Laughing she winks at trevor "Full set of armor, proudly wearing your gods symbol, I'd say you'd be fair protection against undead, so it was only partly in jest. fact is i prefer to stay at a distance, your fighting with that axe is meant for up close and personal."
"Your right it is not graverobbing, its retrieving something a friend hid, something that could mean a great deal to the safety of this town, not to mention us."
"I'm in agreement in with Arasmes," Luka volunteers. "Let's spend the night here. We can look over these books for any additional clues and search among the professor's things for anything else that maybe useful. In the morning, we can stop by the cemetery to pay our respects, and at the same time check out this false crypt for any equipment that could be helpful before setting out for the old prison."
Kendra nods.
"Very well. Thank you so much for looking into my father's affairs. Be careful in the Restlands; Father Grimburrow and his acolytes are very serious about their charge. I've got beds made up for you upstairs. I'm not much of a cook, but I can throw something together if you've an appetite."
Arasmes spends the evening reading his book, the black tome from the professor's chest.
Luka turns out the Professor's home, thumping on walls, pulling out drawers, feeling around window panes and door frames. Alas, he finds nothing of significance- the Professor's spellbook isn't here. The lock on the Order's manual has an unusual triangular shaft that doesn't match the key to the trunk. It would require a very skilled hand or a tiny key to unlock it- or a few good bashes, if one doesn't mind damaging the mechanism.
"I don't like the idea of going around Father Grimburrow. The man has supported us so far. Perhaps we should try convincing him first?"
Trevor will retire early, first to wash off the stink of his travels, then pray for the rest of Rafan and the Lady's grace. He'll sleep heavily, often talking gibberish in his sleep.
He rises before dawn to welcome the rising sun over the horizon. He'll get a bucket of water and dump it over his head to purify his soul, and freshen up!
You enjoy a restful sleep at the Professor's house- some of you have come a long way and you're quite exhausted (Arasmes in particular is sore after carrying that heavy coffin). An hour or so after dawn, you hear a few sharp knocks at the door. Kendra bustles over while putting on her earrings. Standing in the doorway is a tall, lean man in a leather- reinforced coat and a wide-brimmed hat. He has grey eyes and dark hair, a truncheon and a short sword sheathed at his belt.
"Good morning, Sheriff Caller.", says Kendra politely.
"Good day, Miss Lorrimer. Terribly sorry about your father and that business in the Restlands yesterday. I gave Gibs Hephenus a fair bit o' Hell on that one, rest assured."
"Thank you, Sheriff. I appreciate it."
Sheriff Caller doffs his hat.
"Would you mind if I came in and had a word with your house guests?", he asks.
Kendra steps aside.
"Please, come in Sheriff. I was just going to put breakfast on if you're hungry..."
Stepping in, the Sheriff replies,"Oh, no thank you Miss Lorrimer. This isn't a social call..."
Sheriff Caller strides into the sitting room, nodding to whomever is there.
"Good morning. I'm Sheriff Caller, if you didn't overhear. Sorry to come so early, but I was hoping to ask you a few questions. Is everyone here?"
"I can't speak for everyone sheriff but I'm here and I'll listen" Alison says with a smile as she enters the sitting room her hair still wet from her early morning rinse.
"Sheriff, how may we help you?" Luka asks.
"I assume this is the whole crew," Arasmes says, glancing around at the others. "What can we do for you, Sheriff?" Though he is still fidgeting with the back of his neck, Arasmes exudes confidence and welcome.
Did I pick up anything interesting relating to either my circumstances or the professors from the book? I imagine it may be a red herring, that's okay.
Knowledge (Arcana):
Knowledge (Planes):
Knowledge[Religion]:
"I need to know where you all were last night. Councillor Hearthmount attests that he was here with you all around six bells, but I'd be interested to know about the rest of your night. Did anyone else stop in? Did you leave for any reason?"
Arasmes
Trevor stiffens slightly seeing the sheriff. Where he came from, the law often mixed justice with the logging company's interest...
He listens then relaxes. Obviously, something happened last night and his question was fair.
"I was here, sleeping until an hour before dawn."
"Yes sheriff" Alison agrees "my story is almost exactly as Trevor said, last night I was here for the reading of the will and after that we talked for a time before finally I retired to one of the guest quarters Kendra so kindly provided."
"I think that you will hear the same tale from all of us, Sheriff. We were all here for the reading of the will, spent some time putting the professor's affairs in order, and then went to bed. Did something happen in the night that concerns us or the professor? I am just a student, but several of these fellows seem to be highly skilled. Perhaps we can be of service?"
The Sheriff nods.
"Yes, something did happen. In case you aren't familiar, we have a monument to Warden Hawkran: Ravengro's savior when the prisoners in Harrowstone rioted. A source of great pride for our little town."
"Sometime last night it was desecrated. With blood. Naturally, since we didn't have strangers in town since yesterday and prior to last night our monument had never been defaced, most of our citizens assume you all had something to do with it. I never had much cause to speak with the professor: since he was law-abiding and never caused a drunken ruckus or whatnot. But people are suspicious around here."
"These people are friends of my father's and are helping me tend to things. We were all here last night: I can personally vouch for each of them.", says Kendra, her arms crossed.
Sheriff Caller looks at all of you and nods.
"I believe you; none of you strike me as the type for this. But it would be easier to put you in the clear if more of our folk had seen you around or stopped in last night. I've only got your word and Miss Lorrimer's that you were all here."
"Well, while you might not have had the statue defaced before I do have to ask if its common for people to try and halt a burial with baseless claims of necromancy" Alison pauses for a beat "perhaps those men, unable to halt the burial decided the best way to have the Professor deterred from his rest would be to smear his daughter and friends as outlaws."
"I can see why they are upset. From what I've learned, he was a great and selfless hero. A true example for the community. Perhaps we could do something symbolic to show that, not only did we not have something to do with the desecration, but that we also have great respect for this man? Maybe we could go and clean the statue ourselves?"
"Trevor, I think if we were to clean this monument ourselves, as easy as that may be, it would make us look like guilty schoolchildren." Luka says. "Sheriff, I know we're all strangers here, but Kendra has given you our word. Besides, what reason would we have to do something like this? None of us have a problem with your town or its hero. Yes," he continues, "there was that problem in the cemetery yesterday, but that involved a few misguided individuals, and is finished and done."
seeign the sheriff come in, Evelyn frowns here it comes, more bad news. it always comes in threes.
"We were all here last night, far too busy with the professor's affairs to even bother with this town. Your supposed to be the law here sheriff, not some ill imformed backwater farmers that have nothing better to do that cause trouble for those already grieving. I suggest you start searching for those responsible before their trail gets cold, now If you'll excuse us, breakfast awaits"
Evelyn's harsh tone leaves little doubt that the conversation is over as far as she is concerned.
seeign the sheriff come in, Evelyn frowns here it comes, more bad news. it always comes in threes.
"We were all here last night, far too busy with the professor's affairs to even bother with this town. Your supposed to be the law here sheriff, not some ill imformed backwater farmers that have nothing better to do that cause trouble for those already grieving. I suggest you start searching for those responsible before their trail gets cold, now If you'll excuse us, breakfast awaits"
Evelyn's harsh tone leaves little doubt that the conversation is over as far as she is concerned.
"Don't tell me my business, Miss.", the sheriff practically growls,"If your companions here weren't so bloody reasonable I'd say you and that chip on yer shoulder should spend some time in a cell for giving Hephenus a bloody concussion and for all the broken bones and burns those other boys got. Maybe where you're from you can tell the sheriff to piss off whenever you like and he'll thank you for it, but..."
"Sheriff,"Kendra says calmly,"It wouldn't do to let one little outburst ruin your morning, would it? I'm sure you have this well in hand, but I believe Evelyn has a point: those responsible could be hiding evidence even now."
Sheriff Caller grunts his acknowledgement, glares once more at Evelyn and leaves without a goodbye.
"That went well. I fear that we may want to took take a look at the desecrated monument. It's a monument to the hero who died at the prison that the professor was investigating. It seems far too much a coincidence that it was vandalized so soon after the death of the professor at the prison. Perhaps the spirits that the professor was investigating have crept out of the prison, or perhaps the Whispering Way had a hand in the desecration." Arasmes pauses. "I suspect that we have a busy day. I think we should take a look at the monument. We need to visit the crypt in the restlands, and I suspect we need more information about the fire at Harrowgate and the Whispering Way. Shall we split up, or make a schedule?"
"If we're going to the monument, I'll bring a brush and soap. I still think it's the right thing to do, if not for us, for the memory of the guards. I also agree that we need to do a lot of things in a little time. We need a clear schedule, and we need to start moving soon."
"Trevor, I know your hearts in the right place but I grew up here in Ustalav" Alison says in reply to Trevor "if I saw you cleaning a statue near my home the morning after it was defaced I'd presume that you'd been the one to deface it, especially after I heard the sheriff had visited you"
Alison smiles gently trying to make sure that she isn't coming across as mean to the young paladin.
"Let's not forget a visit to the temple, to see what information their books might hold. As for the statue I agree with Alison, let's not be the first oens to jump in and appear guilty. It's clear there is pressure to convict us, no matter the truth. The best thing wqe can do for this town is look into the professor's affairs and make sure a more serious threat isn't waiting. Though if some locals are hard at work cleaning when we get there, i'm sure they wouldn't refuse a hand. I would like to check the crypts first, who know what questions we'll find there and the sooner we're done poking around the restlands the better"
Trevor looks at Alison and Evelyn: "That sounds good. You're right that we wouldn't want to give the wrong impression, though I would argue that people already have the wrong impression. But 'nough said on this. Let's get to the Restland, and out fast. It's still early enough."
"Fine then, let's head to the restlands, and then we can stop by the temple and see if we can follow the professor's research into their records." Arasmes begins gathering his things, including his spear. "Alas, with the incidents of yesterday, I fear we may have to appear unfriendly to many of the townsfolk."
Arasmes has barely finished his sentence that Trevor reappears with his gear on his back: "I'm ready!" He looks at the others, trying to move them a bit with his gaze...
21st Arodus, Day 1
To hear people talk of Ustalav, you would swear it was perpetually twilight with menacing shadows at every turn. But when you step out of the professor's house the day after the funeral the sun is shining and dew kisses the grass. The air is pleasantly perfumed with smells of the country.
With directions from Kendra, you cross the footbridge by the Professor's house, turning right on the other side and curving north with the path. On your left are Gibs Hephenus' fields and his small shack. The old farmer is nowhere to be seen, perhaps nursing his head injury. You take a left on the riverbank and proceed south until you see the stone monument. A 25 foot tall statue of the local hero, Warden Hawkran stands dressed in leathers and holding aloft a truncheon. There are names engraved on the base of the statue. The whole thing is spattered in dried blood, a big red "V" daubed on the base.
A young man with straw colored hair is pulling a bucket from the river, a brush and rag stuck through his belt. He eyes you curiously as you approach.
Trevor approaches the youth, smiling: "Hey there! What's happened to the statue? That's a shame, such a beautiful and proud thing. People must be upset I would guess..."
"How come you're all alone to clean it?"
The young man eyes you a bit nervously while you approach.
"Some fool thought ta vuhnderize it, I s'pose. I'm cleanin' him up 'cuz I'm a sheriff's deputy an' Sheriff said I was the man fer the job."
He points proudly to a pin in the shape of a raven on his shirt.
"What ye doin' out here with all them weapons?"
"We're on our way to the temple to Pharasma, friend. Just to pay our respects. Unfortunately, we had a rough encounter or two yesterday. I guess we're all a bit nervous today. We probably look pretty silly. It's a shame about the monument. People just don't have enough respect these days."
" A "v" in dried blood, Anyone know the significance of that mark?"
"I can try Evelyn, but my suspicion is that it is related to Harrowstone and its fire. If we can follow the professor's researches, we might figure out what this v means."
Know (history)
Know (religion)
Know (arcana)
Knowledge checks for the significance of the V
Luka, squinting in the bright daylight, is quiet as he mulls over what the party knows so far. "We should get a move on," he says, as everyone takes in the statute, "we don't want to be out late."
The deputy nods at Arasmes' words.
"Aye, true enough.", he says as he takes a seat with his bucket and begins to scrub the statue.
Arasmes:
Trevor follows Luka's advice and gets moving. "So long boy! You're making your town proud! If you're still here when I'm back, I'll give you a hand."
He then walks swiftly, taking in the sights. This is the first time he leaves his area, let alone visit new towns! Again, he makes sure he doesn't hit things as he gazes at the marvels travel unveils.
I should pick up one of those wide brimmed hats the people of this county seem to favor, Luka thinks to himself as the group makes its way to the Restlands. As they get closer, he ponders out loud, "I wonder if we would be better off examining the Temple records another day? It would seem the professor felt some urgency himself on investigating Harrowstone first, and truth be told, I'd like to give as much time to that as possible today."
Alison quietly follows the group doing her best to stay in the center of the clump of non-locals, that way if someone throws some garbage hopefully it won't hit her. She stays quiet while people talk to the deputy, it isn't that Alison is antisocial but with her two separately colored eyes and pale skin she doesn't want to draw any undue attention.
"Aren't we going to the Restland first? I agree that Harrowstone should be our next stop though."
"I will yield to those of you who are more experienced in these matters, but I thought our goals were to retrieve whatever devices are hidden in the crypt in the restlands and then try to figure out what it is the professor was doing in Harrowstone."
"Well, let's look for this false crypt. The intersection of Eversleep and the Black Path, was it? And while we're here, let's just check on the professor's grave, as well, and make sure it hasn't been disturbed," Luka suggests.
Leaving the deputy to his work, you travel back up the river to a wide stone bridge, crossing to the opposite bank. You follow the path north, past sturdy farmhouses of various sizes and fields almost ready for harvest. On the left, you see an elaborate stone building. The eastern face displays an intricate stained-glass mural depicting a stern Pharasma judging Count Andachi, one of Tamrivena's most infamous previous rulers. This must be the temple of Pharasma, as opposed to the small church of mourning in the Restlands.
You pass a few more fine homes on your walk north, a few more suspicious looking farmers and fishermen passing you by, until you reach the dirt road leading out to the Restlands. The cemetery is mostly deserted, only a handful of people paying respects or gray-clad Pharasmins tending the grounds. The paths through the Restlands are clearly marked, so it is a simple matter to find the Eversleep and follow it to the Black Path. You stop once more at the Professor's grave. The fresh earth is unmarred and densely packed, his headstone as pristine as it was yesterday. A small bouquet of white flowers have been placed near the headstone; likely an addition from Kendra to warm it up a bit.
Not far away is the false crypt that Professor Lorrimer wrote of in his journal. It stands in the northeastern corner of the Restlands, a free-standing granite mausoleum with leering gargoyles decorating the roof. The door is set in the southern facade, a simple stone affair with a rusty-looking lock.
"Rather than all of us drawing attention, I suggest one or two or us check out the crypt. So who feels sneaky? And does anyone have any skills with locks? If not, it will need to be forced." Luka suggests. After a moment, he adds, "Of course, we could just ask the pharasmin for their equipment and assistance."
"I am more than happy to let more sneakier folks break into a crypt," Arasmes says, turning back to the Professor's grave. "How about I keep watch?"
"I am more than happy to let more sneakier folks break into a crypt," Arasmes says, turning back to the Professor's grave. "How about I keep watch?"
Perception DC 12:
Quietly,Evelyn moves to front, and examines the lock.
"Let's get this over with, whose coming with me?"