She gives a little chuckle. When I saw the food wasn't getting eaten and the neighbours weren't showing I hid away a dozen or more bottles that I had planned to open.
She fetches and opens four of them.
Baradlon grins, and begins to drink. After Kendra also has a drink, he asks "So, Kendra, what do you plan to do now? Will you remain here?"
I... well.. hadn't thought much about it, she shrugs.
Its 'home' when its all said and done - I suppose I'll stay, herself starting to drink.
"Can you tell us how exactly Petros passed? I'm unclear on what happened..." Baradlon asks gently.
Killed by his own curiousity I think... that and bad stone work. Hit in the head by a bit of old masonry Sheriff Caeller said, up by some local ruins. Father always was pottering around and looking into things. She looks reflectively into her glass. Curiousity killed the cat and him too it seems, she says before downing the rest of her wine.
She reaches for a new bottle.
A piece of masonry? How....mundane.
"I see," Baradlon says quietly. He offers his cup for more wine as well.
Simeon is moody and uncommunicative on the walk back to the house, desultorily picking at the food, his head rising sharply when Kendra brings out the bottles.
Taking a quick swig, some color returns to his pallid cheeks "Ah, that feels better."
More animated, he partakes of the food laid out with gusto, stopping some point before bursting. "I had no idea how grief would affect my appetitie so." he says to no one in particular.
Wiping his mouth with his sleeve he joins Kendra and Baradlon's conversation, still a bit unconfortable around Kendra "My dear, I fear it may be more complicated that that. Before we recieved your sad news, I , and possilby the others recieved a summons from your father. it was an invitation to share in some new insight he'd discovered. But hidden within those words was a cipher he'd used to communicate more dangerous ideas. Within this cipher he declared a danger, an enemy and to come quickly. I am suspicious of the timing of your father's demise. If we may, could we take a look at your father's study, perhaps he left some clue as to what he was investigating. "
He stops all a fluster, "My apologies for bringing this up, but he'd not want the truth hidden from you, I'm sure."
Lament stands off to the side and enjoys the tasty food. She watches as the others mingle. She notices a figure standing off to the side in a hooded cloak. She strolls over and looks up at the lady. "Hello! I am Lament. I noticed you at the funeral. Are you a friend of the good professor?
Tired and still somewhat infuriated by the events of the day, Jaru nibbles at a sandwich and makes no attempt to socialize. After the other guests leave, he draws nearer to Kendra and listens to the conversation.
Kendra thinks about Simeons words for a moment.
He had been acting a bit strange lately - well, stranger than usual. Let me finish up here and I'll look around for you.
She rises to embrace Elidal, damp clothes and all and bids her to also stay.
Some small time passes and she drinks more wine. Kendra isn't very chatty it seems but more interested in her drinking but when engaged she is invariably thoughtful and engaging. She seems as intelligent as her father but just without the lessions of experience that he had. The bulk of the conversation, if any, is amongst yourselves.
In short order night has fallen and there is a knocking at the door. Kendra leaves you all to answer the summons.
The fat townsman from the funeral procession, a town Councillor if you remember correctly waddles into the room. He wasn't always so big, there is some muscle there and something else besides in his bearing. He gives you all a disapproving sniff but other than that focuses solely on Kendra.
I have come to act on your Fathers instructions in regards to the reading of the will - it seems we have an adequate number of witnesses present and believe some of them are beneficiaries. Should we begin?
Kendra nods and fetches Councilman Vashian Hearthmount a large goblet of wine and extra candles for the room and in short order he is ready to begin.
Simeon harnesses his impatience out of respect for his friend's daughter, but inwardly chafes at the delay.
He talks a little with the others, but more often gazes out the window at the misty landscape Why did Petros make his home in such a place? and not the city? He must have had a reason.
His attention is diverted by the arrival of the town Councillor, his eyebrow rising speculatively when the revelation of beneficiaries is broken.
He gathers a fresh goblet of wine and a plate of nibbles , and awaits the reading of the will.
The hefty well dressed townsman goes around the room, giving each of you a firm but very brief handshake and asks for your name each in turn. He seems to be checking you off a mental list as he does so.
He puts down his goblet on a table near the fire and holds out a scroll, formally moving slowly around the room to show that the wax seal is unbroken. He moves back to his position at the fire and breaks the seal... a key tinkles to the floor. The man looks down on it a moment before clearing his throat and reading...
“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 a new home in Lepidstadt and personal belongings entire to my daughter Kendra. Use them or sell them as you see fit, my child. This house I have already sold so that a better provision may be made for your future – do not resent me for it. Vashian Hearthmount has the details."
Kendra starts to silently weep at this point, her shoulders heaving.
“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 most of the 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 their 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 in the least of all possible consequences. While the majority of these tomes remain safe under lock and key at Lepidstadt University, I fear that a few I have borrowed still 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".
The reader, having emphasised the very large sum, pauses at this point and gulps down a large draught of wine.
"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 4714."
The councilman looks at you all, and the room is silent except for Kendra's quiet sobbing.
"Where is the chest of books?" Baradlon asks, picking up the fallen key from the floor. "Of course I agree to do as Petros asked. I would have done even if he didn't ask," Baradlon says to Kendra. He seems completely unfazed by the massive amount of money involved. "Perhaps we should have a look at where Petros died sometime during the next month. It seems impossible that a mere stone could have killed him."
Kendra's sobbing rouses Jaru from his dark mood and back to the present. He gently pats the woman on the arm, "Sayyidati- Kendra, I am here for as long as you need to ease this transition. May I make you some tea? Perhaps it would be better if you got some rest while we look into these books?"
"A considerable sum for such a mundane task, but Petros was ever generous." Simeon comment when the will reading has finished.
"Indeed, Kendra, I think it goes without saying that we will respect your father's wishes to the letter" he says without a stammer, obviously becoming more familiar with Kendra's presence.
"Now, these tomes would likely be in Petros' study, which I mentioned before. My dear, if you may, please direct us so that we can verify that the tomes in question are still secure." he says gently to the distressed woman.
Lament stands and listens to her friend's last will and testament. As she hears the petition to spend a month with Kendra, she walks over and places a hand on Petros' daughter's lower back to show her support. When Kendra begins weeping, Lament gently rubs her back and says softly to comfort her, "It will be OK Kendra. We are here."
She continues to listen as the rest of the petition is read. Knowing she has nothing to return to in Caliphas except a friendless, mundane existence; she quickly agrees to help with the task of returning the tomes. Over the past few days, she had come to like the men she had been travelling with. The chance to continue to adventure with them brightened her dark little complexion. It would be my pleasure to accompany you all!
When Elidal moves to Kendra's opposite side to aid in the comforting, Lament smiles at the newcomer. "Elidal...I think you and I are going to be good friends. I can sense it!"
Seeing Kendra sobbing the councilman seems somewhat uncomfortable and he does seem a bit put off by something else.
I... will return in a day or two, to discuss the details around your new property and the sale of the house here. I will leave you with your... friends.
Kendra pulls herself together and sees the man to the door and away into the night. On hearing the Wizards request, gives Simeon a shake of the head. I know the box... wait here, I will fetch it. His library is always a mess and I've done nothing with it since... well....
The chest itself is a relatively small object of oak and iron. Kendra, nervous about the contents, offers the chest to Baradlon, giving you the honor of opening the chest, rather than ask for the key itself.
The key fits the lock perfectly, and within are several old tomes.
There are three books that have notes tucked into them indicating that they should be delivered to one Montagnie Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University.
Jet Black Tome – 'On Verified Madness'. The book is in poor condition, missing most of one section, the binding poor and several loose pages are tucked within.
Small Tome – 'Serving Your Hunger'. The cover composes of two thin rusted plates and the vellum sheets which comprise the bulk of the works is bound in place with tarnished silver wire.
Second Small Tome – 'Umbral Leaves - A translation into Common of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon'. The book, is covered in human skin, It is assumed that the skin was used because of the particularly ornate tattoo.
There is also a final book that 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 you can deliver it there). It is a Purple Leather Tome – The cover contains a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. The book’s covers are rimmed in polished steel and clasped with a small but intricate lock.
.
Kendra takes a half filled bottle from the table.
I hope you won't find me unsocial but I need some time on my own and you may have books to look at and matters to discuss. There are candles in the cabinet there - I will see you in the morning. There are two guest rooms, each with a pair of beds on this floor. I
suppose you'll need 2 of you to sleep here on the sofa or in one of the chairs but at least you'll be by the fire - don't worry about going through the firewood.
.
Vigilance volunteers to sleep in the room, meaning one of you will also need to bunk here.
Your Pharasim priest can tell you that the Umbral Leaves is the holy book of the evil God Zon-Kuthon. He also recognises Feeding your Hunger as the holy text of Urgathoa.
"It is well that these books be put somewhere safe. I'd prefer they were destroyed, but as the professor once showed me, there is value in understanding your enemy. There is also danger." Jaru states as he looks over the vile tomes with distaste. He casts a spell over his eyes to detect magical auras.
Noting the scarab on the purple tome, he picks it up. "This one bears a symbol of my homeland. No title, however." Jaru examines whether it can be opened.
None of the texts radiate magic .
The book set with the scarab is locked, the metal edged covers being bound together by a metal clasp that holds both together with a mechanism set within it that keeps the book from being opened.
Lament looks over the tomes with great curiosity. I would love to read over one of the books. I always wondered what the professor was reading all of those night I spent here in front of the fire. I'll take the black book if no one minds. It is my favorite color. She smiles slyly.
I don't mind staying here tonight on the floor in front of the fire.
She too casts detect magic over the tomes (not knowing exactly what the cleric is doing).
Jaru frowns at the lock. 'Now where would the key be hidden? Perhaps in the professor's study? I cannot believe that Professor Lorrimor would call us all together merely to transport books. Even if they are dangerous tomes, I feel there is something more."
"I do not wish to intrude on our host, but I think in the morning we should request to look into the professor's study."
"You really think a rock killed him? I think we should look for these ruins he was exploring and look at the place he died, to make sure there was no foul play. We can certainly look in his study as well, but he wouldn't have sent us all coded messages if he didn't fear someone or something was after him," Baradlon says, revealing for the first time that he too got a coded letter from the professor.
When the chest is open, Simeon restrains himself from lunging forward to claim the tomes.
Bluff
Simeon tries to hide the avarice in his eyes when he sees the books, but its obvious he dearly wants to read, perhaps even keep, them all.
Trying to look casual, Simeon says "We'll be here a month, plenty of time to peruse them at leisure. "
Nodding at Baradlon's comment "Indeed, Nighteyes. As I noted earlier, the timeing of our friend's passing was too convient coming so soon after that letter."
Jaru shrugs, "Unfortunately, some are just fated to die an early or ignoble death. Only Pharasma knows for certain what fate lies in store for each of us. I have no problem with visiting the site of his demise tomorrow however. His last message was troubling."
The tall Garundi bows his head in respect to Elidal and he smiles as he introduces himself, "I am Jaru Toth, not of this land obviously."
Feeling suddenly tired as the events of the day catch up with him, Jaru yawns and gives Lament a stern look. "Do not read that book too late, my friend. It has an inauspicious title and will only bring you bad dreams." So warning he retires to one of the rooms.
"Humans call me Nighteyes," Baradlon says by way of introduction. "I will stay by the fire, I do not require sleep so much as rest. Should anything bump in the night, I will be sure to scream as I die," he notes with grim humor. Baradlon pours himself yet another glass of whatever alcohol might be about, and takes up a silent vigil in one of the chairs by the fire.
Laments smiles at Jaru as she reaches to grab the black tome. "I promise!" She takes it and places it on the floor in front of the fireplace. She lays on her stomach, flips open the cover, and begins reading. Her face is lit up like a young girl receiving a new fairy tale story book.
Lost in the moment she points her finger up and shakes it. "I'm in on investigating the professor's death tomorrow."
Lament reads enough to glean the following.
This work of starry observations and occult lore is a quarto sized book bound in tooled green leather with the title embossed on the front - 'On Verified Madness'. The corners have leather protectors however there are quite a few missing pages from one section.
Little is known of the ‘Dark Tapestry’ — the darkness between the stars where the writer believes true madness lies. The few beings able to survive in the vast cold void of space, the Great Old Ones, are too alien for even the gods to comprehend, and present one of the greatest threats to the known universe if they were to turn their attention to Golarion.
The author states that the sanity of existence wears thin, and through imperceptible tears in reality things that mortals hardly dare imagine seek to slake unnamable hungers. At these weak places congregate the dark scholars, doombringers, and lunatics known collectively as the Old Cults.
The loose leaves remain in that section have been reattached poorly with wax damaging the section on various creatures of the ‘Dark Tapestry’, leaving you with maybe a tenth of the section remaining.
All that is known of the author contained in tome, Theophilus Wenn, is his name. No other information about him is contained within the book.
Simeon unconsiously licks his lips as Lament takes temporary possession of the black book. Eye flitting from tome to tome, he settles on "Serving your Hunger", bids everyone a good night and retires to one of the guest rooms where he is up until the early hours examining the forbidden book.
He applies anything hie currently knows against what he reads, in case any avenues of investigation become apparent.
Knowledge(arcana)
Knowledge (religion)
The metal covers have been sharpened to a razors edge. To avoid accidentally cutting a finger when grabbing up or opening this dangerous tome - will leave that narratively up to you - make a DC 15 Reflex save. If this check is failed then make a 15 Fortitude save. With extreme care this book could be handled safely
Like Lament you are able to take an hour or two to work through the book by flipping through some sections and letting your eyes skim through others before getting a sense of the book.
This copy of 'Serving Your Hunger' is a poor quality copy of the original text with many mistakes and several portions of text missing. The copyist is unknown, whether these errors are deliberate to mislead is anyone’s guess. This particular tome measures three hand spans in height and two in width.
The cover composes of two thin rusted plates (who’s edges are razor sharp) and the vellum sheets which comprise the bulk of the works is bound in place with tarnished silver wire.
The text details the basic tenants of Urgathoa’s faith and worship. There are copious notes and additions in this particular copy drawing comparisons of interests between Urgathoa and a group called the 'Whispering Way'. Both groups seem to have undead as followers and it seems that they may share certain goals. Amongst the blasphemous psalms can be found what you think is Clerical prayer magic as well as something that appears arcane but this will take much time and study to understand everything within the context of the work... and it would seem it is grim and dark reading indeed.
It's not long after dawn when Kendra appears in a dressing gown, holding her head with a somewhat theatric gesture but with a small smile. Good morning all - it looks like its been raining all night but I think it should clear shortly. It's very muddy outside but we could..., her voice a loud whisper.
Whatever she was trying to say is interrupted by a loud knocking at her door.
She shambles off to the door, muttering and moaning, leaving you in the lounge room.
Silence follows while Baradlon stokes the fire and then Kendra starts wailing, her voice trailing away. Just as those of you in the room start to stand a young man in a metal helmet and Leatherjack armour clomps into the room.
You'd better come - Miss Lorrimor has run off to the Restlands. Someone dug up the Professor... I tole her not to get excitable but she's gone an' run off.
"What?! Jaru roars as he pauses only long enough to gather his weapons before rushing to the graveyard.
Wait Jaru! We need to grab the books. We can not leave them here unguarded. Lament walks over and grabs the black book she was reading the night before. She places it in her backpack. Grab the others and let's go!
Reflex Save DC12
Fortitude Save DC12
By candlelight, Simeon bundled himself into his bed and perched the precious book on his knees. Opening the tome, he cursed as he cut his thumb on the cover's razor edge. Idiot! Have a care, this isn't a boys adventure book!". Sucking his thumb, it appeared to Simeon that the pearl of his blood clinging to the books edge was growing smaller. Blinking his eyes, he scoffed as it was just wicking his blood down the edge to the blanket, nothing sinister. Nonetheless, it was with greater caution that he spent the next few hours flipping pages and examining annotations, murmuring to himself.
The dawn awoke him, the book closed upon his left, his mind alive with the possibilities the book offered. There was a number of tracts he glanced over that were of particular interest.
Dressing quickly, he plucked up the book, carefully and returned to the meeting room. He was warming himself by the fire, when Kendra went running off to the Restlands.
"Good thinking, Miss Lament!" Simeon calls out "I have one, you have one...Nighteyes, Jaru take one both!"
Gathering up his gear, he joins the others in the run to the Restlands.
Jaru scowls and grabs the purple tome as he sprints out the door robes held high to clear his legs and the mud.
Baradlon will grab the last book, stuff it into his pack, and then takes off after Kendra. Not having slept, he already has all his gear at hand.
You squelch through the mud of Ravensgro and along the road to the Restlands. The graveyards paths, though wet, are crudely cobbled or paved so the mud becomes less of a concern but your feet are both soaked and heavily caked in mud by the time the young deputy leads you at a slow run to the side of Lorrimors grave.
Kendra is a mess, he clothes muddy, she kneels in the dirt and clay by the open grave and its opened coffin keening and weeping, rocking back and forth. Father Grimburrow stands with a comforting hand on her shoulder, but his expression stern. The sheriff walks around in a gingerly stepping about 50 yards down path of the open grave, away from the entrance and towards the exit, his face turned down, looking at or for something.
The priest acknowledges Jaru with a nod.
Blasphemy, he says coldly. This was an act of blasphemy... and has bought much sorrow to young Kendra here. You need no great sense of people to feel that the old priest is extremely angry but exercising great restraint.
Vester, the sheriff calls over, I can't find a bloody thing - rains' washed it all away. We're going to have to go door to door but we'll stop at Gibbs house. I had a word with him yesterday and it looks like he may not have listened.
Right you are Sheriff, the young deputy calls back (though he has the look and sound of a farmer), but there was plenty of folk who were talkin' about it at the 'Laughing Demon' last night til Zokar threatened to never pour another drink for any man who didn't shut up about Lorrimor.
Good man, that one, comments the Sheriff. Come on then - lets be having you.
He makes to leave but hasn't yet, allowing you some time to get in any questions you want.
Baradlon looks around the grave as well, searching for any tracks or clues as to what happened that the sheriff might have missed.
Vigilance also surveys the area. Maybe two or three grave robbers. Crude tools - maybe hatchet under the edge and then hammered home or even kicked... Shovel for digging also have been used... See mud inside here? Could be also mud falling into coffin too. He frowns. Tracking seems problematic.
"Indeed. Sheriff, are there any problems with necromancy around here normally? What about body theft?" Baradlon asks the Sheriff.
Jaru shakes with fury at the desecrated grave. "This Gibbs was the leader of the mob yesterday as well. This appears crudely done in a manner suiting field hands. I would visit this Gibbs with you as well."
"Indeed. Sheriff, are there any problems with necromancy around here normally? What about body theft?" Baradlon asks the Sheriff.
Necromancy?!, the middle aged Sheriff reddens and his spits as if clearing a bad taste from his mouth. It is followed by a sign against evil.
This sort of thing? What ever this 'thing' is? Not since you lot showed up, no, he says harshly. He stops and shakes his head and holds up a hand. That was unfair of me, my pardon, he apologises but his tone is still heated.
Jaru shakes with fury at the desecrated grave. "This Gibbs was the leader of the mob yesterday as well. This appears crudely done in a manner suiting field hands. I would visit this Gibbs with you as well."
No disrespect to you priest but this is my town and my duty and it sounds like you are hot enough as it is. Already too many tempers and bringing an outsider into this? I'm thinkin' its a bad idea.