After the month has passed, you all bid Kendra a safe journey as she boards Adivion's carriage for Caliphas. Adivion stayed in Ravengo for a few days after you met him, and he proved to be an extremely learned individual. He left for his home a week ago to prepare for Kendra's arrival. Before leaving, he reminded you to call upon him if you were ever in the capital, as well as to keep him apprised of anything else you may discover about the Way's activities.
The large carriage rolls away to the south and you glance around Ravengro one last time. Lucius' family is there to see him off, and his mother has given each of you a small sack of cookies and biscuits for the road. They smell delicious, so perhaps the trip to Lepidstadt won't be so bad.
Unfortunately, it's worse. The weather is terrible, the bugs are bad, and the other travelers are all suspicious and paranoid of everyone they meet. Wisely, you decide to avoid the city of Tamrivena, thiugh it costs you a few days. The city renown for its paranoia is protected by roving cavalry patrols who insist all travelers remain at least three miles away unless they have documented business in their city. All in all, it seems to be a place better left behind.
After two miserable weeks on the road, the spires of Lepidstadt come into view. You all know that most of the taller buildings are part of the University, but Lucius quickly points out that the tallest spire is part of the Cathedral of Pharasma, known locally as Gravecharge. It is one of the largest churches in Ustalav, and is famous for the pristine white marble used in its construction.
As you get closer, you can see the increased traffic on the Lesser Moutray River to the east as the barges and ships pull into and out of the Lepidstadt docks. To the north, about twenty large rocks stand upright in a huge circle - the famed Spiral Cromlech, a set of standing stones reported to be over a thousand years old.
The road you are on heads north then turns to enter the city from the west, passing close by the Spiral Cromlech. You can enter the city through this gate, or continue on the road and enter through the gate on the north side of the city. The west gate is closer to the University (and likely Dr. Crowl), while the northern gate is closer to Judge Daramid's house.
Which gate would you like to use?
Alexei rolls his eyes at the Ulfen man. "As starstruck as the lad is with the Professor's daughter, I doubt he has any idea."
"Uh, the only place I really know about is Gravecharge. And I don't think there are any whores there. And if there were, you probably wouldn't want them. They'd probably be really thin and pale, like most Pharasmin priestesses I've met. And I wouldn't say I'm starstruck."
Alexei chuckles lightly. "I have seen few as head over heels as you, Lucius. Even my sister and that damned brat down the street weren't as obvious." The oracle's face turns to one of deep thought for a moment, but he shakes his head and smiles once again. "But that's neither here nor there. It is good that we are finally reaching our destination. If not the sun, I'd at least like a roof over my head."
"I.." Lucius starts to form some kind of defense, but sighs as he gives up."You're right. I guess it is a little obvious."
Alexei gives Bjorn a condescending look, "Not everyone's as prone to sexual activity as you or Harold, friend." He turns back to Lucius, saying, "But you need to put some effort in, lad. Even if she does notice, you've got to take the initiative. You're like a brother to her, and I figure you always will be if you don't try and change that." He pats the Pharasmaran on the back, smiling.
"An invitation would be nice..." Lucius jokes."I mean I want to, of course. But I know her too well. She isn't ready for a relationship. I just have to give her some time."
Alexei rolls his eyes. "I could say the same of you, Bjorn. But this isn't going to get us anywhere. We have all the books to return, yes?" the oracle asks, looking to Korvus.
"I'm sorry that you think it's weird that I'm not gonna club Kendra over the head and drag her to my cave."
As you enter Lepidstadt, the excitement of people around you begins to intrude on your space. For some reason, nearly everyone in town seems to be full of energy about something. You repeatedly hear references to a trial, a beast, and punishment.
Getting close to the University, you all realize that there are a number town guards meandering about. There are also a number of horsemen moving around, most seem to be heading either north or south along one of the main roads.
Arriving at the University is like stepping into an ant hill. People are running around, all apparently on one errand or another. Guards, soldiers, wizards, and other more mundane tradesmen are all to be seen, most often with extremely serious looks on their faces.
Asking after Dr. Crowl, you are directed to a large building in the south, with more than a curious glance. Arriving at your destination, you begin to understand why there is so much chaos around you - the building you head toward holds a huge glass window that has been shattered. Dozens of people are staring at the window and the ground outside the building, many of whom appear to be making measurements and marking places on the grass below the window.
Finding a page, you inquire about Dr. Crowl again, and are told to wait outside. After a few minutes, an older (human) man wearing the robes of a professor follows the page out of the building. He pauses and looks at the group in puzzlement, finally continuing his walk to meet you, he gives you a brief bow before speaking in a halting voice, "Good day, I was told you needed to see me on a matter of some urgency? Forgive me, but it has been a most hectic few days, and I can only spare a moment."
But something else catches your eye - a young boy, sitting on the side of the road, apparently begging for coppers. The boy glances at you as you pass, and a flash of recognition hits you both - he quickly turns one of his hands palm down, and extends his first, fourth, and fifth fingers, making a circle with his thumb and third finger - the sign of greeting and welcome from the local Thieves Guild... and also an inquiry; are you also a member of a guild, are you in town on business, etc, etc, etc.
You only have a moment, how would you like to respond?
"... We have all the books to return, yes?" the oracle asks, looking to Korvus.
Korvus glances up at Alexei's question, having been distracted sketching details of the Spiral Cromlech into his new journal. "Hmmm? Oh. Yes, Master Dawnreach, we do have all of the books to return to Professor Crowl," the half-orc wizard replies, patting his backpack.
After a few minutes, an older (human) man wearing the robes of a professor follows the page out of the building. He pauses and looks at the group in puzzlement, finally continuing his walk to meet you, he gives you a brief bow before speaking in a halting voice, "Good day, I was told you needed to see me on a matter of some urgency? Forgive me, but it has been a most hectic few days, and I can only spare a moment."
"I'm Bjorn and this Lucius, Alexei, Harold, and Korvus. We're friends of Professor Lorimmer of Ravengro. Do you have an office or someplace we can talk in private?"
Korvus doffs his bowler hat and bows respectfully to Professor Crowl. "Please forgive our intrusion, Professor Crowl. As Master Stonehand stated, we are friends of Professor Lorrimor. The good Professor asked us to return to you certain books that he had borrowed," Korvus states in an effort to discreetly explain Bjorn's request to discuss matters in private.
On the long trek across country to Lepidstadt, Harold pulls his hat low over his eyes and seems to hibernate for the majority of the trip. Two weeks of his rumbling snores later, Harold yawns as he catches first sight of the city with the others. When they arrive at the University with all the hub-bub of investigators going over a possible crime scene, Harold is suprised to be flashed some of the old signs of his youth.
While the half-orc nods in greeting to Professor Crowl, nodding with the others, "A pleasure ter meet yaaahr esteemed personage. The late Professor sends 'is regards," Harold's huge fingers open and curl in a random manner to unknowledgable observers while his other hand compliments its opposite member by touching the buttons of his jacket in different sequences then running a single finger across the brim of his bowler hat.
Professor Crowl looks startled at hearing the name 'Lorrimor', but he bobs his head, "Of course, follow me."
He leads the group into the large stone building and down a wide corridor. To the right of the corridor you see a sunken room where the yawning gap of the broken window looms. Several pedestals and cases are located within the room, but many have been overturned or broken.
Crowl turns back to you as he continues to walk, "Please excuse our mess. Our museum was robbed two nights ago, and we're still working out what happened. Luckily, we caught the... beast... that perpetrated the theft! Strange times we live in..."
He continues down the hall, turning right at a junction, and leads you into a small conference room, closing the door behind you. He reaches over to a lever beside the door and pushes it into the 'up' position. You hear static and a low hum, then silence. "Knowing Petros like I do, I've activated the wards on this room so we may speak in private. What do you have for me? Don't tell me the old man has roped you into his research too?!" he says jesting.
Either he has no idea Petros is dead, or he has a poor sense of humor.
After a moment, another boy walks over to the seated beggar and starts yelling at him, accusing him of stealing his place. They scuffle for a moment before running off, quickly lost amidst the crowded streets of Lepidstadt.
Alexei frowns, glancing at his companions. He turns back to Professor Crowl, speaking, "I suppose the news has not yet reached this place, then. The Professor was murdered just over a month ago. We believe we know who is responsible, and part of the reason we are here is because of that."
"Yea, apparently his will said that he wanted these books to be returned. So what robbed your museum? You said some beast did it? That's not a usual thing right?"
Professor Crowl stares at Alexei with an open mouth, "Petros... murdered?! A month ago? No, I had not yet heard."
He sits down at the table, staring in front of him, but not focusing on anything. He looks up at Alexei with a vacant look in his eyes, "Who is responsible, young man? Who killed my friend?"
Korvus silently nods in agreement as his companions inform Professor Crowl of the circumstances surrounding Professor Lorrimor's passing. Reaching into his pack, he retrieves the tomes belonging to Professor Crowl.
"In his will Professor Lorrimor instructed us to return these three tomes to you: Serving Your Hunger, On Verified Madness, and The Umbral Leaves," Korvus names the volumes as he hands them to Professor Crowl. "In addition, Master Alendru Ghoroven of Ravengro recovered this additional book and asked us to deliver it to you - he believes it was stolen, and that you were the original owner," Korvus explains, handing over the flesh golem manual.
Harold removes his hat and holds it against his chest as he nods in agreement with the others, "The poor Professor never knew what was coming. Those slimey wankers in da Whisperin' Way toppled a large stone on 'is 'ead. But worry yew none now, Professor Crowl, we're on da 'un' fer da bastards what did da Professor in an' we'll make 'em scream fer sweet release befawer we snuff aaaht their lights. The Professor's dearf won't be written off as just anuvver casual'y in dis battle." The half-orc reseats his hat once more on his crown as he walks over to whisper something in Bjorn's ear.
Harold chuckles softly as he pats Bjorn on the arm and continues their whispered conversation.
Crowl gasps, "The Whispering Way? They were involved? Those cultists have never been anything but a nuisance before - too involved in their own power struggles to really pose a threat. Poor Petros. At least you know who killed him - my thoughts and prayers shall accompany your hunt for his murderers."
The Professor accepts the books gratefully. "Thank you, these are rare works that are important for our understanding of the people who wrote them. And my flesh golem manual! I haven't seen that in months! I wonder how it got all the way to Ravengro? At any rate, I'll have to contact Master Ghoroven and thank him personally! This is a valuable tome, and you all do yourselves credit by delivering it. I'm sure I can think of some way to repay such a service!"
He turns to Lucius, "I'm sorry, but you had asked about the robbery. It was not just some beast, but The Beast! The Beast of Lepidstadt - it's been terrorizing our city for years, but it's finally been caught. It appears to be some kind of undead creature or abomination, and we're really lucky we didn't lose any men when it was captured."
"From what we can tell, it broke through the window of the museum and started destroying the place. It's very strange though, the only thing we haven't found is a strange green idol. Between us, it's not really that valuable, it's just an ugly little statue that we put in the museum because of its rarity. But we're at a loss for where it is - we just can't find it! The Beast was caught, and we know he did something with it, but we don't have any idea where it is - and since the monster won't talk, we can't ask him what he did with it."
"So you don't know what The Beast is and you don't have proof that it stole anything. But you're missing a strange green possibly magical idol. Maybe we can help? I'll talk to this beast for you."
The Professor looks down his nose at Lucius. He responds in a firm tone, "No, young man, I know precisely what the creature is, and I know that the idol was taken by The Beast, and I know it was given to somebody else - somebody who was cloaked from our scrying devices set up to watch over the University. I was simply discussing the matter with you as I would with any other unlearned individual who was not affiliated with this institution or the Lepidstadt City Guard."
He stands up and stares at the books on the table for a moment before turning back to Lucius. "I'm curious... how did you know the statue might possibly be magical? I didn't say that, and it's interesting that you said it... because it happens to be true."
He squints his eyes as he turns the flesh golem manual around so he can see the title. "Interesting..."
Looking up, he smiles at Lucius. "You know what, you're absolutely right - you should speak to The Beast. I'll go fetch the Captain in charge of the investigation. I'm sure he would enjoy meeting you. Please wait here."
He turns, and pushes the lever down, and opens the conference room door.
Alexei watches the Professor head for the door, thinking about this "Beast." What could it be? It did quite the job in leaving a swath of destruction... the Chelaxian thinks, stroking his beard.
"There's always the chance they have their filthy claws in this mess as well, Bjorn," Alexei says, trying to calm the northman. "It wouldn't surprise me, even."
Harold breaks up his whispered conversation with Bjorn as the Professor starts to leave the room talking about some Beast and a Guard Captain. The half-orc turns to Lucius, "What da bloody 'ell did yew say ter 'im? I get da distinct impression we're all abaaaht ter be seein' mawer ov da inside ov a Lepidstadt jail cell then we might wan' ter see. He sounded like 'e now fnks we're somehow part ov whatever 'appened round 'ere, which is just peachy." The big man grumbles the last bit with a healthy dollop of acidic sarcasm at the young acolyte.
Alexei strokes his beard, and answers ,"I don't know about that, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility." He shrugs lightly. "If they could control the townspeople of Ravengro, what's to say they can't control this Beast, as well?" The oracle looks deep in thought as he considers the situation.
"Yea, I don't think there's a coincidence that we're hearing about it. Besides, I wanna see what it is. It's obviously something weird since he hasn't told us what it is."
Professor Crowl leaves the room. Several minutes pass before he returns, accompanied by a human male wearing a long black coat and a tricorn hat. The Professor enters and gestures to the other man, "This is Captain Lucar Ollwind. He is in charge of the investigation."
The Captain smiles at you, but there is no warmth in the expression. Placing his hands behind his back, he tilts his head slightly to the side and begins speaking in a cultured voice, "Welcome to our city, Professor Crowl has told me of your journey here, as well as the belongings you have returned to him. I hope you will forgive my curiosity, but as we have a few unanswered questions about the events of two nights ago, I find some of the details of your story... coincidental."
He begins walking around the room, continuing to speak, but not looking at any of you, "You arrive bearing news of another man's murder, claiming it was the work of a cult, but providing precious little evidence to support the assertion. And even further, the cult in question does not have a history of leaving such matters untended. That is to say, they usually clean up after themselves."
"And the books you returned are also interesting... For example, this one, On Verified Madness, deals with occult lore, specifically as it relates to the more aberrant creatures that inhabit our world. Strange then, that the missing idol was discovered in the same location as this particular book."
He stops walking behind Lucius, "And this man displays a surprising amount of knowledge about the missing idol, despite not being a member of the University, or one of its Field Researchers."
Turning around, he continues pacing, "And the other tome, the [i]flesh golem manual[i] that Professor Crowl lost a few months ago, suddenly turns up in town only a few days after a creature that for all intents and purposes is itself a flesh golem breaks into the museum."
He stops walking again, this time by the door to the conference room. "I find all of these factors very intriguing. After all, these may all be simple coincidences, but as I am sure you understand, I must investigate every possible lead to solve this crime."
The Captain turns around and looks back at you, "I would dearly love to discuss these matters with you in detail. I will arrange lodging for you, and we can have a little chat over dinner. How does that sound?"
Losing the grin that he has maintained throughout his speech, he continues, "I'm afraid I must insist."
-----
What would you like to do?
"Well, I just took a guess really. I mean since it's not worth a lot of money, why else would someone take it? It'd have to be magical, right?" Lucius nervously explains. "So it was a flesh golem that broke into the museum? That's so cool! Wait, what's a flesh golem?"
"Sure we can talk about this later, Cap." "Not that we have a choice.."
Alexei sighs. "Lucius, did you have to shove your whole foot in your mouth? Couldn't you be satisfied with just the sole of your boot?" The Chelaxian just shakes his head, turning to Captain Ollwind. "I suppose we don't have much of a say in this invitation, do we?" he asks, looking tired.
"It's not my fault I have flashes of brilliance that apparently make me look suspicious."
Were Alexei currently holding on to his shield, he'd have it in his face at this moment. Instead, he just buries his face in his hands. "Maybe we should have sent you to Caliphas with Kendra..." he grumbles.