Galahad's Carrion Crown AP (Team Brawn) (Inactive)

Game Master Galahad0430

The group of people who have accompanied Kendra look at your group with a little more warmth after the heartfelt eulogies. The twoo attendants begin filling in the grave as the group begins to disperse. Kendra says her goodbyes to each of them as they leave and then turns to your group.
"Please, if you would, I would like for you to come to my house now. I can offer some refreshments while we wait for Councilman Hearthmount to come over with the will."

As the locals start leaving, Hasmir says his goodbyes to any he has been introduced to. While the gloomy atmosphere of the place and the general standoffishness of the people is getting to him, he tries to make sure it doesn't show in his behavior. Then again, he reminds himself with a sad inner smile, it is a funeral.

After hearing Kendra, he nods with a smile. "Thank you for the offer, madam, that is very kind of you. If you don't mind me asking, how are you feeling?"

Arigoder nods deeply at the suggestion, "It would be our honour."

Piatra bows to Kendra, and follows the group silently,

I'm still trying to figure out Piatra's voice. he's not much of a talker, obviously, but that may change over time as he gets to know people. he'll speak up when he thinks it's necessary.

Ravengro

We will be refering to this map a lot so you might want to remember what post# it is. I will be identifying areas as we go along.

To Hasmir, Kendra responds, "I feel a little better now. Your words were a comfort, to hear of the things my father did was a nice tribute."

You follow Kendra back to her house (the Restlands is are P on the map, you go over the covered bridge, through the town square, area A, and to her house, area N). Their house is a modest affair. Inside you find every room has stuffed bookshelves. She takes you to the dining room and brings drinks.
Vashian arrives precisely on time, about one hour after you arrive. No Sense Motive check is necessary to note that he doesn’t completely approve of strangers being involved in local matters, but he keeps his comments to himself, focusing his involvement entirely on the reading of Petros’s will. Kendra isn’t sure what’s contained in the will, since part of its stipulation was that all of the PCs must be present for its reading. Councilman Vashian produces a scroll case, shows that the professor’s personal seal is unbroken, then breaks the wax and opens the case. As he does, a small iron key falls out of the tube, clattering noisily onto the table. Undaunted by the key, the councilman begins to read, eager to be done with the business and to get back home.

“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. 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 4711 AR.”

"It appears that Petros has need of our services. I, for one, willingly accept this task. I have some familiarity with the types of tomes he refers to and agree completely that they should be in a safe place."
Turning to Lady Kendra, "I also agree to help you with whatever you need to get through this time of mourning."

Arigoder shakes his head when the reading is complete, Well done, Professor... You've caught me in a web of my own sense of duty and honour...

He chuckles at the thought a moment, and then sobers, remembering where he is. He nods at Dryden's comments, replying, "As will I, Lady Kendra. I know little of these tomes, I admit, but I would not see them fall into the wrong hands... And, as you all heard, I swore by the Vault to honour the Professor's last wishes at his funeral..."...as, I suspect, the Professor anticipated..."...and I do not break my word."

Kendra Thanks Councilman Hearthmount for his duties and escorts him to the door. Returning, she thanks you for coming and says she will need a couple of weeks to determine if she will sell the house and move. In the meantime, as stipulated by the will, she asks you to remain as well. She offers rooms in her spacious house for you, promising you free room and board for the month the will requests you to remain in town, and then excuses herself to go fetch the chest mentioned in the will.
After a few moments she returns with a relatively small object of oak and iron. Kendra, nervous about the contents, offers the key to you to give you the honor of opening the chest. The key fits the lock perfectly, and within are several old tomes and one relatively new one. The newest tome sits on the top and bears the phrase “Read me now!” scratched into the leather cover. This book appears to be Petros Lorrimor’s journal. The other tomes comprise the books of dangerous lore
mentioned in his will—three of these have notes tucked into them indicating that they should be delivered to one Montagnie Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University. The fourth, Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye, has a note indicating it should be delivered to Embreth Daramid, a judge at the Lepidstadt Courthouse (although the note asks for this delivery in particular to be handled discreetly, and includes the address of Embreth’s home so that you can deliver it there).

Hasmir's reply to Kendra was a quiet "He deserved no less," with a tangible sadness, then he gollowed her and the others to the house. As the solicitor was reading, he has been sitting down in a comfortable chair, listening to the man's diction almost as much as he did to the words he was saying. I wasn't expecting to stay here, but it seems I may. It would not do to deny a dead friend's request... and doing his daughter a good turn is as fine a way to honor his memory as any. Plus, she does seem like a nice lady, and he did arrange for a compensation...

Well, let's see what this town has to offer. I should look for a way to contact my relatives that I may be away for a while, though.

Outwardly, he appears to be somewhat curious towards the stipulations of the will, but looks agreeable enough. I will do my best to help you, Madam," he says, nodding to Kendra. "As for these tomes, I would not mind doing a friend a service, especially as minor as this one. I suppose we should first follow his will and read through the journal, though? It is a curious inscription to leave on one's private affairs book. "

Hasmir picks up the journal and pages through it. The majority of the entries are relatively bland, accounting for day-to-day activities in a small town. The professor has circled several entries in the book with red ink, though, and it is these entries he evidently wanted you to pay particular attention to. The final entry, dated 17 days ago, was written on the same day the Professor’s body was found.

Ten Years Ago:
The Whispering Way is more than just a cabal of necromancers. I see that now. Undeath is their fountain of youth. Uncovering their motivation does not place me at ease as I thought it might. Their desire to be eternal simply makes them more dangerous.
Two Months Ago:
It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be?
One Month Ago:
Whatever the Way seeks, I am now convinced their goal is connected to Harrowstone. In retrospect, I suppose it all makes sense—the stories they tell about the ruins in town are certainly chilling enough. It may be time to investigate the ruins, but with everyone in town already being so worked up about them, I’d rather not let the others know about my curiosity—there’s plenty of folks hereabouts who already think I’m a demonologist or a witch or something. Ignorant fools.
Twenty Days Ago:
It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list.
Eighteen Days Ago:
I see now just how ill prepared I was when I last set out for the Harrowstone. I am lucky to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not find it prudent to investigate further) prevented me from transcribing the strange symbols I found etched along the foundation—hopefully on my next visit I will be more prepared. Thankfully, the necessary tools to defend against spirits are already here in Ravengro. I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down below. If my luck holds, I should be able to slip in and out with a few borrowed items.
Seventeen Days Ago:
Tomorrow evening I return to the prison. It is imperative the Way does not finish. My caution has already cost me too much time. I am not sure what will happen if I am too late, but if my theory is right, the entire town could be at risk. I don’t have time to update my will, so I’ll leave this in the chest where it’ll be sure to be found, should the worst come to pass.

Hasmir reads through the last circled entries, and his face appears impassive, even though his mind is racing. If anyone else is reading alongside him, he looks to the side at them to see their reaction. As he raises his eyes from the paper, his voice is careful, pensive. "I have to say, this looks troubling. We may have something on our hands while we are here. Miss Kendra, I apologize for the unpleasant question, but can you tell us just when your father passed away, and how?

I'd also like to do a knowledge check on the Whispering Way or Harrowstone, lmk what checks these would be.

Piatra observes the reading of the will from a short distance away from the others, arms crossed and feet set apart, his face determined. When the Councilman has left, Piatra approaches Kendra, "Kendra, it appears your father was aware of some danger that may exist towards your person. I offer... in fact I near insist that I be allowed to operate as your personal bodyguard for as long as you wish it, and certainly for the month required of your father. If you would allow me to stay near you, I can assure you no harm will approach you."

As Hasmir reads the journal, Piatra waits patiently for an explanation of its contents, although he has interposed himself between the chest and Kendra, as if to protect her from what it may contain.

"Thank you good sir. She responds to Piatra.
Turning to Hasmir she says, "He was attempting to climb a wall of the old prison and apparently dislodged one of the stone gargoyles on the wall which fell and killed him. They found his body there."

You could probably get more information of the state of his body from either the sheriff or Father Grimburrow. Anyone here can make either a Knowledge (religion) or (arcana) for information on the Whispering Way.

Knowledge Religion 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

The whispering way? Hmm, I may have heard of them.....

Anything with a 16?

For Dryden's 16 you know the following:

1)The Whispering Way is a sinister organization of necromancers that has been active in the Inner Sea region for thousands of years.

2)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.

At this point you all have earned 300 XP

I don't mean to make things difficult, but at this point, Piatra should stay with Kendra unless she wishes him to leave with the group. Of course, ooc I would rather stay with the group in whatever they wish to accomplish, but I'll need a GM reason to do so as she has accepted my protection :). Of course, if she needs it, I have no problem staying with her for protection. It is up to the GM. :)

When Vergil enters the house he is immediately distracted by the books, and begins bubbling around looking at things excitedly. Eventually, halfway through the reading of the will, he pops back into view, once again serious.

When the reading of the will is done Vergil comments,
"It appears that our dear professor was in a more interesting predicament than any of us knew. I will gladly assist in this endeavor and in the protection of lady Kendra in any way I can."

After the reading of the Journal:
"I too have knowledge of the Whispering Way..."

Knowledge Arcana check on the Whispering Way = 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Vergil's information adds the following:

3)The Whispering Way itself is a series of philosophies that can only be transferred via whispers— the philosophies are never written or spoken of loudly, making the exact goals and nature of the secretive
philosophy difficult for outsiders to learn much about.

Piatra: You get the idea that the professor was asking you to help her get her affairs in order more than being a bodyguard. You also get the idea that whatever he was investigating has already happened and probably moved on, but you all will need to investigate more for further info on that. Finally, Kendra informs you that due to certain, er.., "defensive" arrangements her father made to the house because of his work, that she is perfectly safe there at night.

I will keep a running total of the XP on the campaign info tab

Arigoder takes a deep breath, to release the tension that talk of necromancers has created within him, "Based on how we met, I suppose I should have expected the Professor to have stumbled upon something dangerous... and likely that, more than these books, is the real reason he called us here. If we are to spend a month, we should look into these things he speaks of in his journal... and talk to the sheriff about the circumstances around his death as well."

Upon hearing Arigoder's remark, Kendra says, "When my father was late coming home I spoke to the sheriff about his visit to the prison. He went there and they found my father by a section of wall. Apparently he was trying to climb it and he dislodged one of the stone gargoyles that fell on him and killed him."

"Agreed", Hasmis replies to Arigoder."While it is a somewhat distasteful affair, we would need to check in order to make sure of how the professor died, and whether there is any lingering danger. By all accounts, this sounds like a dangerous group. He who knows not where the road leads will often find himself led astray, as they say. I suggest we talk to the sheriff - was he at the burial today?"

Knowledge: Arcana 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"You may use my father's extensive notes and library for any research into this Whispering Way if you like." Kendra informs you.

Any of you make make another knowledge religion or arcana roll for more info on WW if you spend the afternoon researching here.

"That sounds like a good idea," Hasmir notes. "The professor certainly seemed to know something about them, perhaps they may be mentioned in the books as well. We could split, and meet later to discuss what we've found?"

I would remind you to reread his journal, specifically the entry from 18 days ago :)

"Ooh, I love a good library!" Vergil darts out of the room towards the treasure trove of literary knowledge.

Knowledge Arcana for the afternoon = 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Arigoder offers, "If we are to go to this gaol, with its 'ghosts', I suspect we might find safety in numbers. I dislike the notion of fighting things which my axe cannot cut and make bleed...." He shudders a moment, then continues, "However, in my training with the Band, I learned somewhat of the art of siegecraft... If I get a good look, I may be able to determine if the gargoyle that fell did so from age and erosion, or if it was something more sinister that caused its fall."

Hasmir confirms Arigoder's suggestion with a nod. "Yes, we should check the gaol at some point, and I'd also prefer it if we went all there when we do that. For now, though, I'd rather we check if there wasn't any foul play on the professor's death and maybe do a little preliminary work."

"Excellent idea, I will look through these tomes for more information. Maybe some of you can visit the sheriff and get more details about Petros's death."

knowledge religion 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

btw, what were the other books in the chest?

The other books in the chest are:

• Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye: The rich purple cover contains a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. The book’s covers are rimmed in polished steel and clasped with a small but intricate lock, the keyhole of which appears to be for a key with a strange, triangular shaft. The key is nowhere to be found (Knowledge history, local or arcana for info on the Order of the Palantine Eye).
• On Verified Madness: This jet-black book is a treatise on aberrations and other entities found on Golarion that possess remote ties to the Dark Tapestry, the name given to the dark places between the stars in the night sky.
• Serving Your Hunger: This text is a copy of one of several unholy books sacred to the goddess Urgathoa. Lorrimor’s notations liberally sprinkle the margins.
• The Umbral Leaves: This lexicon is a translation into Common of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon.

OK, so far I have Vergil and Dryden researching the Prof's library for the afternoon. Anyone else? And who is going out (I assume to the sheriff) to get more info on the Prof's death?

Not being a bookish sort, Arigoder will be in the group heading out to see the Sheriff.

As will Piatra

"I will leave the books to others. I find bookshelves to be a bit tedious."

Arigoder nods, "My own skills and interests are also less bound to the library."

Whenever I am done researching in the library...

Vergil flickers back into the main room.
"Well that was fun! I'm not sure if I found anything of use for our current venture but the Professor has quite the collection of interesting reading material..." Upon noticing the book of the Palentine Eye... he comments, "In my previous travels through this area I did hear snippets of information about a mysterious cult... which seems to be pertinent to one of those tomes in the dear Professor's chest."

Knowledge Local for information on the Palentine Eye = 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Vergil, again distracted, dances around the room looking at various trinkets on the tables and shelves, then after a bit he returns to a calm standing posture and raises one hand as if in thought.
"My curiosity is getting the best of me... but I feel like we should go explore that false crypt the professor wrote of in his journal. That would be a good place to gather information about the Professor's last research... and who doesn't love a good false tomb?"

Vergil: You find no information on the Order of the Palantine Eye. You're own knowledge only lets you know that it is some sort of Ustalavian secret society.

The rest of you head out to the sheriff's office (building I). When you arrive, both the sheriff, Benjan Caeller, and one of his deputies, Riff, are there. Both give you a somewhat cold appraisal and seem somewhat suspicious of your group.

Hasmir feels they have more to find out from the sheriff from the tomes, or at least that he is better able to contribute that way. "Okay, then, let us go see the sheriff," he says to the others, and goes away with them.

When they come across the sterling representatives of the primacy of Ustalavian Law in Ravensgro, he knocks carefully before entering, and generally speaks with respect, but not flattery. He has heard something of the often-xenophobic mores in Ustalav and would rather not offend the locals if he can avoid it. "Good day, sir. My name is Hasmir Talari; I and my companions are friends of Professor Lorrimor and we came earlier today to pay our last respects. I am sorry for the disruption, but would it be possible for you to tell us more about how he was find, and if you suspect any wrongdoing in the matter?"

"You must be the ones staying at Kendra's place. Wrongdoing? I don't know anything about that. He was killed by a falling piece of masonry. It looked like an accident to us. It was pretty gruesome though, the statue crushed the whole lower part of his face and neck."

Hasmir squints and looks up, trying to imagine the situation. "Lower part? How would he have to be standing for that to happen... Quite the bad luck, that. Anyway, could you please tell us just when and where the body was found?

The sheriff thinks for a moment and then says, "I don't rightly know. It looked like he was trying to climb the wall on the east side and the gargoyle his rope was attached to wasn't as secure as he thought. It looks like he fell and the statue landed on him. We found him the next day when Kendra came to me to ask that I look for him."

Hasmir shakes his head with a sour expression. "He'd have to really have had bad luck, he would." He turns to some of his companions to see their expressions, and his eyes ask if they have further questions. By the way, have you heard of anything going on about that ruin recently, which might account for him wanting to check it out?

Piatra mumbles a few words to himself and then says to the rest, "We should examine the site of this accident as I suspect we might find more there."

"Petros was always looking into things. He probably was trying to disprove the haunting rumors. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened, aside from his death. As far as visiting the prison, I won't stop you, but be careful. It is in bad repair, having been abandoned for almost 50 years.""

"Yes, he did tend to go out of his way to investigate certain occurences," Hasmir nodded. "Apparently, he believed that a cult or another shadowy group may have been involved. At any rate, thank you for your advice, sheriff - we will check the ruins out, just in case. By the way, do you know of anyone who might have more information on the Harrowstone prison?"

"Both the Town hall and the Temple of Pharasma have extensive records on the prison. You might want to look into those first before going up there."

everyone check out the discussion tab please

Everyone gets together for dinner at the house and shares the information they have uncovered. As you eat, you discuss your plans.....

"There is a lot of information here on the Whispering Way, but maybe I should check the Temple's records and pay my respects to the head priest. I could also ask them about this false crypt. Maybe some others could go to the Town Hall tomorrow to check the records on the prison." Dryden suggests as they talk at the table