No traps, no sounds, open door and slip through stealthily. The door shuts violently behind Valiard.
The room fills with a cacophonous roar of screams and howls, echoes of the cries of those who burned to death in this room.
This unsettling manifestation causes no harm, but an instant later, the surface of the dark pool of water begins rippling around the ruined lift as four ectoplasmic spirits rise up, dripping and horrible, to attack.
round 1
Visayn
Valiard
Lectrum
Drake
skeletons
spirits
Sly
22 Visayn
11 Lectrum
7 Drake
6 spirits
Sly
10 skeletons
8 Valiard
Three dark hallways exit from this large empty chamber, each striking out in one of the three directions of the compass, and each decorated with a soot-caked brass nameplate affixed to the ceiling just above the entrance.
A rubble-choked stairway leads up in the middle of the room, while eight skeletons dressed in scorched prisoners’ robes lie on the ground.
The stairway here leads to a deadfall which has rendered it impassable. You see scratches along the rubble and stone blocks—testimony to the prisoners’ futile attempts to dig out the deadfall from below.
More importantly the eight skeletons rattle into life!
round 1
The skeletons finish animating and stand up. They are without weapons and armor.
Round 1
He quickly rattles off, "Lectrum, get that door open. We can handle these Ectoplasmic Humans. Use slashing weapons."
He then pulls out two of the green feathered +1 undead-bane slashing arrows. He quickly targets the two furthest spirits.
Lectrum is perplexed by the orders, but he is an experienced soldier. He quickly uses the acid from his gloves on the door lock, if it's visible, or the hinges/latch if it's not.
As Green spirit rises from the pond, Visayn quickly gets into defensive position and strikes the spirit. "Slashing you say? Unfortunately I don't have spare ghost-killing broadsword, only bow and my trusty rapier."
Round 1
The ectoplasmic humans emerge fully from the water and approach Visayn charging him.
The one Visayn targets he misses. In turn it misses him but the other comes in with an oozing arm slamming into the sylph.
(plus horrifying ooze)
(plus horrifying ooze)
There does not seem to be a lock on the door, Lectrum uses his acid to weaken the hinges.
Valiard froze as the skeletons rose up, trusting in his stealth and that he had nothing shedding any light on him.
Did I miss a trap that activated? If these skeletons cannot see me, then I have some time to see if I can disable the mechanism that slammed the door.
Valiard slipped a potion of invisibility into his hand, just in case the skeletons noticed him. Better to be prepared.
Valiard sees an ectoplasmic skull pull from the door and then shift back into the door.
Round 1
The skeletons raise and seem to be looking around. They don't seem to notice Valiard but are looking for something.
Round 2
...
Round 1
He scampers out of the debris in the side of the room and skitters up onto Lectrum.
Round 2
Valiard knows any movement would likely catch the undead's attention. Drinking the potion negates that.
The door swings into the central room so there is a metal rack where a support beam could secure the door from being opened.
Round 2
He lets Visayn help but still pulls the sturdy magical arrows with blue feathers. Knowing the DR would make his normal arrows nearly useless. He aims at each of the remaining targets with one arrow.
The gloves not working quickly enough for Lectrum's needs, he draws the magical adamantine horsechopper and tries to eviscerate the door.
ignoring hardness.
Lectrum cuts the door leaving a slash the width of his horsechopper. Though something strange happens and he is gone.
You find yourself up in the courtyard of the jail upon one of the stones with runes. You see Valiard and he sees you.
Instead of continuing down the hallway you find yourself up in the courtyard of the jail upon one of the stones with runes. You see Lectrum and he sees you.
He goes to collect the arrows, looks into the water to see if anymore are coming up... he then goes over to collect the other two and disappears too.
"Wha? How did...? What is happening?"
Lectrum looks around, obviously confused.
Lectrum and Valiard join up and soon see Visayn appear on one of the circles. You get to the front of the jail and yell out for the others. Magdali and Doctor Ramada nearly run out. Both pale.
You quickly decide to come back tomorrow. The walk back releives some of the stress of the ghosts. You get back to the manor to find a motley crew of adventurers inside with Kendra.
She let's you introduce yourselves wanting to know how you knew her father.
After defending Drake from ectoplasmic beings, Visayn quickly follows the party out of prison. "Everybody made it out? Good, we will discuss this back at the mansion."
----
"More friends of the professor, huh? I think I have met at least some of you before. Anyone from county of Vieland?" the sylph asks "Are you ready to explore a haunted prison? There's a good chance we won't come back alive." his face turns serious
A tall powerfull built Tiefling, clad in full plate armor bearing an unusual mix of lastwallian and gorrumite insignia as well as inscription in celestial
Your wholesome commercial could be here!
There are some signs that this one may be more demonic then just a tiefling, you think his cloak are wings, and they seem to be full blown wings, which are very rare for tieflings.
Haunts? Not my area of expertize. My claws are verified to work on like, ghosts, phantoms etc. but if its less substantial I dont do much.
He says neutrally.
I owe the professor a blood debt, but was not there to repay it when he had need of my steel and fury. In Gorrumite teachings, avenging him upon those who have slain him is always an option for such things, and I dont buy for a second that his death was an accident.
The massive man says formally, his accent is Kellid.
I am Ragnar Skuggason, formerly of the swords of Gorum mercenary group, I later served as an auxillary to lastwalls military and assisted the professor in some of his research.
He continues
His surname Skuggason would mean son of shadow, typically a surname for tieflings with unknown parentage.
My Bec de Corbin has a cryptsone head, if one is lacking a weapon capable of hurting ghosts, I can lend it. It is rather hefty though. He says as he points to one of his 2 polearms, the other one being made of cold iron.
Precisely what else is in this prison in terms of violence if I may ask? Information is ammunition. He continues
I do have one of these always useful wands of cure light wounds in a quick draw sheath on my left hand, but like, its hard for me to use when I am in the frontline. Particularly once I go all out.
He gives a fairly toothy smile, his teeth are white, but the incisor are... not quite smilodon like, but look certainly powerful.
You do as a matter of fact look like in need of some curative magic, you are a Slyph yes?
Entering into the room comes a 6 foot 5 beauty of an elf with red hair and green eyes,
But so is also distractingly curvy.
She's dressed in a Leather Corset, Leather Pants, and has leather coverings on her arms.
she way more curvy then any elf should be, so she's not a pure-blooded elf, and would likely be a sorcerer, wizard or cleric.
But her arms and shoulders are well built, hinting she likely fights up front, or just trains to help deal with things.
Which contradicts what roles she likely fits into.
As she enters she says
"Finally nice to be out of all that armour for a while, as Blue ice is a bit chilly as a material."
She then notices the arrival of the previous group.
"Oh looks like the others are back, It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Alkaid Yaffa Leona Aiba.
I am part of the Same unit as Ragnar, and some of the others."
She then moves to take a seat and crosses her legs before continuing.
"As for how I know the professor, I was a student of his early in his teaching career.
After that I wandered around for a bit and ended up at Lastwall helping out.
While there me and the others ended up as a special unit with a few monikers for our unit.
Namely The Freaky strong ones and oh what's his name, Rai and another due to our luck Those Lucky B4st4rds"
A large half dragon also enters the room behind Alkaid. He wears a breastplate and has a spiked chain. His scales are dark, scarred and mottled giving him a somewhat gaunt look.
After she finishes he will say, "It is good to meet you. I am Imrik, a companion of Alkaid and Ragnar. I met the Professor many years ago when he aided me with issues that I was having. His loss is a terrible thing."
A heavily armormed human male stands in a corner of the room, facing the door. His armor is in the fashion typical of a Knight of Ozem - golden hued metal decorated with the sword of Iomedae on the chest. The shield strapped to his back likely has the same adornment.
As he steps forward to introduce himself, he sizes up the group that just returned to the manor, clearly not sure what to make of them. "My name is Calin Milotii, knight of Ozem. It saddens me that I was not able to funeral of the late Doctor's funeral, but my duties in Lastwall delayed my trip here. Ragnar, Alkaid, and I fought together in several terrible situations, narrowly surviving at least a couple. It seems the prison will add to the count."
Alkaid sitting in her chair then adds
"Just don't remind me of that fight we had with that undead army all in their uniforms."
The professor always did have a way of connecting with interesting characters. A gnome stands off to the side, eyes wondering over the new and old faces, she blushes when she meets eyes with Alkaid. Her green hair is a wild mess, decorated with ornaments made of ivory and feathers. Next to her stands a giant weasel, at least twice her size. He has white fur broken up by a few brown splotches, it seems much more well maintained then the gnome's own hair.
Greetings, I am Maevus Amiodolum and this cute little fella is Sir Bubbles. She vigorously scratches under his chin which he preens at. I studied under Professor Lorrimor for a while at Lepidstadt University. I'm sorry I missed the funeral, though I suppose it is unavoidable when you live a remote and nomadic lifestyle like that of my circle. Where was he buried? I'll have to visit him later but for now what is this about a haunted prison?
A half elven man wearing lamellar leather armor introduces himself.
"I am Rai, the Professor and I used to have long discussions about various types of undead and ways to counter them, it greatly saddens me that those conversations will never happen again. I miss him. His knowledge has helped to deal with the various enemies I have encountered.
In terms of abilities, I can fight a little, though prefer not to be on the frontlines, and also have some healing talents."
"Ragnar, can you fly? Your wings are easily largest I've ever seen. Yes, a sylph I am, and yeah in need of healing before returning to that place."
"Quite competent group we have here, one might say very exotic. I was a jack of all trades working for him. Usually didn't have much time to talk with students Visayn says
I can fly, and have the strength to play armored aerial personal carrier, for one heavy person or 2 lighter ones. He nods
I dont spread my wings for no reason, lastwall insignia and a Paladin of Iomedae nearby or not, quick way to draw a crowd, not just in Ustalav but nearly anywhere.
the large man pauses
Sir Imrik has somewhat superior airlift capacity to me, owing to him not flying in full plate armor like I am, and our degree of air mobility is indeed pretty decent. A moment please.
He attempts to heal Visayn but fails to activite his wand
Lady Alkaid, if you would? One day Ill figure this thingmajits out. He hands out the wand to Alkaid.
Alkaid takes the wand and uses it to heal Visayn.
"You'll get it soon or later, Ragnar."
She then adds putting her arms under her chest giving it more support
"I'm not a noble, why do most gentlemen keep calling my a lady?"
Ragnar is annoyed that he looks as if he jumped out of a "Join Nocticulas cult for massive looksmaxing gainz" recruiting poster. Which is why he generally speaking wears heavy plate armor to not look like that.
"What can you tell us about this place? Imrik asks.
"I am also very interested in hearing what we've missed. How did your travels take you to a haunted prison?"
Valiard stopped at the door, and blinked, a bit stunned by the motley array of adventurers in the room.
"I don't think that I have ever seen a more heavily armed group of individuals...ever."
"Valiard Tessar, herbalist and occasionally occult investigator. I somehow find myself bound up into these events." he said from the doorway.
"But I must say that my concerns about our safety in the prison have now evaporated. I feel like the entire host of the Knights of Lastwall has crammed themselves into the room!" he said with a slight smile before he moved into the room and found a seat around the large table in the room.
"You all want to know what is going on? Well its a bit of a mystery," he began.
"The good doctor was murdered at the prison up the way by an unknown group of likely necromancers.” he said, and then fell silent for a moment, allowing that bit of information to sink in.
”So that’s the short bit. Now for the long story: Harrowstone was a prison. A prison for some of the most vile and evil people that Ustalav had. Back in 4661 there was a prison break, and the mass of prisoners broke out. The warden at the time, sacrificed himself to start a fire and trap the prisoners in the prison, which burned down. The wife of the warden passed away from smoke inhalation and has remained here in the prison ever since.”
”We have had a bit of a chat with the Warden’s wife. Seems that her husband’s spirit has been keeping the vengeful spirits of the prisoners contained all this time. Well, up until just recently. The wife saw black robed figures, who inscribed strange runes around the prison, worked some magic and captured the spirit of her husband and spirited it away, releasing the prisoners. She also mentioned that same night of the ritual a man had been slain by a thin grey skinned human who wore a bone breastplate and carried a black staff capped with a skull gagged by a black cloth. That dark man used foul magics to strike down the other man who had been exploring…who I now assume was the good Professor…and she said that they smashed the face and head of the man with a fragment of a gargoyle from the roof.” he said grimly.
”Since that night the spirits have been unquiet and causing problems. 5 spirits in particular. One of whom, the Splatter Man is attempting to destroy her, by spelling out her name…Vesorianna. She requested our assistance in binding the 5 powerful spirits, which when contained, and with the aid of her husbands badge of office, would allow her to bind the spirits forever and release her from the world and end the haunting of Harrowstone.”
”We have found what appears to be the personal affects of those spirits, now we just need to find them…and defeat them.”
“Desna has smiled upon us however, and now you are here, ready to smash and destroy the spirits and their ilk.”
“I think we have cleared the first floor of the prison of any evil, however there may be a functional upper floor, and we have just begun to descend into the depths. I found several traps, including one that contained a magical teleport to the courtyard.” he said, and sat back in the chair.
”Oh, let me sketch this out so you see what I am talking about.” he continued as he pulled out several pages of paper from his satchel and drew out in quick strokes a rough map of the prison and its various floors.
Well met Mr. Tessar, I am Ragnar Skuggason, formerly of Sarkoris.
The towering fiendish figure nods politely
My half fiend gut tells me the professor was assassinated, my innate paranoia and overcharged pride tells me because of me. My gut is typically right, my innate paranoia and pride typically arent, although there are indeed others who would have a great interest in seeing him dead, other then aforementioned necromancers.
I stand ready to purge these ghosts in Gorrums name. Lets show this "splatterman" the true meaning of violence.
There are a couple of assassination cults of Nocticula that display restraints of black cloth or shadowy bindings on their imagery, but typically blindfolds not gags, and they arent really into skulls. It is thus not a symbol I recognice based on my unique fiendish association. It good that we are not dealing with them, the Lady in Shadows servants are exceedingly dangerous adversaries.
He pauses
In addition, bone armor is unusual for them. They prefer more stylish clothing to seduce or less unusual clothing to be stealthy
Alkaid adds after hearing Valiard's recap
"This almost all sounds like a plot in a horror story of some sort."
[b]"Its a bit of a mess to be sure. But once everyone has rested and re-grouped, we need to get back to the prison to delve further beneath and see if we can figure out what is going on. Why were necromancers here? Were they looking for information? Or a specific spirit?"[b/] Valiard conjectured.
Alkaid adds as she uncrosses and then recrosses her legs.
"Well you now have some reinforcements for going in."
"Do you know what abilities these ghosts have? It might help for those of us who prepare spells to understand what we will be facing." Imrik says.
Calin takes off his helmet for the first time since entering the Lorrimor estate. Kendra, Valiard, Visayn, and anyone else who isn't acquainted with him immediately realizes that Calin's lineage includes an angel as a distant relative. His yellowish eyes seem to glow on their own and his blonde, almost white, hair makes it clear that he is an Aasimar.
Calin addresses Valiard in a rather formal tone. "Thank you for the information on your investigation into Professor Lorrimor's death. I have a few questions. It sounds like the warden, his wife, and all the prisoner's perished in the fire, but you speak of communicating with the wife. Are you speaking to her ghost? Do we have hard evidence that the doctor was murdered? And, do we have a clue about who these necromancers are?"
"Is anyone still injured and in need of healing, and if so, how much healing do you want?"
Rai inquires, in the interests of the group going in fully healthy.
A Hopper? Hmm, there is a thing I can try. Ragnar speaks
Probably someone who relied on fear, terror, surprise and brutality, a handaxe is not a real weapon of war. Perhaps one who desired to be recognized as a warrior, while being none of that. A challenge from one that is may be... effective in compelling him to fight in conditions of our choosing.
What is known of this criminal and his nature and past? To make an appopriately unavoidable challenge, I would require some extra information on him. Are there perhaps records of his crimes that I may peruse? I basically plan to insult and challenge him really really hard.
Alkaid comments with some sarcasm
"The Lopper, sounds like a fine gentlemen. I'm betting a demon or something whispered dark words that warped him into a murderer."
Normally I would assume the necromancers were after power. But then it wouldn't make much sense to run off with only one spirit while leaving the rest behind. Perhaps the professor interrupted their plans? Maevus turns to Kendra. Did your father happen to mention why he was going to the prison?
Calin also speaks up on healing. "I'm also able to provide some healing. Is anyone injured?"
Calin sees the gathered personal effects. Eyeing the handaxe, Calin says "What a grisly weapon! I feel there have been many deaths from that blade." He looks at the collection of holy symbols. "The holy symbols of many gods. No doubt their use was warped by these evildoers."
Calin handles the book. "I've never heard of this book before. What's its tie to this situation." Calin quickly skims some of the pages.
Alkaid replies to Maevus
"That could be, or they were interested in only that one spirit as it could of been special."
It is interesting that there are 5. Which is not a particularly significant number, in contrast to 6. I would be unsurprised if there was one more foe, who perhaps will appear once all 5 were defeated. 6 is a coven twice.
Possible that a demon was invovled, or multiple, that lopper guy but be Shax affiliated, that charlatan we may well send to Shikesh. Nocticulans also do murder, but typically not of the crazy axe murderer variety.
As Markus handles the handaxe he says
Lets try something
His eyes turn pitch black and he speaks, loudly, and with an Abyssal accent
OI HOPPER, DOES YOUR DYLEXIC WANNABE-RABBIT ASS HEAR ME? I HAVE YOUR TINY SHRIVELED PATHETHIC AXE, AND THE ONLY REASON I WONT ALSO RIP OUT YOUR EQUALLY TINY SHRIVELED PATHETHIC BRAIN IS THAT I WOULD NEED A MAGNIFIYING GLASS FROM VARISIA TO FIND IT IN THE SHITTY ASSEMBLAGE OF ECTOPLASM AND PISS INSIDE OF YOUR HEAD! BUT HEJ; GOOD JOB! YOU ARE SO BRAINLESS ZOMBIES WILL IGNORE YOU! IN GORRUMS NAME I SHALL END YOUR CRAVENLY WEAKNESS YOU SLIVERING COWARDLY BASEMENT DWELLER!
His eyes become normal again
Good was to blow of some steam, Flyting is a fun Kellid tradition, can only reccomend. Drawing a bit of a blank on how to insult the other goons.
"I'm still little bit bruised though lot better now. One item that used to belong to these spirits is this flute, which I grabbed from there. Necromancers, if I recall, serve cult called the Whispering Way." Visayn shows the flute
Calin takes off his helmet for the first time since entering the Lorrimor estate. Kendra, Valiard, Visayn, and anyone else who isn't acquainted with him immediately realizes that Calin's lineage includes an angel as a distant relative. His yellowish eyes seem to glow on their own and his blonde, almost white, hair makes it clear that he is an Aasimar.
Calin addresses Valiard in a rather formal tone. "Thank you for the information on your investigation into Professor Lorrimor's death. I have a few questions. It sounds like the warden, his wife, and all the prisoner's perished in the fire, but you speak of communicating with the wife. Are you speaking to her ghost? Do we have hard evidence that the doctor was murdered? And, do we have a clue about who these necromancers are?"
Valiard scratched at his chin a moment before responding. "Well, yes, we are talking to her ghost. She perished in the fire and has remained there in the prison ever since, and now works to finish her husband's work and restrain the prisoner's spirits."
"The professor's skull was caved in by a large chunk of rock...it seems a bit more than improbable that the gargoyle statue decided to jump off the roof right at that moment when the professor was leaning over just so...but beyond that, no we don't have any hard evidence. Honestly I am not sure if we ever will, beyond a confession of the murderer, a ghost-eyed witness may be the best we will ever get."
"As for the necromancers, I haven't the faintest beyond what Visayn has said. At the moment though, it doesn't much matter. We have far more pressing concerns as the town is imperiled by these ghosts as well as the soul of an innocent woman."
Normally I would assume the necromancers were after power. But then it wouldn't make much sense to run off with only one spirit while leaving the rest behind. Perhaps the professor interrupted their plans? Maevus turns to Kendra. Did your father happen to mention why he was going to the prison?
She shook her head, "I was away for the last few months college of the fine arts. I only took a break for the travesty. Once everything is in order I plan on returning. His journal would be your best bet, Ramada did you have it."
Calin also speaks up on healing. "I'm also able to provide some healing. Is anyone injured?"
Calin sees the gathered personal effects. Eyeing the handaxe, Calin says "What a grisly weapon! I feel there have been many deaths from that blade." He looks at the collection of holy symbols. "The holy symbols of many gods. No doubt their use was warped by these evildoers."
Calin handles the book. "I've never heard of this book before. What's its tie to this situation." Calin quickly skims some of the pages.
As you handle the book you see your name written in blood every few pages.
Rai makes a sharp motion and a wand slides out of the wrist sheath on his left forearm.
Tapping Visayn with it, he sends positive energy to heal the wounds, then spends some time putting the wand back in the spring loaded wrist sheath.
Maevus let's out a snicker as Ragnar screams at the axe. Sorry, but I don't think I've ever seen somebody try to intimidate a spirit before.
Maevus turns to Doctor Ramada wide eyed taking the professors journal into her hands. Teacher. She whispers in gnome, gently running her hand across the books cover. Bubbles gives off a sad whine as he recognises the professors scent still lingering in its pages.