I had you earlier the day researching the Whispering Way with a 33. Try again 'tomorrow'. There are still a few without a roll today. I think I miss Galadan, Nym, Andrea, Cassandra and Kevin. Everyone - please correct me if I'm wrong - but I think you still have your Moonday rolls.
Not getting entrance to the temple doesn't mean no rolls.
Wren will return to the nest and, with her free time, examine the last of the treasures within the chest, if no one else has already.
As people walk in, Wren will share the Gossip from the store and her experience at the monument with everyone.
Starring into the trunk for a long while you start to wonder what the four tomes left in the trunk are. A rich purple cover with a brass scarab is on top. Below it you spot a black jet book. The edge of a piece of parchment can be seen protruding from the book. It seems the same kind of parchment as your letter.
Kevin notices the piece of parchment and removes the black book taking it back to his seat. He opens the book to the page the parchment is marking and examines the paper.
Roll:
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Galadan
The 'V' was scribbled over several other names. You don't think there is any special meaning where it was scribed upon.
it seems not much more can be gleaned from the monument - especially now that it is clean again.
All
The bell is ringing for last orders aka knowledge checks or other bits you still want to get done on Moonday. I don't want to cut anyone short. But there is another day coming ahead. Toilday will offer the same open shops and maybe even some sweet dreams during the night. More dreams and info about the books in the trunk tomorrow morning (Saturday UK time). Unless I get some posts that would need more time to resolve.
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Starring into the trunk for a long while you start to wonder what the four tomes left in the trunk are. A rich purple cover with a brass scarab is on top. Below it you spot a black jet book. The edge of a piece of parchment can be seen protruding from the book. It seems the same kind of parchment as your letter.Kevin notices the piece of parchment and removes the black book taking it back to his seat. He opens the book to the page the parchment is marking and examines the paper.
Roll:1d20
Ninjaed my post - give me a few minutes.
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Kevin
The piece of parchment is a simple note written in the handwriting of the Professor.
Please deliver this book to Montagnie Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University.
Signed Prof. Petros Lorrimor
When you look into the book for more information you will make out the title and get an idea of the contents.
On Verified Madness: This jet-black book is a treatise on aberrations and other entities found on Golarion that possess remote ties to the Dark Tapestry, the name given to the dark places between the stars in the night sky.
"Hmmm" Andrea says turning to the Sherrif "It looks like rodent blood..probably Rat so at least you dont have a possible murder on your hands just vandalism. I wonder what the 'V' is supposed to signify..someone with a Vendetta perhaps."
When she returns to the house she finally unwraps her bequest from the Professor.
Galadan returns to Kendra's home, and looks about the Professor's study for anything further about the Whispering Way.
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Another night - another disturbed dream.
You find yourself back at the funeral. The Professor has just been laid to rest when the Earth around you erupts. Skeletal hands rise through ground that hasn't been disturbed in a long time.
Zombies rise from graves that have been dug only recently.
You all stand around the grave of Petros Lorrimor - your friend. You see the spiral of Pharasma - blessed by Father Grimburrow when he laid the Prof. to rest suddenly glow. It seems like it is under attack - the spiral wiggles, it strains against an onslaught.
Surely it must break any moment. Then you notice a new glow. Like tiny moth - small lights appear where Galadan blessed the earth with holy water. They converge on the struggling spiral, strengthen it, helping it.
For a short moment you feel piece returning to you. But the you look up and you see a small army of undead marching towards the grave you are standing at. And you are sure they have a target.
The target is you - and the army won't rest until you have joined them.
25th of Lamashan, early morning, fair weather, Toilday - second day of the week
Trust score -1 again due to bad dreams and omens plaguing Ravengro. Current Trust 26 - still friendly
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I did promise some more information about the books. It looks like you already have the most interesting one with you.
Book1: The rich purple 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, the keyhole of which appears to be for a key with a strange, triangular shaft. The key is nowhere to be found.
A note contained in the book reads: Dear Friends - please deliver this book to Montagnie Crowl, a professor of Antiquities at the Lepidstadt university. Please do so using utmost discretion.
A Lepidstadt address
Book2: On Verified Madness
Book3: Serving Your Hunger: This text is a copy of one of several unholy books sacred to the goddess Urgathoa.
Lorrimor’s notations liberally sprinkle the margins.
Book4: The Umbral Leaves: This lexicon is a translation into Common of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon.
All the other books contain a note identical to book 2.
"Here you go my strange friend, happy reading. Kevin hands the book over to Aldous and does a exagerated shiver. " If you need me any more today I shall be about town then end my day at the local tavern." Kevin flourishes a small bow and heads out the door.
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Kevin
You are greeted at the shop. The shopkeeper himself is serving you and one of his girls is ready to do her fathers bidding.
"Welcome Sir. You want a coat. Hmm - off course we have something here." He takes out a coat. "It's just 2 gp my Sir."
You have a quick look at the coat. It is functional - something maybe a better off peasant or worker would wear in these areas. It seems there are at least three sizes to ensure you will find one that fits your size.
The shopkeeper looks you up again.
"Off course for a noble man like you I might just have what you are after. Yolanda - could you go to the store room and look for packet from Lipidstadt - you know - the one that never got picked up."
It takes a few minutes and Yolanda - one of the daughters appears back with a package that seems wrapped in some fine cloth.
"You will understand Sir - this will be a little bit more expensive. But for a Sir like you. It was a special order and already half paid - but it hasn't been picked up in a full year - so I'm now free to sell it to whomever I like. I can even make you a special price."
In the box you find two fine white shirts of Ustalav style. But what really gets your attention is a fine jacket. It is crimson red with a pattern of yellow swirls on it. It surely is a piece for a noble and not for a normal laborer.
"The original price was 30 gp - but as I haven't been able to sell it and don't want to give it to the Silk Purse I'm willing to sell it to you for 20 gp."
The piece looks stunning and surely would cost up to twice the amount in a place like Caliphas. Alas - you seem short of money.
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Fraust/Nym
Sorry to see you leaving. I had planned something special for Nym at the bar - assuming you would take on the offer to play cards. Unfortunately real life sometimes does throw in a spanner into gaming.
Hmm - I might have to change what I had planned for Nym it for a spectacular exit.
Thod
Wren awakes with the sunrise (Plumes incessant cries to be fed has something to do with that) and tries to shrug off the vivid dream.
Wren spends a few moments with her spellbook, uncertain what the day will hold, but feeling a bit more wary than before.
* * *
Wren is filled with sadness as Nym prepares to leave. Addressing the Forlorn One, "Tærne lukt av møkk. Den grønne ekorn løper opp den røde treet, mens en kjerring spiser tunfisk på en logg."
"Farewell, Sad One. I hope you find comfort and a home. May your next stop be in a place that brings you comfort."
I hardly even knew ye...'tis the way of those Sad Elves, ever hunting for a place to belong. Of course he is the first to leave, the one most prone to sadness; those dreams increase unrest and are driving us apart.
* * *
Feeling more urgency than yesterday, Wren will settle in again to spend the morning researching the Whispering Way.
Know(Arcana/History):
Research Day 2:
Following another restless night, Aldous is a little downcast when he wakes in the morning.
I wonder what these dreams portend?
However, his mood improves when he sees the book that Hastur is transcribing! Nonetheless, after a quiet breakfast, he reluctantly drags himself away from the Lorrimor residence, and once again makes the pilgrimage to the Town Hall, to beg access to the town records...
"Off course for a noble man like you I might just have what you are after. Yolanda - could you go to the store room and look for packet from Lipidstadt - you know - the one that never got picked up."
"You will understand Sir - this will be a little bit more expensive. But for a Sir like you. It was a special order and already half paid - but it hasn't been picked up in a full year - so I'm now free to sell it to whomever I like. I can even make you a special price."
In the box you find two fine white shirts of Ustalav style. But what really gets your attention is a fine jacket. It is crimson red with a pattern of yellow swirls on it. It surely is a piece for a noble and not for a normal laborer.
"The original price was 30 gp - but as I haven't been able to sell it and don't want to give it to the Silk Purse I'm willing to sell it to you for 20 gp."The piece looks stunning and surely would cost up to twice the amount in a place like Caliphas. Alas - you seem short of money.
Kevin looks at the shirts and looks as if he is seeing nothing of importance, but upon seeing the jacket he lets out a boyish whine, "Sir I say, this may be one of the finest jackets I have ever laid my own eyes upon, surely this could have been worn by Raston Selline himself!" He leans into the shopkeeper as if telling a secret amongst friends, "He is the lord of Mivon, don't you know." Kevin swirls around the store touching every fine looking garment with in reach, " A fine jacket it is and I would be honored to wear it, but alas the majority of my holding as in non-liquidable assets at the moment. You know how it is, we as nobility must sponsor this one for this, and "Oh this artist is so now!" Kevin raises his hand to his head as if he where to faint,
"We must, as astrocracy, continue to sponsor the artist and those who labor with the betterment of society, If not whom would? I say, if I may make a down payment my good man, of 10 gold this very minute and walk away from here expressing my gratitude for all the locals to hear of how this shop, and you, the good proprietor, spread the goodwill between Ustalav and Mivon of the River Kingdoms, then Sir, I think you shall become a sponsor of the arts yourself!"
Kevin leans into the shop keeper and whispers,"No better friend can you find then Kevin Darlok my good Sir. Let me speak to the locals and spread your good name, I swear by Cayden Cailean, you shall increase your sales by three fold if you allow me to walk away with this beautiful jacket. I shall more than pay for the cost of the jacket over time, and your name shall become as gold amongst the locals. What say you Sir?"
The dreams are somehow worse for Andrea..already assailed in her sleep by the voices of her powers the added stress of the nightmares means that she has hardly slept.
She comes down to Breakfast with a haunted look but insists on helping Kendra hoping that the normalacy of routine will help settle her nerves.
Certainly not feeling like doing anything that takes her out into the town she browses through the professors library hoping to find something the others have missed
Research Whispering way
Knowledge Arcana:
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Aldous
you don't have to ask again each day unless someone else wants to use the town hall. Knowledge roll okay but info at home.
There will be a new topic for rseach - Five Prisoners.
Wren, Andrea - you missed your roll but I allow one additional one for each of you to get the lowest DC info to the five prisoners.
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Kevin
Great post !! Deserves a great answer. Expect no - get some money across the place in the Silk Purse. After all you more or less aquire some nobles outfit here. Can't give it for free.
I will try to write something up. But the iPhone snt the best to do so.
Just rereading it in all detail. Take the jacket but you are still send across to the silk purse to get the remaning money. After all - you also will look so much better with the jacket on.
Wren, depressed by her dreams, finds little of value on the Whispering Way.
Ensaddened, but unwilling to give up, moves to try to learn more about the Five Prisoners.
Surely, my little birdies have told me something in the past.
on the Five
on the Five
Galadan awakes, again disturbed by the night's visions, though perhaps not nearly as much as others might be. He had fought the undead before, and was "used" to their presence. The knowledge that his blessing of the ground had strengthened Pharasma's will when some darkness assaulted it also comforted him.
With grim determination, Galadan made his way to the store.
"I am looking for a journal, quill and ink."
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Luthko Avanki tends to Kevin
"Yes my Sir - you are right. This jacket - it looks like it has been made for you. Martha - please have a look. doesn't the young Sir look great."
Martha - his wive comes along "Indeed - what a great fit this is.
Luthko:"I can't really make it any cheaper as I already offer it to you. The last noble here left me with it and it has been a loss since. And in these bad times - with the dreams and everything. Sorry milord but I would need money rather earlier as later.
I make you a deal - I take the ten gold now and you go over to the Silk Purse. I heard you made quite a fortune - you and your friends - from the old Professor. I'm sure they will give you an advance if you don't have the money yet.
But please understand - I'm just a simple shopkeep."
With Galadan entering Matha tends to him
"Off course we have some paper and ink. The Professor always was keen that we have some stocked. Also the temple and the school often need some. How much do you want?"
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Aldous
DC 25 (80 XP each): At the time Harrowstone burned, five particularly notorious criminals had recently arrived at the prison. While the commonly held belief is that the tragic fire began accidentally after the riot began, in fact the prisoners had already seized control of the dungeon 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
Wren
Research topic: the five Prisoners
Research about the five criminals who played an important role during the prison's final days. Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (local) checks can be used to research the Five Prisoners.
DC 15 (20 XP each): Originally, Harrowstone housed only local criminals, but as the prison's fame spread, other counties and distant lands began paying to have more dangerous criminals housed within this prison's walls. At the time of the great Harrowstone Fire, the number of particularly violent or dangerous criminals imprisoned within the dungeons below was at an all-time high.
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Galadan, Cassandra
With recent events and Trust Score back to friendly Father Grimburrow will allow one of you to study in the temple.
For a non-Pharasma member of the group I would need a Diplomacy check.
All
Just let me know other plans you might have. That could also help others in case you want to coordinate. There are great bits coming and I just try to weave them in.
Since Galadan is out and about town, Cassandra will take Father Grimburrow up on his offer.
"Thank you, Father. You are most generous."
Knowledege (religion):
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Since Galadan is out and about town, Cassandra will take Father Grimburrow up on his offer.
"Thank you, Father. You are most generous."
Knowledege (religion): 1d20+4
I noticed and feel bad about it for you. To me it seems Aldous can't roll wrong and you can't do right. Well - good luck for your next rolls.
This campaign is haunted but the dicebot shouldn't be jinxed
Edit: and as a reminder - the temple gives you a +4 on all knowledge checks.
After making what purchases he can afford, Galadan goes to the temple of Pharasma, but notices Cassandra performing research with Father Grimburrow. He decides to go back to the house and see if he can determine anything further of worth from the late Professor's books.
He finds the Professor's daughter enjoying a cup of tea.
"I hate to be a further burden to you, Mistress, but do you think it is possible that I might use your father's inkwells? There is some research, still, that must be completed."
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After making what purchases he can afford, Galadan goes to the temple of Pharasma, but notices Cassandra performing research with Father Grimburrow. He decides to go back to the house and see if he can determine anything further of worth from the late Professor's books.
He finds the Professor's daughter enjoying a cup of tea.
"I hate to be a further burden to you, Mistress, but do you think it is possible that I might use your father's inkwells? There is some research, still, that must be completed."
Please use whatever you need.
With ink at hand, Galadan sits down in the Professor's study to write.
This is the personal account of Galadan Teresthin, Master of Occult Studies in the Sacred Order of Pharasma, regarding the death of my colleague Professor Lorrimor and the resulting strangeness in the town of Ravengro. Ravengro is a small town, to say the least, and the professor was exploring the ruins of an old prison. There is some confusion as to what he was expecting to find, but I am hoping that a thorough understanding of the agencies he was studying would be revealing. The locals have little trust of us, and though I have not ever considered my racial heritage to be either a curse or a boon, it seems to distance myself from the people.
The professor has been researching the Whispering Way, a term I have come upon a few times in my studies, and it seems he has acquired quite a bit of information about the organization. Yesterday, after a local monument was splashed with blood and a letter written on its surface (either a V or a half-formed W), I was finally able to find something regarding the Whispering Way itself.
A certain Mistress Wren had apparently discovered more previously, but her language can best be described as a permanent twitter, and her bird companion's squawking sets an ache within my head so fierce I am forced to abandon her explanations and sought out what information I can find on my own.
I am also certain that Aldous, one of the few humans gathered at Professor Lorrimor's funeral, has discovered information as well, but have not yet had the time to speak to him regarding what he has discovered. I will be sure to ask our companions at dinner tonight, and to share what I have learned of late as well, and am ever hopeful that the piercingly loud green bird will be left at a healthy distance.
It seems that the Whispering Way is a series of necromancers and other foul cabalists who insist on seeking a relationship with the undead. Foul despisers of life and the natural sequence of life, death, and the recycling of the soul. Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant, is a member of the order, though the organization is significantly older.
Father Grimburrow, the local priest, has seemed reluctant to allow entry to the church, perhaps for reasons I have already described, though I believe that the longer we are here, the more the people here will trust us and allow us access to the information most necessary to understanding a great many of the questions that the late Professor was asking, and perhaps had already answered himself, but for whatever reason was loathe to record it. The nature of the Occults opposed to Pharasma's Will can be discerned here, I feel it in the core of my being, and so will stay awhile longer, both to fulfill the Professor's Will, and to discover what I can about the curse that seems to hang over this land. Nightmares are a regular occurance.
With this completed, Galadan blows upon the paper to dry the ink quickly, and turns to the other books housed within the study.
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Galadan
DC 25 (80 XP each): Exact details on the society are difficult to discern, but chief among the Whispering Way's goals are discovering formulae for creating liches and engineering the release of the Whispering Tyrant. Agents often travel to remote sites or areas plagued by notorious haunts or undead menaces to perform field research or even to capture unique monsters. Their symbol is a gagged skull, and those who learn too many of the Way's secrets are often murdered, and their mouths mutilated to prevent their bodies from divulging secrets via speak with dead.
Both Research into Harrowstone and the Whisperin Way are complete.
"I can't really make it any cheaper as I already offer it to you. The last noble here left me with it and it has been a loss since. And in these bad times - with the dreams and everything. Sorry milord but I would need money rather earlier as later.
I make you a deal - I take the ten gold now and you go over to the Silk Purse. I heard you made quite a fortune - you and your friends - from the old Professor. I'm sure they will give you an advance if you don't have the money yet.
But please understand - I'm just a simple shopkeep."
"Right, right. Please forgive me my good shopkeeper I did not mean to seem as if I expected to receive this gloriouse jacket without paying you the full price. I will be off to the Silk Purse and retrieve gold to complete our transaction. Then I will wear it about town and tale of the generosity and skill of Shopkeeper Luthko."
Kevin turns and heads to the Silk Purse to retrieve 15 gold, to return and pay the shopkeeper.
Once her day's research is done, Wren will again ask if anyone wants to accompany her on her afternoon walk.
She intends to go visit the grave of the Professor. After last night's dreams, Wren doesn't think she'll feel right until she sees his grave for herself and makes sure everything is okay.
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Kevin
You are greeted by Quess Yearburn when you enter the Silk Purse. It seems that some information about the content of of will from Petros Lorrimor has already arrived with the owners of the Silk Purse.
Quess: "Welcome Dear Sir. We heard about the untimely Death of the Professor. Really sad. And we also heard that it will take a month before you can claim you inheritance. But don't worry - that is what we are here for.
Just sign here against your inheritance and you have full credit here. Oh - you ask how much this is? That would be up to 900 gp. There is a 10% fee - added on the loan and you will have to repay in 6 weeks unless some other agreements are in place."
Kevin seems to sign and be out of the door before Quess can interest him in any of there wares.
The Silk Purse
Farming is a tough business. Drought, pests, and f loods can make a year’s hard work vanish in an instant. To keep one’s farm af loat, those lucky enough to own land will often pledge it to a moneylender for credit. Others must pledge a percentage of the gross income from their next season of labor. Fortunately for Ravengro’s farmers, the Silk Purse is always ready to provide loans. Two moneylenders work out
of this building, Luramin Taigh and Quess Yearburn (male and female human)—security is provided by a small group of loyal mercenaries.
At any one time, the Silk Purse has enough gold pieces’ worth of coin on hand for loans and a decent amount worth of collateral in the safe room.
The Silk Purse also sells old collateral (mostly gems and jewelry) that farmers were unable to buy back after the terms of their loans expired.
All
Please let me know if you don't go with Wren back to the grave. If I don't hear back, then I assume you are going with her.
See also post above. The Silk Purse could be a good way to draw ahead of time some money that you get later. Yep - the 900 gp (+10%) fits well with 100 pp you will get later.
Guess someone who did read out the will might have talked.
Andrea finds the books confusing and unhelpful so sets off out off town again to search for herbs.
Knowledge Nature
Herbs are easy to find and she brings them back to the house to begin the process of drying them.However not having the wherewithal to purchase the additional reagents she requires she must content herself with this. She briefly considers the money lenders but her distaste for such men makes her reject the idea.
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Fires of Hell - Special edition of the Wealday Parchment
Has Chaos and Hell struck Ravengro. Are members of Ravengro still save? Nym Vallidorn - a stranger to this town - but friend to the late Professor Lorrimor got attacked by the Fires of Hell. Father Grimburrow was unable to tell if he will survive as the burns seem to withstand any form of healing he can offer.
Clauz - a frequent visitor at the Laughing Demon and his friend Vlados told us of the fateful event. These two had settled on a table to play cards. It hadn't been a good game for Nym when he suddenly cried out triumphantly that he had won.
What then happened isn't clear. Both Clauz and Vlados claim that suddenly a flare shot up from the last card that Nym had played. Both of them got blinded but have recovered since.
Zokar Elkarid tells his version of the story. Suddenly a flame like from hell appeared from the cards. It seemed to leap at Nym and burn him from the inside. Writhing in pain nobody was able to help him.
For a moment the whole table was on fire. But it stopped as suddenly as it had started. I already had been afraid for my tavern. Unfortunately it seems all help was too late for Nym. We got Father Grimburrow who told us with authority that he was still alive. But his eyes looked like from a madman who had glimpsed something he shouldn't have seen.
Several other guests all claim that they heard voices of other people screaming like being on fire as well - just more muffled as if coming from the wine cellar below.
But no signs of fire or people where found.
An investigation by the Sheriff told us that the last fateful card played was 'The Uprising' - a card that shows an army of enraged peasants marching amid a field of flames.
The town council has urged everyone to be calm. But how can we be calm. Father Grimburrow took Nym with him to the temple. It is said nobody has access to him. Was it that the stranger brought this on himself calling for devils or dealing with demons. Is this the reason the father keeps him under arrest?
The whole town surely is afraid. First the dreams, then the desecration. What will happen next. Is the Market at tomorrow's Wealsday still save. Can we leave our children playing outside. Should we get all strangers out of town.
Hard times have indeed fallen on Ravengro
Galadan will go to the grave.
Wren, upon reading the hurtful words in the Wealday Parchment, wonders if there is an author's name attached.
Who prints and publishes this paper? Where is it published?
Wren harumphs loudly upon reading the news. "Looks like I have a second stop after the grave of the Professor. I need to find the author of this and tell them to stop accusing you, my friends, with such vile insinuations."