour later juggling the food. "I'm ready to head on out, if everyone else is. I've also taken the liberty to make us some lunch!" After ensuring that everyone has their lunch secure Tara pulls on her pack and offers Kendra a kind smile.
"Ah yes, I think I need some oils for my weapons, bless weapon seems good? You all are experts." Bert asks looking at everyone for advice.
Theodor and Bert head out to buy some oil of Bless Weapon. Assuming at least one of the more well-known members of the party escort them, they discover Jominda's Apothecary does indeed have 4 of the magical oils for sell, although that is the extent of their inventory for that item and Jominda doubts that another potion brewing Paladin will make his way to the area again anytime soon.
When they finish the shopping excursion, it's now late morning.
I propose we finish to explore the ground level, there are a few rooms we haven't looked in. Let's start with the rooms on our right, then those on our left. What do you think?
"Before we go, we should pool our resources to make sure we have adequate magical healing. Can we find a wand to heal us in trade for some of the other items we have gathered?"
Stefan nods at Teil's suggestion. "Perhaps Father Grimburrow might have one availabe for trade if Jominda does not."
A check of the local shops reveal that the Temple of Pharasma has a wand of Cure Moderate Wounds for sale. It has 19 charges left and costs 1300gp for those of you familiar in the town.
Looking through the items you've recovered thus far, you also find you already possess 10 potions of Cure Light Wounds, 4 potions of Cure Moderate Wounds, and a wand of Cure Light Wounds with 15 charges left.
"Bah, we can't afford that. We'd best just be more careful."
Theodor nods. Ok, ready when you guys are.
Returning to the first floor, the party will begin by exploring the room in the far southwest are of the map.
As they reenter the prison Tara gives the second floor a weary look. "When did we want to grab the chains and flute from the second floor? I'd rather get to them before too long. I would hate to have their haunts reemerge after the difficulties we had in removing them." As she falls in line near the center of the group, the young cleric gives a weary look to decrepit building.
The late morning walk to the haunted prison is uneventful, although the cold, gray day perhaps does nothing to rise your spirits. Entering the main building, the group heads southwest to find the items Vesorianna described, past the ruined foyer, and into the auditorium area, although this time the cold haunt does not manifest. Moving to the only portal in the area you have not yet checked, you find the metal door is locked.
Bert unslings his shield and holds it in his off hand while pulling a strap to set it on his forearm. Wiggling the shield here and there, he adjusts it until it's just right. Drawing his halberd, he grabs the shaft a bit higher than most, but he seems to be able to control it well, even though most people use two hands.
"Well. Locked doors aren't my...." he seems to be looking for a word. "thing...I guess." he says after a pause.
Teileanthis kneels before the lock and checks it carefully before going to work on it. "This will take a bit, I'm not a locksmith or a burglar."
As they enter the manor, Sophie begins grumbling to herself incomprehensibly. Then she seems to cast a spell and wanders about patting a few of the party on the head...
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Don't worry, Bert, I'm not that bad at...
Then Vivian realises that Teil is already working on the lock.
Nevermind. There will be other occasions.
Finding no traps, Teilaenthis spends two minutes working on the lock on the metal door only to discover that it's beyond his skill level to open.
Can I try?
The slender redhead tries to pick the lock.
She doesn't know it, but a bit of her tongue can be seen between her lips, as she concentrates on the lock, giving her a childish appearance.
Although it takes Vivian a bit of time, she finally manages to force the lock open with her thieves' tools.
A bizarre collection of antique goods rests upon wooden shelves that line the room. Several of the items contain tiny tags with labels written in a careful script. Most of the items look like they might be junk, although something useful might be found with a search.
Vivian grins, happy to show off her skills.
Well well well..what do we have here?
Tara enters the room giving a wide berth to most of the tchotchkes. Moving to the corner of the room, she narrows her eyes and begins to search. "I can start in this corner. If we all spread out and search, I'm sure we can find out if anything valuable is in here."
"Anyone who can check for magic should do so..."
The doctor declines Sophie's offer to be hidden from undead. "I have some power over the undead myself, but using it requires such abominations to perceive my presence."
To Teil's suggestion, Stefan replies, "Allow me..." He then casts a spell. The heavy onyx ring on his right hand glows faintly during the casting, and his eyes also begin glowing with a faint bluish radiance.
He then examines the shelves and the items on them.
Sophie looks around and examines the various knick knacks, picking them up to examine them.
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Thoroughly searching the room, Tara finds a number of useful and valuable items set among the junk. She also discovers a secret door in the northeastern wall.
Separating the useful items from the rest, the group finds a set of masterwork thieves’ tools, a bronze war medallion from the Shining Crusade (worth 40 gp), an unframed Taldan painting of Stavian I (worth 100 gp), a set of a noblewoman’s silver hair clips (worth 35 gp), a masterwork punching dagger, a pouch containing a dozen masterwork shurikens, a masterwork silver war razor, and a magical wand.
It's a wand of Lesser Restoration with 12 charges left.
As Tara pulls out a rolled up portrait of Stavian the first, a hidden doorframe comes into view. "Oh! I wonder where this leads to?" Pushing most of her weight against one of the shelves to move it enough to squeeze through, Tara gently touches the old wooden frame and tests the doorknob. Not seeing anything immediately threatening, she opens the door and peers into the hidden room that she has uncovered.
Stefan examines the wand more closely.
"This appears to be a wand that channels divine power to restore a person's lost vigor due to exertion or magical draining of the body's reserves."
Behind the secret door, Tara discovers a small vault that possesses only five items, each of which is tagged with the name of its former owner.
The first is a magical handaxe with a tag reading 'Vance Saetressle (The Lopper).' Both the blade and the handle are soiled by dried bloodstains.
It's a +1 Handaxe.
The second item is actually 12 holy symbols of various faiths tangled together on a fine silver chain. In total, the entire collection would probably be worth 300gp. Its tag reads 'Sefick Corvin (Father Charlatan).'
The third piece is a moldy wizard's spellbook with the tag 'Hean Feramin (Splatter Man).'
The fourth item is a masterwork smith's hammer made well enough that it could probably be used effectively in battle. The tag says this piece belonged to 'Ispin Onyxcudgel (Mosswater Maruader).'
The final item in the room is a masterwork flute of extremely high quality, probably fetching up to 300gp from the right buyer. Its former owner is only identified as 'The Piper of Illmarch.'
"Hide from undead, but..aren't we here to find them and make them..not undead..dead..dead again...uh..whatever. I guess I better stay visible, no offense but most of you have the look like you want me to stand in front." Bert says confused. He allows the rest to dig through all the stuff, maintaining a bit of alert watch so to speak.
Poking her head out from the hidden door, Tara appears stern faced and pale. "I think I found the items that Vesorinna need." Hovering her hand over top of the holy symbols, Tara pauses for a moment not quiet ready to commit to picking the chain up. "Uh we all should take a separate item, you know? Does anyone have a preference as to which burden to carry?" Tara is clearly nervous as she twirls a strand of her hair around her finger. Her eyes dart quickly from person to person, not making eye contact in order to avoid looking at the personal affects of each inmate for too long.
Sophie frowns, turns up her chin, and looks down her nose at the items in the room. "Hmm."