At being called "old," Nadiya laughs good naturedly, even if her reply is enigmatic. "Oh, if only I could live up to the name of 'Old Lady Nadiya,' but I have a long way to go for that. Good night, Reusten."
"I may turn in too, before Mishka scares a barmaid. Rest well, everyone. I imagine I will see you all tomorrow."
Walthus, smiling as always, slips out of his chair while saying good bye to all of his new friends, buys a room for the night from the innkeep, and heads off to get some rest after his journey, with promises of adventure and grief tinting his dreams. He is as gracious with Lomar as possible, not wanting to damage the man's pride any further.
The rest of the evening passes without incident or excitement. Retiring to your respective rooms, you all manage to sleep restfully and awake near the break of dawn. Coming downstairs for breakfast, you are greeted by the warm smell of fresh bread and klava - the local coffee. It is a simple breakfast, but satisfying. The room is completely empty, apart from the five other out-of-towners who have arrived for the funeral.
As you're all headed in the same direction, you decide to make your way to the graveyard for the ceremony together. On your way there, you notice eyes peeking from doorways and people hurrying back into their homes or shops before you approach - they are clearly wary of your odd-looking group.
After only a few minutes, you arrive at the Restlands. At the entrance you see a large, fine coffin, a small handful of people - including Jominda from the night before - and an attractive young woman with brown hair, wearing a simple black gown. She has clearly been crying, but as your group approaches, she puts on a smile. "Oh, good! You've all arrived. And together, even. He would be so pleased. He always spoke so highly of you all. But where are my manners? I am Kendra Lorrimor, Petros' daughter."
She moves to each of you, extending her hand in greeting and getting all of your names - though it is clear she recognized all of you from her father's stories of your travels or exploits together.
After meeting each of you, she asks the group, "Now, would any of you be so kind as to serve as pall-bearers for the coffin? It seems that we neglected to plan for that."
Reusten nods to the group in the tavern, but otherwise remains silent through his breakfast. His mood is sombre as he reflects upon the time he spent with the professor. While the church teaches that death must come to us all and is no more or less a fact of life than breathing or eating, Reusten still feels a sense of loss knowing that he'll never have the chance to speak to his old friend again.
After arriving at the Restlands and taking Kendra's hand, he smiles consolingly at her. "We share your loss, Kendra. I didn't know your father thought so highly of us. Surely, Pharasma will judge him favorably."
As she greets the others in turn, Reusten can only feel honored knowing that the professor had told Kendra of him to the point of recognition. After hearing her request he steps forward, "Of course. It's the least we can do to repay the kindness he showed to us in his life."
Nadiya joined the others a little later, having spent an hour in the morning communing with Mishka, preparing her incantations for the day--and hoping she would not need them.
Nadiya is quite used to the curious, timid looks from townsfolk from through cracks in doors--to her, it is just part of the normal process of visiting a town for the first time. Mishka trots alongside, staying close to Nadiya to avoid being trampled by any of the others, sometimes looping in and out between Nadiya's ankles. Nadiya manages to walk smoothly without ever stepping on any part of Mishka, despite this tendency to stay so close to her feet.
When Kendra greets them, she smiles kindly. "There is so much to prepare for when our loved ones part, one is given so little time to grieve. You can't think of everything.
"I am sure many of the gentlemen here are stronger than I am, but I can help--or if not with that service, let me know how otherwise I can assist."
Lomar is a little late arriving for breakfast as well. He had remained at the table the night before long after the others had left and had continued drinking until he had passed out. A short while after that the barkeep had woken him and suggested he make his way to his room upstairs.
As a result he was feeling a little shaky this morning and was definitely at less than his best.
When the professor's daughter greets them, before he responds to her and indicates that he will indeed help he first stops for a moment to try and recall what, if anything, the professor had ever mentioned about his daughter.
Dmitri's gaze never leaves a few fixed points: his breakfast, the road in front of him, or the monuments at the cemetery. Only when the Professor's daughter addresses him directly does he make eye contact, and then only for a moment, his eyes locked at the ground as though he expected an assault on his boots.
When she speaks to him, Dmitri takes Kendra's hand gingerly, gulping softly.
It is my honor, miss. I would be doubly honored to help bear your father to his rest. Thank you for asking.
In the morning, the cheery red-haired halfling thoroughly enjoys his meal while regaling his new-found companions with the story of his families escape from Cheliax, how they met the professor, and how he aided in their escape, even outwitting a devil to ensure their escape from the infernal empire. He is aware of the other-wise somber mood, and just can't seem to make sense of the attitudes of humans, especially in this dreary place. He is respectfully quiet on the walk to the graveyard. When he meets Kendra he beams and seems to have trouble containing his joy among the mourners.
"Kendra! It is such a pleasure to finally meet you. Your father always spoke with great love in him when I asked of you." He takes her offered hand in both of his lovingly, his eyes tearing up slightly. "It's an honor to celebrate the professor's life with you."
Walthus does his best to compose himself, but sadly realizes he doesn't have the strength in his tiny figure to help the man he loved to his rest. He recites a passage from The Birth of Light and Truth quietly in celestial, finding comfort in the words about the warmth and light that would greet those who passed from this world with such good deeds in their wake.
Reusten, Lomar, Dmitri and Soval take their place around the coffin, and Walthus and Nadiya fall behind with the five townsfolk in attendance. Assured that the coffin is ready to be moved, Kendra moves to lead the procession. She addresses the group, "I will lead us along the Dreamwake to my father's final resting place. Father Grimburrow is already at the site of the burial. He will say a few words and then you will all have an opportunity to share as well, if you so choose. I am grateful that you are all here and I'm certain my father would be as well. Let us finish this sad business, now." She wipes the tears, which are falling freely, from her face and turns up the road.
The group slowly proceeds up the gravel path. As you round a corner, you are greeted by a small mob of a dozen people. They are planted firmly in the middle of the path, clearly intending to block your path. The tallest of these, is an elderly but wiry man. He speaks as soon as you're in sight. "That’s far enough. We been talking, and we don’t want Lorrimor buried in the Restlands. You can take him upriver and bury him there if you want, but he ain’t goin’ in the ground here!”
Kendra is swift to respond, her sadness swiftly transforming into anger. “What are you talking about?” she cries out. “I arranged it with Father Grimburrow. He’s waiting for us!"
Nadiya steps out of line, just enough to be able to address the leader of the group and look him in the eyes. Mishka hides behind her boots.
She speaks with genuine concern to the assembly, but a little annoyance that someone would disrupt a memorial service like this. "What concerns so direly, that you would deny a family their burial wishes?"
Reusten glares at the man as he prepares to chastise him for interrupting the burial rites of the deceased. However, he holds his tongue as he realizes that that might not be the best course of action.
Walthus here seems to have a better way with words... maybe he can diffuse the situation. Careful to keep the coffin steady, he looks behind him for the halfling. After catching Walthus' eye, Reusten subtly motions with his head to try to get him to talk to the old man.
"My good sirs! Surely you jest! The professor was a good man that kept this land much safer and warmer than these lands would have seen otherwise. And for those who follow the teachings of Pharasma, would it be so wise to deny a man his right to burial in the proper place?"
Diplomacy
"What my friend says is true. Who are you to cause a grieving family such anguish?" Echoing Nadiya's request, "Why do you show such hostility towards as great a man as Professor Lorrimor?"
Just as he had been about to make a more personal greeting to Kendra, expressing some of the personal connection he had to the professor and thus to her. However the talkitive Halfling beats him too it, and, mouth open, he snaps it shut and merely nods again, mumbling 'It is nice to finally meet you Kendra"
Perhaps he wasn't quite in the best mood or state to try to be charming anyway, he tells himself. Yet at the same time, he can't quite help himself from shooting a quick glare at the obliviously happy Halfling.
Taking his place at the front right corner of the coffin Lomar stays in step with the others, making sure the Professor's body retains all the dignity he deserves.
When the group ahead stops them and the leader makes his ridicuolous demands, Lomar mood, his sadness, and his hangover all combine to cause a great anger to well up within in him. Yet despite his great need to react, for the moment he allows cooler heads to prevail. Yet from the deadly glower he directs at the old man it is quite clear that he is barely restraining himself.
Darkeye's expression is stony, but his gaze steps from thug to thug, counting bodies and appraising their willingness to do violence. May they have the wisdom to listen to Walthus.
At Walthus' words, the group seems to deflate a bit. They lower their weapons and their eyes. "All right. Go on, then. We won' stop yeh," the older man says. He heads towards the exit and the mob follows, shooting venomous looks at Kendra, who stands defiant and proud.
A portly, sour-looking man who is attending the funeral stops the leader. You can overhear him say sternly, "What were you thinking? I am of half a mind to report this behavior to the sheriff. Now, be off!" The group hastily obeys.
"Now that those ignorant thugs are gone, we may continue," Kendra says, turning back up the road.
The procession continues to the plot prepared for the Professor. Father Grimburrow motions towards the hole in the ground and the two gravediggers help lower the coffin into the ground gently.
Once that is complete, Grimburrow recites a simple prayer commending the Professor's soul to Pharasma and addresses the crowd. "Today we are reminded that even in the fullness of life we are moving ever closer to the embrace of our Lady Pharasma. The dear professor, wise and kind, understood this. He conducted himself as if she would call him in the morning, yet he engaged in his activities as if she would not receive him for a thousand years. I am certain he would want all of us to emulate that life." Finishing his short sermon, he turns to Kendra and asks if she would like to say a few words.
Kendra fights back tears and briefly recounts a few of her father’s more courageous or self-less moments, thanking everyone once again for coming. She then invites anyone else to share a few stories or remembrances.
Awaiting a moment that it feels right to speak, Nadiya steps forward.
"I have traveled constantly for as long as I can remember. Yet it was Professor Lorrimor that taught me to explore, to see things in the world around me that I had not noticed before. If we all remember to look at the world with wider eyes and an inquisitive mind open to all possibilities, I think we shall do him a great honor."
She finds herself unable to say more, and steps back amongst the group assembled.
Dmitri takes a small step forward, his head bowed. His eyes look particularly ghastly as they are puffy and a dark purple. Tears cross his cheeks and his voice is shaky when he speaks.
I did not, as many of you did, know the Professor as a colleague or peer. He employed me. I worked for him only a few times and he always treated me the same as anyone else.
You cannot know what that means. He was a very smart man who had seen so many amazing things. Yet this man...this gentleman had the faith to pay me for my work. He treated me the same as anyone else.
He did not patronize and did not coddle - when I was wrong he said I was wrong. I know he taught many of you many things. He taught me I was wrong. That I could be treated the same as anyone else. It is a debt I can never repay.
The half-Orc steps back, almost absently drawing Pharasma's spiral over his heart.
Reusten listens closely to Grimburrow's sermon, finding comfort in the memories it brings him of studying with the professor in Tamrivena and learning from him the finer details of faith in Pharasma.
After Kendra, Nadiya, and Dmitri each share their remembrances, Reusten speaks to the group, "As Father Grimburrow says, and as the professor so graciously taught me, we must remember that death is but one step of our journey through life. While we mourn our loss of this great man, I think the professor would also want us to celebrate his unending travels both through this life and the next."
Walthus is glad when the men let the group past with out incident, and he fights back tears of joy and sorrow at the priest's sermon.
Walthus steps forward shakily. "I owe not only a great deal of my wisdom and education to the Professor, but my life as well. I would not have been born free with out his selfless act to help my family. I will always be hard pressed to find mentor's friends, and men and woman of any race as wonderful as he, and as one of his many lessons, I need never make any such comparisons, and will enjoy life and companionship on it's own merit. If you all don't mind, I've a song I'd like to sing. I often caught the professor humming or singing tunes when I joined him before and after classes he taught, and I think he would have liked this one." Walthus begins to sing a ballad about a young man with a thirst for knowledge that stumbled upon an ancient magic that both aged him and granted him the knowledge and wisdom of many men. The song is both sad and sweet, as while the young man is robbed of most of his life, he shares his gifts and gratitude with a great many people before he passes. There is a final verse about the young man made old in which he meets a great many of the gods who wish to pay their respects and share in his wisdom in his after life.
As the Halfling sings his song, Lomar can't but help feel some gratitude. He too knew that the Professor had always been fond of humming little ditties here and there. Silently to himself, he agreed with the Halfling the the Professor would indeed likely have enjoyed the tune. As the last of the notes of the song fade, the dark young man feels his mood lifted slightly and his opinion of the...of Walthus, somewhat improved.
Once the song has finished, out of respect Lomar allows a few more moments to pass and to give anyone else who wishes to a chance to speak. Finally, he clears his throat and steps forward. His head bowed and eyes resting on the coffin in the ground, he speaks "The Professor was, almost like a father to me. Over the past few years he was more than a mentor to me, and he treated me as more than a student. We were..friends. Many times he thanked me for saving his life, but the truth is, he is the one who saved me. I don't know why but, I never told him that, or properly thanked him. If he hadn't been there to help me as he has over the years, if he hadn't offered his tutelage and friendship to me as he had, I am sure that I would be dead by now, or worse...possibly much worse.... He has taught me so much, I owe him everything, and I can only hope that, wherever he is, he knows how truly grateful for him I always have and always will be."
Struggling to control his emotions the young man is barely able to get out his last few words through the hitch in his throat. Taking a deep breath, he finally raises his tear streaked face towards Kendra and says with utter sincerity "Kendra, the Professor meant everything to me. It is only through his struggle to find a solution to my...problem, and the memory of his constant encouragement that I an cfind the strength to carry on my cursed existence. So, what life is still mine to give, I pledge to you Kendra. Any favour, any task, you have but to ask me and it shall be done." Taking a moment more to gaze into her eyes so that she can know the truth of his words, Lomar finally bows his head again and steps back to his place in line.
Walthus eye's widen at the the gaunt's human's emotional display. I just don't understand these tall ones. They are just so, *unpredictable*!
A broad smile slowly creeps across his face, and he places his hand on the man's arm and nods at him, then turns to the late professor's daughter. "I too, Kendra, would be happy to offer my aid and friendship to you in any way that I can."
As the Halfling once again makes physical contact with him, Lomar once again flinches and moves away. It is hard to tell for sure, but it does seem to Walthus that the gaunt human did not flinch quite as much as before.
Nadiya finds herself wishing to make the same offer--but in a public place, having already just escaped a group of paranoid passersby, she is worried. She is still learning about this town--some welcome her and her abilities, but others... if the townsfolk learn of Nadiya's witchcraft and know she publicly swore to aid Kendra, it could bring harm to poor Kendra, depending on just how suspicious these folk are of magic.
So she stands silently, but offers a warm smile to Kendra, Walthus, and Lomar after the latter two made the offer to the former. Any echoing
promises would have to be made at a quieter moment.
Dmitri is also silent at this time. No one wants your oath of help. Do not make your presence here more awkward than it already is.. He watches the heartfelt proceedings stoically.
Kendra looks towards Soval, seeing if he has anything to add. When the monk remains stoically silent she nods towards Father Grimburrow who motions to the gravediggers. They begin shoveling the heavy dirt onto Lorrimor's coffin. As a group you stand in silence for a few moments before turning your back on the grave. Kendra lingers a moment longer and then turns to the Ravengro guests, hugging each and thanking them for coming. They all leave without a word or glance towards your group.
Finally, Kendra approaches you six. Wiping the tears from her face, she says, "I would like to invite all of you back to my father's - well...my - home for a drink and the reading of my father's will. I'm not sure if you're aware, but you six were specifically named as benefactors of my father. He has instructed that you all must be present for the reading."
Assuming you all agree to go, you make your way to the Lorrimor residence, a modest home at the south of town. You pass through the town square on your way, again greeted by curious stares and silence from the town folk - who also ignore Kendra. You specifically notice one of the thugs from the graveyard, who quickly returns inside as you pass.
Upon arriving at the manor, Kendra says, "We must await the arrival of Councilman Hearthmount. He had some other matters to attend to, but promised to head this way posthaste. In the meantime, let us drink and get acquainted with one another." Kendra motions for you to follow her and settles you in what appears to be the home's library, as the walls are covered in shelves and books. It is well-appointed, with several comfortable chairs and couches, a large desk, and fully stocked liquor cabinet. She opens the cabinet and pours those who want one a drink. She perches on the desk and says, "My father spoke highly of each of you, but I confess, I know little of how you were all connected. While we wait, would you mind terribly sharing how you were acquainted with my father?"
Dmitri scowls at the thug from the graveyard as they walk back to the Lorrimor house. Opportunistic street sweepings, he thinks, his knuckles cracking.
At the house, he takes a drink and sits on the couch, looking as out of place in a library as a Bulette at tea. When Kendra asks her question, he clears his throat to answer.
"Your father employed me as protection during an expedition. It was in southern Vieland, not too far from here. I know very little of the location, but the professor called it 'Canter House' and said it belonged to a scholar-adventurer from very long ago. Such a description reminds me of the professor."
"Any road, we went there on the eve of the New Year. There is very little left of the house now: just a foundation and some bits of timber. Where the house used to be there is a...thing. I have no words to describe it and it looks like nothing so much as a gigantic black egg. The professor walked all around it, just looking at it. I asked him what he was looking for and he said inscriptions or words; however, he never found any - it is just this giant egg."
"That night we camped next to the egg. The professor had set up torches all around it and insisted that we keep a fire lit in the camp all night. I was standing some space away - I see well enough in the dark - and while I watched the egg began to...move. It rocked back and forth, as though whatever was within was trying to hatch. I immediately woke the professor and he stood and stared at it as it shook. It seemed to rock back and for forever and I believe to this day I saw the shell bulge and warp in places. It eventually stopped and made no further movements. I was scared for my life but the professor seemed almost gleeful. He hugged me and thanked me for waking him, saying that he would hire me any time."
"That was the last time I saw him." With a soft gulp, the half-Orc takes a drink and is silent.
Walthus listens to the half-orc's story, enraptured. After he concludes, Walthus takes the time to savor the story and commit it to memory, aiming to add a song verse or to it.
"The professor helped my family find our name, literally and figuratively. My father and mother were slaves in Cheliax who attempted to escape the empire during some great revelry or battle or some such. It was a long time ago, and my folks don't like to talk about the details. Infernal slavery and all, you know." Walthus briefly furrows his brow as if he's trying to imagine something difficult to comprehend. "Any how, long story short, the professor played a key role in my parents escape from their devilish master, and helped them get started up north in the Palatinates. The professor was a family friend for many years, and when I demonstrated a knack for music and lore, it was he who suggested that I study in the Kitharodian Academy, and even took me with him when he traveled all the way to Oppara in far off Taldor to help educate me. He even served as a teacher of mine for a few years between his travels. He was a good man, a good friend, and a good teacher. I owe all that I am to him. Actually, I'll admit I don't know much about you either! Would you care to share a little about yourself with us as well?
Nadiya was surprised to be included amongst the six named to the will, her puzzlement evident through most of the journey to the manor.
When it comes to her to speak of her association with Professor Lorrimor, she sits, petting Mishka who has come to sit brazenly upon her lap.
"The tale I have is, well, mostly of telling tales. And I suppose it requires another tale to start: when I was very small, my family's home was burned to the ground, and my mother and I became travelers, errant midwives and healers to distant communities which needed them. My mother's services over the past 20 years to simple country folk caused stories to rise up about her, most exaggerated far beyond the truth. Although she has now by a few years gone to her rest, the stories continue of a spirit or witch or fey in the form of an old woman, come to heal the sick or frighten away bandits.
"I continue to travel with the same work, and was doing midwife services in a village where he was performing research. Hearing of a healer woman named Nadiya, he asked if I might have connections to the folklore about Old Lady Nadiya, and I told him about my mother and our travels. He in turn shared his own stories of his adventures--" she paused, smiling softly-- "Perhaps some of the ones you have to tell now. We spent a long time talking, and I helped him find a few ruins in the area and he helped me with my patients a little, and... that is all, really. There is no great foe met or defeated, or mystery solved--just a young woman who made a friend with a kind, inquisitive old man."
It sounded so hollow to her, so insignificant. Yet to a girl who knew no father, his kindness and interest in her work, and that of her mother's, was unlike any had shown to her, and it meant so much to Nadiya, more than she knew how to express.
On hearing that he was mentioned in the professor's will, Reusten frowns confusedly. Why would Lorrimor have named me let alone these other people in his will? Why not his family?
After arriving at Kendra's home, Reusten accepts a drink but leaves it mostly untouched as his attention is drawn to the shelves of books. As the others explain their connections to the professor, Reusten peers closely at the titles looking for anything that might interest him. After hearing Nadiya finish (though not quite listening to what she said), Reusten responds briefly,
"Your father passed through Tamrivena where I was studying at the church of Pharasma. I heard him lecture and sought him out to learn more from him. His knowledge of the finer points of our dogma was incredible, and I was able to learn much after several months of private study. I'll always be grateful to him for everything he taught me." His attention returns to the shelves of books as everyone waits for the councilman.
Lomar is clearly uncomfortable when Kendra asks them all to tell their private stories. He takes the drink from her and has a sip but immediately makes one can easily attribute to someone with an upset stomach. He is obviously still paying for his night before. While the others speak Lomar sits slumped forward in his chair. Yet at one point during Walthus' story he suddenly looks up sharply at the halfling, his odd and disturbing eyes seeming to try and pry deep into the small humanoid.
When it comes around to his turn to speak his continues to hesitate, then sighs, sits back and looks at their host while he says "I have no wish to shall all of the dark and painful events of my story with you all at this time. So I shall simply say this. Do to certain...choices I made in a time of great desperation, I have come to possess a particular...problem. Upon hearing of the depth of the Professor's experience in these areas I sought him out. At the time of our first meeting I happened to arrive just in time to help defeat an attacker that was intent on his life. That day began our relationship and the Professor took me on as a student and taught me many things. He always seemed to be particularly interested in my situation and as we sought a solution to my dilemma over time we also became friends. He was a good man the Professor and much of what and who I am today I owe to him."
Looking as if he was about to say more, the young man instead stops and goes back to looking at the floor.
Nadiya says quietly to Lomar when he finishes. "I am not asking you to speak any more of it here--Lomar, wasn't it? But should your problem persist, I hope I might be able to help. Talk to me later if you wish." Solving strangers' problems was sort of what she did.
Lomar looks up at Nadiya as she makes her offer...
...Without saying anything he returns to looking at the floor.
Reusten spares a sidelong glance at Nadiya and Lomar. Were it not for the professor's association with the young man, Reusten might try to investigate more about him and this problem he keeps mentioning. As it is, he resolves to himself that it's simply just something that will to remain unknown for now and turns back to peering at the books.
"Oh, there isn't much to tell," Kendra responds. "Certainly not when compared to my father's exploits. We came to Ravengro when I was just a child. My father pursued his studies and I pursued my own. He never allowed me to accompany him on his expeditions, but I feel as if I've been with him on many of them, thanks to his amazing ability to tell vivid stories - that egg episode was especially haunting to me, Dmitri," she concludes with a soft smile towards the half-orc.
Kendra glances at the still silent Soval and says, "Would you care to..." but she is interrupted by a loud knock at the front door. Standing, she says, "Ah, that must be the Councilman. I'll be but a moment." She exits the library. After a few moments of silence, she returns, a large man in tow. You recognize him from the funeral - he was the one who chastised the thugs for their behavior. "Everyone, this is Vashian Hearthmount. Councilman Hearthmount, these are those listed on the will. We are ready to hear what is written," Kendra says.
Even the less-perceptive of the group are able to tell that the Councilman views you as outsiders and he doesn’t approve of strangers being involved in local matters. As he glances around, his nose is slightly upturned, as if this entire experience is quite unpleasant for him. Clearing his throat, he says in a dull, rather bored voice, "Yes. Well. The good professor requested that you six, and, of course, Kendra, be in attendance for the reading of his Final Will and Testament. In accordance with his wishes, no one has seen or read the contents of the parchment in my possession. As proof of this, I withdraw the scroll and ask that you all examine that the seal is unbroken." He pulls a scroll case out of his cloak and holds it for all to see that the seal is, as he said, unbroken.
Kendra nods her approval and Hearthmount breaks the seal on the case, opening it. As he does, a small iron key falls out of the tube, clattering noisily onto the table. Undaunted by the key, the councilman clears his throat and 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.
“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." (The councilman scowls as this read.) "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 one hundred 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 4709."
Once the will is read, Councilman Vashian looks to Kendra, who thanks and dismisses him. Putting on a brave face, Kendra says, "Thank you, so much, for coming all this way to celebrate the life of my father. I cannot express what this means to me." She begins to tear up, but quickly composes herself. "As for the future, I will need at least a few weeks to decide what I am going to do with myself. I don't know whether or not I want to stay in Ravengro. But where else shall I go?"
She chews her lip for a moment, clearly deep in thought. Then, coming back to her senses, she addresses the group again. "In any case, I ask that you stay as well. While I don't think that I will require assistance, I do wish to honor my father's final desires. We have plenty of room here, which you are welcome to use during your time in Ravengro - without cost, of course. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go fetch the chest my father mentioned in his will."
With that, she stands and exits the room.
Dmitri's face mottles as he blushes at Kendra's smile; however, he does manage to return it in a fashion that is almost not a snarl.
He listens to the Councilman impassively, used to folks looking at him like something that needed to be cleaned from the room. After the Councilman has left and Kendra addresses the group, Darkeye stands.
I will be only to happy to stay and honor the professor's request...and yours, as well. He moves up beside Kendra. Please allow me to assist you with the trunk. I will be of little enough use in deciphering its contents. The least I can do is carry things.
Lomar looks up at Nadiya as she makes her offer... ** spoiler omitted **
...Without saying anything he returns to looking at the floor.
Upon the reading of the will, Nadiya first looks surprised by the peculiar request--and then the amount of money willed to her, not out of desire for it, but simply as that's more money than she's ever seen. It's hard for her to believe that part of it is real.
She thinks upon the request. It would require her to refrain from her circuit of village visits for quite some time, both the month requested for her to stay, and for the following trip to Lepidstadt. But her travels were unpredictable, and Kendra she saw as a person in need in her own way. No, she decided, she could not leave this unfinished.
She nodded firmly, saying to herself as much as anyone else, "Then of course, I will do as he asks."
She watches Kendra excuse herself, and she stands, the cat leaping off her lap and slithering underneath her chair. She goes to the door where Kendra exited and calls after her. "Books are heavy, do you need help?"
The look Lomar gives the councilman is if anything even more lofty. It is almost as if something the man's derisive manner calls out to Lomar and the young man returns it in spades. As the will is read his expression barely changes until the part about the chest and the tomes within are revealed. At this Lomar sits up straight, his demeanor now absoloutly attentive, his eyes almost seeming to glow with a desperate hunger.
Lomar stands up almost the same instant Dimitri does, also moving to Kendra's side. When the half-orc indicates his intent to carry the chest Lomar nods in agreement. It is clear he is not prepared to take no for an answer.
Reusten avoids meeting the councilman's gaze, understanding the disapproval at all the strangers gathered in his small town. He listens carefully as Hearthmount reads the will, his hand cradling his chin as if deep in thought. At the mention of the chest of tomes, his eyes widen in surprise. He also notices Lomar sit up in attention, Hm. I'll have to see what's got him so interested. Thought I was the only one who actually enjoyed reading about those kinds of things.
When the councilman mentions the second favor, Reusten furrows his brow and frowns in consternation. He'd hoped to return quickly to Tamrivena, but this throws some calipers in his plan. The prospect of learning what sort of information is in the professor's tomes would be enough of a reward to stay, though... the coin would be nice too.
"Guess I'll be staying..." he says to himself and anyone else who might be listening.
Walthus stands as the Councilman finishes reading the will, and his expression has been serious and intensive as he listens intently to the man, taking in the character of the words and the meaning behind them.
Walthus turns to Kendra. "Kendra. I know that you've a lot to figure out at this point in your life, but I want you to know that you will not be alone. We are all a varied group, but as far as I can tell, we all have gifts that we can offer you in our presence. I would even go so far as to to say that we are all good people, from the time we've spent together. "
Diplomacy to comfort Kendra
The halfling turns then to the council man with a grave expression on his face. "Councilman Hearthmount, I'd like to apologize for intruding upon your town and culture here in Ravengro and any trouble that has or will cause. I am well aware that outsiders only stir up hardship and strife, but I would not deny the professor his last requests. If you would be willing, I would like to work with you in any way that I can to keep from causing trouble or difficulty during our short stay here."
Diplomacy