While Ravel is explaining the reason for their return, Ioann walks up to the table nearest to the spectre and noisily unloads their finding upon it.
"There." he says, putting both his hands on the table and leaning slightly foward, impatient for an answer to Ravel's query.
Vesorianna begins to move towards the table where Ioann unceremoniously dumped the heap of cursed items, but when she gets within a few feet her image begins to flicker a little and she screams, "No, no, no, no!"
You find yourself disoriented by the sound of the ghosts wail, but no damage is done. When you shake your head to clear the echo of her fear from your minds you find that she has tucked herself into a corner with her hands over her ears as ethereal tears stream down her face. "So much terror, so much suffering. I'm sorry, guards, I cannot. I cannot tell you anything about these items except that they contain spirits themselves, spirits created through the hate and sickness of their owners mixed with the blood and suffering of their victims. If you need to know more, you must find a way to commune with the spirits that reside in the items themselves. Though I urge you to be careful in doing so."
Taking his hands off of his ears, Ioann sights with impatience at the ghosts now withdrawn attitude.
"Fine, let's go back." he says abruptly as he starts shoving the objects back in the bag.
Once done, Ioann makes his way toward the door. Halfway there, the turns back toward the ghost of Lady Hawkran"You think you can hold the other spirits at bay while we are gone?" he asks in his usual harsh tone.
"I have some time left... Yes, I believe so."
Ingrid crouches near the ghost now huddled fearfully in the corner. "We will return, and I promise you we will find a way to return your husband's remains and stop these wicked spirits. I give you my word as a servant of The Lady of Graves."
"Yes, we will find the answers... one way or another. Ake, dear, I believe we are in for another seance." Ravel walks towards Ioann. "Please be careful. I know that you are strong, but all of those ill-fated items in close proximity to each other and such a bright living soul may be... overwhelming."
"Honestly, I think we sould only try with a single item at a time and bury the others putside while we do." Ingrid says cautiously.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Thank you, guards," Vesorianna says before fading away again.
You make your way back out of the crumbling prison and back down the hill towards Ravengro. You pass by one or two townsfolk out and about who watch you warily having noticed that you are coming from the old prison. When you arrive back at the Lorrimor Estate, Lady Kendra is not home. Instead, on the counter you find a note:
My delightful house guests:
I have not gone far, please do not worry as I know some of you are prone to doing. After all, I have lived in this small town for quite some time now. I have decided to go visit with Mr. Hephenus in the jail. I do not doubt what you have told me of his actions at the memorial, but I just cannot understand what would posses him to act in such a manor.
Uklod, dear, a packaged arrived for you today. A rather strange fellow brought it by looking for you, he did not have much to say and seemed hesitant to leave it with me. I assured him that I would make sure it got to you and eventually he acquiesced. I am holding it for you in my room, we had not quite decided where you would be sleeping before the others whisked you away today. There is Orin's room, and Gellius' room. I will allow the others to explain to you the pros and cons of each. If neither suits you, well, I'm sure we can find some place to put you!
Terrance, Jorfa has requested that you pay her another visit when you have time. I believe she has a favor to ask of you, she would not tell me what it was, however.
You have all been working so hard to uncover the truth of my father's death and to find out who... desecrated his grave in such a horrible fashion. I do so appreciate everything that you are all doing. I think, however, that you should all do something relaxing for a little while. Perhaps explore the town some more this evening. Father would not want to see you all so consumed with this.
Kendra
Terrance heads up to his room to drop most of his gear.
He then comes back down and reads the note.
Don't know about you, but an Ale sounds good right now to help forget some of the things that I saw in there.
Plus, I think we are going to need an extra day or two to look into those items.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ioann, as usual, keeps to himself on their way to Kendra's house. Upon entering the house, he kicks his boots to the side, drops the sledgehammer, and walks to a couch to drop noisily in it. There, he wraps back his sword back into a bundle of fabric. After placing his things in his room, he comes back downstairs.
That's when he joins Terrance in the kitchen and reads the note with him.
"Sure. Why not. We need to eat at some point... let me just lock the cursed objects in Orin's room... now's too early to bury them outside... plus, it won't get more haunted in there than it already is." he answers as much to himself as to the dwarf.
Walking out of the kitchen, he bumps into Uklod. Not looking at the inquisitor, Ioann tries to go around him. However, halfway through he remembers the note.
"There's a note for you in there. I suggest you choose Gellius' one. It smells funny but you won't wake up with letters written in blood next to you." he says, too carelss too truly explain anything.
After taking care of the curse objects. Ioann puts his boots back on and waits for the others.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ravel takes a few minutes in her room to change from her green hunter's outfit caked with dust and ash from Harrowstone back into the purple and blue peasant's blouse and skirts that compliment her mismatched eyes. Once more she dons her gloves, and takes only her parasol and belt pouches when she returns to the common room. She rubs the top of Narcissa's head and speaks softly to her companion, "I want you to stay here and behave while we go into town. You can fly about, but please leave no messes for Kendra." She looks to the others, "A meal sounds quite enjoyable, and perhaps we can make ourselves better acquainted with the townsfolk... as long as the fool proprietor of the 'Scroll' isn't there." Ravel gives a half-smile.
When it was his turn to read the letter a small frown crossed Uklod's typically taciturn face. He was more than curious about this package that had arrived for him and worried about Kendra despite her assurances. His curiosity would wait as Uklod wouldn't dare enter their hostess's room without her there.
"Mr. Hephanus? Is she indeed safe going to see him?"
The adventuring priest was in dire need of a bath and seeing Ravel in her fresh clothes reminded him that his entire wardrobe could use a scrubbing too. He waved off going into to town with promises that he would wait at the house for Kendra and see to cleaning up a bit.
From the door's footstep, Ioann scoffed at Uklod's question. Looking out in the distance, he answered to the inquisitor:
"He's just an old man you got possessed by some spirit... he's harmless now. I am sure miss Lorrimor will be safe from the other side of the cell's bars... worry about the right things... " an idea seems to dawn on Ioann' minds, for he stops speaking, passes by Uklod, and head to his room.
Seconds later, he comes back with two books which he pushes into Uklod's arms.
"You plan on staying here, make yourself useful and read these." he says boorishly.
Following suit, Ingrid goes to her room, dropping off most of her gear and changing from her armor into a pair of form fitting leather breeches, boots and a front laced blouse in a deep crimson, all of which onlu serve to enhance her pale almost shimmering skin and sapphire eyes. Strapping her sword to her back, the chosen of Pharasma tie her hair back and makes her way back to the common area.
Well, it looks like all that are going, are ready. First drinks for us are on me.
Terrance heads out the door, fully expecting the others to come along.
Ravel cocks an eyebrow at the items, particularly the spellbook. "When we get back, Ake dear, I would like you to help me see if that tome is still legible."
Salivating slightly,
Yes, yes, yes, of course...hehehehehehehe spellboooooook.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Yes, we will find the answers... one way or another. Ake, dear, I believe we are in for another seance." Ravel walks towards Ioann. "Please be careful. I know that you are strong, but all of those ill-fated items in close proximity to each other and such a bright living soul may be... overwhelming."
Excellent, however, Singer of songs and User of sharp Finger Nails, I be sitting on the other side of the table, this time.
With Ioann between you and me...maybe, Ingrid as well.
...and Sir Foehammer as back up...
just in case, you know..
Watching everyone change or clean up, Ake looks down at her robes.
She flicks a few clods of filth off and proclaims herself ready.
Cuddles, climbs up to her shoulder and begins preening her ragged patchy hair.
The majority of you head off into town wearing your... finest attire. Dusk is approaching, and your stomachs grumble to remind you that it has been quite some time since last you ate.
Meanwhile, Uklod stays behind with his arms full of the books that Ioann shoved at him wondering about the package that awaits him in Lady Kendra's room.
As you make your way to The Laughing Demon, you get the wary looks that you've grown accustomed to from most of the locals that you pass but on occasion one or two smile and wave. You are met at the door by the owner, Zokar Elkarid, who is very pleased to see you. He takes each of your hands in his meaty fists and shakes them vigorously as you enter. "Welcome, welcome back my friends! Please, food and drinks are on me tonight!"
The tavern seems to be making decent business for such a small town, many of the tables are full while others have one or two patrons. Zokar stops at one table and bends to speak to the customers, who then smile and nod before getting up to move to other tables. Zokar holds his hand out, gesturing at the newly cleared table for you all to sit.
At a table nearby a group of men are playing a card game of some sorts. Two other men on the other side are throwing darts at a part of the wall that has been painted with a bullseye. The table opposite of you, across the room is occupied by a young man and a young woman sitting with their heads close to each other, apparently oblivious to everyone else in the tavern.
Terrance orders a dwarven ale, and some food.
He then looks at the others.
Well, shall we look into the getting further information about the 5 from their items before we go back in ?
Before leaving, Ioann grabs Akes hoods and abruptly pulls it over her head to make sure she won't be recognize as a goblin. Otherwise, for the rest of the trip to the inn, the man stays silent, keeping to himself and, thankfully, not noticing the stares they attract.
Once inside, he takes a long look at the place. Almost daring anyone to disturb them. An effect spoiled by Zokar's welcoming attitude. Following the host, he lets himself fall on a chair before placing his bundled sword next to him.
"Just food for me. Anything." he says reluctanly while he eyes others drink with thirst.
*grunt "Some seem obvious, the hammer that the Mosswater marauder used, the flute of the piper, the axe is the weapon of the lopper, the book most contain informations on the meaning of names, the holy symbols are the ones that were used to con folks... What other information could we get?"
How about where they were housed in Harrowstone. This way we can plan to put one of them to rest every couple of days.
Terrance takes a drink of the ale.
This way, we are not just wandering around blind, but we can plan where we go, and we can be sure their item is available when we go for them.
Ravel places her meal order and speaks to her friends, "The legends of these criminals have been passed down even in child-song, but we should be careful about which questions we ask. Folk already know we are looking into things, and if there is a physical culprit behind the loss of our Professor, then they too will be listening to what questions we ask. I wholeheartedly want to discover all we can about Harrowstone and its occupants, but I do not want to be run out by an angry mob."
Terrance grins slyly. No mob, got it. Can you not find the info over the board that we found?
Ordering a meal and a glass of wine Ingrid sits back listening to the discussion. "We should also make sure we deal with the objects one at a time rather than risk facing all 5 spitits at once."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Giggling slightly at Ioann's "help", Ake settles the hood into it's customary spot and wraps her scarf around her face.
After ordering her goblin sized meal and a tankard of ale Ake inquires,
Do you have any cake perhaps? Cake and death seem to go well together and I'm full up on death today.
We must do more research and obtain a greater understanding of the HarrowStone and those within. Boldness and fortune carried us today, I am less confident they will carry us in the days to come. Oh, and my dear Ravel, mobs are very easy to deal with...run faster then the mob.
"I will consult the board again. Which possession would we like to go over first? Or rather, which of The Five do we want to bring attention to first?"
Lets start with the one that had all the holy symbols
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Zokar blanches a bit at Ake's mentioning of being full up on death for the day but takes it in stride. "Unfortunately, we do not have cake today but we do have pie! You come back tomorrow though, and I'll have the missus make a cake just for you!"
Your food and drinks are brought to the table and set down in front of you by a boy, you recognize him from the funeral and believe him to be Zokar's son. His hands seems steady, like he is accustomed to working in his dad's tavern.
As soon as the food arrives, Ioann bends over his meal and start eating. True to his habits, he seemingly pays no attention to the conversation until, out of the blue, he jumps back in.
"Don't worry about the items, I locked them in Orin's bedroom... I will find a better place for them when we go back." "Father Charlatan... we can sure start with him... What would be useful for our next visit is to have a map of the place... maybe some of the surviving guards could help us with this... do we know if any still live here?"
You are enjoying your meal when one of the men playing cards at the table next you cries out a triumphant, "Ha!" just as he lays down his winning hand there is a sudden flare as the cards catch fire, shooting flames up nearly two feet. The men at the table stumble back in panic.
Ioann
Ingrid
Ake
Ravel
Terrance
Ravel starts to answer Ioann, "They would be quite aged if they were still..." Ravel lets out an exclamation of shock at the blazing cards and raises her arm to cover her eyes, a moment too late. "I cannot see!!"
Those who fail the previous check and are blinded may make the following check:
Oooohhhh, fir
Terrance sets his mug down in alarm, and reaches for his warhammer while looking around for the cause of the flare.
Shhh. Quiet Ake, everything will be all right, just need a bit of time
Surprised, Ioann stands up quickly, causing his chair to topple down. Rubbing his eyes with one hand, he kicks away the chair, draws his dagger, and approaches the the table where the cards caught fire.
No sooner than the initial burst chases away those at the table, the fire dies down and disappears completely. The cards and table show no sign that there was ever a fire there, they are completely unscorched. Still yet, the scent of smoke lingers in the air.
Uklod wasn't sure if Ioann had been spoiled or ignored as a child but his behavior bordered on the other side of rude. The young man deposited the books on the table and set about to cleaning himself and his gear. His thoughts wandered but he stuck to his tasks. Once clean he looked around the common areas for any books on local lore.
Looking over the books again, Uklod just couldn't focus on reading and he was getting worried that Kendra had not yet returned. Shaking his head again at her earlier assurances he belted his sword back on and headed out towards the jail...of course it wont look like I'm checking up on her at all...
Walking alone towards the jailhouse, Uklod is taken with the soft sounds of birds and squirrels settling in for the night. The sun has just disappeared over the horizon, but it has not quite yet fallen dark. He sees the occasional townsfolk out, likely headed home for the night while others are closing their shutters.
His eyes catch sight of the tracks as he walks but it takes a moment to realize that they are not old tracks, but tracks in the dirt road that are appearing before his very eyes. They move silently past Uklod, headed towards Harrowstone, disappearing as swiftly as they manifested.