Dungeon Master S's "The Extinction Curse"

Game Master Chris Marsh

Chark asks about the body in repose when the time seems appropriate, and will say a brief prayer to Sarenrae if Vandy will permit it.

During the second course, she broaches the subject of Kerrick. Tell me, good sir, about your town. As newcomers here, we would like to know more about the good people, as you call them, of Kerrick.

Vandy doesn't give a name, but mentions that the current viewing is for an old cooper in town. He was largely quiet, though some loyal customers and fellow business owners have been calling.

He waxes about the Good People of Kerrick a fair bit. There's nothing that stands out to Chark for most of it, but he does mention a certain melancholy that's been riding the winds of late. when pressed he says, “Things haven’t been as good around the Swardlands these last few seasons. Weather’s not as gentle; harvests aren’t as good. Something’s up for sure, but all the priests do is frown and look concerned when you ask them.”

Tiny cracks his knuckles and frowns as well "Wonder what's so bad a problem they don't even want to talk 'bout it."

"Honestly, you'd have to ask them. Maybe it's worthwhile? Still, it's not all doom and gloom. The Stump Festival’s starting up in Turpin Rowe soon. That’s the best party on this side of the island. I wouldn’t miss it for all the sun orchids in Thuvia."

Tiny nods "Appreciate that. Got a favorite snack at the festival? Despite all my years in the biz I never miss a chance to eat something novel on a stick."

"Oh! Yes. cockatrice on a stick! It's not actually cockatrice though. It's simply chicken. BUT they have some kind of secret recipe that makes it crunchy. I don't mean the breading. I mean the actual meat is crunchy! You see there's a ...

As Vandy predicted, during the course of the meal, the bell on the front door rings as townspeople occasionally arrive to view the deceased. On each of these occasions, Vandy quickly excuses himself and sees to the new arrivals. He ushers them into the viewing parlor, where he leaves them for a few moments to privately pay their respects to the departed before showing them out and returning to you.

The mood at the table palpably dampens as Vandy takes a moment to swallow a bite of food while apparently lost in thought, his face marked by previously hidden lines of worry and exhaustion.

“You have all been such fine company,” he begins, “and I am so thrilled that you have brought your circus of wonders to the good people of the Kerrick Grange. But I suppose I must level with you."

“As I mentioned, times have been hard of late for the Swardfolk. The grange has come together to try and ease everyone’s suffering as much as possible, but the weather has been poor and the crops aren’t growing like they used to; there’s lean times ahead, I fear. But that’s not all. There’re things happening at a much more personal level for me, yet that also seem to be afflicting my friends and neighbors. So you should probably know the truth of it."

“I think that I’m being haunted… and I think that whatever is haunting me is murdering folk of the grange to torment me. It has brought me to the brink of despair, and I admit that I find the thought of your wonderful circus a welcome distraction. Truth be told, though, I doubt it will help in the long run. Even with your circus here, I fear the hauntings—and the deaths—will continue. But I find in your company that you are much, much more than simple circus performers or business managers. You have in you the stuff of heroes, I believe, so I can’t help but allow myself to feel a little bit of hope. Hope that you might be willing to help.”

Dendillion nods, putting on a smile meant to cheer Vandy up. "You are far too kind in your assessment of us. We are simple, well-meaning performers. But I think I speak for my fellows when I say that if there's something we can do to help, we will."

"Tell us more of this haunting."

He seems relieved at Dendillion's answer, and terrified at the thought of recounting the tale...

For the last 14 months, I have been experiencing what I believe to be vivid nightmares... which are actual hauntings. Since the deaths of townspeople have occurred in conjunction with these terrifying visions, I believe they are more than simple dreams. The nightmares always start the same: I awake late at night to find a hollow-eyed young girl standing in the doorway of my bedroom. She wears a funeral shroud, though I don't recognize her as any person I've ever tended. She always stands for a moment and then leaves the bedroom, disappearing from sight."

"On the first few occasions, I was too frightened to follow her. After multiple occurrences, however, I worked up the courage to follow. Each of these times, the girl has always descended the stairs to the viewing parlor, where she stands beside the empty catafalque, silently pointing at it. I always awaken standing before the catafalque in the viewing parlor, drenched in cold sweat. The young girl is gone, and I am never sure if what I saw was real or if I simply somnamulated there. In any case, the next day there is always a death somewhere in Kerrick or the surrounding area; by nightfall I have a new corpse for his catafalque." His voice trails off.

By all means include a blind sense motive check if you're looking for a hunch.

Chark listens intently, trying to parse out any clues Vandy might share.

Chark gets the feeling that Vandy's holding back, not out of a desire to deceive, but because you've only proven your performance capabilities, not your investigative ones.

Vandy has not been able to discern much of a pattern among the deaths that have occurred following his nightly visitations. "The deceased are of all ages and walks of life, some have been ill, some old, some young and healthy—but all have died unexpectedly in their sleep. There has never been any evidence of foul play, and I have never told anyone of my... visitations, but some folk are beginning to talk. I am at a loss as to what to do. I've considered going to the local priest, but with the grange already experiencing the stresses of the bad harvests I fear a loss of confidence in its leadership could cause an economic collapse among its members at a time when we’re already vulnerable. If you heroes would be willing to spend any spare time you have as you manage the circus and other affairs to look into the matter, I would be extremely grateful."

"You are welcome to search Vandy House for evidence. I'll make it worth your while. I don't expect this purely on an ask. I will give you 300 gold if you can get to the bottom of this."

What now?

Chark nods. We can make no promises except to try, she says, but on that, you have our word. Can you tell us a bit more about this young girl? You mentioned that she wears a funeral shroud, but also that you didn't recognize her as someone you tended. What about her face, what you might guess her age to be, any telltale visible markings that might differentiate her from others, as examples?

As the meal concludes, Chark wipes a bit of dragonfruit sauce away with her napkin and gets to her feet. Delicious. Now, with your leave, Goodman Vandy, we shall take a look about the manor.

"That's the thing...I can't give you more details. I can't really see her face when I try to picture it, though I feel like it's crystal clear in the dream."

"Indeed. Have a look around."

Thank you, Goodman Vandy, Chark says. If you have no mourners at present, let us begin with the viewing parlor.

It's a little weird to you, but the viewing parlor is the room next to where you just ate.

An elaborate wooden bier takes up the center of this chamber, with a wide, bricked fireplace occupying the wall directly behind it. A number of uncomfortable-looking chairs are arrayed around the room, interspersed with small end tables. A gray carpet covers the floor, and stained-glass windows of deep reds and blues create somber patches of light upon it. A sliding double door stands in the north wall.

Will take a Perception check

perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

Tiny looks around at the various chairs, wondering why they are designed to be so uncomfortable.

Tiny notices something strange. There are matching end tables, but one is turned such that the drawer is facing the wall...

"Good eye, Tiny. Here, give me a hand turning that table so I can see what's in the drawer..."

Dendillion reads quickly throguh the various documents he finds, stopping on the letter. "Yungor Swinten, a drunkard, died 7 years ago. The Kerrick Grange sent Vandy a thank you note for taking care of the burial expenses. Seems noteworthy."

"What's behind those double doors?"
Is Vandy with us, or do we have free roam?

If ever there was a scene for an Investigator and "That's Odd..."

Dendillion, note and pun in hand, gets the nod from Vandy, who assures them that you have a complete run of the house.

Which double doors? I've got the map set up so that anything you haven't seen is greyed out.

I think the double doors are between the dining room and the viewing room, so we've already been through those.

Chark takes note of Den and Tiny's find, then says, Let's go systematically, clockwise from the top. Then we'll move up the steps to the second floor.

She steps back into the foyer which I imagine we've already seen when we came in, though obviously didn't search and gives a quick look around before heading through the hallway to the north past the steps toward the opening at the end.

Perception (foyer): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

The head of a small elephant taken on a safari in Garund hangs next to the north door; Vandy says that he purchased this in Absalom many years ago. A hat rack and an umbrella stand flank the main entrance. Chark finds little of note, and feels confident about it.

Vandy begins to whistle...

Moved Chark on the map where I was intending to go next.

Tiny nods "Clockwise sounds good."

Charlie follows behind keeping his eyes open. "Following your lead Chark." He offers a warm smile.

Busiest dojo week of the year did me in.

The northwest corner requires a fair bit of poking to take in. This cool, dark room is lined with bins holding grains, vegetables, wheels of cheese, and assorted foodstuffs. An alcove next to the door holds dozens of bottles of quality wine from throughout Absalom and the Inner Sea region.

The northeast corner room is much cooler. Steps descend into a dark, brick-walled chamber lined with large ice blocks packed in straw. Meat and other perishable foodstuffs hang from hooks in the ceiling or occupy bins situated among the ice.

The party then heads back into the kitchen to look it over. This is a well-equipped kitchen with an iron grill over the low fireplace next to a brick oven. A large chopping block occupies the center of the room beneath a rack of hanging cutlery. Counters and storage cabinets stand along the north wall. Against the west wall is a stone sink fed by an attic cistern.

Perception/Investigation checks are assumed in spoiler. If you want to do something more than that, simply post as such.

Chark continues around the first floor, passing by the side door to check the rest of the rooms before heading up the steps.

Chark is confident that there's nothing insidious about this privy. This chamber holds a porcelain commode beneath the east window that drains into the septic tank in the cellar. The northern portion of the room holds a cabinet with pitcher and wash basin, hand towels, and bundles of aromatic dried herbs.

Chark continues to lead the party. In the southeast is the front room. A comfortable leather sofa and low, polished teak table stand before a wide fireplace and mantle. Comfortable chairs are spaced around the room, and a rug of dark chartreuse lies before the hearth.

On this floor, there's only the foyer. This elegant foyer has wide entrances leading to the viewing parlor and the front room. The head of a small elephant taken on a safari in Garund hangs next to the north door; Vandy purchased this in Absalom many years ago. A hat rack and an umbrella stand flank the main entrance.

If there's anything to find, it's not on this floor.

With permission, Chark will lead the group upstairs. Same search pattern, clockwise from the lower left corner around.

Tiny follows, continuing to poke at any sort of drawer or container at a level that's certainty beyond polite.

The party enters the upstairs hall, and then turns to the southwest corner. This chamber is outfitted with a comfortable bed and assorted furnishings, as well as a small fireplace. A large closet to the south that contains a ceiling hatch providing access to a large attic filled with assorted bric-a-brac and a large copper cistern fed by drainage gutters in the roof. There seems to be nothing of note here, including the closet.

The party also pokes their head in the southern room.

A single chair and side table sit before a bay window
here. A candle rests on the window sill. Vandy explains that for families that practice the tradition of holding a vigil for a deceased loved one, "I allow the viewing parlor to remain open 24 hours, though the family is required to station somebody here at all times after nightfall to let those into the building who wish to see the decedent during the late hours."

The party checks the next room, also a guest room.

Finding nothing, the next room is a bit different, and feels like it should be promising. It features a heavy antique desk and wall shelves packed with books, ledgers, and folios to run the funeral business as well as to tend to many of the duties with the Kerrick Grange. In addition to years of mundane records, the desk holds a small tin box. the box is currently empty.

Tiny fiddles around with the empty tin box, making sure it doesn't have a secret compartment, or trick hinges or the like.

Tiny finds nothing of note, but something is... odd.

Tiny hands the box to Dendillion "Something off with this to you?"

Nothing jumps out to Dendillion. Maybe Vandy can help.

The party then moves to the next room only to find the northwesternmost room locked. For now, Chark simply moves on. A claw-footed tub stands next to the west wall near a stone sink beneath a window. A metal coal-burning stove stands at the foot of the tub and heats water delivered by a pipe from the attic cistern. A door opens into a linen closet.

Nothing of note here.

I'm hoping to get some traction back here. I'm switching this scene to narration:

At the dinner party: The mood at the table palpably dampens as Vandy takes a moment to swallow a bite of food while apparently lost in thought, his face marked by previously hidden lines of worry and exhaustion.

“I think that I’m being haunted… and I think that whatever is haunting me is murdering folk of the grange to torment me. It has brought me to the brink of despair, and I admit that I find the thought of your wonderful circus a welcome distraction. Truth be told, though, I doubt it will help in the long run. Even with your circus here, I fear the hauntings—and the deaths—will continue. But I find in your company that you are much, much more than simple circus performers or business managers. You have in you the stuff of heroes, I believe, so I can’t help but allow myself to feel a little bit of hope. Hope that you might be willing to help.”

**********************

The party completes their search of the entire property. Some things stand out, though they may be nothing...