Jaevin walks up and pours some water into a glass and mutters something unintelligible, and the steam all but disappears from the cup he is holding. He starts walking back towards the books, "Nonsense, everyone can put books to great use. There are a plethora of books out there. I'm sure your father had something that interests you around here." Jaevin begins browsing through the books next to him, "Say, what does interest you milady?" He turns to look at her waiting for her reply, he jumps a little and a surprised look crosses his face for a second, "Oh, and thank you for the water, my mind is very excited right now and manners aren't exactly at the top of it's list."
Jamir draws a deep breath then sips the tea: Uhm Tea is wonderful girl! It nearly makes me not regret my oath 'bout drinking. Now 'bout the use of books certainly you can use them as stools, as weights, and if you into that you can read them. The last part is thrown towards Jaevin.
Rhia sits quietly, her gaze passing over the room, taking in the energy of one of the Professor's favorite places. She seems not to notice when Kendra places the tea on the tabld near her chair, yet as she picks up a book left on the floor by the side of the chair, two cubes of sugar rise ad drop themselves in to the cup, a spoon soon rising to strir it before the cup and saucer gently float to her hand, seemingly of their own accord.
"You don't need to fuss over.....oh" she fades into muttereing, realizing that the others in the room were staring in varying degrees of surprise.
A soft echo of a chuckle seems to pass through the air around her.
Kendra pours for them all, and watches Rhia and her cup with wonder, though she doesn't comment.
"I'm afraid my manners may be lacking, as well. For that I apologize. You're welcome to read or look at, or, erm, sit on whatever you like." Kendra nods. She is about to sit down to her own tea when there's a knock at the door, and she hurries to open it.
On the other side is a thin, irritable looking man with a folio under his arm and a sour expression already prepared for those seated at Kendra's table.
"Does anyone object to getting straight to business?" He asks, brusquely, brushing off Kendra's silent offer of a teacup of his own.
Jaevin has an amused smile on his face as Rhia's cup moves about its own accord. He doesn't say anything and goes back to skimming the book in his hand.
As Kendra and the old bag come inside Jaevin sets the book into one of the two piles he has accumulated, seemingly at random. he then grabs another book and opens it. When the old bag rudely asks his question Jaevin looks up slightly from the book. "Hmmmm, I don't see why not. I'm sure I'll be just as happy as you to see you leave this place. Unless anyone has any objections to that?" He looks around the room sipping his chilled water.
Yes! I object your lack of introduction. The halfling rises or falls from the chair, it's all a question of perspective. I mean how are we to know you are not some evil spellcaster? Or a cunning thief, or some other evil, without your name? Without damn names? How could we possibly go to bussiness like that? What if we were signing a contract with a devil? What if you swindled us? Or the contrary? How any of us would know where to find justice? So I OBJECT! These manerless city people. Jamir then extends a hand and say: Name is Jamir guardian of farms, small towns, and general goodness.Now that is the right way bout yo go in a conversationNow sir what's your name, profession and what bussiness are talking bout again?
Rhia tries unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh.
I definitely see why the Professor befriended him
The officiary is officially taken aback by the halfling. He just stares at Jamir.
Blink. Blink blink.
"This is councilman Vashian, he handles clerical matters like wills." Kendra introduces him.
"Yes, I'm here to read his will." The councilman has regained his wits enough to look disapprovingly at the small Paladin.
"Now that is much better. Pleased to make your acquiatance." The halfling goes back to sit on his chair then turns towards the coulcilman; "Now that we know you are not a nefarious vilain, we can proceed to business." When he sits Jamir raises his cup of tea and says: "To the professor! What nver seen a toast made with tea before?"
"Yes, to the professor, may Pharasma smile upon him." Jaevin looks about the room as the others toast the professor as well. He also gives the old bag Vashian a dirty look as his eyes pass over him.
The councilman just nods prefunctorily.
Then he reads the will.
"“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 A.R."
Jamir finishes drinking the tea, whili thinking "So much for a swift visit [biiger]oh well[/bigger]. "Well it seens we are in your care miss Kendra, or rather that you are in our care? Well regardless, hate books but I might take a look at these, gods know there is way too much nefariouness these days than I like."
Rhia listens to the reading of the will with a heavy heart, turning to face Kendra when the councilman finishes.
"Kendra, I would be happy to remain here to make sure that you are safe, and he's right, the knowledge contained in books like those is something you shouldn't have to worry about."
Jaevin doesn't look too pleased and quietly mutters something about something or other.
He then looks up and about the room scanning the scene quickly. "Kendra, is the book offer still standing? And what is the nearest shipping place/post office?"
You're going to send the books? Says Jamir thunderstruck. If all that needed to be done was to see them sent then Kendra could do it!Then Jamir stops and think a moment Hum... you could do it right? Argh! What am I saying? Of course you can do it, its not like you are some cloistered little girl. See that is why this paladin shouldn't think. Jamir rambles on about his own faults for some time.
"The knowlege in those books cannot be risked to fall in the hands of anyone who would abuse is far too great to even consider. There are darker things in this world than any of us has seen or imagined."
Though Rhia speaks quietly her words seem to ring throught the room.
"I think that Rhia is right," Kendra says uncertainly.
The Professor asked that we deliver the books, and I plan on doing just that! Karna says sternly looking at Jaevin.
"Of course Rhia is right, the Professor wouldn't ask anything that was not necessary." Karna says to Kendra in a reassuring tone.
"Huh, what, um..." stammers Jaevin getting very flustered from the attacks by everyone. He takes a deep breath to compose himself, "I meant I need to send a letter to Lili, and possibly a few books from these shelves here. Assuming I can take some?" Jaevin looks at Kendra for reconfirmation.
"We'll get those books safely to the University, I wouldn't want the Professors research to get into the wrong hands. Could make life much harder for all of us."
"Sorry then! By the way who is Lili? Wife? Daugther? Lover? Mother?" Asks Jamir.
"Lili is my wifey, she is the Goddess of cooking, I swear. I can't imagine going a week without her making a meal for me, let alone a whole month." Jaevin looks up in a thoughtful gaze, "Hmmm, perhaps I might be able to convince her to send me something, but I don't know what."
Kendra relaxes a bit, nodding. And the officiary clears his throat, bringing out a paper to sign that they have heard and agreed to the will. As he does an iron key falls out if hi paperwork, which he leaves on the table.
"Sign here." He says grumpily.
Jaevin does his best (over-exaggerated) impersonation of the grumpy old man,
He walks over all stiffly and hunched over, "Okay, if you insist. So tired of all these young folk with so much energy. Bah!" His hand is shaking dramatically as he goes to sign the page.
After Jaevin signs the paperwork he stands up and goes back to his normal self. "Ah, I feel so much better now, I swear the company you interact with definitely influences how you feel."
Jamir is impressed by Jaevin's act then he remembers that he has to sign the paper. So he does it then upon examining his own signature whispers: "Urgh so ugly..." Then he looks to the key and asks to the officiry:"You dropped this." Jamir takes the key in his hand as he talks.
The dignitary hands it right back to Jamir, "It goes with the will." He says curtly, clearly not amused by Jaevin's antics. Once they've all signed, he heads out without another word to them.
Kendra goes to get the chest mentioned in the will, and comes back with a simple enough thing with a plain lock on the front.
"Oh key to the chest... Sometimes Jamir I say you have the brain of a mule." Jamir looks at everyone as he puts the key in the lock. "Ready? SWIFT!" He turns the lock of the key at the same time calling Swift to get close in case something goes wrong.
While everyone else is finishing signing the will, Jaevin goes back to looking at the books again, grabbing one every once in a while. He doesn't turn around until Jamir yells out startling him from his daydreaming. He looks back at Jamir to see what all the commotion is about.
Rhia signs the will and watches as Jamir opens the lock.
Karna also signs the will, and watches with anticipation as Jamir opens the lock.
The chest itself is a relatively small object of oak and
iron. Kendra, nervous about the contents, offers the key
to the PCs to give them 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 is Petros
Lorrimor’s journal and is detailed in the next section.
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 the PCs can deliver it
there).
You are now free to ask questions, examine the books, or take whatever steps you think right. It is the late afternoon, and Kendra has a cook who is fixing you all dinner.
Jaevin continues sorting through all of the books on the shelves while the others handle the books in the chest.
Rhia focuses on the journal, poring over it as she peers into the Professor's thoughts
Jamir satisfied it is simply a chest goes inspection what is being cooked in the kitchen.
Rhia can read these entries: some of them are circled.
Circled Entries in the Professor’s Journal
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 ertainly 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.
Jamir returns from the kitchen having discovered nothing more than that the food smells great, the only thing the knows how to cook after all is stew. He then asks: "Anything interesting there?"
Rhia looks up from the journal, eyes and vioce filled with an ominous coldness.
"The Whispering Way, a cabal of necromancers who serve the cult of undeath. They are who he was studying. The professer believed that they were planning to raise something that died in Harrowstone. He says here that the ghosts there are extremely powerful, and he barelysurvived his first encounter there."
She shivers slightly the teacup sitting on the table next to her begins to rattle slightly.
"He went back a little over 2 weeks ago. It was his last entry. He thought he might not come back."
"Hmmmm, that begs the question of whether to go investigate his death or wait here for a month. What say you little man?"
Jamir sighs profusely before answering: "We have to go after them, if nothing else for Kendra's safety." "And only place to star: abandoned prision... probably haunted..."
Jaevin doesn't know a whole lot about the Whispering Way - though he can guess it has something unsavory to do with secrets and whispering. The Lich who ruled Ustalav for centuries was called the Whispering Tyrant, surprise surprise.
Kendra seems distressed, "Does this mean he was killed?"
Rhia looks up at Kendra, compassion and sorrow in her eyes.
"He may have been. With his knowledge and exposure to the supernatural, he would have stood out like a beacon to the spirit world. A place like Harrowstone would be an anchor for spirits mired in darkness and hate. They would seek to hurt him simply because he would be aware of them."
"I'm sorry.."
"I just don't understand why anyone would hurt him," Kendra says, eyes welling up.
Jaevin takes a step towards Kendra and speaks in a soft calm voice, "No good person would ever have hurt him. But there are those who will kill because he got to close to what they were doing. It sounds as though he was investigating some underground society and they found out about it and set something up. We'll find out what happened to him, don't worry. But first I must ask of you, what do you know of the Harrowstone?"
Knowledge History
Knowledge Planes
Knowledge religion (Rumors of Undead or Dark energies)
Kendra thinks about it for a moment.
"It's a prison that this town was built around. Used to house the most dangerous criminals around here ... it burnt down years ago and they never rebuilt it." That's all Kendra knows.
Rhia knows that Kendra is more or less correct - it was a prison for notorious criminals in Ustalav - Ravengro built up around it to house the guards and other workers there. It burnt down in a fire that was said to have been the cause of prison riots, and now people say it is haunted by the ghosts of the guards and the evil men that were once kept inside it.
Classic spooky place... ... just perfect Jamir looks at the other and asks: "It seems we have to go there. A tour trough a haunted prision what's not to like?
Jaevin grabs one of the other books and starts idly flipping through the pages to catch anything interesting or highlighted. Okay, so we are going to raid a haunted prison full of evil ghosts. Sounds like fun. Now the question should we deliver these first? Once he has finished "reading" the book, he grabs another until he has no more books to flip through.
Jaevin grabs one of the other books and starts idly flipping through the pages to catch anything interesting or highlighted. "Okay, so we are going to raid a haunted prison full of evil ghosts. Sounds like fun. Now the question is, where do we find more information about this place? Once he has finished "reading" the book, he grabs another until he has no more books to flip through.
The manual on the Palatine Eye is purple and pretty, but locked shut, so Jaevin can't flip through it conveniently. One of the books is full of horrific fairy tales, and another full of disgusting drawings of aberrations and the multitudes of ways they can kill people, and one is a black book with a skull with chains on the front, the Unholy book of Zon Kuthon.