Inside,you find 5 books.
One is the professor journal,it is the newest one.It has a scratch on the cover saying Read me NOW
The oldest all have several notes tucked into them indicating the people they should be delivered to.
The books are :
The majority of the entries are bland accounting of day to day activities in a samll town,however there some entries circled in red ink.
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'm 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 is 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 predecessor 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.
This is indicated as to be delivered to Embreth Daramid.It has a rich purple cover closed shut by a strange lock resembling a brass scarab with a single eye in its center.The keyhole is triangular,but the key isn't present.
There is a further note indicating this should be delivered not at the Lepistadt Courthouse,but to judge Daramid's private home (address included)
The book with the scarab is one of the principal books of the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye, a secretive sect whose members have deep interest in all things political and arcane
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.
To be delivered to Montagnie Crowl at the Lepistadt University
A copy of one unholy book sacred to the goddess Urgathoa.Lorrimor's notation liberally sprinkle the margins.
To be delivered to Montagnie Crowl at the Lepistadt University
A translation into common of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon.
To be delivered to Montagnie Crowl at the Lepistadt University
Casts detect magic over the books, to see if there is any magic present. If so, what school?
Knowledge(Arcana):
A dinosaur, huh? Interesting. I hope it's house-trained.
You think it's an attempt at humour but her even tone and lack of accompanying smile keeps you guessing. She studies the creature for a short time and then finds an empty seat. Sitting, she leans back and closes her eyes to await the arrival of the councilman - she's been on the go for the last 16 hours and it shows.
No emotion registers on her face as the will is read.
A month?!!! A frekking month?!!! I can't do it - I need to get back home.
As Kendra searches for the box, Jaylen takes the time to freshen up. She returns from her ablutions as the box is opened. She's removed her armour and now wears black canvas pants and a black vest. Her face clean, tinged pink from her cold-water wash. She sits, once again, and pulls a comb through her ebon hair in a bid to detangle it.
Books! We're to babysit some books. We're to sit on our behinds for a month and then escort some books to a school!!
Beyond a cursory glance, the girl pays little attention to the contents of the box, more interested in sustenance and sleep, rather than scrolls and sigils.
Kendra looked at the books without a word,except the sealed one.
Her gaze met those of the people around her,everyone was wondering what to do or think.
"I never knew a thing about these activities of dad.And don't know what this Whispering Way is,but maybe there are other info in some of dad's books"
.
"Miss Kendra, in your opinion, is your father's library the most extensive in the town? If not where would it be, and could I gain access to it?"
"Dad's library is the most exhaustive on arcane matters in Ravengro i think.The Temple of Pharasma and The Town Hall have complete archives on Ravengro and the Harrowstone prison history.Don't know if it can considered a library,but the building know as The Unfurling Scroll has some research material.I think you could call it the magic school/arcane shop of Ravengro,it is ran by Alendru Ghoroven,an old man who knows some magic."
Kendra hesitates for some seconds,then "You can use dad's materials at will,but the rest of the town won't let you poke your noses around,as long as you are strangers friend of a presumed necromancer.Will need some time and probably a lot of work around town to have the locals trust you.But i'm not sure what kind of job you can find around,after all everyone already has his own."
Marzio agrees to wait the month and visit Lepistadt.
"I've heard enough of necromantic activities to inflame my paladin's heart.I need to discover what really happened to professor Lorrimor.Fear not mis Kendra,i'll shield you with my own life if needed be"
Jaylen has been quiet for some time. Eventually, she stands, yawning.
Kendra, I'll need to get a message to my village to find out if they need me to return. If I were to stay here, I'd need to let them know anyway. We can sort that out tomorrow but, for now, let me grab my gear and you can point me to somewhere I can get my head down.
With that, the girl disappears through the front door, returning with her equipment soon after.
"And i have to apologize if i didn't mentioned it right away,but you are all my welcome guests of course.If you are to stay here a month,i'll share this home with all of you;and needless to say,free of charges"
"Well it seems that I have a long day of research set out for me tomorrow, so let me get some sleep. Goodnight everyone. Hopefully we can unravel this before we have to head for Lepistadt"
Sajan quickly get his gear together, sets out his bedroll and things in a quiet corner (if possible withing the library), then proceeds to fall asleep.
The Wispering Way is a sinister organization of necromancer that has been active in the Inner Sea region for thousands of years.
Its agents often seek alliances with undead creatures,or are themselves undead.The Whispering Way's most notorious member was the Whispering Tyrant himself,Tar-Baphon,although the society itself has existed much longer than even the mighty necromancer.
The Wispering Way itself is a series of philosophies that can only be transferred via whispers-the philosophies are never written or spoken of loudly,makig the exact goals and nature of the secretive philosophy difficult for outsiders to learn much about.
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As you said earlier, your father saught information of the evils of the world, so that we could all better fight them. You know, deep down, you know, he was no necromancer. And thank you for the hospitality. I would be honored to read these, and to investigate, if you wish it. BUt tonight, I think, tonight should we should rest. We have gone through so much today, I think your soul is in need of reprise.
Current date:Toilday,2 of Pharast,4711 AR 2nd day in Ravengro
It is still early in the morning when the noise of steps on the floor,moving of objects around the house and doors slamming slowly wakes up the house guests.
One after the other,Sajan,Loren,Aemrelara,Marzio and Jaylen see a busy Kendra doing some cleaning in the house.
"Sorry if i woke you, i could hardly sleep,and the house needs some tidying up if you all will stay a month.Now is there some request you have in particular?I'm afraid you'll need a lot of luck to persuade the town coucil to let you explore their archives,or some ruins."
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No my dear. Please, relax. I'd like to just talk. To easy your burden. Of corse I shall stay, and I shall do whatever you need. Anything. That's what, . . . friends are for. We where friends once. I, I know I made a mistake and I hurt you. I can not take that back. I had no choice. But, please. Do not worry. About anything. Everything will be fine, and let me help you. What can I do? motioning around to indicate he means to help with the housework.
"Mostly put some order in the bookshelves,as you can see there are a lot of them,and wipe the dust off the books.Then there is the matter of washing ourselves,after yesterday we all need it."
Kendra finishes emptying a shelves,stoking the books on the floor temporarily.
"I guess mr.Suyyddhaan is going to need these books soon,but we should also go to the Town Hall to introduce all of you and inform the council you'll stay a month,better have them accostumed to the idea."
Jaylen's up; you can hear her splashing about in the bath. A short time later, she appears, her hair still wet, looking - and feeling - much better than she did last night.
Morning. I don't smell breakfast; if you show me where you keep everything, Kendra, I'll put some on for everyone. Oh, and I'll need pointing in the direction of the messenger office sometime today, don't forget.
As she passes, she gives Kendra a (hopefully) reassuring squeeze on the arm.
Did I hear someone mention 'ruins'?
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I'll get to work on the books. Little Miss Jaylen. May I call you this? Would you like some help with the cooking, once I finish here? I have some talent. Then I shall go retrieve some water for bathing.
I haven't been here is years, though I believe the ruins spoken of are the remains of the Harrowstone Prison. It burned down some years ago, and many rumors are attributed to it of the ghost that still linger. It is believed that the warden and his wife both linger still, not to mention countless prisoners and guards trapped within as the prison burned to a cinder. It is mostly a local mystery spot of sorts, a haunted house, as children are fond of trying to bluff others to enter it for a night, if they dare. he says with a smile, still recalling some fond memories he and the Lorrimor's had sworn they would investigate and "adventure" within, back when Kendra andhe where still so young.
We always said we would purify it one day. It was, sort of a game. A joke between us. No real ghosts linger there.
I'm assuming I'm using today to do the study on the Whispering way in the professors house.
@Jaylen "Sorry, i was busy cleaning,lost the sense of time.Will go to cook something at once.And for the ruins, yes, i was talking about the Harrowstone prison burned ruins,but Loren exagerates;that ruin has been there for more than fifty years and nothing happened,to the contrary, the town grew both in population and wealth."
"Speaking of the prison, miss Aemrelara, have you seen the monument at the foot of the hill on top of which lies the ruins?It is nicely sculpted,one the few, real work of art of Ravengro."
Waking up, Sajan greets everyone grabs a slice of bread, some butter, a few fruits,with a steaming pot of tea and heads towards the library.
I will spend most of the day studying this interesting book, if you need me you know where to find me.
With that he rushes off with a childlike curiosity on his face.
It is almost 8:00 am and the activity in the nearby farms have already started.
Man are out in the fields plowing and women going to the Vistear River to gather water and wash clothes,but mostly to chat.
You hear the noises made by dogs,cats,pigs,cows,horses,chickens and many other animals coming from all around.
@
While everyone is still on the enty path on her home:"The Memorial is the opposite way from the Town Hall miss Aemrelara.I cannot come that far i'm afraid,i'm awaited at the Hall no matter what,but you shoudn't have troubles finding it"
<PAUSE>
"But i still haven't cogratulated with you for your performance yesterday at dad's grave,it was so touching:You are really a master at your arts,hope we'll hear other pieces of your repertoire"
@retcon: Sajan does not do research.
"May I suggest we go see the memorial, and then possibly afterwards go and see the priest of Pharasmae afterwards? He was of help in stopping the scuffle that we had, he might possibly know more information."
@retcon: Sajan does not do research.
"May I suggest we go see the memorial, and then possibly afterwards go and see the priest of Pharasmae afterwards? He was of help in stopping the scuffle that we had, he might possibly know more information."
Marzio had a bath himself,then equipped back with new clothes,armor,shield and weapons.
"I'm only interested in protecting the ladies in our party.This town isn't happy to have us around,better be prepared."
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Aemrelara blushes a little at the compliment and says,"It was the least I could do for your fathers memorial, and it would be my honor to have you hear another of my performances."
Aemrelara will accompany Kendra to the town hall and introduce herself to the city council. Then if there's time after she will go look at the monument.
Kendra begins walking toward the town square,which includes the Town Hall,a market place,the Ravengro Forge,the jail,the Outward Inn,the General Store,the Apothecary and the Silk Purse (the local moneylender).
Along the path,the party comes to hear more than just animal noises;a group of local farmer has gathered on the right border of the trail,near some houses.
Some of them are screaming in rage and swearing loudly: something about killed animals can be understood between the shouting.
I speak to the group: if you have no objection I can try to understand what happens.
If anyone wants to help is welcome, but if you decide not to intervene continue on our path.
master:
Sajan stays behind with Marzio to see what happens.
The farmers turn toward group of strangers as they come closer,but after Marzio's initial reassuring words they calm down somewhat.One of them shows to the group three of his chickens summarily butchered,blood splattered all around.
One of the farmer is trying to repel a large dog with white abundant fur,the animal obviously wants to reach the dead birds.
Wary the excited dog, and with a slight nod of acknowledgement towards the farmers, the young girl approaches the birds, to get a better view of their wounds. She slides her blade out of it's scabbard and lifts a few of the feathers, looking for any tell-tale clues that accompany the main areas of trauma.
If you require a roll:
Surv: Heal:
The dog Pastore maremmano-abruzzese
The chicken have been killed by some sharp metal,maybe a large knife.
Kendra looks away disgusted.
"Ehwwww!!!! It's horrible,who could possibly...?"
Roll:
perception:
talking to the villagers: these birds were killed with a knife, please explain what you think happened here.
I did not understand what happened! for the villagers who killed the chickens? another villager? the dog?
@Marzio "We only know we found the bodies where they are,probably stolen from their fence and brought here.We don't think
the dog has anything to do with this,he a good old boy"
In case someone asks,the fence is outside one of the nearby houses
@Marzio "Non sappiamo niente,li abbiamo trovati così dove sono ora,probabilmente rubati dal loro recinto a portati qui.Non crediamo che il cane abbia qualcosa a che fare con tutto ciò,è un bravo vecchio cane."
Nel caso che qualcuno chieda,il recinto è di una delle case qui accanto.