Kendra smiles at Terrance and says quite firmly, "No, Terrance. I do not think I shall. No doubt you have taken it to heart that my father did not want me involved in whatever it is those books discuss and you are trying quite valiantly to keep me from discovering what they are. Honorable, indeed, although I assure you that I was always aware of far more than what my father realized," she says with a devious grin.
"That being said, it is my duty to ensure that the finest details of my father's will be seen through, unless you would rather open it in front of the Councilman. Which, I assure you, would most likely only tarnish my father's reputation with this town further. So, I will not be leaving until the chest has been opened and I have obtained a list of the names of people he is asking you to deliver these books to so that I might inquire with them that they safely received the property that was bequeathed unto them. It is not that I do not trust you to do your best to deliver the books, but more so that I am well aware that sometimes things go horribly wrong. You need not tell me the titles of the books or any such, just the names of who is to receive them. Agreed?"
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Ioann lips form and evil grin, and his gaze falls upon Ravel as he is about to reply to her.
"It seems these disparate eyes ..." he stops mid sentence, having apparently come to realise something.
Didn't I know someone who had such eyes and made such impolite comments? he thinks before being interrupted by Kendra Lorrimor.
Finishing a forkfull of bacon and eggs, Ioann agrees with Kendra.
"It seems quite sensible to me miss Lorrimor."
Standing up, the man picks up his bundle and straps it to his back then looks at Terrance.
"Are you coming to help?"
Kendra grins at Ioann, and he is reminded momentarily of the girl she once was, so full of life, strong minded, and always getting into trouble. She stands up and clears away her plate before digging around in a drawer to produce a piece of paper and a pen.
As Orin rises he thanks Desna for his gentle dreams before doing some sorting through of his equipment. Once truly settled, he smells the breakfast being prepared and arrives to see everyone gathered. "A good morning to everyone. Madame Lorrimor, that smells wonderful."
He recoils to the foul sulfuric smell though but soon is as adjusted to it as he could be. Turning to Gellius he smiles softly. "A worker of herbs and oils, sir? I don't know if you're a local, but that smell is usually associated with something rotten or with 'The Hatter's Snake.' You might find it interesting."
"Thank you, Orin. I hope the taste is to your liking as well," Kendra says as she sets a plate down in front of you.
He takes a bite and smiles up at her. "Indeed it is, ma'am Lorrimor. Thank you." He takes a few more bites before looking to the others. "After this, we should examine the books. And I don't mean to press, ma'am Lorrimor, but I have some questions, though they can wait until after the books are checked"
Lady Kendra, by all means then, we will open it in front of you.
With that, Terrance rises, and proceeds with Ioann to go get the chest and bring it back down.
Kendra seats herself away from the chest so as to not actually see what is in it, and hands over the key. She has the pen poised over the paper ready to write down the names as they are read off to her.
"Orin, I shall do my best to answer whatever questions you might pose."
Orin takes the key and approaches the chest. Taking a deep breath, he slips the key into the lock, turning it over to it clicks open. Looking at his compatriots, he slowly ease the top off. "Alright, Madame Lorrimor, the first book is..."
At the top of the stack of books inside the chest is a newer looking tome with the words “Read Me Now!” scratched into the leather front. A brief peak inside the book reveals that it is the Professor’s personal journal. This was not mentioned in the will, and it does not contain a note for it to be sent away. It would seem that he meant for you all to read it yourselves.
Beneath the journal is a book with a rich purple cover adorned with a brass scarab with a single eye in the center. The title reads Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye The covers are rimmed in polished steel and there is a small, intricate lock keeping the book closed. The key is nowhere to be found amongst the contents of the chest, but it looking at the key hole one can surmise that the key has a triangular shaft.
There is a note tucked into the Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye requesting that it be delivered to Embreth Daramid, a judge at the Lepidstadt Courthouse. It asks that this be handled discretely and includes Daramid’s home address.
The three remaining books have notes indicating that they be delivered to Montagine Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University. They are called On Verified Madness, Serving Your Hunger, and The Umbral Leaves.
Kendra recites the names back to you to make sure she has them correctly and then nods her head, thinking to herself. "Yes, I believe I remember them." With that she stands and tucks the list into her satchel, "Well then, I shall leave you to look over the books. I trust that you will not mention them to anyone else. I shall return in a few hours time. Please, make yourselves at home and if you venture out into the town and anyone gives you any trouble at all, let me know!"
Anyone mind if I skim this, then pass it on ? Terrance indicates the journal.
After all we all cannot read it at the same time.
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"Only if you don't mind me perusing Umbral Leaves, sounds intriguing. Any objections?"
What harm could be done by reading a book?
"Yes, I've heard of the Hatter's Snake. It doesn't work too well with my concoctions, seeing as intend to drink them." Gellius pauses for a moment, as if remembering a horrible experiment.
"I'm actually hoping that this will do something similar with my enhancer actually. I've been experimenting with things that will let me grow new limbs when I drink it. Hopefully I'll grow something interesting."
When the books are brought out, Gellius looks intrigued. "I wonder what On Verified Madness and Serving Your Hunger are about."
"Have a nice trip to the village miss Lorrimor. Is there anyone to accompany you or to drive you there?" says Ioann, while avidly eyeing the contents of the chest, clearly hoping that she his accompanied or that someone else will do that instead of him.
Turning toward Terrance:
"I am sure I can read over your shoulder. Two will be able to read a the same time." the statement could seem to be a disguised threat. However, considering that Ioann's very attitude always seem threatening, it might just be that it is his ways of speaking.
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Ravel laughs. "Boys there is no cause to quarrel. Someone can read the journal aloud for us all to hear."
Sounds like your offering then Ravel Terrance laughs as he gently tosses the journal to Ravel. After all my voice is a little worse for wear from these scars
He trys to make me nervous, but one who has been attacked by the living dead, isn't scared. Wary yes, scared no
"Hell, I wouldn't object to a little story-telling. It was a wonderful way of passing the time back home."
Gellius hops into a cross-legged stance, looking really eager.
Ravel takes the journal and smiles. "Then a story we shall have. Ioann, would you care to look over my shoulder in case I stumble? You are more familiar with the Professor's script, I'm sure."
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.
Terrance grins, as he settles into the chair he is sitting on. One thing missing from this, is ale.
Now maybe we can all hear what got the professor all riled up
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Gellius stares wide-eyed upon hearing the journal entries.
"The Professor went into Harrowstone by himself? He must have been crazy! He must have gone insane! Seriously, who would go to Harrowstone along?"
After this little freakout he turns to Ravel. "What's Harrowstone?"
Looking over the books, Orin doesn't feel right about them. "I don't think we should read any except the journal. Just my opinion but the less we read, the less the temptation to slip off the straight and narrow, yes?"
He looks over at Ravel with a worried look. But he soon sidles over towards Terrance after wishing Lady Lorrimor a pleasant journey to town. He may have to head there soon himself, but he was eager to learn of the Professor's fate.
As he hears about it though, he begins to feel more and more worried. "Well, that doesn't sound too good. Whispering Way? Harrowstone?" He scratches his head at that.
You can see Terrance go whiter with the comment of ghosts.
This harrowstone, we should go look, and put to rest any spirits there.
By Torag's name, I did not expect the professor to be involved in the walking dead.
Who or what this whispering way is, is nothing compared to the dead. we should make sure they stay resting.
Ingrid listens in silence, her mind working to connect the information in the journal and the books to her own experiences and knowledge.
Harrowstone:
and gained control of the prison’s dungeons immediately prior to the conflagration. It was only through the self-sacrifice of Warden Hawkran and 23 of his guards that the prisoners were prevented from escaping—the guards gave their lives to save the town of Ravengro.
and had been in command of the lower level for several hours before the fire. Warden Hawkran triggered a deadfall to seal the rioting prisoners in the lower level, but in so doing trapped himself and nearly two dozen guards. The prisoners were in the process of escaping when the panicked guards accidentally started the fire in a desperate attempt to end the riot.
Whispering Way:
Terrance attempts to recall what he can about the whispering way.
All I can recall about the whispering way, is that they are or were necromancers that try to create alliances with the undead
Does anyone know anything else?
Ioann does read over Ravel's shoulder, although he does not find her comment amusing at all.
Ingrid thinks quietly for a moment, running though the details in her head before getting eveyone's attention.
"I actually know the story of Harrowstone, it's the story of Ravengrow as well really.
Harrowstone was built in 4594 along with the town of Ravengro, which was built as as a place where guards and their families could live and that would produce food and other supplies used by the prison. They kept the worst criminals here, though most of the hardened killers sent to Harrowstone spent only a few months imprisoned. This was where most of Ustalav’s executions during that era were carried out.
It was partially destroyed by a fire in 4661, killing all of the prisoners and most of the guards, destroying a large portion of the prison’s underground eastern wing, but leaving most of the stone structure above relatively intact. The warden, I think his name was Hawkran perished in the fire, along with his wife, although no one knows why she was in the prison when the fire occurred.
The fire that caused the tragedy was, actually lucky for the general public, sort of a blessing in disguise, because the prisoners had rioted and gained control of the prison’s dungeons earlier the same day. It was only through the self-sacrifice of Warden Hawkran and 23 of his guards that the prisoners were prevented from escaping—the guards gave their lives to save the town.
A statue commemorating the warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in the months after the tragedy—that statue still stands on the riverbank just outside of town. But people still believe the ruins are haunted."
Gellius listens, not being able to add any new information to the party.
Orin listens closely as Ingrid speaks. This Harrowstone sounded like a pretty awful place, but now his own curiosity was being piqued. The location was no doubt connected to the Professors death. And this Whispering Way? If they were foes to Lorrimor, then they were foes to Orin.
"I think we should go check this Harrowstone out. If we can gigure out how the Professor died, we might be able to..." He pauses as he realizes he's getting ahead of himself.
I know little of the Harrowstone, now only what Ingrid has shared is known to me.
I know more of The Whispering Way, more than I wish. A wicked alliance of necromancer who share their knowledge of undead with naught but whispers.
Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant was their most visible and greatest member, but they have existed for thousands of years.
Their presence here fills me with fear. I am a monster by birth.
They learn and choose to become undead monsters, or aid those who wish to become so.
This new from our departed ally can not mean anything but an ill future.
Ake also fills everyone in full on the spoilered information.
The cult deals with the walking dead. Terrance grumbles
This is not good, but I agree, we should look into Harrowstone maybe we can figure what killed the professor, and ensure it doesn't come back to haunt us.
Ioann listens intently to the information given by Ingrid and Ake. As details are revealed about the whispering way, he gets more and more restless and starts pacing around.
"It seems that our pure paladin has her work cut out for her. As well as the bodyguard. Counting Foehammer and Gabor since they are so well armed, and me, that makes 5 to go and explore this place. Not so bad. We just need to wait for our hostess before we leave." he says, circling around the group.
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So you are able to deal with undead, read multiple languages, have an in depth understanding of magic, can tell the difference between abjuration, conjuration and evocation, whether the slime you stepped in is icky or will rot your foot off, if the ceiling is going to fall on your head or is safe, what the tentacle thing is and if you can hit it with a sword or grab a wooden stick, need I speak further.
If so, you are truly a gifted scholar, because I spent years to learn those things and more.
But, go ahead without knowledge, it will hurt you more than me.
Oh, do you mean destroying stuff?
goblin giggle
I specialize in Evocation, GOBLIN and all you know...
Terrance shudders Aye, I know of goblins. If it don't move burn it. If it moves burn it, but never ever write it down.
Ioann, if this goblin is like others of her ilk, she should be useful for burning things which should come in handy.
"Calm down ... Stolen Soul, how should I have know you were a wizard, you did not mention it." answers Ioann totally oblivious to the fact that Ake did mention beeing a wizard the night before.
Ake is my name Longshanks...mumble grumble mumble... :)
Gellius listens to Ingrid's explanation of Harrowstone and nods. "My previous statements stand. What was he thinking going in there alone? Well, it's time to find out what a bunch of necromancers wanted in Harrowstone." As he spoke, Gellius seemed to get more and more confident, ending his statement with strong determination as he stares towards the ceiling.
Upon hearing Ake's comment about evocation, he offers up a high five as he exclaims "Explosions!" After a moment, he looks down at Ake and realizes he needs to lower his hand for a proper high five.
Great, a goblin around explosions Terrance grumps. Aye, I can understand the idea, but I am not to sure. However, I agree, we should see what caused the professor to go to harrowstone.
After a couple of hours Kendra returns to the house along with two young men carrying baskets and bags for her. She smiles at the group as she directs the young men where to deposit her purchases and then tips them each a silver. She then starts putting things away in cabinets, "All done, then?" She calls out to you, "I can spend time in the study if you still need privacy?"
Orin chuckles as Ake speaks of their penchant for explosions. "I believe Ake and Ravel can fend for themselves, Sir Ioann. And might I remind you that none of us have seen how anyone else here handles a heated fight."
As Lady Lorrimor enters he offers a short bow before shaking his head. "No ma'am, we are just finalizing a few things. Please come in, as I'm sure I'm not the only member present with a question."
Ingrid nods as Orin addresses Ioann. "Yes, when dealing with the undead, magic is usually more useful than being really angry and hitting things very hard....though that does have it's place."
Kendra follows Orin back into the sitting room and takes a seat near the fire. "I will gladly answer whatever questions I can."
Terrance settles into his chair, and listens to the questions that are being asked.
I do not have any questions at this time, however, I figure one or two will come to me in a bit of time.
Orin sits and looks at Lady Lorrimor. "Ma'am, the Professor passed while he was in Harrowstone, yes? Do you know why he went there and if he was possibly pursued?"
Gellius listens to Ingrid's explanation of Harrowstone and nods. "My previous statements stand. What was he thinking going in there alone? Well, it's time to find out what a bunch of necromancers wanted in Harrowstone." As he spoke, Gellius seemed to get more and more confident, ending his statement with strong determination as he stares towards the ceiling.
Upon hearing Ake's comment about evocation, he offers up a high five as he exclaims "Explosions!" After a moment, he looks down at Ake and realizes he needs to lower his hand for a proper high five.
Returns high five!
The journal mentions a secret catch of items. It would be prudent to retrieve them for our use. We could use them against the ghosts he wrote about.
After mumbling some kind of barely apologetic apology to Ake, Ioann turns his attention to Orin.
"Yes, I havent seen any one of you fight, yet, some seem much better armed than others. Hopefully, the weapons you are all wearing are not for show. As for Sigrùn, she hasn't mentionned having any powers, or did she reveal that while I was away yesterdya night?" says the man wearing no armors, a single dagger and a bundle of fabrics strapped to his back.
After this dicussion, Ioann spends the remaining pacing around the others, clearly excited about leaving, but also impatiently waiting for the others to aks questions which he deems superfluous, only stopping to nod in approval at Akes suggestion.
"My father was found near one of Harrowstone's walls, a gargoyle statue had been knocked--I'm sorry, fallen--on his head. I'm not sure what he was doing there, but I suspect it wasn't the first time he had gone. They said... it appeared to be an accident. I cannot say I believe that to be the irrefutable truth."
She looks curiously at Ake, "I'm not aware of any secret cache of weapons... but if you are planning to going to chase the ghosts of Harrowstone, I urge you to spend some time researching them first. You are of course welcome to use my father's libraries as much as you'd like, but I can also recommend some other places in town where you can do some research. Granted, the locals might be less than welcoming at least at first."