Neither Teofila nor Sterling can recall ever hearing about the Order of the Palatine Eye.
On Verified Madness is a treatise on aberrations, but notably aberrations that are rumored to have ties to the "Dark Tapestry", aberrations that are not "of" Golarion.
Serving Your Hunger is an unholy text sacred to the Goddess Urgathoa.
The Umbral Leaves is an unholy text sacred to Zon-Kuthon.
The final yellow book gives you no hint as to its origin. Howeverm upon closer inspection, you realize that the cover is not some sort of binding paper but the soft flesh of some once living being, preserved somehow. Once you realize this, handling the book feels unnatural.
Avoiding the obviously evil texts, Cole will continue to peruse the book on the Palatine Eye.
"If we are going to be here for a while, it may pay for all of us to become familiar with these books and pamphlets." suggests Ogre.
The guides and religious texts were interesting and unnerving, but Sergei was far more interested in the man himself. He looked for the most recent journal and flipped towards the back, hoping for clues about what Doctor Van Richten was investigating when he died.
Teofila takes the three religious texts and piles them together at the side.
"These are all basic texts. I'm guessing the professor used them as general references. I won't say they're not important, but they're not where we should start, too broad in their topics to tell us anything unless we find a reference elsewhere we need to follow up on."
She also sets aside the yellow book.
"This is one we should be very cautious with. There's something about it that isn't normal or right. We should save it for later and see if we find mention of it elsewhere in the professor's writings so we know something about it first. Reading it could be dangerous."
Since the recent journals have already been taken, Teofila chooses the guides covering ghosts and liches to start with. If there's some paranormal creature or creatures involved with the disappearance of the professor's body, amongst the other f$#%ery that's been taking place, she'd bet on strong magic or something incorporeal.
Kenzo will also read through the journals looking for anything that might explain what had happened to his friend.
Kenzo will also read through the journals looking for anything that might explain what had happened to his friend.
With a sigh, Ogre sits down in the most comfortable seat he can find, that will also take his bulk. He picks up the yellow book and starts to read it.
With a sigh, Ogre sits down in the most comfortable seat he can find, that will also take his bulk. He picks up the yellow book and starts to read it.
The sight of Ogre opening the yellow book causes Sterling's eyes to widen.
The cleric reaches tentatively, almost timidly, towards the warrior in the oversized armchair.(This cause mild surprise in Teo & Cole. They were not aware that Sterling could DO 'Timid' or Tentative'.)
"Ah. I,.. Uh, I, Um,... I wouldn't really , advise,... Ah. Who am I kidding. Of course I would."
Sterling picks up another Guide not claimed by Teo, makes himself comfortable, and begins thumbing through it. In moments he is fully engrossed in reading. Turning each page like a kid with a new copper-dreadful story.
"I do know how to read you know.." says Bastion.
"I'm not _just_ looking at the pictures." From his expression however it would appear that starting with the pictures was perhaps what he had in mind...
Teofila looks up from her reading to see what Sterling is muttering about. She notices Bastion with the yellow book, the goes back to her own text without comment.
She's given her warning and if Bastion wants to ignore it, that's his business. Anyway, she's only making an assumption, so it will be interesting to see if anything happens to him and she was on to something with the book or not.
Van Richten's Journals
There are four journals in the chest. The first is from ten years ago. The next then leaps forward in time to about five years ago. The third journal is a dream log. The final journal is the most recent which describes the incidents that led up to his death.
Rudolph's earliest journals are not present, perhaps they were lost or perhaps they are back in Lepidstadt University.
The first journal goes back about ten years ago wherein the Professor discusses his first encounter with agents of the Whispering Way, but he does not discuss exactly what the Whispering Way is except to say:
The Whispering Way is more than just a cabal of necromancers. I see that now. Undeath is their fountain of youth. Uncovering their motivation does not place me at ease as I thought it might. Their desire to be eternal simply makes them more dangerous.
The rest is quite interesting but the Professor himself circled the above entry.
The second journal covers his time mainly at the University and traveling about Ustalav as a "consultant" no longer actively hunting the denizens of the night that roam the land. The circled entries in this journal consist of the Doctor meeting all of you! He cross references meeting those of you individually with page in his dream journal wherein he met people he named as similar to you all but different. Darker in demeanor and purpose. His most extensive writing is on Sergei, he appears to believe that Sergei may be an individual pulled out of what he calls his dreamworld. The stuff of dreams come to life.
The Order of the Palantine Eye
The Order appears to be a semisecret society of scholars and philosophers who explore and study dusty secrets hidden in the past. This particular book contains ancient ceremonies both magical and mundane mathematical theorems. In the back of the book are some notes scribbled by Rudolph. It appears that he was hoping some members of this society could substantiate findings from his dream journal but he appears to have had no luck.
The Yellow Book
As it turns out, Ogre is indeed merely looking at pictures as the language is one that he cannot read. It appears to be made up of the odd phraseology that the group found in the main house. However, instead of a few jotted notes, it is the entire text.
The pictures that the book depicts are... odd. Creatures that appear unnatural and unsettling. There is a feeling in the pit of your stomach as you stare at them overlong, as if you cannot pull your eyes away.
-------
Bastion looks at the yellow book, his stomach queasy. "I think something I ate at lunch didn't agree with me.."
Van Richten's Journals
The Order of the Palantine Eye
The Order appears to be a semi-secret society of scholars and philosophers who explore and study dusty secrets hidden in the past. This particular book contains ancient ceremonies both magical and mundane mathematical theorems. In the back of the book are some notes scribbled by Rudolph. It appears that he was hoping some members of this society could substantiate findings from his dream...
Waving the book he was holding in the air, Cole smiles gently for once...exposing his large lower fangs more than usual.
"I have a lead! A small one mind you...but a lead I think. The 'Order of the Palatine Eye' appears to be a group of scholars who study the past and other hidden secrets...of some sort. Not an evil cult of any kind from the looks of it. The Professor's notes are saying he was hoping he could find some of them to help interpret his odd dreams. Apparently, without much success so far. Do any of you might know, or might guess, where we could find a member of the Palantine Eye? They might be able to help us interpret a lot more of what we found here."
"If I know anyone else who is part of this order, they have never mentioned it." Kenzo says with a shrug.
Sterling looks up from his own reading, brows furrowed in thought.
The cleric finally shrugs, shakes his head slightly, and returns to his reading.
Teofila can't come up with anything solid, but there are a couple of things she could try.
"I can ask Shanda about them when I see her later. Also, maybe the Professor mentioned something about The Order of the Palatine Eye to Kendra? Can't hurt to ask."
Nodding in agreement, and taking the book with him, Cole goes in search of Shanda and Kendra.
”I shall return before too long…I hope.”
Tired of sitting still, Kenzo sets down his book and spends his time searching for any hidden compartments.
Vaneza will randomly pick up a book and start looking thru it.
Sterling watches Cole leave without comment. Then returns to his own chosen reading.
Teofila raises a point with Cole before he leaves.
"I'm already expected at Shanda's house in a little while. No need to go hunting her down. I'll just ask her when I see her."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Van Richten's Journals
The group continues to read through the second journal, finding more references to yourselves as characters that inhabit his "dreamworld". However, he does not state your alter-ego names from this dreamworld. The journal discusses how he goes out of his way to track each of you and your careers creating "chance" encounters with each of you. Whether to provide guidance or assist with your work, or to simply ensure that you have the proper mentors.
The dreamlog focuses on his life as hunter of the dead within this land named Barovia. There are also neighboring lands, though he does not mention them by name, wherein he encounters foes many of which are described in his "Van Richten's Guides".
In addition to his dreamlog, the third journal discusses the Doctors travels to a place called Brandescar Prison. It was in this place that he met with Sergei directly. Based upon his writings, Sergei did not belong in the prison and it was never clear why Sergei was even placed within the prison other than his mysterious appearance on the island of Talingarde. However, the warden refused to allow Sergei to leave and be given to the Doctor's care. The Doctor believes, but never shared with his colleague at Brandescar Prison, that Sergei may well be an "escapee" from his dreamworld! From a place he names Barovia.
By the end of the third journal, the Doctor has decided to retire. The decision is to ensure that he can independently print the treatises that he wishes to print and to continue to pursue his dreamworld analysis without any teaching work interference as his days are simply too busy at the college to do so properly.
---
Vaneza flips through On Verified Madness. None of the aberrations are familiar to her. In the margins, the Doctor writes notes on the creatures. His notes in every case, show that he seems familiar with each creature based on his dreams. He makes a distinction between "dreams" and what he describes as his "dreamworld" claiming that none of the creatures had ever been encountered in his dream world. He conjectures that perhaps some of these creatures may dwell in a place he calls the "Nightmare Lands".
---
Kenzo thoroughly searches the entirety of the Doctor's lab. Taking hours to do so as the sun slowly sinks. His search confirms that the group has discovered all that there is to be had. There are no hidden rooms or any hidden dungeons, nor any hidden compartments.
---
Cole heads back to the main house and finds Kendra dozing on the couch. She smiles when he enters, "Sorry Cole. I did not want to bother any of you, but I didn't want to head to bed just yet either. Are you done for the day".
---
Smiling lightly, Cole does his best to be friendly and unassuming.
Bastion looks at the book with disgust. "That tomb... is just wrong." he mutters.
"Should be put in the fire."
Teofila looks up from her reading again to stare at Bastion.
"That's what I TOLD everyone before we started. And no, we mustn't burn the book, at least until we know whether it holds anything important to us."
There may be some mention of it in the Professor's notes that will tell us more. If not, there are ways we can protect a reader from its ill effects should we have to do it ourselves."
Teofila puts her reading away and stands.
"I should be on my way to Shanda's house. I'll see you all later."
"Should be put in the fire."
Sterling looks up in between flipping pages in the second 'Van Richten Guide' he is reading.
"Fire is good."
"That's what I TOLD everyone before we started. And no, we mustn't burn the book, at least until we know whether it holds anything important to us."
Sterling shrugs.
"Or Not." and lowers his head to the Guide once again.
Sergei stared dumbfounded at the journals for a while, then shook his head and rubbed his eyes beneath his dark glasses. He could only shake his head and try to process the unexpected information. His mind churned with all the things he wished he could say to his deceased friend. Not all of them were friendly.
"Am I to understand that the doctor thinks Barovia is a dream?" Sergei asked.
At the blank looks his new companions gave him in response, he scowled.
"Am I to understand that none of you know of Barovia?"
"Nope. Unless it is that iced dessert I tried a couple of weeks ago. That had a name a bit like it. Or maybe it was the serving girls name."
The big man grins. "So, we have ropes, we have a prison to explore. Are there rooms enough here for us to stay in, or do we need to head back to the inn"
Kenzo shakes his head and says, "I have not heard of Barovia before."
Sterling looks up again at Sergei's question. The priest's impassive features seem almost curious.
"Barovia?" He shakes his head once in the negative.
Sergei stared at the floor, trying to make sense of something that seemed impossible.
"It can't be. He must be wrong," he muttered to himself. "The skyline is the same. The language. The trees. There are differences, yes, but just as much is familiar!"
He took off his dark glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Was I simply gone longer than I thought? To forget the very name of the land... it would take millennia."
"This doesn't make sense... Barovia is not a dream! Is this Strahd's doing?"
His eyes flicked about the room seeing things that weren't there. They were gold. Not simply yellow like a cat's, but polished, etched, metal gold.
He shook his head. "No. This doesn't make sense."
"I feel like I'm losing my mind."
Van Richten's Journals
Sergei appears to be experience some real distress at the news from these journals!
My memory on his discussion about the Order is that he found them to be too scholarly. As you can see from his lab, my Father was a man of action. He sought direct confrontation with the darkness instead of merely writing books about it, which of course he also did!
"Let's not kid ourselves, Sergei," he said. "This is exactly the sort of thing that treacherous leech would do to hide his shame. Better to warp the minds of everyone in the land than face what he's done, yes?"
Something about his voice was off for a moment. Rougher, more sarcastic and biting. It was gone a moment later.
"I wish I could refute that, but I agree."
He took a deep breath and settled his glasses back on his face before noticing the odd looks he was getting from his fellows. He tensed, clearly embarrassed.
"That was out loud, wasn't it?"
"That was out loud, wasn't it?"
Sterling, still looking at Sergei, (his face still trying to decide whether to look curious or bored), nods once.
”That sounds like the Professor indeed. Still if the scholars know anything of use, they could be invaluable in finding the body or at least reveal something of importance that could give us a direction to look in. Better that than all of us stumbling around hoping blind luck will aid us.”
She heads to the desk to grab some parchment and ink.
Knocking on the door, Shanda promptly answers, "Enter my dear, enter".
Her home is modest but still one of the larger structures in this small town, a small foyer leads straight into her dining room which is already set with plates and some steaming stew and slices of ham.
She takes the seat next to you and smiles, "Well, this is an unexpected evening for me. Mostly when I host it is locals to speak about the town. Tell me, how did you know the Doctor?"
Van Richten's Journals
The fourth journal is the most recent and the most troubling. The Doctor's notes seem to indicate that his interest in printing his "Guides" are being blocked from widespread print.
Within the last two months though his attention is taken up by something far more sinister.
Two Months Ago:
It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be?
One Month Ago:
Whatever the Way seeks, I am now convinced their goal is connected to Harrowstone. In retrospect, I suppose it all makes sense—the stories they tell about the ruins in town are certainly chilling enough. It may be time to investigate the ruins, but with everyone in town already being so worked up about them, I’d rather not let the others know about my curiosity—there’s plenty of folks hereabouts who already think I’m a demonologist as is.
Twenty Days Ago:
It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list.
Eighteen Days Ago:
I see now just how ill prepared I was when I last set out for the Harrowstone. I am lucky to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not find it prudent to investigate further) prevented me from transcribing the strange symbols I found etched along the foundation—hopefully on my next visit I will be more prepared. Thankfully, the necessary tools to defend against spirits are already here in Ravengro within my own lab.
Still, it is time to send missives out! I will need assistance from my closest allies. My dreams indicate that they are all somehow linked to... it all.
Two Days Ago:
This evening I return to the prison, risky as this venture may be. It is imperative the Way does not finish. My caution has already cost me too much time. I am not sure what will happen if I am too late, but if my theory is right, the entire town could be at risk. I don’t have time to update my will, so I’ll leave this in the chest where it’ll be sure to be found by Kendra, should the worst come to pass. Hopefully my work will delay the Way's efforts and by then my friends shall arrive and with their help I can set this right. Then I trust some secrets, long dormant, can be revealed...
"So we were asked to come because of whatever these sigils are around Harrowstone. I wonder what was in his dreams that linked us to this place. I have never been near here. But perhaps it was some kind of divination of what was to be." Kenzo says as he looks down at the text.
Bastion listens with interest. "So, the old prison it is. Did it have a list of eveyrone who died there in the diary as well?" he asks, interested.
"If not, we should ask the Phrasamites if they have it... or if the doctor ever got around to asking them for it. But aside from a side trip to the temple, our way is clear. We must to Harrowstone!"
He also licks his lips at the thought of action at last. "Interesting comment about the ghosts. Did he indicate how he expected to keep them at bay? If not, can any of the rest of you work it out?"
"What is "The Way?" Sergei asked, seemingly back to his odd but usual self.
Cole thanks Kendra for listening to him, and leaves to return to the main group.
Once back, he will be all for exploring the old ruins. Hearing of ghosts, Cole nods.
"I used to...live near a haunted place. You can learn to hit such things with magic and even weapon skill if needed, but it is not easy to do. Not to mention there are many things that resemble ghosts, but are not. Certain monsters, horrors, and spirits can resemble each other, although the good Doctor should know the difference in most instances I would think. We may need to find access to magics that protect us from Evil and undead corruptions of our souls. Let's review what the Doctor has stored here available to us, before we head to the ruins...tomorrow morning? The Dawnflower's gift of sunlight will gain us certain advantages while we explore I should assume...even in this gods-forsaken country of fog and eternal clouds."
"What is "The Way?" Sergei asked, seemingly back to his odd but usual self.
Cole smiles gently at the odd man...
"That may have been mentioned earlier in a previous journal we looked at: 'The Whispering Way' appears to be a group of necromancers working together toward a singular goal of some sort. Must be what he is referring to."
Van Richten's Journals
He also licks his lips at the thought of action at last. "Interesting comment about the ghosts. Did he indicate how he expected to keep them at bay? If not, can any of the rest of you work it out?"