Sove Presents - Carrion Crown

Game Master Sove

The night passes, thick thunderstorms drowning out the typical silence of Ravengro, though the sunset proves an auspicious omen. The dark shadow of the city's largest building atop a hill is cast over the manor, assuring that the dark never truly leaves Lorrimer Manor. After a day of preparation, the party finds themselves standing before a large iron gate, opening into an unusually massive cemetery.

The cemetery is so large, in fact, that multiple pathways branch off and go deeper across a spider-web like design, broken and weathered tombstone scattered across your vision.

A small crowd has gathered at the gates alongside you, in Ravengro tradition of escorting the casket to the funeral across a very long road known as "The Dreamwake."

The casket is beautifully carved of ebony, thick ivy and dahlias grown into a bouquet to rest atop. Amongst the crowd you see numerous grieving faces hidden behind light veils, though Kendra keeps a strong heart and holds her tears back, politely greeting each and every of the dozens of locals who attend.

Numerous faces stand out, including a grizzled young man with sharp, steely-eyes and a wide-brimmed hat, beard a rough shadow etched across scarred face. Grieving with him is a rather beautiful young woman of blonde hair, crying into the grizzled man's shoulder. Kendra points them out to be the town sheriff and herbalist.

A tall, youthful and dashingly handsome man stands alone, hand on a sheathed, ornate silver rapier as he bows his head in respect, though not without a bit of a disappointed sigh. He mutters to himself. Kendra notes him to be Adivion, an old friend and former student of the Professor from Leipstadt, noting his skill and intelligence but slight loneliness and awkwardness.

Lastly notable is a very large man whose sad face is obviously more suited to laughing than crying, thick mustache blown from his face as he presses a puffy red nose into a ratty handkerchief. The town's innkeeper, according to Kendra.

As the preparations begin, Kendra stands forward, clearing her voice then asking for those who wish to carry the casket to step forward.

We need four pallbearers, but Halsinger seems to have arrived early and already volunteers, leaving three volunteers. The casket seems rather heavy and awkward to carry.

Dr. Falcroft offers solemnly to take shoulder of the coffin, joining Halsinger as a pallbearer. Immediately a hand shoots up, the young man adorned with a rapier offering his service. The town apothecary wipes dry her eyes, volunteering to carry the coffin.

We have the four pallbearers: Halsinger, Falcroft, Adivion and Jominda (the apothecary.) Halsinger and Falcroft have no issue lifting their end, though Jominda seems to be struggling greatly.

Continuing down the long path known as the "Dreamwake," the procession encounters a hiccup. A dozen men armed with farming equipment and tools stand blocking the way, their torches steaming in the fog.

The tallest and gruffest looking of these men, an elderly farmer with thick grey sideburns stands before the others, waving his torch quickly before spitting in Kendra's direction.

“That’s far enough. We been talking, and we don’t want Lorrimer
buried in the Restlands. You can take him upriver and bury him
there if you want, but he ain’t goin’ in the ground here!”

Kendra is quick to respond, her sadness swiftly transforming into
anger. “What are you talking about?” she cries out. "I arranged it with Father Grimburrow. He's waiting for us! The grave's already been--"

"You don't get it, woman. We won't have a necromancer buried in the same place as our kin! I suggest you move out while you still can, folks are pretty upset about this right now.

"Necromancy!? Are you that ignorant?

Half of the men (so, 6) approach, weapons tight in their grip. The other half of the group doesn't seem so eager to fight, and so stand back further on the path. Kendra seems to be getting very angry.

Seranel steps forward towards the foolish farmers and stares at them with his icy gaze. He gradually steps nearer towards the apparent leader, the one with grey sideburns and extends his hand waiting for the man to shake.
Howdy there, Hoss. We truly do not want any trouble, but this man deserves a proper burial and his daughter has already arranged it. All we wish to do is put this man to rest, he is not a necromancer nor would it matter at this point. He is truly dead, and all we wish to do is morn his death and leave in peace. What do you say you and your fellow "concerned" citizens move out of the way?

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Cairath moves next to Kendra, and puts her hand on her shoulder, attempting to calm the anger that's stirring inside Kendra. She also ponders for a moment how Seranel managed to say "Howdy there, Hoss" in an intimidating manner.

"Getting angry will solve nothing, I'm sure that this is some sort of mistake or miscommunication here..."

She keeps her other hand casually close to her blade, as she has been so used to, in case a fight does end up breaking out. But she waits by Kendra's side, to see how the farmers will react to Seranel.

Before Kendra can spout an insult in defense of her father, the elderly farmer is taken aback by the threatening tone of Seranel's cold-blooded demeanor.

Nodding silently, sweat and mist mingling on his wet brow, he shakily extends a hand.

"L-listen, we don't want to have to hurt you..."

I'm sure you don't, but this was the Professor's last wish. And remember, I gave you a chance to turn around and yet you stood in our way.
The mist in the air begins to turn to fog as the temperature seems to drop a couple degrees. And below Seranel's wrist there seems to be a slight, pale blue glow. All without letting go of the man's hand.
intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Somethin' ain't right with you. C'mon everyone, we don't need no trouble with a live one."

The leader spits at the ground, turning to the rest of the group--all frightened fathers, mothers and lanky young farmhands tightly gripping their makeshift weapons, fear of sorcery strong in their eyes.

Suddenly, the strange squawking of a curmudgeonly old man begins to echo toward the resting party. In the distance, a feeble old man is running at the group with surprising energy and speed, waving his arms in the air with vigor.

"Get! Get! You're all worth nothing more than the dirt on these graves, shoo!"

Father Grimburrow's gaze is easily the last straw needed before the group of low-lives finally leave, allowing the procession to continue.

After what seems like an eternity, the group arrives at the burial of Professor Lorrimer, led by Father Grimburrow. He gives a haunting eulogy, and for the first time you see Kendra finally break down into tears, watching her father sink into the earth.

We'll be headed straight back to the manor to continue, unless you'd like to make a speech or say a few words. If so, make a diplomacy or perform check to gauge the effectiveness of it.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Caibel bows his head in grievance as his friend is lowered into the ground. At the same time he was paying close attention to his surroundings due to the rather startling encounter moments before. He was keeping an eye out for any ravens as well as any more potential problems, one hand was resting on his blade, the people here seemed to be too superstitious, with his other hand he pulled his hood tighter to conceal his horns.

(...That roll though)

Though faint, and difficult to hear over the sound of patting rain and Father Grimburrow's speech, your excellent attention to detail reveals a murder of crows squaking to each other as they fly overhead, looking down at the casket.

"Crushed his mouth, so the dead can't speak. Crushed his head, his head."

Cairath remains silent for the duration of the service, her companion her thoughts. She loses herself in the memories she had with her old friend. Her scar brushes against the hilt of her longsword as she runs her hand along the familiar surface. Where she is in her own company, she is still alert in the off-chance of the farmers deciding to turn back around.

Lythra and Magnus both stand silently next to the grave their heads bowed, in the silence Lythra thinks about the time she spent with the professor and all of the things he taught her. She moved her hand the rest on the back of Magnus as her emotions and thoughts wash over her.

Caibel moves closer to the group, memories of the professor coming back up. What the murder said concerned him. Something wasn't right, but he couldn't figure it out. He was originally moving closer to Seranel, but he was actually heading towards Lythra, and this surprises him, but it didn't matter since someone from the group may have some insight about this.