All the traps are disabled successfully as Anna carefully and skillfully renders them useless.
Down and out then, to look for tracks I guess. I am not so good at that though. Can't be good at everything the old professor used to say. With loot stored as best it can be, Tolvan nods to the room that served as Vesorianna 's prison for so many years and heads down the stairs.
All the traps are disabled successfully as Anna carefully and skillfully renders them useless.
As you leave the building, the damp weather has cleared up, and the sun shines through large gaps in the clouds. The feelings of oppression and darkness which smothered the area seems to have been washed away by the earlier rain, and there is a freshness in the air.
Tolvan does his best to help with tracks.
Anyone leaving would have likely passed under this arch. Lets look here.
Danica begins to search around and stops in a particular spot. "Look here...there are foot prints heading in the opposite direction of Ravengro. Sligh scratch marks...probably wearing a cloak." The monk continues to follow the tracks but then the trail grows cold. "Hard to track on the rocks. Say....what is in the other direction?"
Looks like this trail is cold. Let us be off. I want to check on Kendra.
Coming down the winding hill from Harrowstone, Ravengro spreads out below you, a few stray drops of rain glittering in the strong sunlight hitting the town. The rain-damped earth brings the fresh smell of renewal and life to your dusty nostrils. There is no sense of oppression or malice at your back as you leave Harrowstone behind you.
Making your way back to town and passing a few people coming out into open after the rain that fell heavily most of the morning. Most of them acknowledge you with a wave or a smile, and a small few not at all. They all give you a wide berth, probably due to the dirty and disheveled state some among you are in. Armor and weapons looted from the prison jut off your packs and persons, further drawing interest to your appearance.
Through her front window, you can see Kendra conversing with someone in the sitting room. She spots you through the glass and opens the door just as you arrive, enthusiastically hugging each of you as you enter her home. Stepping out of the sitting room is a much healthier looking Kimgald, his pick/can prodding the way before him. After a tearful (for Kendra) few minutes of checking you over and reassuring herself you're all in one piece, she goes to draw baths and prepare a meal.
Kimgald returns Teddy to Kimberly's care and explains that a short time ago he awoke as if from a coma, shaking off a horrific nightmare in which the entire group was killed over and over again it gruesome deaths, some of those deaths at his own hand. But when he finally awoke, he felt much relieved and has been improving in health ever since. The voices have ceased speaking to him, he admits, and he has no clue if they will return or not. He seems to take this development in stride, and says Kendra has agreed to let him stay here for a little while to recover. "I'm sorry, but I do not think I will be joining you on the journey to Lepidstadt. Is it still your intention to deliver the professors books?"
About that time Kendra comes in and announces that food is ready and baths should be ready not long after eating - for those who want them. She joins you at the table, not eating, but instead probing for information and asking questions about the experience in Ravengro. After a time she interjects, stating she needs to ready the baths, and also wants to go speak with the councilman about your return. Assuming no one objects, she leaves to finish the baths and find one of the councilman.
After a while (long enough to eat, bath and get dressed) Kendra returns with Coucilman Hearthmount and the Sheriff in tow. Both men shake hands all around, and thank you on behalf of the citizens of Ravengro for what you've done for Ravengro. There is a slight hesitation in the councilmans voice, as if he cannot believe the terror has truly come to an end, but he does not refute your claims in any degree. "Things got worse after you left, and we feared the worst. By your leave I'd like to present your award tomorrow. This will serve us doubly, one to allow you to rest, and two it will allow the night to come and go, confirming the truth of Harrowstone's cleansing. Agreed?" He clearly means no ill-will, but is a man with frayed nerves and little hope after the horrors his town has faced for the last weeks and longer.
The restful night passes without incident and a joyful Councilman Heathmount is pounding eagerly on the door with the coming of the morning. He carries a full pouch and wears a large smile as a bedrobe-wearing Kendra invites him inside. Without ado he hands over the bag and shakes hands once again, practically skipping out the door with glee. Clearly he had a long-overdue nights sleep. The pouch contains a little more than promised, 550gp apiece, instead of the previously promised 500gp.
Tolvan greets Kendra and Kimgald warmly. He declines the bath as he as been keeping his hygiene up with Prestidigitation, but graciously accepts the mean and eats with a appetite seldom demonstrated by an elf. Yes, Kimgald, I will be traveling back to Lepidstadt to return the books. It was the professor's last wish in a way. I cannot deny that.
The wizard lets the others tell most of the story, adding facts and details here and there that likely only he thinks are important. The exception is when the group has to tell about being attacked by Pyotr. Here he feels a responsibility to tell the tale as best he can. He finishes with It as not really Pyotr any more that attacked us. Some evil had consumed the man we knew. We were attacked by a possessing shadow that only controlled the mortal remains of that good paladin.
Kendra sheds several tears for the memory of Pyotr, "That poor man, and all for my father. I don't even know if he had any family..." and trails off in mourning. Kimgald seems similarly affected, but his dark glasses hide much of his grief.
Danica gladly accepts the food and bath. She heads off to sleep early in order to prepare to see the rising sun, a ritual performed by those faithful to Sarenrae. As the sun rises she can feel the warmth glow and feels a presense that she never felt before.
"You have done well my child. Use your gifts that I bestow on you wisely....your work is not done."
The voice is soothing and warm but yet firm with authority. She feels the divine energies flowing though her.
Sometime later, she sees the coucilman and sheriff enter the establishment. She follows them inside and listens to what they have to say. All is good in Ravengro.
The Inquisitor/Monk humbley accepts the reward and after the pleasantries are over she immediately says "Are there any towns or cities past Harrowstone?" She points in the general direction of where she found the tracks.
Tolvan, the blade seemed a sign from the lady herself. But I cannot make proper use of it. It is too heavy for my fighting style.
When kendra comes out Kimberly hugs her back. then looks a bit sad. her dress was torn and filthy.
I ripped my dress, and it got real dirty.
but she perked up again when she saw Kimgald looking better. he hands her the tedddy and she just hugs Kimgald instead.
he says his goodbyes Wait! she yells running up to catch him. she takes off her silver holy symbol and gives it to Kimgald May Pharasma always guide you
when he looks at it etched on the back (by kimberly's own hand) is childs drawn image of teddy.
she then returns to the group.
Anna looks sullen and silent after the group is unable to follow the tracks any farther. She chews her lip in thought as they turn back toward Ravengro, though occasionally she blinks up at the cleared sky in near disbelief. Moving through town, she avoids the stares from the townsfolk, looking at her feet or staring straight ahead under the weight of her pack.
At Kendra's house, she nearly collapses into the hug she receives. She holds her tight for a moment, then backs away and avoids looking into her eyes. Kimgald, however, she avoids entirely. Anna stays several paces away and always seems on edge whenever the two are in the same room. When she looks at him, she unconsciously rubs her hand on her pants and gets a haunted look on her face.
She picks at her meal and deflects Kendra's questions during supper. She hits the wine pretty hard, and takes an extra bottle with her to her room when she retires for the evening.
The next morning, she gets up late. Her eyes are red-rimmed and bloodshot. She mumbles a thanks when handed her coins, but cannot muster much else.
During the few days it takes to get affairs in order... Andjela is around, but spends a lot of her time visiting the grave of the girl who died because she could not stop the horrors in time.
Hours in a row, she will visit, daydream, pray, beg forgiveness, try to understand, etc...
Later the next day, Anna makes it down to Rold's place. She asks for (and is hopefully granted) a bit of privacy as she deals with him.
Anna then opens her satchel and unveils the pieces of traps, plus the poisons she collected from the prison. Someone got in ahead of us; tried to lay a few surprises for us. Do you recognize the work? Any chance you can point us in the right direction?
She leans forward, haunted eyes fixing on Rold's. They near cost you your livelihood. Whole town overrun by the whispies; bad for business. Guy who set these -- she gestures to the trap pieces -- tried to stop us. Anything you know, anything you can find out. I'll be at Lorrimor's a while.
She gets up to leave, passing the traps and poisons to Rold.
-----
Later, a small lad is waiting outside Kendra's door as you step out for some errand, and rushes over with a small sack. "Mr. Skinny says thanks for not letting us get eaten!" he says and tosses you the sack, then runs away down an alley. Inside are five bottles, similarly marked as the potions of Cause Light Wounds were.
Danica is informed by the Sheriff that there aren't any nearby towns for many miles past Ravengro, the tracks leading away from Harrowstone not producing a good lead.
As you shop and sell and mingle amongst the town, a few days go by in utmost peace. The weather is forgiving, the townsfolk are constantly stopping you to thank you and the only low during that time is the funeral for the Splattermans final victim. Between the several stores in town, and Skinny Rold, you're able to find buyers for all the items you wish to sell.
Some people inquire as to your plans and when they hear about your desire to to go Lepidstadt have some bits of information for you.
Kendra is sad to see you go, and seems to clear out her larder judging by all the food she gives you. Much better than the standard traveling fare, and best of all packed with all the care and concern the daughter of your friend the Professor can provide. She embraces you all, as does Kimgald, who is set to remain at the Lorrimor household for the time being. Several Councilman and man townsfolk see you off on the start of your journey, all with well wishes and fond farewells.
A disheveled man holds four horses and a pony, and hands them over as you approach. "A mutual friend says these are a loan, and expects them back in top condition at some point in the future." His job completed he bids you a safe journey and heads off into the woods. The early part of the journey is largely uneventful, you pass fewer and fewer people and the land becomes more and more rugged as you go.
As they travel Kimberly at first is a little awkward on her poney but quickly adapts to it.
I'm going to name you Cillia, you like that? she says petting her new friend.
not far out of town. We should take the Old Mountain road its probably the safest route and has some other towns along the way. I heard that from a friend's father who's father is a travelling healer.
The four day journey takes you past the towns of Tamrivena and Courtaud before following the Lesser Moutray River up to Lepidstadt. You pass several sets of ruins, dense trees, and marshy ground as you travel. Near dusk on the final day of your journey, having passed through moorland and dark, dismal foothills, you see a colorful string of wagons a ways in front of you. The wagons are all stopped, and you can see a small group of people gathered to the side of the wagons, speaking animatedly. They are too far away to hear their words, but they have yet to notice you, so engrossed are they in their own conversation.
Having equipped himself with what supplies were available in Ravengro before departing, during the days of travel Tolvan spends a couple of hours each night tracing arcane lines onto paper with strange and rare inks.
As the group closes on the colorful wagons Tolvan motions for silence. He moves off the trail and watches and listens for a moment, trying to discern if they are hostile.
Tolvans quiet inspection shows the group seems to be quite agitated and alarmed, but not overtly hostile. It takes his eyes a bit to notice, but the group is literally a group of sideshow freaks. There is a giant of a man, several pin-headed girls crying hysterically, a bearded woman keeping folks calm and others amongst the group. You are not the only travelers on the road, watching several other travelers pass by the colorful wagons, giving it a wide birth and shying away from the freakish looking group. You catch a name being shouted into the marshland on either side of the road, and get a sense they are looking for a missing caravan member.
The group stops. Kimberly waits a few moments then dismounts Cillia
she starts to approach the group causiously.
she is not trying to be stealthy.
she is not carrying any visible weapons either. but her new holy symbol is present and she is dressed in the trappings of a priest of Pharasma.
Flex: Ravengro
Anna spends the remaining days in Ravengro with little to occupy her time. She works her way through Kendra's wine cellar at a fairly consistent pace, but can't seem to bring herself to go out and enjoy what should be plenty of free drinks at the tavern. She doesn't talk about it, but it's evident her sleep is plagued with nightmares. She always finds excuses to step away when Kimgald is around.
Shortly before it's time to leave, she returns to Rold's. Any leads with those items I dropped off?
More Flex: Journey
Anna seemed to anticipate leaving, and grew a bit agitated until it was finally time to go. Once on the road, she seemed much more chipper and animated until the first night. Then she rode on in sullen silence.
Coming upon the caravan, she regards them cautiously.
As Kimberly approaches there are several hopeful gasps, which turn to disappointed wails as they realize Kimberly is not who they were hoping to see, but only looked similar at first glance. You notice more details at close range, even as the entire group regards your entrance warily, evidently curious of your intentions. Each of the covered wagons has fantastic pictures on them, pictures which you are able to match with different bystanders among those gathered. An exotic woman with four arms, a grown man with none, a young boy completely covered in fur, a bearded lady, and several other freakish looking folk. The wagons read;
'The Crooked Kin—
Ustalav’s Greatest Traveling Cabinet of Curiosities!
written in bright letters centered on each wagon.
The bearded woman bangs on a enclosed wagon, and a new fellow appears, An albino man with red eyes and long, white hair that hangs below his knees, he wears a tall red top hat, a long red coat with gold buckles, and striped trousers. He grins at you, the expression seeming both natural and a little frightening at the same time, "Welcome little Madame, I am Kaleb of The Crooked Kin!." He bows with a flourish, unable to help himself despite the worry on his face. "Are you traveling alone at night!? It isn't safe, we've recently lost a young member of our troop, just a short time ago in fact!" He stands tall and peers over your head in an effort to locate who this young girl could be traveling with. Now that he has an idea where to look he quickly spots those not making an effort to hide themselves and raises a hand in greeting. "Hello, please join us, won't you?"
Retcon Anna
Never an expert at social interaction, Tolvan watches Anna struggle from a distance. He tries sitting close to her at meals and generally makes himself available if she wants to talk or have any kind of companionship but do does not push the issue. He busies himself with his own arcane tasks when/if he is rejected.
Tolvan, unwilling to let Kimberly advance alone is already moving up when the Kaleb calls out. We will. he responds simply as he does so. [b]If you can tell us what has happened perhaps we can be of assistance.[/b[
Retcon Anna
Never an expert at social interaction, Tolvan watches Anna struggle from a distance. He tries sitting close to her at meals and generally makes himself available if she wants to talk or have any kind of companionship but do does not push the issue. He busies himself with his own arcane tasks when/if he is rejected.
Tolvan, unwilling to let Kimberly advance alone is already moving up when the Kaleb calls out. We will. he responds simply as he does so. If you can tell us what has happened perhaps we can be of assistance.
"Pardon us, but we are a traveling troupe, as you may have already guessed, and have lost a young girl named Aleece, sister to those two over there." He points out two crying girls, their heads bizarrely small and pin-headed. "We've been trying looking nearby and trying to organize a search party, but we are simple entertainers and ill-suited for wandering these fens. We've appealed to passerby's but our appearance is quite off-putting. By all appearances, you appear capable, won't you help us find dear Aleece?" It doesn't take a sleuth to see this man, and his companions, are sincerely distraught and honestly could use some help.
Andjela approaches slowly on horseback, remaining mounted. She speaks, as is reading off of a list. Her speech is not hurried.
Describe the girl, what are her sisters' names? Where was she last seen... exactly and what was she doing? What was the last thing she said?
Could she just have dozed off... somewhere?
They sag a little in relief as the line of questions suggests you might be amicable to assisting them. The bearded woman steps forward, She is the mirror image of those two, but wearing a blue dress. Her sisters are Lettie and Poppy. According to them she was seen near the rear of the caravan, near the side of the road, picking up stones." The tall woman points out the location. "She didn't say anything before disappearing. If she did doze off, she did not do so inside one of the wagons, we've searched the immediate area high and low, and she is simply not here." She wrings her hands worriedly, but maintains a strong facade as she awaits your response.
Kimberly listens and when the other two girls are pinted out she looks at shows empathy with them.
I would like to help. I am not much different than they are. I was shunned and had no friends when I was in Ravengro. I know how they feel
Kimberly goes over to the sisters.
Hello..I am Kimberly.. and this is teddy she hold out her teddy bear.
teddy helps me when I feel sad and lost, and teddy helped to keep the ghosts from hurting a friend. she hold out the bear to the sisters.
would you like to have teddy make you feel better while we look for your lost sister?
One of the pinheaded sisters, you're not sure which, nods a bit through her tears and reaches out for the little bear. The other asks, in a quavering voice, "Please fine Aleece, she's all alone and lost in this scary place!"
Flex: Ravengro
Possibly, Danica would like to purchase some more Mage Armor scrolls and 2 potions of CLW. Please let me know how mamy Mage Armor scrolls she can buy.
The Inquisitor is quiet, preferring to stand idle in the rear as she listens to the others talking.
Conversation....while they talk I will look.
After hearing enough, Danica begins to wonder off, looking at the ground and some broken stems. She says out loud "Come here quick. I have found some footprints." She follows the footprints for about a half mile to a boggy river valley and then into a densely vegetated, midge-infested marsh.
The marsh is a shallow bog, with high reeds between 6 and 8 feet high that severely affect your ability to move and see in the area. Danica takes a long time to search the area looking for recent signs of broken vegetation. This search tugs at the limits of her skill, but she takes her time and tries to get it right.