Rendel was remaining silent. It was always best to let others speak before you. You never know how much information they were willing to spill without ever hearing you speak. He studied them intently awaiting the armored man's and the dwarf's reply when he was distracted. Looking up he commented.
"It would appear Professor Lorrimor's cat has taken the opportunity to revenge itself on the furniture."
"Ah." Came the reply. Rendel spent a second glowering in silence before removing himself from the table and nodding towards Creel. "If you'll accompany me we will see to our problem. No doubt some animal has crept in an open window and finds itself in a position to do property damage."
Moving up the stairs his mind returned to the incident of earlier and he reflexively brushed his cloak aside and put a hand on his sheathe into a quick draw position. His mother often spoke of the innocent men adn women who were the target of persecution in towns like this. She explained that frightened townsfolk would seek to hurt them where and when they could. Even burning them alive in their own home.
All the while the words "necromancy" bounced around his head like a bat caught in a house. He needed to question Kendra about that. Something was amiss in this town. If he got to the bottom of it he might even find his father.
It is with much reluctance that he abandon his travelling companion outside the home, but he ensure the mule is covered with a blanket, and that his supplies are in order. The cart is parked off to the side of the home, where it was (hopefully) safe.
The dwarf is patient, much like his element, and waits for the other to go before it is time for him to speak. He clears his throat firmly, and strands to make his presence known.
"It's mah pleasure t' inform yah of who Ah am! Ye can call me Torthen Azduum, for Ah'm known fer usin' th' most primal of elements! Ah bring forth th' earth at mah beckon an' call, fer she 'as gifted me with 'er blessin'!
It was through mah art tha' the Professor lived as long as 'e did! For one chance of a time, Ah saved 'is skins from some manner o-"
It's here he hears the noise, and instantly stops. He listens calmly to the replies, and with the inferring of an animal the dwarf can only think of an intruder. He draws his warsledge, and pats it in his hand before he follows the one man up the stairs.
"Ah believe we've unwelcome visitors!"
Tharnik, upon hearing the sound, brings his weapon to the ready (but doesn't draw it) and then moves to a point in the room that lets him watch both the front door and the windows. He moves quietly as he can, but without an obvious training in that department....
As Tharnik bumps loudly into a piece of furniture, knocking a book off one of the shelves, he says, "Ummmm....Madeline, perhaps your gentleman caller would be willing to give us a hand down here, just in case more cats show up to this party?"
Omnibus post time. Weekend was crazy.
When the half-orc finishes Creel walks towards him and offers his hand. “My teachers have told me that no sane person considers them self good. We measure ourselves as we are against what we know we could be and find ourselves wanting. You risked your life for a person you did not know. Many holy men would not have done so. I consider you a good man, and with, I think, the professors blessing I would consider you a friend as well.
On hearing Madeline’s story sadness returns to Creel’s mien. Please accept my condolences on your loss. This must be a very trying time for you. If I can assist in any way I would be honored to do so.
Perception on M. Smith
Creels eyes widen for a moment as he looks at M. Smith. Something odd here he thinks.
On hearing the noise from upstairs Creel moves to follow Rendal and Torthen. “Tharnik, Miss Peshtussle, Mr. Smith; stay here and guard Madam Lorrimer. Shout if anything seems odd.” He speaks with a voice that is clearly used to command. His voice softens as his gaze falls on Kendra. “I expect it is nothing, the storm or suchlike. Best to let us make sure though. Back in a moment” His voice is kind but those who look notice that the club is now firmly clasped in his left hand. He turns and follows the others upstairs.
Hearing the noise and watching the 'Men' of the group react, Madeline stands slowly,
"Protocol; A, fifty-five, i, five, t." She says, quietly and calmly. Smith nods,
"Confirm, A-5-5-I-5-T." He replies and walks over to stand beside Creel. Following the other man's gaze to look up the stairs.
Smith does not turn his head as he addresses Creel or the others,
"I hear a noise, not unlike insect wings..." He pauses slightly. "Actions...?" He asks.
Rendel shushed the creature into silence as he crept up the stairs. He was not the quiet sort and hearing the clanking of armor behind him he suspected the effort would have been moot anyway. So he listened intently for the noise. It might just be a particularly large and bothersome insect. These parts were strange to him. Maybe they had moths like birds?
Placing his hand on the door knob he first put his ear to the door and listened further before cracking the door open ever so slightly to get a peek of what was inside. Searching his mental catalog for all the things, terrible or otherwise it could be.
Knowledge (Arcana):
(Dungeoneering)
(Religion)
Add two to any of those knowledge checks should monster lore apply.
Note to self: Get knowledge nature.Also wih my luck in rolling it will in fact be undead.
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Rendel, being the first to head upstairs immediately notices a table to his left covered in glass from a broken window behind it with a broken flower vase lying on the floor in front of it. Ahead of him in a hall way are two stirges flying about the room bashing themselves against the walls as they try to find a way back out the home.
In your first post please make a roll for initiative if you head upstairs, you'll be slotted in on the next turn as you head upstairs, it costs 50% of your move to head upstairs and its dim lighting conditions on the second floor because Kendra didn't come up here and light the lamps when she came home.
Kendra's Home, Upstairs
Initiative
Creel follows Rendal and Torthen up the stairs.
Beloved leader What is known about Stirges? Are they common? Can they think? Are they strong enough to punch through window glass on their own?
Assuming I know what they are. “*$%@ Stirges! How did they get through the glass?’”
“Smith, Get back down and guard Madam Lorimer!” “This could be a distraction” The words are clipped to carry well. Creel clearly intends this to be an order.
Rendel paused for a second to take in the sight before the creatures turned on him.
"Ah, they do have big moths here. Ugly too."
Stepping into the floor he drew his father's blade making a slick leathery noise as the well used weapon slid from the comfort of its scabbard. He whispered a word of prayer letting the light of Iomedae fill the blade.
Initiative:
Possible Attack Roll:
Current AC: 14
With his darkvision, Torthen climbs the stairwell - and in a fit of rage at such strange creatures, he can't seem to believe such huge insects truly exist! It is with a heavy heart that he must slay such a creature and return it to its maker, but it is a must when it disturbs the peace, if not the balance of the area's natural habitat.
Tharnik remains at the ready downstairs, guarding Miss Lorrimor. He continues to look out the windows, periodically, scanning for additional foes.
Madeline moves to stand beside Miss Lorrimor. Smith walks slowly up the stairs, having been commanded to assist and yet ordered not to. There is a slight 'jerky-ness' to his movements as he strives to come to grips/understand/resolve the two different orders.
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Rendel, the first to head upstairs, quickly casts light on his blade and strikes at one of the overlarge mosquito like creatures as it flies at him but misses. The first one dodges past his blade and quickly clasps itself onto his shoulder and rams its overlarge needle like proboscis into his neck and starts feeding on his blood. Meanwhile the second insect clamps on to his arm and rams its own proboscis into Rendel's wrist also doing its best to pump his life blood into its belly.
Seeing this Torthen quickly moves up the stairs and throws a dart of acid at the insect managing to burn it but not enough to dislodge the determined creature. Creel also quickly follows and stabs one of the insects through the thorax ending its little blood feast and life.
Rendel reacts swiftly even as he feels his life being drained. Releasing his blade and bringing his arm forward he brings the blade black in a one handed grip to crush the parasite.
“Rendal, are you ok?” Creel asks while scanning the hall for more bugs.
Once Rendal tells me he’s good. “Good, those things were nasty. There is some hot water down stairs, you should get those stings washed and wrapped properly. Besides they likely heard the tussle downstairs and may be wondering. Oh and if you could ask Madame Lorrimer where she keeps the storm shutters we can keep the storm out at least.”
To the others: “Mr. Azduum (and Mr. Smith if he is still here) how about we get these lamps lit? I for one do not need more suprises tonight.” To Torthen "Nice shot by the way. What was that stuff? If you don't mind me asking?"
Smith nods at the order, walks up the stairs and quietly goes about lighting lanterns.
Madeline continues to stand beside Miss Lorrimor, though a slight frown creases her brow. That she can 'feel' Smith has not met with any harm does reassure her some what.
"I'll live." Said Rendel as he shifted himself to grip his bleeding wrist. "And Mrs. Lorrimor can wait. There's no guarantee this is over."
Moving towards the window he made sure no other creatures found their way in before waving his still glowing blade over the shattered glass under the window before looking out the window itself. His expression took on a serious demeanor as he picked through everything with a fine toothed comb. Inwardly he cursed his ignorance about the creatures. What were they? Animals? Aberrants? A bizarre form of vampire? Perhaps more importantly he wanted ot know how they got in.
It wasn't as difficult as he'd have imagined - he hated things with flight, and wished they'd just come back down to earth to deal with him.
He sheathed his hammer, and gave a great heaving sigh, looking around the room once more before kneeling beside one of the insects. He began to study it, since it could be normal for the area.
He grumphs a moment, and turns to face Creel.
"The lad'll be alrigh'. What ye saw is th' power of th' elements. Ye may call it 'acid', and Ah can do tha' only so much. Ah'm more at 'ome outside, but Ah'll be fine in 'ere. Th' lad's righ' - it's too soon t'be over yet."
"You are right Torthen, too soon... I need my axe."
"Back in a minute."
Creel turns to the stair way and pauses at the head for one last Detect before heading down.
Assuming I make it down the stairs I grab my halberd, shield and pack and step into the sitting room.
"Nothing to be too alarmed about. It seems a pair of Stirges. Strange bugs the size of a breadbox and half as smart, broke in through the window at the top of the stairs. Torthen and the Tall man whose name I didn't catch took care of them. Mr. Smith is with them now keeping an eye on things."
"Things look quiet right now but I am not so sure it is over."
"Madame, do you have a set of storm shutters handy. It seems meet to close off the broken window. Keep out the weather at least."
Putting my pack and shield in a out of the way corner.
"Thought it might be a good idea to move our gear away from easy entry points. Not that I think it will matter but my old weapon master was one to wax poetic on the virtues of a bit of paranoia."
Madeline nods at Creel's words and gives a friendly, comforting, reassuring smile to Miss Lorrimor.
"Well...nothing of concern that the men folk couldn't handle." She quips softly. Trying to make lite of the suddenly tense situation.
Up stairs Smith continues to light any lamps, then goes to stand beside/behind the character furthest into being upstairs.
Tharnik, hearing Madeline speak, shifts his attention her direction and asks, "So, where does your companion hail from? He strikes me a bit 'odd' and that's coming from a half-blood. If I'm not out of order, of course..."
Tharnik grins.
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Again as Creel opens his soul sight to the world he detects a general malaise but would need to concentrate further to bring it into focus. Kendra looks up as he comes downstairs and looks perplexed for a moment when he suggests a storm shutter but then inspiration obviously strikes.
"I don't have any storm shutters but I do have some wood sheets in the basement that would serve" Kendra says as she gets up and heads for a door in the kitchen.
Upstairs the lamps around the second floor are lit and the light looks particularly warm against the chill gray color of the buildings and skies outside.
Madeline does glance at Tharnik,
"He is just my 'Man-servant'...butler, if you will..." She looks after Kendra.
"Here, let me assist." She says as she follows the other woman closely.
Upstairs, his task done and others moving back down stairs, Smith follows.
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Rendel, examining the scene upstairs notes that from the look of things one of the stirges flew in threw the window, possibly to escape the worsening storm, and the second followed it through the hole in the glass the first one smashed.
Downstairs Madeline follows Kendra as they head into the basement and fetch a large sheet of wood, you guess for a tabletops replacement or something similar, when suddenly a heavy knocking comes from the front door.
Thrice the heavy blows land sending echoing booms throughout the house shaking the door in its frame.
"Oh, that must be Councilman Hearthmount" Kendra says in response to the booming knocks. Leaving Madeline holding the sheet of wood Kendra heads for the front door intent on opening it for the visitor.
As I am in or near the vestibule after moving my gear I will follow Madame Lorrimer to greet our visitor. I wonder how he will react to a heavily armed man in the entryway.
Oh well I should be the least of the shocks he's got coming.
Rendel felt, rather than heard the knock on the door. Shattering his concentration he stood up from the broken glass and nodded at Torthen.
"The good news is it appears there's no foul play at work here. The bad news is the lady of the house will have no one to pay for the broken window but herself. I'll see if Sir Creel has obtained those storm shutters."
In the light Rendel and his anemic state makes him seem even paler than normal, coupled with the still glowing sword and his tired eyes it creates an unsettling effect. He heads downstairs not letting his face show any weakness until he's out of sight. He keeps the blade out, it's warm grip a comfort and a precaution.
Downstairs Madeline follows Kendra as they head into the basement and fetch a large sheet of wood, you guess for a tabletops replacement or something similar, when suddenly a heavy knocking comes from the front door.
Thrice the heavy blows land sending echoing booms throughout the house shaking the door in its frame.
"Oh, that must be Councilman Hearthmount" Kendra says in response to the booming knocks. Leaving Madeline holding the sheet of wood Kendra heads for the front door intent on opening it for the visitor.
Madeline 'Ekrs!' under the suddenly heavy load.
"Wait!" Madeline calls, still struggling with the wooden panel.
Upstairs Smith stiffens, straightens and begins to walk brusquely down towards the cellar.
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As Kendra opens the door with Creel standing close behind her a he sees a man, one of the attendees from the funeral, standing in the doorway rain dripping from a small hat and his black greatcoat.
"Good evening Kendra" the visitor says with some warmth, and then spotting Creel with some disdain "and... ahem... guests."
"Oh, Councilman Hearthmount, you're here for the reading?" Kendra replies.
"Yes my good lady" the councilman replies before stepping in out of the rain.
The Councilman quickly takes off his coat and hat and leaves them on pegs by the door and enters the common room. Taking out a wax sealed scroll case with the professors personnel crest unbroken on the wax the Councilman shows it to the group proving its untempered with. The Councilman then breaks the seal and tips out the contents of the case, a single sheet of paper and, with a jangle as it hits the floor, a key.
Unperturbed by the key the Councilman unrolls the scroll and reads it aloud in a slightly bored official sounding monotone.
“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 1411.”
Finally the Councilman finishes and after giving his best wishes and giving a look of distrust and suspicion to the "foreigners" he bids Kendra a good night and takes his leave.
Creel smiles. "That's the professor alright. Praise with a favor like a hook inside it. You know it's coming but it's so important that you feel honerd to help.'
He turns to Madame Lorrimer. "It appears that I am at your disposal for the nonce. I fear however that we may be causing some friction between you and the good citizens of this fine village. If you think it would be better we could take the chest to Lepidstadt now and wait there for the thirty days. Personally I would rather stay here as there is something in the air I don't like."
"I've no issue waiting a month to ensure the good doctor's daughter is safe and sound..."
Madeline hustles to join the group for the reading.
As she takes a seat and listens to the Council man's voice, her gaze drifts off to the past and her mind fills over the fellows words with the voice of the good and late Professor. Upon the finishing of the council man's drone she remains quiet, lost in her memories still for a short time.
Then, as the others speak of their intent, she remains quiet awaiting the words and wishes of the Lady Lorrimer.
Having secured the timber from his mistress, Smith puts the item down and follows her back to the reading. Coming again to stand behind her right shoulder.
"I'm sorry sir" Kendra says towards Creel, a slight brittleness to her voice "but isn't it a little early to be making caustic remarks about my father, he has been in the ground a little less then three hours"
Tharnik moves a little closer to Kendra and says, "I don't think, Miss Lorrimor, the gentleman meant anything of the sorts. We each knew the professor in our own way, having seen different parts of a very complex man. In fact, I'm willing to bet we are as diverse a group as this town has seen for that very reason."
Tharnik touches Miss Lorrimor's elbow gently and then offers, "Perhaps some tea would settle your nerves while we remind the gentleman how sensitive you are right now?" Then, he shoots Creel a look that says, in short, 'a little more couth sir.'
"Nevertheless" Rendel bumped in flatly as he picked the ignored key off the floor and gave it a hard look. "I do not believe I'm alone in having but a short time to stay in this town. I have a very...personal mission to attend to."
Rendel touched the hilt of his sword absentmindedly and then gave a weak smile the sheer exhaustion of the day finally starting to overtake him.
"However,if you may allow a brief moment of your time in private. I have a few questions to ask in regards to both the professor and my purpose here. I would also very much like to see this chest in question. I do not like the idea of your father commissioning five armed strangers to transport something he deems too dangerous to have near his daughter while simultaneously telling them to forget its existence for a full month."
She was indeed beautiful, now that she had long dried her tears and was revealed fully in the lamplight. He felt himself go faint a little as his already anemic blood began rushing to regions best ignored. He turned to the chest and half heartedly tried to look like he was going over it to hide his embarassment. After an awkward silence he finally spoke to drive away the thoughts in his mind.
"Do you know why those men would accuse your father of being a necromancer? Have there been rumors? Strange occurances? Did your father seem preoccupied? Please answer honestly, I am not here to damn or absolve. That business is now between him and the gods. I only want to help those who are still alive."
"I'm sorry sir" Kendra says towards Creel, a slight brittleness to her voice "but isn't it a little early to be making caustic remarks about my father, he has been in the ground a little less then three hours"
Creel blushes a vibrant red.
"Please forgive me madam I intended no offence. My memories of your father are filled with joy and the entire world is diminished by his untimely passing.
I intended only to note that, as always, the good professor's voice came through his writing. For a moment he was here with us.
And yes the professor occasionally manipulated people. He caressed, he cajoled, he pressured, but always for the best. He knew you were better, stronger, and smarter than you yourself knew, and he used any tool available to open your eyes to that fact.
The professor was a great man. I beg your forgiveness for my stupidity."