Thod runs Carrion Crown - The Haunting of Harrowstone

Game Master Thod

"Thank you for the use of your crossbow, Galadan." Wren returns the weapon to its owner.

* * *

Wren prefers crossbow bolts, but hopefully will rarely need to use them.

When we are done here, Wren will be quiet on way home...she has so much on her mind. This day has made her realize that there is too much about the other side that she does not know. Too much that is unexplained and too much that she needs to know.

Tonight, I begin to study the nature of gods and death. Not nearly as fun as birds and feathers, but it appears there is much knowledge and power in such things.

"Galadan, when we return home, might I borrow your book on Pharasma? It seems that I simply must know more about these undead and why they would reject the afterlife."

* * *

Upon returning to the house for the day (whenever that happens), Wren will ask to borrow one of each of the items for a detailed magical reading of each item.

When Wren has the items in her nest, she will cast Identify. Spellcraft rolls for her ID purposes will be +21 before rolling the d20. I doubt there is anything new to be learned, so I won't roll.

My friends will be so happy that I can tell them all about these new items. I can't wait to tell them!

When Wren has the items in her nest, she will cast Identify. Spellcraft rolls for her ID purposes will be +21 before rolling the d20. I doubt there is anything new to be learned, so I won't roll.

Apart of a problem in numbers for items in the box ... I don't think there should be anything else. Seems I need to start reading part 4 - Harrowstone.

All

Tomorrow (Wealday) is the market day. Your evil GM just decided that shops will be closed for today (looks like German shop opening times in the nineties here).

Likely of most interest will be the moneylender, smithy, general shop and the market which should allow me to add other vice unusual items. But you got a full list of places earlier.

You will read about your efforts in the Restlands in tomorrows Wealday parchment. I have to admit I did throw in a small swarm just to up numbers and realized a little late how badly the group was equipped - but vermin might be plentiful in a derelict burned down prison.

The tavern is still open - so feel free to go there for a drink or to get some more rumours.

And before I forget +150 XP

Wren is *so* looking forward to seeing all her 'friends' and gossiping the day away at the market.

What research still needs to be done?

Wren used up her only Alch Fire but has a 10gp left if anyone wants to go halfsies on another.

There is research into the five prisoners. I think Aldous did roll for the day but nobody else. But I could be wrong.

In regard to money - the Silk Purse is happy to give you up to 900gp for a fee of 10% in anticipation of the money you get in Lipidstadt.
I'm not sure what monetary rewards to expect soon. But it should be telling that the GM didn't spot any - to be fair - I focussed on interesting bits in part 4 and still need to read it all in detail.
Somehow I'm always replying here instead of preparing ahead.

As the others begin pawning over the items in the cache, Kevin makes his way to the door and into the open air.
Gods! Fraggin insects! Away from anyone else he shudders and stomps his feet. What's next, A demon in the jakes?
He unstopers his flask once again, this time emptying it of its contents. At least young Andrea is starting to take notice, must be the way I handeled the larger of the vermin. Mayhaps I can talk her into joining me at the local tavern. Then again, I am only concered with not being fit to dream of insects and rotting farmers this night.

I personally would like an in character session where we bring all of our research together. It's too confusing for me to follow above, especially with the multipart posts.

Galadan returns to the professor's home. He flips through some more of the Professor's books but realizes his research into the Whispering Way is complete for the time being.

After a light dinner and some tea, Galadan retreats to the study to write further. (Writeup coming soon)

After seeing the darkwood case, Kevin remembers seeing a book in the Professor's chest with the same type scarab.
Curiouse, maybe they have something to do with each other. Who knows, maybe I can show the rest of the group I can do other things besides slay monsters.

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.

Kevin hurries back to the house and goes straight for the chest.

Aldous nods his thanks to Father Grimburrow, as he feels has many itchy wounds heal over. He then follows the rest of the Inheritors back to the Professor's house.

Aldous did not roll for knowledge about 'the five prisoners'.

@Galadan: That is why I have been compiling all of our research information on Hastur's page.

Yes, I can see that would be helpful. I guess I will put my journal on my profile. Thanks for the info.

As to loot distribution, Aldous is completely worthless in terms of actually dealing damage, so it would probably be a good idea if he was kept away from all of the bolts, although I agree, bolts would have more utility for the party than arrows.

Other than that, I would recommend that we each take a vial of holy water. There are only five potions of CLW, so one of us will have to do without; I think the people who cannot actually cast healing spells should definitely carry one each.

I would be happy to carry the Darkwood Case, since the Haunt Siphons apparently do not need an attack roll, so Aldous could actually use them effectively :-/

Does anyone want to 'claim' any of the other bolts/sunrods/potions, or should we just keep them as a general party 'slush fund' for the moment?

Galadan scribbles well into the evening, interrupted only by the call to dinner.

His face is grim and sour, as though he had recently thought of something that was unpleasant. He seems less involved in the conversation over dinner, though he listens carefully to any discussion of the prison, Harrowstone.

If I had a lab I could make you a flask for 10 gp Wren..unfortunately the lab costs 200Gp. I for one don't need a potion of CLW..I have 3 of my own Manufacture and given the funds can produce a new one in 2 hours..which means if you all want to chip in and we dont try and explore the whole prison at once that Andrea can pretty much keep the party supplied with them for the duration of the adventure.

Then again, I am only concered with not being fit to dream of insects and rotting farmers this night.

This night your dreams are much more pleasant. You hear music from a flute. A flock of birds dance in the air in sync with the music. The music plays on and the flock of birds come closer. Like choreographed the fly, to the left, to the right --- directly towards you - all of them. This just can't be - they can't attack you ...

Suddenly you sit upright in your bed - sweat on your head.

I tried to send nice dreams. Something must have corrupted them. The last scene think Hitchcock the Film Birds.

Wealday Parchment

Delivered to the doorstep thanks to Aldous generosity

Uprising in the Restlands
A dozen of undead zombies and skeletons did rise up in the Restlands yesterday. Ravengro averted destruction only thanks to two heroes - the noble sword lord Kevin Darlok and his friend Aldous Preklikin.
Using his sword craft - learned in the East in a sword Academy Kevin on his own managed to hold back and defeat a whole wave of zombies.
At the same time - Aldous - asking for the help of Pharasma - turned half a dozen skeletons to dust. 
Their friends and the town are very grateful to them.

Rumours say that they afterwards found some secret weapons to defeat any more undead. 
Father Grimburrow confirmed that all undead had been laid back to rest but didn't want to offer any details of what happened.

----------------
Wealday Market Day

We expect many stalls, fun and music today on the Market. Come around and enjoy. And if you see our new heroes - please thank them.

Aldous and Kevin - you will get free drinks today at the Grinning Demon. The Author - the Innkeep son - had to take a few liberties in his description. Father Grimburrow really didn't give him much of information what had happened.

+2 Trust points for positive story in the newspaper
-1 Trust for bad dreams which still plague the town

Backtracking to the previous evening...

Andrea listens with concern to the explanations delivered by both Aldous and Galadan.

"I think we need to investigate the Prison then, there are too many unanswered questions and if the evil is growing then someone has to put a stop to it."

The dreams of the night give her cause for concern but she manages to get enough sleep to be effective.She gives a great deal of thought to her spell selection for the day.

Spells for today

Cantrips: Stabilise,Spark,Resistance

1st Level: Burning hands,Cure Light wounds.

She chuckles over the Parchments overblown account of the day before.

"So now you are the Local hero you do realise that you'll be expected to deal with every rat in a basement problem this town has" she remarks to Kevin

Couldn't resist the RP joke there

A few generic remarks

Timeline:
I try to keep a realistic timeline. The prison is just half a mile away. It's Esau to go there and back each day. There is eventually a time limit. At some stage it will get harder to gain new trust - while losing trust can be done in many ways. In addition dreams slowly corrode the trust in you (as well as in-between the town).
So far I slowed you down - especially around research. I wanted to ensure that a few occurrences happened ahead of you going to Harrowstone.
You are far away from being chased out of town due to lack of trust. Just don't drop to zero trust ...

Comic Relief:
I have to be careful here - after all - I should give you a feeling of horror and doom. But occasionally I probably can't resist.

Research:
I might have gimped you a little bit too much here as Wren did roll high enough for one more bit of information. I will add it in the next post.

One of the acolytes of the temple knocks at the door and delivers a small note from Father Grimburrow.

"Dear Friends
Going back to the events of yesterday and what happened recently I thought you might want to know five names which might be connected to what is happening right now. Feel free to research more about them at the Temple.

DC 20 (50 XP each): The five most notorious prisoners in Harrowstone at the time of the great fire were Father Charlatan, the Lopper, the Mosswater Marauder, the Piper of Illlmarsh, and the Splatter Man.

You have to research each of them separately. It is a DC25 and one research attempt per day/character. But you might want to discuss in which order.

Players who feel they can't manage that DC can do assists as long as they are in the same place.

DC 20 (50 XP each): The five most notorious prisoners in Harrowstone at the time of the great fire were Father Charlatan, the Lopper, the Mosswater Marauder, the Piper of Illlmarsh, and the Splatter Man.

When Wren is finished doing the magical item research described above, she will sit and nest for evening...thinking upon the day. Though her day's thoughts are no where near as elaborately detailed as Galadan, she does try to piece together the pieces of mystery.

The Children's Song:

Put her body on the bed.
Take a knife and lop her head. (the Lopper?)

Watch the blood come out the pipe.
Feeds the stirge, so nice and ripe. (the Piper of Illlmarsh?)

Drops of red so sparkly bright.
Splatters spell her name just right. (and the Splatter Man?)

With a hammer killed his wife.
Now he wants to claim your life. (the Mosswater Marauder?)

Tricksy father tells a lie.
Listen close or you will die. (Father Charlatan?)

* * *

Still hoping to learn more about religion and the undead, she will look for a few books on religion from the Prof's library (assuming there are some) and bring them back to her nest to read.

* * *

In the morn, Wren intends to do more research on the Five, trying to piece together the conjectures above with research at the Temple.

"Would anyone like to come with?"

Wren is also deeply excited about going to the markets on the morrow in the afternoon. She has friends to see and things to buy.

* * *

Maybe we go to Harrowstone on Oathday (day after market day)?

The Children's Song:

Put her body on the bed.
Take a knife and lop her head. (the Lopper?)

Watch the blood come out the pipe.
Feeds the stirge, so nice and ripe. (the Piper of Illlmarsh?)

Drops of red so sparkly bright.
Splatters spell her name just right. (and the Splatter Man?)

With a hammer killed his wife.
Now he wants to claim your life. (the Mosswater Marauder?)

Tricksy father tells a lie.
Listen close or you will die. (Father Charlatan?)

This is a 100 XP each for all 5 verses of the Children Song (20 per right verse). This should also give you some better ideas what to search for - so take a +2 on the knowledge checks for researching the Five Prisoners. This does stack with bonuses from the Temple or other places.

Andrea will certainly take part in the days researches..she might not have the relevant skills but she can fetch and carry, takes notes and help with guess work.

"I have purpose within the temple myself, so I will certainly be going. Mistress Wren, you will need to leave that squawking pet of yours behind, most likely. I do not think the library at the temple will take too well to a noisy bird."

Since it is marketday, is the moneylender open? My "M" button is unresponsive; I hope it gets better.

Galadan had taken the time in the morning to clean his cloak, hat, and shirt, though the leather armor itself seemed to be doing well enough.

"Did not that children's song say something about splattering a name in blood? I am more concerned than ever that the vandalism at the monument two days ago is somehow related to our experiences here."

Aldous has a relatively restful night, although he wakes-up in a cold sweat.

When he sees Wren at the breakfast table, he is momentarily startled.

I wonder if the dream was trying to warn me about something? We will have to keep an eye on that one...

He shakes himself out of his fugue, to reply to Galadan.

"I agree. I will see what I can find-out about 'The Splatter Man' today. However, we should still look into all of the others..."

Assuming Father Grimburrow is now happy to allow multiple people to conduct research at the Church Library, Aldous will migrate across there. However, if there is still a limit on the number of people allowed in, he will instead try to work at the Town Hall.

Throughout the morning, Aldous maintains a constant litany of mutterings, to help himself focus on the task at hand.

Recurrently casting Guidance on himself.

Knowledge(History-The Splatter Man): 1d20 + 7 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 30.

All

Multiple researchers at the temple are fine.

Pets at the temple indeed are not welcome.

If you don't have the skill, then you can still attempt an untrained assist for someone with the skill.

The moneylender (as well as all other shops) is open. This is his best day of the week - you might have to queue.

The Splatter Man (Hean Feramin; 80 XP each): Professor Feramin was a celebrated scholar of Anthroponomastics (the study of personal names and their origins) at the Quartrefaux Archives in Caliphas. Yet an accidental association with a succubus twisted and warped his study, turning it into an obsession. Feramin became obsessed with the power of a name and how he could use it to terrify and control. Soon enough, his reputation was ruined, he’d lost his tenure, and he’d developed an uncontrollable obsession with an imaginary link between a person’s name and what happens to that name when the person dies. Every few days, he would secretly arrange for his victim to find a letter from her name written in blood, perhaps smeared on a wall or spelled out with carefully arranged entrails. Once he had spelled his victim’s name, he would at last come for her, killing her in a gory mess using a complex trap or series of rigged events meant to look like an accident.

If I had a lab I could make you a flask for 10 gp Wren..unfortunately the lab costs 200Gp. I for one don't need a potion of CLW..I have 3 of my own Manufacture and given the funds can produce a new one in 2 hours..which means if you all want to chip in and we dont try and explore the whole prison at once that Andrea can pretty much keep the party supplied with them for the duration of the adventure.

Alternately, a Portable Alchemist's Lab (75gp) is something else that you could consider; that way, we could even theoretically make potions whilst in a dungeon ;-)

Actually for potions all a witch with the cauldron hex needs is her cauldron and the relevant reagents

Andrea finds the Splatterman's story both tragic and repulsive.

"You don't think someone is trying to resurrect the legend do you?" she asks Galadan once Aldous has recited the facts

Kevin wakes up and wipes the sweat from his forehead, At least it wasn’t bugs…..I hate bugs. He dresses quickly and heads down stairs where he fills his flask for another day of unknown occurrences.

"So now you are the Local hero you do realise that you'll be expected to deal with every rat in a basement problem this town has" she remarks to Kevin.

”That is perfectly alright my dear, as long as it is not an undead rat.”

Kevin takes his breakfast and inspects the purple tome with the bronze scarab. He takes it to his new found friends and drops it on the table. ”I remembered this, it seems to be linked to the box we found yesterday, it has a lock but maybe Kendra knows of a key, or I can break it so we may discover its secrets. Either way I leave it to you learned folk, I am off to the bar. To mingle of course, and spread good will among the locals. “
Kevin takes his leave and proceeds to the Grinning Demon.

Andrea

There is an Apothecary in town. You should be fine buying ingredients there as long as you don't start selling the potions in town. Jominda will be keen to sell - less keen to have someone competing with her.

Kevin

Kendra approaches you. "I'm sorry - I did search everywhere in the house but I can't find a key which would fit into such a distinct lock."

You reckon that the difficulty of the lock is well, well beyond your skills - even assuming you would invest in some thiefs tools.
Breaking open the book is a possibility. The container is pretty solid but won't be able to withstand you for too long assuming brute force. The downside would be - you are sure you won't be able to do this in any way without causing considerable damage to the book.
Remember you are tasked to deliver the four books at the end of the 30 days to Lepidstadt.

In regard to non-destructive investigation. The book is non-magic and non-evil. The other three books are also non-magic - it can't be said that they are non-evil.

Just re-reading the description (the parts I deleted). I will allow everyone with the right skills a single Knowledge (arcana, history, or local) check to recognize what it is (no bonus). This can be done in addition to the normal daily research. If you fail, then you might have to break it open or wait to part 2 to find out more.

Kendra approaches you. "I'm sorry - I did search everywhere in the house but I can't find a key which would fit into such a distinct lock."

You reckon that the difficulty of the lock is well, well beyond your skills - even assuming you would invest in some thiefs tools.

Kevin takes Kendra’s hand and gives it a small kiss, ”No worries my dear, I am sure I will be able to find someone to assist us in this endeavor.”

After everyone has had a chance to examine to tome, Kevin wraps it in a pillow case and places it in his backpack.
Now to find the local “locksmith”, best place to start would be the local tavern.
Kevin then takes his leave and proceeds to the Grinning Demon.

Oh my! What a wonderful dream! It was like I was in heaven!

Wren awakes early, buoyed by the first good dream she's had in a while.

She feels eager to get to the Temple and then hit the marketplace. She feels a bit sad that she has little jewelry to sell, but the week's activities have left her little time for feather-hunting and crafting.

Wren would hate to approach market day without a new piece of jewelry to sell or trade.

Putting in 3 gp worth of metals and a few fresh feathers from Plume. Craft(Jewelry) 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Wren is cheerfully humming to herself as she walks in for breakfast.

"Did we all have the same wonderful dream as I? Birds, birds, birds! It was delightful...I think our actions yesterday has reversed the tide of bad dreams. I think last night's dream is a good omen of things to come!"

After preening herself in the mirror and a quick breakfast, Wren will proceed to the Temple (still happily humming). Upon hearing Galadan's wise counsel, she will ask Plumie to stand guard above the Temple while she is inside. While it is certainly rude not to allow birds into a church (silly!), Wren is not going to let it ruin her perfect day.

Know(History) 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 21 on Father Charltan (I think I have the bonii correct.)

* * *

If her research is fruitful, Wren will proceed to the market. Others are welcome to join me.

Kevin gets a heroes welcome at the Laughing Demon. A mug full of Liquid Ghost appears even before he can order.

After the pleasantries of small talk you take Zokar to the side.

He looks at your problem.

"Off course there is Jorfa - she is our smith. She can do anything with metal. She will open it for you for sure without too much damage to the book. But the lock won't be useable afterwords."

He then seems to think for a moment and then whispers to you

Wren

You will either need two successful assists or try again tomorrow. There is still Andrea, Cassandra, Galadan who might help. But no problem either way - I expect you are still a few days in town.

Kevin

I will wait a while for an answer but if I don't get one before I go to bed I assume you are first at the market. You can always do what you want later. Great idea - I didn't expect anyone in your group could do anything apart of breaking it.

The scene at the market

Stalls are built up. Most of them are food - but you also find some wondering Szarni couple which sells miscellaneous bits, a stall with some weapons on sale (Jorfa seems not happy about the quality offered as well as the proximity to her smithy) and a merchant with clothes.

A group of musicians prepares for some music later on. They build up their band in the middle of the market at the gazebo.

Kevin gets a heroes welcome at the Laughing Demon. A mug full of Liquid Ghost appears even before he can order.

Kevin takes the offered mug with a smile and raises it above his head, ”Thank you my friends! I have been honored since coming to Ravengro, and yesterday it was my pleasure to repay this fine town. Fear not citizens, for Kevin Darlok and his friends shall get to the bottom of these occurances! “

You could also try Kaled Deftfinger. His daughter and husband are working as servants in the house of Councilman Gharen Muricar. He is living there with his daughter. Take the northern bridge across the river. Then - instead of turning right to the Restlands you turn left. It is the first house on the right.

Don't go to the main house but ask at the servant quarter. In his youth - at least they say so - he has been very good in such work as opening locks. Got him into trouble once. So ensure it is legal what you do - and be prepared to have a few gold coins ready.
I hope you don't mind, that he is a halfling. They are decent folks.

Kevin downs his mug and motions for another. ”Thank you Master Zokar, I shall search him out this very evening. But I shall first make rounds of the local market.”

A big cheer goes up in the Inn

"Darlok, Darlok, Darlok - Darlok the hero."

You are pretty sure at least one of the farm hands cheering at you (and drinking your free beer) was also one who just a few days ago tried to block your way. You therefore are sure that the loyalty shown here might be fickle - but why worry.

As Cayden Cailean would say - enjoy while you can.

To Andrea, "Not someone, but something. If the necromantic energies from the prison are strong enough to raise the dead in the hallowed ground, sanctified through the blessings of Pharasma, there may very well be an active ghostly power re-enacting or performing the deeds of the most vile of those within the prison."

Galadan goes to the temple to ask for Father Grimburrow's forgiveness for his recent rudeness, and to ask to be allowed to use the library in the temple to research.

Knowledge (Local)-Untrained (Assisting Wren)
1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 24

@Wren: Researching at the Temple orvides a +4 bonus, not a +2 one, so with Galadan's assist, that puts you at 25.

I thought you couldn't use knowledge skills untrained..and even if you can you can't exceed a 10 in them

You can use Knowledge skills untrained; the DC is just capped at 10. Conveniently, 10 is also all you need for an assist ;-) Normally, I don't believe you are able to 'assist' on Knowledge checks, since you either know something, or you do not, but since this is simulating research, not inherent knowledge, being able to 'assist' does make a certain degree of sense...

I believe, with the presence of a sufficient library, this restriction is removed, though it does make for a longer research time. Since Galadan is happier to do research instead of go out among the people who apparently don't trust him, its all good.

Untrained

You cannot make an untrained Knowledge check with a DC higher than 10. If you have access to an extensive library that covers a specific skill, this limit is removed. The time to make checks using a library, however, increases to 1d4 hours. Particularly complete libraries might even grant a bonus on Knowledge checks in the fields that they cover.

To Galadan: And Wren is delighted for the company...that you'd rather stay inside with her than go to the market really shows how much you enjoy her company. Duly noted! ;)

@Thod: I assumed that were still doing 'research in the morning, and other stuff in the afternoon'. Is that correct? Aldous would not mind looking around the market after lunch :-)

I thought you couldn't use knowledge skills untrained..and even if you can you can't exceed a 10 in them

Just ninjaed by Aldous. I admit the way I handle it might be a little bit flexible. So don't quote me as example for games with other GMs and I would be more strict in a PFS game.

Ninjaed not once but multiple times ...

@Aldous: In regard to timing. Your suggestion makes approx. sense. Feel free to explore, chat, look for rumours, etc. I will answer tomorrow morning to stuff happening and you might just all conveniently meet up on the Market shortly after lunch.
That's the danger of allowing you free movement in the town.

Wren with assist from Galadan

Father Charlatan (Sefick Corvin; 80 XP each): Of the five notorious prisoners, only Father Charlatan was not technically a murderer, yet his crimes were so blasphemous that several churches demanded he be punished to the full extent of Ustalavic law. Although he claimed to be an ordained priest of any number of faiths, Father Corvin was in fact a traveling con artist who used faith as a mask and a means to bilk the faithful out of money in payment for false miracles or cures. He became known as Father Charlatan after his scheme was exposed and his Sczarni accomplices murdered a half-dozen city guards in an attempt to make good the group's escape.

Galadan records the information diligently. His hypothesis was incorrect. The birds in the dreams did not represent a religious congregation.

As they leave the temple, Galadan turns to Wren. "Be wary of any sounds today, especially musical piping. I'm not entirely certain what to expect, but there may be a crowd today. If this crowd begins to act in any strange ways, especially with musical piping, get to a safe place. Also, I know you think that all birds are your friends, but be wary of strange ones."

First Dream: Blood spattered, spelling out a name. (Splatter Man)
Second Dream: Undead assaulting the Professor's tomb. Was there more than that?
Third Dream: Musical piping, accompanied by erratic movement of birds. (Piper of Illmarsh)

With Galadan's help, Wren is pleased with today's research into the Five Prisoners. She begins to believe in her conjecture that the children's nursery rhyme is the tale of the 5. Father Charlatan does not sound like the worst of the lot, though his crimes are quite awful.

Wren banishes those thoughts as it is her time to shine at the marketplace!

Appraisal 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 on the jewelry Wren crafted this morn. Not her best work, no doubt, but wants something to sell or trade.

* * *

Wren will, as usual, first circle all of the markets looking to see who is selling what in town and deciding where to start. She is always on the lookout for strange or unusual feathers but today she has some additional items of interest.

"Earplugs" 3cp
Related gossip: "Oh yes, I need these for my ears. Just been you and I, I've been doing some research on the recent weirdness going on about town with a surly elf named Galadan. Well, I was researching with him and he tends to grind his teeth something fierce. I try to talk to him to distract from the habit, but that just seems to make it worse. I hope these earplugs will help. I can hardly concentrate with all the noise."

"Flask of Oil" need 2 at 1sp each
Related gossip: "You should have been in the crypt with us yesterday...surely, you read about it in the Wealday Parchment. Well, let me tell you what *really* happened..." (Wren will tell a loooooong and boringly detailed account of exactly what happened.)

"Pathfinder Chronicle" 50 gp (she just wants to thumb through it anyway)
Related gossip: "I just do love m'stories! I wonder what happens in this issue! In the last issue, an Osirioni Pathfinder named Hyjg Drohg was trapped..." (Wren just loves her stories.)

"Vermin Repellent" need 2 doses @ 5gp each: (Adventurer's Armory)
Related gossip: "You should have seen the size of those centipedes! They were feet long, may a bird peck out my eyes if I'm lying, and nasty mean. I don't have to tell you twice to run away when you see them. I am lucky to be alive..."

Diplomacy 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7

Thod: Did you want one Diplo check or many? Please don't answer 'many'. ;) Also, let me know if the items I seek are for sale and if I can sell my jewelry...even at cost. It would make Wren happy.

Andrea returns to the house after her morning of assisting the others and retires to her room where she carefully unpicks some of the stiching of the hem of her heavy travelling skirt.She draws 5 silver pieces.from the folds of cloth..hestitates and then takes a gold piece from the dress as well before resewing it.

At the Market she spends most of her time just looking..but she does go and buy a new dress..a plain and functional one for wearing around the house.

Buy Artisans outfit..1 GP..I see it as being akin to a traditional Puritan style Dress..grey, very concealing, modest.

Wren
I haven't forgotten you. I will deal with your requests in parallel and they happened before. I just want to post the next bit as it affects everyone.

It has been the first pretty nice day in Ravengro so far. A normal day. You mingle with people on the market. Some towns people who recognise you great you by name. Most people seem friendly and it is nice just to watch typical town live.

The band starts playing finally. People gather after some successful shopping. You are in the crowd when you see three shadows flying to the tune. At first you think this are birds - but looking closer they seem more like mosquito shaped.
Only that they are bloated. Their movement seems in tact and they seem to have a target - the crowd. One in your crowd let's out a warning shout to disperse the masses. Then everything happens very fast.
The bird like creatures go into charge. You just manage to get yourself into the path to protect the crowd.

Initiative: 
Andrea 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Aldous  1d20 ⇒ 17
Cassandra  1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Galadan  1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Kevin 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Wren 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Birdlike creatures 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Targets:
Andrea (1), Aldous (2), Cassandra (3), Galadan (4), Kevin (5), Wren (6)
1d6 ⇒ 5, 1d6 ⇒ 6, 1d6 ⇒ 4

If you are a target, then you can attack all the creatures attacking you. If not, then you can reach any of your friends with a single movement. Please tell whom you help to allow me to keep track.

The three bird like creatures go in attack

Attach 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26  touch attack - Wren
Attach 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 touch attack - Galadan
Attach 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 touch attack - Kevin

All three of them find there targets. Barbed legs latch onto your skin, armour and clothes. A large Feeding tube connects with you and they start sucking your blood.

1 point CON Damage due to blood loss.

For game purpose - this are grapples. As these are bird sized creatures - so even if you are grappled you can still move. If you don't have a weapon - there should be enough improvised ones on stalls. 35% that you can just pick up a dagger.
I don't think missile will work. But an arrow or, bolt can be used as stabbing weapon.