Lem! Kendra cries in alarm, as he is the last to make his way in. Are you well? You look like...well, you look like you've seen a ghost.
Happy as Rajuna is to see Kendra after what seemed like a rather long day, he slumps wearily into a chair with a sigh and wraps his burnoose about him to stave off the chill in his heart. A small smile breaks across his scarred face at her unintended jest. "First an Enchantress, now an Oracle."
Theron warily cracks the cover of the mouldy book open. The silky vellum pages of the interior seem to almost cascade over one another as Theron turns page after page. Written on them, in a close, precise script, are magical words--spells. This must have been Professor Feramin's spellbook, but whether before or after he succumbed to his murderous impulses and became the Splatter Man, you can't be sure.
As Theron leafs through the pages, many of them crumble; the mould damage has not been kind to the book.
As you page through the book, you find yourself increasingly preoccupied with the thought that there must be some secret in the book--something that nobody else knows. Your page-turning increases in pace, heedless of the destruction you are wreaking on the already-damaged pages.
Eventually, you come to the final page of the book, and there, written in blood with the jagged handwriting of a madman, is just one word.
THERON.
Happy as Rajuna is to see Kendra after what seemed like a rather long day, he slumps wearily into a chair with a sigh and wraps his burnoose about him to stave off the chill in his heart. A small smile breaks across his scarred face at her unintended jest. "First an Enchantress, now an Oracle."
Kendra reddens visibly at Raj's quip, but she regains her poise quickly. And what of it? I assume, since none of you are rushing off to see Father Grimburrow, that Lem is fine, but behold, I have greater powers of foresight! She takes on an assumed air of whimsy as she puts a hand on Raj's head. I see dark things in your future, young man! she intones. You will find happiness, only to have it taken away from you by an unexpected betrayal!
She smiles as she turns to the others. Anyone else care to have their fortune read?
Lem! Kendra cries in alarm, as he is the last to make his way in. Are you well? You look like...well, you look like you've seen a ghost.
More than one, actually, and more than just 'seen'. The one who calls himself 'Father Charlatan' got inside here, for a time, the priest points to his own skull before continuing.
He clouded my thoughts with visions, deceiving me as he did his victims in life. Because of this, I would not have believed the events I saw unfold before my eyes had the others not seen it as well. Pharasma herself grabbed his soul and carried him to the Boneyard for judgment. Harrowstone is a bit safer, now, and our journey is a little shorter.
Raj sighs and rubs his face, looking suddenly haggard. "Kendra, I wasn't mockin' you. You just hit the nail on the head is all. As for my future..." He finds no way to finish the thought. He rises heavily from the chair. "I'm tired. I need about an hour of sleep. 'Fore I do that... I've been thinking about this morning. I think Miss Lorrimor should go with us next time. She's a wizard and we coulda used her help against those haints. If we get stuck with prayer as our only weapon again... We're f^<#ed. So we need to figure out some new tricks." The thief is on the verge of saying something else but shrugs it off. He walks out the door and finds a sunny spot in the yard. He curls up, wrapping the burnoose over his eyes and falls asleep.
Theron warily cracks the cover of the mouldy book open. The silky vellum pages of the interior seem to almost cascade over one another as Theron turns page after page. Written on them, in a close, precise script, are magical words--spells. This must have been Professor Feramin's spellbook, but whether before or after he succumbed to his murderous impulses and became the Splatter Man, you can't be sure.
As Theron leafs through the pages, many of them crumble; the mold damage has not been kind to the book.
A moment after Theron reaches the last page his hand darts towards his sword. He quickly looks about the room as if expecting something to jump out at him and his eyes briefly turn black, making it clear that he's looking for evil presences again. When he glances back at the book, a look of confusion briefly appears on his face before it is replaced with one of his irritated scowls.
"Damned spirits... " He mutters as he drops the book back on its shelf. "It is just a spellbook, but there's something strange about it. While it may be useful, I suggest that no one else read it until we put the Splatter Man to rest." He pauses for a moment as he looks at the book. "We had better just hope he can't cast the spells he could in life. It seems that he was a somewhat accomplished caster."
Theron seems very disturbed by something, but is trying to keep it from showing any more than it already has.
Raj notes the Inquisitor's reaction but says nothing... for the moment.
In separating from group and making his way back to the town by a his own path, he found his steps had subconsciously led him past the Church of Pharasma.
Confused at the 'why' of things that had entered his life of late, he knew he had enter and give thanks unto The Lady of Graves.
The 'unto' part of his thoughts scrambled his brain. He'd been as plain spoken as any farmer for his entire life, never having used that word more than three of four times. He was lost as to why he thought it now only that the word fit.
He sighed and stepped inside the cool interior and set his sword against the inside wall near the door. He was feeling religious but not stupid. His shortsword that served as his dagger stayed at the small of his back... then it came to his like a flash of light that the 'Dagger' was the symbol of his Goddess and that its presence was acceptable.
He dragged out the faded holy symbol from under his armour and let it hang openly on his chest. He unslung his pack and rummaged for the cloth wrapped book that had been Father Grimburrows gift to him. The pack was set near the large sword, and with that the warrior slid into a pew and began to pray...
Karrik watches the exchange between Rajuna, Lem, and Kendra; saying nothing as the Varisian heads out into the sunlight. He's quiet for a few minutes, then turns to Kendra. "Master Rajuna's idea has merit. This last encounter took much out of every one of us... not simply Lem, though I wouldn't presume to say my experiences rivaled his own."
He sighs, a deep sound that visually deflates him somewhat, "That was certainly an experience. Not something I hope to repeat, and something I'm hoping we can learn from strategically. One lesson is that a person of your particular arcane skillset could be of great value."
He looks up at her, concern and doubt in his black eyes, "I do not have to like it, though. The Professor wouldn't have liked you being in such circumstances were he alive, and I can't believe he's looking at me appreciatively for agreeing with Rajuna... from wherever it is his soul rests."
A meat hand wipes his tired face, "I will remain with you until someone else relives me."
Theron's eyes widen a bit as several of the others suggest that it would be good to bring Kendra with them, but remains silent.
After waiting a bit for things to settle down, Theron turns to Kendra with a question of his own. "Kendra, do you happen to have a good sized lockbox or chest that we could hide some things in? We collected a few things from the prison, but I believe that it would be good to keep them someplace safe until we need them. Something close to where I'm sleeping if possible, since I'd like to keep an eye on them."
Theron wraps the Splatter Man's book up carefully and places it in his pack. The party leaves, feeling suspicious eyes upon them...
The temple's cool interior provides some respite from the late morning sun as Dragomir makes his obeisances to the Lady of Graves. Acolytes come and go, along with a few locals--all of whom are careful to put at least a pew's length between themselves and the big man--while Dragomir sits motionless in devotion.
Been here long?
A voice breaks Dragomir's concentration.
It's Iona; she has come to sit next to him and he hadn't even noticed. She takes in the book Dragomir is holding in his hands.
You have the look of a man with a burden on his mind, she says. It might help to share it, if you are so inclined.
Iona's Bluff:
Iona herself is grappling with something that has her preoccupied.
Kendra is visibly taken aback by Raj's suggestion that she accompany the group into the prison next time. She watches open-mouthed as he heads outside into the sunshine.
But...
"I do not have to like it, though. The Professor wouldn't have liked you being in such circumstances were he alive, and I can't believe he's looking at me appreciatively for agreeing with Rajuna... from wherever it is his soul rests."
A meat hand wipes his tired face, "I will remain with you until someone else relives me."
Kendra turns to Karrik, her hands unconsciously smoothing already-smooth skirts. Do you really think that's the best idea? I mean, it was only a couple of days ago that you talked me out of going with you. She chews her lip. What has changed? What is in there that would make Raj--and you--change your minds? And what will Dragomir say?
She sits down. Clearly, while her confidence was at an all time high only two days ago, now that the prospect of being in the line of fire has become distinctly more real, she is wondering whether it's the right decision.
A clattering from upstairs announces Flori's entrance. Her eyes rove across the assembled group, and she peers out the door to spot Raj in the front yard. Having satisfied herself that everyone is at least in once piece, she nods to herself and bustles into the kitchen, although from her searching gaze, you know she has noticed that Dragomir is absent, and is concerned at what that might mean.
Tea, she says, with a finality that brooks no dissent. And ale for Dragomir, when he gets here, I suppose.
After waiting a bit for things to settle down, Theron turns to Kendra with a question of his own. "Kendra, do you happen to have a good sized lockbox or chest that we could hide some things in? We collected a few things from the prison, but I believe that it would be good to keep them someplace safe until we need them. Something close to where I'm sleeping if possible, since I'd like to keep an eye on them."
Theron's question seems to derail Kendra's thoughts. She snaps out of her worried look.
Yes...there's the box that my father put everything in before you got here, she says. I'll go and get it for you.
A minute or so later, she returns with the chest Raj opened a few days ago. It still contains the books that were in it when it was first opened.
A minute or so later, she returns with the chest Raj opened a few days ago.
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Kendra turns to Karrik, her hands unconsciously smoothing already-smooth skirts. Do you really think that's the best idea? I mean, it was only a couple of days ago that you talked me out of going with you. She chews her lip. What has changed? What is in there that would make Raj--and you--change your minds? And what will Dragomir say?
She sits down. Clearly, while her confidence was at an all time high only two days ago, now that the prospect of being in the line of fire has become distinctly more real, she is wondering whether it's the right decision.
"Dragomir will say what Draomir wants to say, and ultimately the group will have to come to concensus regarding Rajuna's idea." He sighs tiredly, "And no, I do not think it a prudent idea. Unfortunately, we are faced with a problem with few ideal solutions. I'd prefer to let the group recount the events; my recounting is bound to be flawed by my singular perspective on the experience. But I doubt anyone would argue that Harrowstone is full of threats we can't predict and have difficulty countering." He points to Lem. "We nearly lost him against a threat we have no recourse against. From my vantage point, it was literally the creature's own foulness that was his undoing. We were lucky to survive long enough for it to happen. Bringing you bolsters our suite of capabilities and expertise we can bring to bear on any given threat... hopefully improving our chances of everyone surviving another venture."
"So we're left choosing the best of a range of bad options." He puts his meaty hand once more over his eyes, "Though I'm tired and frustrated. Others may have better ideas, and I'm very open to being argued out of you coming."
There is a long pause. Then, without removing his hand from his face, he adds, "So how was your morning?"
Then, without removing his hand from his face, he adds, "So how was your morning?"
Uncertain how to handle the thought of Kendra coming, Rose instead quietly stands up. "I'm...going to go to the temple. I promised Iona these symbols, may as well have it done with." She waits a moment before leaving the house.
Been here long?
A voice breaks Dragomir's concentration.
It's Iona; she has come to sit next to him and he hadn't even noticed. She takes in the book Dragomir is holding in his hands.
You have the look of a man with a burden on his mind, she says. It might help to share it, if you are so inclined.
Sense Motive +5
Dragomir smiles slightly. Aye, I do but I think we both have something on our minds Priestess. How can I be of service to one who serves Our Lady of Graves?, he asks politely, putting her first.
Uncertain how to handle the thought of Kendra coming, Rose instead quietly stands up. "I'm...going to go to the temple. I promised Iona these symbols, may as well have it done with." She waits a moment before leaving the house.
I believe I'll join you. A cheery disposition is just what we need in times like these, so Sister Iona seems like the perfect person to see.
Lem smiles and heads off towards his room, turning back briefly: I'll just be a minute!
A few minutes later he returns with his cleric's vestments on.
Official church business and all, have to look the part, right?
Dragomir looks back to Iona expectantly.