As the three newcomers arrive at the table, the old woman breaks into a wide grin. "Yes, good. Good. You saved me a trip over to the bar - my old legs don't need any more work than necessary. As I told your friends, I am being tasked by the spirits to provide each of you a card from my deck before your adventure begins. Please draw one."She shuffles and spreads the cards in her hands, extending them towards the three who haven't yet drawn. For those who care to look, you notice that The Foreign Trader is placed in front of Sheldon and Drugrosh is holding The Brass Dwarf. You can't see what Teagan has drawn.
Ghorum looks rather perplexed as he approaches the table. "Before our adventure begins?" he thinks to himself.
Shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders, he reaches for a card.
Curiosity etched on his face, Kolgrym takes a card as well. The dwarf places the item face up on the table in front of him and stares at the illustration for a few seconds. He then looks up at the woman. "My thanks, madame. If you're presence here was fated, then I believe this token will prove itself useful."
Novennia puts her food down on the table and props her bow against the nearby wall before bowing agian, more formally this time. "You may call me Novennia, if you like. And to be honest I did not know him that well at all. You were friends with him?"
With that she sits down and eyes the strange old woman more openly now. 'Stop that, you're rude. She's probably just some kind old lady not some nefarious witch'
Seeing that all the others at the table already took a card she too reaches out to pick one from the deck. "Thank you. But what does this mean now?"
You draw the following cards:
Ghorum - The Trumpet (Lawful Good, Constitution)
Kolgrym - The Avalanche (Lawful Evil, Dexterity)
Novennia - The Keep (Neutral Good, Strength)
In response to Novennia's question, the old woman says simply, "Nothing. Something. Everything. Time will tell. Good evening."
In a whirl of brightly colored silk, the old woman returns to her companion. Motioning to him, he stands and they leave the inn.
Sheldon smiles absently at the lady as she leaves. "Strange custom," he murmur's before turning to the newcomers. "Well good evening Novennia, and to the rest of you. I am Sheldon Variel, and my diminutive acquaintance here is Teagan. I was a friend and colleague of the Professor's and Teagan is also here to pay his respects."
Teagan narrows his brows as three other strangers joins them by the table. As the old lady takes her leave, he sighs and slips the card into his sleeve - only to glare daggers at the elf and his big mouth. "I shan't keep you company. I will have to see you on the morrow."
Without any wait, he wanders over to the owner Sarianna, and inquires about the key for his room. Exchanging key for coin, he leaves the common room for a bit of sleep - and some good silence.
She looks at the card she drew from the stack for a moment and shrugs. 'The Keep. Well could be worse I guess'
"Hmm, I hope it was not our arrival at this table that made your friends leave." she says as the gnome leaves the table as well.
The dwarf tucks the card into his pack. "Whatever their reasons for leaving may be, their action is sound. We've all an early morning tomorrow. I believe I will turn in as well." Once again the dwarf takes up the remainder of his meal. Dragging his pack behind him, he waves over Sarianna, obtains a key, and heads upstairs for the night.
Sheldon remains blissfully unaware of Teagan's dark looks as he is leaving the table. To Novennia he smiles and replies, "Oh no, Teagan just doesn't seem to be a very friendly sort, and Master Darksun just seemed to be tired. We are not really friends necessarily, I just met them both. I guess it is getting late, well late for such a small town, although it has been such an interesting evening that I am surprised that everyone is turning in so early. Am I rambling? Perhaps we should get to bed too?"
Novennia has to supress a yawn at that and nods agreeing "Ah yes, it is kind of late, isn't it. And it was a long journey after all. Well it was nice making your aquintance nonetheless."
She finishes up her dinner and then stands up, picking up her things and heading to her room.
The rest of the evening passes without incident or excitement. 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 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 most of you, struggling only with which dwarf was which.
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? This may prove difficult as you're all of different…stature. But I'm sure you can manage."
Durgrosh steps forward and says It would my great honor to do so Miss Lorrimor. Your father spoke of you most highly and you have my sincerest condolences.
"It is an honor to meet you, Lady Kendra. I too will bear the Professor's remains to their final rest." As he speaks Kolgrym's hand traces a spiral in the air before him. The dwarf is dressed in the formal robes of a Pharasman clergyman, and you recognize the gesture as being suggestive of the simple holy symbol suspended prominently from his neck.
"I'm am so sorry for your loss, Miss. And it would indeed be a great honor to serve." Ghorum says.
He is keenly aware that he isn't really dressed well enough for a service, but is grateful that he was able to at least bathe last night.
Novennia bows politely to the late professor's daughter "My sincere condolences to your loss, Lady Kendra."
Seeing that the two dwarves and the half-orc had already volunteered to carry the coffin, she realises that leaves only Sheldon, Teagan and herself. She turns to the elven scholar and says with a small bow of her head "You were a good friend to the Professor you said. I will gladly leave this honor to you, if you so desire"
"Your father was a respectable man. My condolences." He bows only slightly, though the tone of his voice shows no disrespect. At the request of being pall-bearers, Teagan glances at the elf while the two dwarves and the half-orc all comply.
"I'll leave the honour to both of you. Being half your sizes - or less," he adds begrudgingly, "The last thing we need is a lop-sided, disrespectful disgrace of a ceremony."
He walks up to the front, and looks at the road to be traversed...
Sheldon waits his turn to speak with the Professor's daughter, "I am truly saddened by your loss. I offer my deepest condolences." He stands for a moment uncomfortably until Novennia and Teagan prompt him. "Umm...yes, of course. It would be an honor to bear the Professor to his final resting place."
As the four take their place around the coffin, Teagan moves to the front and Novennia falls 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!"
Sheldon stares with confusion at the gathered mob, but quickly shakes his head and gets a stern look on his face. "Professor Lorrimor was a good man who helped many people. I know that he was always good to me, and I am certain that he helped many people in this community. It is a stain in the Lady of Grave's eyes that you would disrupt a ceremony sanctioned and officiated by one of her priests"
Teagan glances at the elf, and at the crowd of people. With a sigh, he brushes away some of the hair in front of his eyes. He looks at the man leading the mob and meets his eyes. "You should be ashamed of yourselves. We're giving a funeral to a man who wasn't good, oh no, Petros Lorrimor was a great man, far greater than any of you. He devoted his entire life to the fight against evil - evil you are lucky to never have laid you eyes upon. He was taken from this world far too soon, and your way of paying respects to this man is to interrupt his funeral?"
Teagan's voice has only a hint of anger, though his eyes are lit up...
At Sheldon's word, the group seems to deflate a bit. Teagan's speech seems to completely sap their spirit. 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.
Durgrosh waits through the ceremony, tears streaming down his face and over his tusks. He steps forward and says Professor Lorrimor was the greatest man I have ever known. He not only saved my life, he crafted me a life filled with purpose and possibility. I will forever be in his debt. May Pharasma judge him swiftly and may he pass on in all honor. Durgrosh walks forward to where the coffin lays and pulls a long golden rod from his hip. Striking it on the ground sharply it begins to glow with a bright light. To light your way between the worlds Sir.
After Durgosh has finished Sheldon steps forward. "The Professor was a man of learning, and not just of one subject but of many. I have seen rooms full of people fascinated by his lectures, and I have myself been fascinated by his knowledge and insights. His fieldwork inspired me to be more adventurous, to seek knowledge where ever it can be found. Professor Lorrimor was more than a colleague to me though, he was my friend and I will miss that most of all." Sheldon smiles sadly at Miss Lorrimor and steps back.
Ghorum listens intently during the ceremony, and murmurs agreement when the others speak of him.
Once Sheldon is finished speaking, Ghorum takes a step forward, and gently clears his throat before speaking.
"Ahem...I'm...uhh...ain't really good with words, but there is one thing I knows...the Perfessor was a good man, to me at least. Having served as a guide on a few of his rangings, I enjoyed his stories while we camped, and the man knew his history."
"I'm honored that he remembered me at all, and it warms this dwarfs heart that you all cared for him as much as you do. Um...he...well...that's it, really."
He steps back, turning somewhat red.
Jominda Fallenbridge, whom some of you recognize from the night previous, steps the edge of the grave, looks in and says, "You were kind, brave and misunderstood. I am grateful for the hours of conversation you shared with me, the knowledge you poured into me and," she chuckles a little, "the alchemical secrets you imparted. I will miss you." She steps back and moves to Kendra's side.
Novennia steps up to the grave, looking down at the coffin for a moment. "I did not know him as well as some of you here, but what I know is that he was a kind man, and I have alot to thank him for in my life. I'm not sure if I would be here without him now. And he was funny!" she smiles a bit "One evening, we were sitting around the fire and suddenly he tells that story about an elf and a halfling. Well more a joke than an actual story. Hm, or was it a gnome? Ah doesn't matter, but I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life before. I think he knew I needed to be cheered up there. Yes, he'll be missed."
Kolgrym remains silent as the others offer brief memories of the Professor's impact in their lives. Lorrimor had led the dwarf to a life in the service of Pharasma, and for giving him this purpose Kolgrym would be forever grateful. Rather than share this with the others, however, the priest decides to let his presence alone, his form garbed in the robes of his calling, symbolize the Professor's influence.
"Be at peace, Lorrimor; may the Lady of Grave smile upon you and speed you along your final adventure."
Teagan says nothing as the others praise the man who is no more. He stays quiet - and as invisible as he can - watching the coffin solemnly.
At Novennia's words, the funeral ends. Father Grimburrow nods to the gravediggers, who begin shoveling the heavy dirt onto Lorrimor's coffin. The gathered group stands in silence for a few moments before turning their 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?"
Kolgrym's eyes widen noticeably at the tomes collected in the room. Taking a seat and offered drink, the dwarf take a long, slow draught before answering. "I was troubled when the Professor first contacted me, plagued by strange dreams and visions. He had heard of my condition and the ... peculiarities ... of my birth." Pausing for a moment, a troubled expression crosses the dwarf's face. It passes quickly, though, and he takes his holy symbol in hand.
"Lorrimor helped me make sense of things, to realize that I wasn't losing my mind. He helped me to find my mistress. It is thanks to him that I walk the path I do today."
Teagan remains quiet until the arrival at the mansion, his expression still solemn and to some degree even moody - though it is clear that he is showing restraint in respect of Kendra. As the liquor is offered, he asks for only a small glass. Periodically he sips, only a little, remarking every time how bitter it is.
When asked about his acquaintanceship, he narrows his eyebrows... and then sighs. "I'd rather not say more than this: we helped each other out in times of ill. I have nothing but respect for Petros."
He resumes to sip his miniature drink, clearly not entirely comfortable.
He is holding back more than he lets on, yet he is very careful in saying this, and intends no offence either.
As the he enters the library Sheldon is immediately drawn to shelves of books. He distractedly takes a drink when it is handed to him, but cannot draw his attention away from the various titles until there seems to be a pause in the conversation. He turns around realizing that a question has been posed to the group. He leans over to Kendra and whispers, "Ummm...what was the question?"
When she explains that she wished to know his connection to her father Sheldon straightens up. "Ummm, let's see, I met your father at the University of Lepidstadt. He was giving a fascinating lecture on the battle tactics of the Shining Crusade and how they developed in response to their foe. It's actually quite a fascinating topic, you see, since the Crusade had the classic tactical problem of a powerful necromancer raising their own dead to fight against them. For them the answer was to...." Sheldon looks at the bored faces around the room and coughs into his hand.
"Well, yes I suppose we could talk about that at another time. Anyway, I had the opportunity to talk to your father after his lecture and was fascinated with the field work which had informed his conclusions about the topic. We would talk regularly when he was in the city, although he was often absent. He told me many tales of his adventures in a variety of lands, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of you here were not part of those stories. Over time a deep respect and affection developed on my part for him and I like to think he thought of me as a friend as well."
He finally takes a quick sip of the drink in his hand, "My, this is rather good."
Durgrosh listens to the others as they tell their tales of the Professor. When Sheldon speaks about the lecture Durgrosh seems to be the only one not bored and is in fact rapt when he mentions the necromancer though his face falls slightly in disappointment when he trails off. When Sheldon finishes he says to Kendra, Your father gave me my life in this world as surely as he gave you yours my lady. I was fleeing from the Hold of Belkzen, without coin or confidence or consideration of what I was going to do or where I was to go. I had spent the last several years as a slave to a villainous wretch and fled when I got the opportunity. I was pursued by several men and the Professor happened upon me and drove the men off. He showed me the first kindness I have experienced in life. More than that as we spoke and he saw I had a modicum of intelligence he took me with him and helped enroll me in the University of Lepidstad as well. We talked about many things but most notably religious topics as my education on the gods had been severely lacking. I consider it the honor of my life to have known him. His eyes get misty again for a moment before he takes a sip of the liquor.