Reassured by Kevin that the damage is only to his pride Andrea turns her attention to Wren. She checks the elven womans arm but can find no sign of any injury.
"It would seem that it missed you Lady Wren" she says somewhat tersely annoyed at the flamboyantly dressed womans posturing.Seeing that her patient is distracted by her examination of the grave she whispers into her ear.."Perhaps you can clean the mud off our resident Dandy's clothing otherwise he'll just whine about it for the rest off the day, you know how men are"
"I agree" she says to Aldous "We need to lay these poor souls to rest again and then find out what or who disturbed them"
After the last undead falls to his sword, Kevin turns to the rest of the group giving them a quick inspection for injuries. "Looks like everyone is none the worse for wear. What the hells where those things?" Kevin glances at the remains of the fallen foes,
"Those dreams seem to have pretense in the real world also. Are they a warning to us all, or just reminants of a mystical force that is working amongst us?"
He turns away from the group and discreatly opens his silver flask, taking a long drink. "And people wonder why I drink so much."
"I don't think it would be a good idea to just start opening tombs at random, searching for something we have no idea where it's at, lest someone from town see us and report us for grave robbing. Lets ask Father Grimburrow if he knows anything about this cache of treasure or if we can secure his permission to search the restlands for it."
Not unused to touching cadavers, Galadan sets to the grisly yet respectful task of reburying the dead.
"I do not understahd this. These grounds are supposed to be consecrated."
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Not unused to touching cadavers, Galadan sets to the grisly yet respectful task of reburying the dead.
1d20+5
"I do not understahd this. These grounds are supposed to be consecrated."
Indeed - rising dead from a cemetry - especially one of Pharasma 'should' not happen - unless some evil forces of sufficient power are at work.
You certainly are not aware that this ever has happened before here in Ravengro.
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"I don't think it would be a good idea to just start opening tombs at random, searching for something we have no idea where it's at, lest someone from town see us and report us for grave robbing. Lets ask Father Grimburrow if he knows anything about this cache of treasure or if we can secure his permission to search the restlands for it."
Indeed - there is the possibility that your motives might be 'misinterpreted' by suspicious villagers who only see 'strange things happening'.
Being accused that the undead left their graves after you plundered a crypt could be 'unfortunate'.So checking with the father first might the the saver option.
You could either roleplay this or do a diplomacy check. My guess is that probably Aldous or Cassandra might be best to do so (with other fine to assist).
Thod
Kevin retops his flask and turns towards the group watching Galadan prepaire the corpses for rebuarial. "Friend, maybe we should alert the high priest, or what ever you call the grand puba of Pharasma here before we take care of these bodies. If anything I am sure the church can take care of them, I for one have had my fill of corpses today.'
Aldous shrugs.
"I would imagine that simply leaving the bodies laying around would also cause comment from the villagers. Personally, I would prefer to re-inter them, and then get the good father to come and re-consecrate the graves.
As for the cache, I will remind you that the only reason we know about it, is because the Professor already plundered it. Do you really want to tell the good Father about that?"
Wren thanks Andrea for the tender care given her wing.
"Why yes, it's feeling better now. Maybe that beast didn't get me as much as I thought...or I'm a tough old bird. Thank you." Wren flexes her arm a few times as if making sure it is working fine.
* * *
Walking over to Kevin, Wren pulls out a large feather (like one someone might use in a feather duster) and without asking, begins to make swiping/cleaning gestures towards Kevin while in-canting.
Waving the feather at Kevin, "I just wanted to thank you for your swordsplay in my defense. It's so nice to know I have a true friend. I do *love* your coat...it's very nice."
It's a nice coat, but nothing like my beautiful feathers...poor man needs to find some taste, but at least he's clean now.
* * *
Looking at the efforts to re-inter the undead, Wren picks up the shovel and tries to weakly to help, spending more time gossiping about the people in other graves and guessing on the manners of their deaths. With the shovel, she tends to dig much like a chicken scratching for worms, using the side/blade to score the ground rather than scoop or do anything intentionally helpful.
But she's trying.
"Look at that grave there...'Thaddeus Lournemouth IV', or, as we used to call him, 'Taddy Boremouth.' Wren titters at her creativity. "He was a Taldan...thought he knew everything. Acted like it too. I think he died to a vicious Ghoul under Cassomir. So I heard."
* * *
Wren sighs at the lost opportunity to see the pre-plundered Crypt, but understands that others may not see her new best friends the way she does and doesn't want anyone to have the wrong opinion of them (unless, of course, Wren is the one doing the gossiping.)
Galadan grimaces as he listens to the others talk.
"If we are facing this deadly threat, the walking dead, on a regular basis, we will need whatever tools are hidden in the secret cache."
With the corpses back in the ground, Galadan dusts his gloved hands off, and makes ready to return to the temple with any else who wish to accompany him.
Walking over to Kevin, Wren pulls out a large feather (like one someone might use in a feather duster) and without asking, begins to make swiping/cleaning gestures towards Kevin while in-canting.
Cast Prestidigitation.
Waving the feather at Kevin, "I just wanted to thank you for your swordsplay in my defense. It's so nice to know I have a true friend. I do *love* your coat...it's very nice."
"Why thank you my dear. I was afraid that I had become unpresentable afta that mild skirmish." Kevin bows low to wren.
Galadan grimaces as he listens to the others talk.
"If we are facing this deadly threat, the walking dead, on a regular basis, we will need whatever tools are hidden in the secret cache."
With the corpses back in the ground, Galadan dusts his gloved hands off, and makes ready to return to the temple with any else who wish to accompany him.
"Even though I hate to admit it, I agree with our sour friend. I would think they we need to be better equiped than what we are if we are going to fight more of these ghastly undead."
"Then it were best that Galadan as a representative of the ..ahh..more Militant arm of the Church make the request although I'm sure that we can persuade the good father if necessary"
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Aldous shrugs.
"I would imagine that simply leaving the bodies laying around would also cause comment from the villagers. Personally, I would prefer to re-inter them, and then get the good father to come and re-consecrate the graves.
As for the cache, I will remind you that the only reason we know about it, is because the Professor already plundered it. Do you really want to tell the good Father about that?"
About the cache - might be worthwhile is all I'm allowed to tell
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You are laying the last body back to rest, as you see Father Grimburrow with two acolytes arriving. He seems to be out of breath and looks pale.
"I've heard what happened. This s grave news for Ravengro. Nothing like that hasn't happened since Ravengro was founded. Our temple of Pharasma is here to guard against this.
In the early years many more members of Harrowstone have been laid to rest here as members from Ravengro. But even in this times not a single time did anybody raise up again.
I can feel something is stirring at the prison. But I never expected it would be powerful enough to reach here. I have to thank you for dealing with this problem so quickly and without any member of Ravengro hurt.
The thanks of Pharasma is with you. If anyone of you Is hurt, then I can help."
Galadan solemnly shakes his head, "Are you sure this seems to be centered at the prison? Or is it perhaps time to open an Inquisition? As you have concurred with me, that this is the strangest and unheard of experience, we must reach a final conclusion as to its cause."
Galadan begins pacing back and forth, his voice grave and matter-of-fact, though brimming with a hidden fire.
"If in fact, necromancers and evil cabalists are somehow hiding among the townsfolk of Ravengro... then all of its citizens are in danger from threats of the undead like this one. We must do what we can to prevent this from happening, and if this means opening an Inquisition, I shall write to my superiors and ask their permission. And I hope that you will comply with their wishes, should one be ordered." He fixes a silent glare on the priest.
"Also, I must ask for whatever resources the church can provide to fight this threat. None which are currently being used, but perhaps something from the older times. I have it under good authority that a secret cache was discovered that once belonged to the old Church of Pharasma. It is of the utmost importance that we be provided with these resources."
Galadan calms himself and the glare in his eyes seems to fade away.
"I do not say this to be mean or cruel, Father Grimburrow. I only state my beliefs regarding the dangers we have faced. If there are members of the Whispering Way hidden somewhere in Ravengro, I shall sniff them out as the wolf finds its prey."
Sensing that Galadan's words may have seemed a little off kilter, Aldous does his best to smooth things over.
"I am just glad that we were able to deal with the situation, before anyone from the village was harmed. I agree, it is quite troubling; if something is stirring in the ruins of Harrowstone, we should do our best to learn about it, and then attempt to deal with it. With your permission, of course, Father...?"
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The old father looks back at the inquisitor. He is old and wise, he leads a church and he is used to his flock being intimidated just when he they glimpse him. So the feeble attempts by the upstart inquisitor. He is more surprised as intimidated and glares back.
Reverse intimidation
"You have to learn a lot if you want to get ahead in this church. You might be talking to a simple cleric of the church here - but this is MY church here and I take my responsibilities not lightly.
He then ignores your feeble attempts of diplomacy and only mellows when he hears Aldous speaking.
[IOC] I need to work it out right now - but assists from others NOT Galadan could be useful. Nice attempt - but of all of Ravengro you probably did pick the one and single most difficult to intimidate person. You did fail even before adding wisdom .. And I would expect that for a high level cleric this stat is 'decent'.[/ooc]
Galadan scowls, more at the situation than at any one person, and walks off, his back held stiffly. He is dangerously silent. Before he departs he turns back to the graves and makes the spiral sign of Pharasma, whispering a blessing, then turns back to return to the Professor's house, his hat firmly placed back on his head.
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Galadan scowls, more at the situation than at any one person, and walks off, his back held stiffly. He is dangerously silent. Before he departs he turns back to the graves and makes the spiral sign of Pharasma, whispering a blessing, then turns back to return to the Professor's house, his hat firmly placed back on his head.
Galadan
"Where do you think you are going. If there indeed is such a cache as you proclaim then maybe an inquisitor should be with the group. Not that the local church gets accused later on to have stolen what might exist or might be just in your fantasy."
Having hoped for a more diplomatic stance from Galadan, the Father having served his people for many years and being old in their goddess' service, Andrea rolls her eyes at the Inquisitors confrontational attitude.As he stalks off she shoots a despairing look after him then steps forward in an attempt to help Aldous mitigate the damage done.
"I'm afraid Galadan has a rather blinkered view on things Father" she begins" But we are, surely, agreed that any threat to the innocent folk of Ravengro must be combatted.If it is the case that the evil stems from the Prison then it most assuredly behoves us to investigate the place and the Church's aid would be most welcome in that respect.Also we need to determine if this is linked to the desecration of the memorial"
Diplomacy(Aid)
Then she raises a subject that has been bothering her for some time..
"If it is not too much of an imposition Father, no-one has actually informed us of the circumstances of the Professors death and naturally we did not want to bring it up with Kendra given her current state of mind.How did it happen and where did it occur?"
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Father Grimburrow turns to Andrea - he seems more concerned as threatening.
"They did find the body of the poor Professor just outside the walls of Harrowstone. I was summoned
immidiately and did a small investigation of my own. at the time I felt suspicious how the stone Gargoyle could
have fallen down and smashed him.
The Professor must have been very unlucky to be exactly in that moment in that specific spot. But despite my
suspsicions I was unable to find any other wounds or signs of force that could have been applied."
He glares over to Galadan
"There wasn't any reason beyond my suspicions to do anything else. Anyhow - even a speak to dead wouldn't
have worked any more the way the Professor was maimed. So unless there was some high level magic in play -
followed by someone to let it seem like an accident ..." his words trail off
I still don't know and all I have are my suspicions and the dreams and other happenings that plague the town
since the Professor died. But I surely didn't want to scare my flock even more."
With a more sarcastic voice "But maybe our inquisitor can tell us what really happened ..."
Kevin sneaks another sip from his flask during the exchange then listens intently to the father's description of the Professor's death.
"You have to understand father Grimburrow, even though my overzealous friend may have approached this in a way not acceptable to you, he is still concerned, the same as you, for this community. We must all work together if we are to stop this from getting worse. No matter if we get along or not. It seems we are all we have."
Kevin makes a small flurish to wards the rest of the group. So father, unless you want more of these happenings, we are going to have to go to Harrowstone to put a stop to all of this and we will need the help of the church."
Diplomacy (Aid Other):
Nailed it!Woot!
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Kevin
Father Grimburrow looks at you and it seems his facial expression is as close to a smile as you might ever see it.
"Just give me a few moments my son to bless these graves again. Then we can go to the place you think contains a hidden cache and we can investigate. Indeed in times like these we rather need to work together in the best interest of the community.
Even our Elf will learn this once he gets older and wiser. So once we are finished here, please show me the way."
Andrea frowns a little and shoots a quizzical look at Aldous as the Priest speaks to Kevin and then blesses the graves..a blessing to which she adds her own silent prayers..While she has not been able to contribute much to the research she has paid a good deal of attention to it's results
"You could not speak with the Professors Spirit?" she asks the Priest as he turns from his religious duties searching her mind for what she knows on the subject of speaking with the dead which actually turns out to be quite a lot.
Knowledge Arcana
"Forgive me Father but that would mean ,as far as I am aware, that his mouth and throat had been completely destroyed,yes?"
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"Forgive me Father but that would mean ,as far as I am aware, that his mouth and throat had been completely destroyed,yes?"
"You are indeed right my young girl. I'm not sure if I would have done so if it would have been possible. Such an act is only done after careful considerations.
As a cleric of Pharasma we prefer to let the dead rest and to be undisturbed on their journey. But there have been situations when it was necessary and if it would save my community, then surely I would do so.But in regard to the professor - this route of investigation is not open to us."
Galadan returns to the group, albeit reluctantly.
"Perhaps... I spoke out of turn. I have been researching the cults of necromancy for some 100 years now; I have been a servant of the Sacred Order of Pharasma for most, if not all, that time. You must understand how unnerving it is for me to have a graveyard, one of Pharasma's most sacred tributes to the revolution of the soul, infested - no, blemished, by the undead. It is unheard of! And it is....in a word, frightening. Nay, terrifying!!!! That does not excuse my rudeness. But I am a faithful servant of Pharasma. I have been for most of my life, what I can remember of it."
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Father Grimburrow pats Galadan on the shoulder. "No worries - Pharasma might be stern. It is her job to receive the dead and not even to be swayed by sweet words or blackmail.
But Pharasma also brings new life into the world and this aspects embraces youth and even errors that happen due to innocence and lack of knowledge. Some of the young farm hands often act badly when they are drunk. But they know if they behaved especially disgraceful to visit the service of my temple at the end of the week.
It might be full this week - with all the extra farm hands coming. I seldom see them but I expect even the last of them whom I spotted harassing your group ahead of the funeral. But I will make sure there is a space for you.
It is a special service this week for their attonement as I moved it to sun rise. They have to learn how to act properly in this community. I guess none of them will dare to go on his usual drinking binge the night before.
But don't waste time. Please lead the way."
Edit:
Wren just watches the interchanges, taking mental notes of the people and their expressions.
Of course, what happened here is a in-her-heart, hope-to-die secret.
Unless, of course, someone starts chatting her up...then the entire incident may come out like a tidal wave.
Wren fans herself with a feather. Phew! Now that was exciting.
"With your permission, Father Grimburrow, then, we will find this cache that we have told you about. Aldous, do you remember the Professor's description."
Wren, at Galadan's question to Aldous, interrupts with her own sharp memory.
"Oh dearie, I remember. It was in the home when we were reading the diary together. I think the description went something like this:
'I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down below.'
Then he went on to talk about borrowing some items...no mention if he returned them, however. And there might be more."
Wren is delighted to have something to talk about.
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Father Grimburrows seems to look at Wren in a non discernable way.
"There is only one crypt that fits to the description, It is one of the oldest ones that is here since the beginning of the Restlands."
The Father leads the way to a large crypt. A bronze double door blocks the way. The father takes out a key but then hesitates for a moment. When you look closer you understand why.
The lock has been opened recently with some acid and the clasp has been fastened back to disguise the fact.
The Father then cast a spell
Detect Evil
"It seems at least no evil is in here that I can detect." He then enters with his two acolytes following him respectfully.
Photos of the crypt in my Picasa Album
The father will stay close to the entrance. A stairway leads down into darkness. Please let me know where you all go. There are two rooms. An upper one and a lower one with a small altar.
Wren is a bit shocked by the Priest's spell.
"Father, surely you don't expect bad things in the crypt, do you?"
Wren wishes she had brought her crossbow with her but tries to console herself by pulling out a rather large feather from her armor. In her other hand, she draws her dagger...a wicked looking weapon in the shape of a raptor's claw stretching for prey.
This time I won't get caught unprepared.
Perception:
Kevin steps forward, drawing his dueling sword, and piers down the stairway. He turns to the old priest and gives him a smile and a knod of his head. "Thank you for your assistance and blessing Father.
Kevin raps his sunrod against the door frame and tosses it down the stairs to the chamber below. With his sword held in front, he descends the stairs.
Sighing in exasperation as Kevin uses up his sunrod, Galadan merely points into the dark stairwell and a gleaming ball of light appears. It settles, eventually, on the silver spiral of Pharasma on his hat. He draws his battle aspergillum, keeping it in hand as he descends into the silver light.
Wren will move to the third step from the bottom (assuming others have already moved into the room). Wren stops there and enjoying her perch where she can survey, see everyone, and chirp in with random thoughts that enter her mind.
Wren will take a moment to look around from her spot and then cast Detect Magic and spend a few rounds in concentration, ignoring any effects from her nestmates.
Plume will remain on her shoulder.
Before descending into the room, Galadan looks around at the stairs and walls, and turns around to look at the bronze doors.
Andrea walks along to the crypt deep in thought though she smiles at the good Fathers talk of his Goddess..far too many of the Clerics of Pharasma get obsessed with death she thinks.
When the Crypt opens she sticks close to Aldous and Cassandra
Perception check:
"Hmmm, that's odd. It seems like someone's been in this crypt before. Let's hope that the Professor's supplies are still here."
Cassandra will make her way down the stairs, following behind Galadan.
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The crypt smells of stale air and seems not been visited in ages.
You both spot that the lock has been tempered with. The Walls look old - seemingly fitting the description of Father Grimburrow that this crypt is here since the Restlands have been founded.
You spot a lot of wear and decay in the Walls that looks worse the deeper you go. This crypt will only last another two or three centuries and then will probably collapse.
The first two rooms are devoid of any magic. But it seems to you that on the lowest level some magic items have been left by the Professor. There are multiple auras in the lowest room - room 3 - on the right.
Edit2: (can't scroll down further easily on iPad ...) the sun rod is in the doorway between room 1 and 2. It fully illuminates room 1 and 2 and shines light down the stairs to room 3. Part of room 3 is low light (to the left and right)
Edit: and please let me know if I go too fast. I enjoy today immensely and I know I risk to get carried away ....
Kevin proceedes down the stairs and picks up the sunrod, moving into any area to check for anyone, or thing, that maybe hiding in ambush.
EDIT: Sorry wrote my post then walked away to help my girl. ninja'd.
Put me in front looking for baddies.
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Kevin proceedes down the stairs and picks up the sunrod, moving into any area to check for anyone, or thing, that maybe hiding in ambush.
EDIT: Sorry wrote my post then walked away to help my girl. ninja'd.
Put me in front looking for baddies.
You are right - the whole crypt isn't that huge. If you aren't used to DwarvenForge. Each floor piece is ten by ten foot. This makes room 1 30*30 feet. Room 2 30*10 feet. A 10*10 stairwell down and room 3 is 50*20 feet.
Even with speed 20 I think you manage to get nearly everywhere - or at least close - with a double move.
"I sense the things we might seek through that gate and down those stairs. There doesn't appear to be anything of interest in this room." Wren babbles to the room at large, happy to contribute.
Wren will walk over and pick up the sunrod, sheathing her dagger.
"Come gentlemen. If one of you will get the gate, I'll light the way." Wren gestures with the large feather still in her other hand towards the gate.
* * *
If others will accompany her, Wren plans to move to the same spot (2nd or 3rd stair from the bottom) on the lower stairs going to Room 3.
Galadan slowly descends into the first room, taking note of everything around him. His hat gleams with brilliant white light, shedding light into the shadows cast by the sunrod.
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RAW my monsters are neutral - so off course I haven't planned anything evil here ...
Photos of the crypt in my Picasa Album
When Kevin and Wren decent the stairs they suddenly spot 2 giant centipedes as well as a small swarm of crawling centipedes. They seem to have crawled out of cracks in the stonework of the lowest room 3.
Attracted by light and possible prey they advance.
Initiative:
Aldous
Cassandra
Galadan
Kevin
Wren
Andrea
Giant Centipedes
Giant Centipede small swarm
No surprise round.
Kevin just entered room 3. Wren is close behind on the stairs. Everyone else is in room 1. The swarm is the red coloured centipede. The two acolytes will run at the first sign of trouble. Father Grimburrow will take care of them later. The father won't take part in the fight.
"Look, Plumie!! Food! Uhm...those are bigger foods that you're used to, aren't they?"
For some reason, Plumie won't answer.
the large 'worms'
the swarm
Wren will chitter back to the group what she knows about what she sees.
These people are *so* lucky to have me as a friend...my flock!
"Kevin, dear, I know that you're very brave, but maybe we should move back up the stairs so that we may all peck at these big worms together."
Move action: move 30' up the stairs and towards the stairs going out.
Drop the sunrod as a free action.
Stnd action: pull out an alchemist's flask from my pouch.