.
It is my sad duty to inform you that on the twenth-fourth day of Calistril, 4711 AR, Professor Petros Lorrimor died.
His body will be interred in the cemetary of Ravengro by Father Vauran Grimburrow.
As per the instructions of his will, your presence has been requested at his funeral procession as well as the reading of his will.
- Councilman Vashian Hearthmount -
It’s a solid road that leads into town. The feeling of rain on your face is cold as it begins misting again. An old sign points you in the right direction, toward a small clump of houses. Around them, a small wall has been erected around the town, though it's more like a fence then anything. In the background, you can see the ruins of the old prison, and even though you're not from these parts, you've heard rumors surrounding the sinister dark shape.
They say that Harrowstone Prison's executioner still guards the execution balcony on the western side of the prison, and that on some nights, his scythe can be seen patrolling on its own, as if carried by an invisible spirit.
Now and then, if you visit Harrowstone Prison near sundown, you can hear the ghost of the warden's wife wailing and sobbing from somewhere within the ruins. She haunts the prison now, forever mourning her husband and attempting to frighten anyone who intrudes on the prison.
Stories that Harrowstone Prison is haunted are just that - stories. The ruins are still dangerous, but what folks think are ghosts are only the nasty vermin that live there.
Lady Shea Venvu awoke with a start, a heavy sense of impending sadness hanging in the air. Knowing that today was going to be a day filled with sorrow, she rose and called for her maid to help her dress. She grabbed her mask from her bedside table and tied it around her face, then folded the sheets over and hopped out of bed.
Walking to her desk, she saw a letter addressed to her lying close to the corner of the polished surface. She stretched her arms over her head, her sheer chamise moving gracefully with the movement.
She reached down and picked up a small letter opener just as her maid knocked and entered. Expertly, she cut the letter free of the envelope, yawning widely.
"Hello, Mathilda. How did you sleep?" The maid smiled at the sleepy noble, going over to the wardrobe and pulling out a day dress appropriate for the day ahead.
"Just fine, my Lady. That came for you this morning." Shea nodded, wiping the sleep from her eyes as she read. Once she finished the letter, she knew why she had felt something was missing. Her old friend, Professor Petros Lorrimor, had taken his last breath. The vague sadness she had woken with now hit her hard with its new meaning, her lips turning down in an uncharacteristic frown.
"On second thought, Mathilda, ready my travel clothes. I must go to Ravengro as soon as possible. Once I am dressed, please call for my carriage. I will pack my things for the trip."
Mathilda nodded, putting the day dress back in the wardrobe before leaving to grab the correct garments for travel. Lady Shea grabbed her suitcase and backpack, packing a few light dresses and the mourning dress she always loved having an excuse to wear. Once her things were packed, her travel clothes donned, and her carriage called, she made her way to her sitting room to await the carriage's arrival.
A gorgeous fluffy cat, made of stardust and sleep sand, made its way into the sitting room just as Lady Shea began lightly dozing.
"Oh, hello, Tobi. Today is a sad day, my pet. Professor Lorrimor, remember him? He has passed on. I have been summoned to his funeral and the reading of his will." The strange cat made its way to his friend and rubbed against her leg. She picked him up, slowly scratching his ears. "He was ever so nice to me when I was young. I am quite upset to hear of his passing."
Just then, the carriage pulled up. Deciding to get more sleep on the journey there, her footman carried her bags into the carriage while Shea made her way inside. After settling on the plush bench and placing October down on the other side, she closed the windows and frowned at her familiar. "It's been so long since..." she yawned, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "Oh... Since I have been to Ravengro. I wonder how it's changed..." Her sentence trailed off as she fell asleep again, her familiar jumping to her lap and curling up for a catnap himself.
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Coming into Ravengro, Shea wasnt surprised to see that nothing seemed to have changed. The light sound of the rain on the carriage roof almost made her fall back to sleep, but her irridescent cat pawed at her nose, keeping her awake.
The carriage pulled up to a small inn, named the Outward, where she hoped to find a room to stay until she got her bearings. She made her way inside, the raindrops falling on the light grey traveling dress, making tiny dots of darker grey where they fell. She made her way inside with her things just as the rain began to pour.
Sorsul quietly walked along the road. As a Fetchling, she seemed to be unnaturally lithe, almost fragile. Her hair and her skin seemed to be drained of color and her eyes were pupilless. Her clothing accentuated this, as she wore the distinctive garb of a professional dancer. Mostly black, it brought out her white hair and skin. Despite the layers of white sashes that fluttered in the wind, the clothing beneath was tight, designed to allow as much mobility as possible. She wore a cloak over it, to keep the outfit as dry as possible while she traveled, as it was necessary to earn her living, such as if was. In her hand was a spear. Usually it was used in performances, given the strong, flexible shaft, but at that moment it was a walking stick. While she knew how to use it on stage, it was clear that she lacked the strength to actually wield it in a fight.
Neither mist, rain, nor cold bothered her. If anything it felt like being home. No, what pulled her spirits down was the death of Professor Lorrimor. Knowing that he was gone caused her throat to seize. She owed him so much, for it was he who effectuated her freedom. She had met him in Absalon, as she had traveled there to deliver goods from the Shadow Plane. Indebted to a most cruel master, it was Professor Lorrimor who had taken pity on her. Not only did he break the enchantments that tracked her movements, but he had arranged for her travel to Ustalav. Without him, she would still be trapped or she would have been dead after trying to flee. Knowing that he had died before she could repay him weighed heavily on her.
Lost in thoughts, she almost failed to notice that she had arrived at Ravengro. Exhausted from the walk, she pushed herself further so that she could enter the first inn that she could find. The Outward, it was called. She knew that she couldn’t afford a room for the night, as she only had a handful of gold to her name. For that she would need to perform, but she was far too tired to do so. The rain began to pour, but seeing what appeared to be a noblewoman, she waited for Lady Shae to enter before she went in. She knew enough to know not to antagonize those from the higher classes.
Cresting the dune on the southern side of Lake Lias, Seamus could see the walls of Ranegro casting their long shadows as the sun began to kiss the lakes waters sending rippling lights across the waves. Squinting, his eyes began to water, chastising himself as he tucks his head shading his face with his wide brimmed black felt hat, quickening his pace he knew he could make it to the city before dusk.
As he strode towards the town, he drew the last apple from his pack. When he'd asked the farmer if he could have a couple apples, the fellow saw his pale face, told him to take as many as he wanted, before he fled back to the small cottage. That had been just south of Tamrivena before he'd started around the Shudderwood. It was more than a hundred and fifty miles from Lepistadt to Ravengro, he'd considered taking a boat using the rivers, to make he trip easier, but he hated running water. Fording the northern branch of the Vistear River had been bad enough. Fortunately his legs were long and he could set a blistering pace, rising early and walking till dusk, he'd nearly worn himself out, but he'd arrived the evening before the funeral.
Having finished the apple, he paused as was his habit. Drawing his sickle he plunged the blade into the ground, pulling the dirt to the side enough to slide the apple core into the ground beside the blade. Removing the sickle he stomped on the hole sealing it back up planting the core. Having properly cared for the core, he headed towards town, deciding to stop at an inn to clean up and rest before he went to the Professors home in the morning.
As he walked towards the gate a carriage drives past, near enough to splash mud onto his boots and breaches, another reason to freshen up at an inn. The town seemed different than the time he'd been here before. Of course, he'd been younger, so everything seemed smaller. But there seemed to be a miasma in the air. Something clinging to the town walls, the houses the buildings. He considered heading towards the towns cemetery and counting the tombstones again. Instead, his subconscious reminded him, his legs were tired, and the apple hadn't been that filling and his last cup of tea had been a sunrise.
Turning towards the inn instead of the cemetery, he notices the carriage that had proceeded him had stopped there as well. A lady in a light grey traveling dress climbed out, pausing for a moment, catching up her things then headed inside. As the carriage pulled away, he notices a second woman, this one, with white hair and what appeared to be a black performers outfit, quickly entered as well. As he approached the inn he wondered if they too were friends of the professor. His musings interrupted by a quick downpour; he pulled his cloak up around himself as he hurried towards the Inn's door.
Senna was a large, bulky Tengu sporting a jet black Hakama, which gave her much needed cover for most of her cursed body. The bird’s visible blood-black feathers glowed an ethereal red in the heavy downpour as she traveled down the main road, not bothering to avoid the many puddles and pools of mud along the way. Her antlers bobbed sullenly, the glow along the grooves of them matching her downy coat. A massive corpse of a bat tugged along behind her, and if anyone were to observe her gait, they would notice a slight limp from her left leg.
Coming in from the south, she could make out a small, dilapidated looking town that seemed to almost suck away any light or happiness that could potentially touch the disheveled community. What caught Senna’s attention the most was the prison, though, sticking out like a sore, ashen thumb. The rumors say it’s haunted, but the common folk know nothing of true spirits. Not like Senna did, anyway. But everyone knows the pain of death…
The pain left over from the earlier encounter was nothing compared to the pain she was feeling inside. She may have lost some blood, but what is a little blood when compared to the life of a friend? Oh, Lorrimor… How could you go and leave so soon? With so much left to learn, she thought, tears welling up in her eyes once more. The heavens shower us with mercy today. The rest of the walk was quiet, and all that could be heard was the rain and the sloshing of the bat corpse.
Finally, she entered the inn paying no mind to its inhabitants, only hoping the Keep may give her shelter in exchange for her trophy, so she might tend to her wounds.
The innkeeper gives a friendly smile as Lady Shae enters, but it falters as Sorsul walks in behind her. "Um, good evening, miss. We have a few rooms available for you and your servant. Um, will you be staying long?" Despite the polite words, her eyes reveal the extent of her discomfort.
This is made worse when a literal vampire walks in. "Your kind aren't welcome here. Leave before I sharpen a stake."
"AAAHHH! Demon!" She turns and flees toward the kitchen. "Sarianna, get the sheriff!"
Making sure he steps over the threshold and not on it Sariel notices the Human nearly the same time she notices him. Realizing the woman considers him a vampire, he shakes his head. Normally he leaves his hat on to hide his face from folks and the sun, though that didn't matter inside the cozy Inn. But since this woman was convinced he was the undead, he reached up with his left hand and removed the hat, showing her his pale skin and dull black hair. While gripping the hat, he lifts the wooden symbol of Pharasma hanging from his neck showing it to her and reaches to the top of the Haramaki drawing out one of the stakes. Extending the stake to her, 'grip' first he begins to ask, "Would you kill a living servant of Pharasma?"
Before he can get the entire sentence out the woman screams and flees. Turning he realizes a creature had entered the Inn. Tucking the stake back in his Haramaki, he releases the holy symbol and returns his hat to his head. Looking from the creature to its trophy and back he smiled and gestured towards a table. "Greetings I am Sariel, friend of Professor Lorrimor, come for the funeral. Would you like to join me at a table while we wait for the sheriff?"
Removing her hood she hung it on the wall so as to not spread any water on the floor. Along with the cloak she leaned her spear against the wall as well, for it was truly naught to her but a prop and a tool for her performances. With a warm smile that hid her weariness, she almost began her sales pitch to earn her living. This was halted, though, when a stranger as pale as she took all of the attention in the room. It was an odd feeling, making her less of an oddity. It was a welcome change of pace, even if it stood in the way of making some coin. That, and it was an excuse to rest her weary legs.
This was interrupted, however, when the woman screamed about a demon and called for the sheriff. Her eyes went wide as she spun around, only to breathe a sigh of relief when she saw that it was just a tengu.
”No need to panic.” She called out to the room. ”She is no demon, just a tengu. They are not so rare a sight back home in Absalon.” With a warm smile and a confident tone of voice, she sat down at Sariel’s table as if though she had been invited. In her experience, acting with confidence and friendliness disarmed superstition and fear, and from there came curiosity.
Not wanting to interrupt Sariel’s conversation with Senna, she instead turned to Lady Shae, as she was the closest person to her. ”I apologize for the common, ma’am.” She said in a respectful tone of voice. ”As with this priest of Pharasma, I too am here for Professor Lorrimor’s fundersl.” This was as much in an effort to calm the room, as to make the priest know that there was a reason for her inviting herself to a seat.
Shea's eyes blinked sleepily as the keep spoke to her, only catching the last part.
"Oh no, dear girl. That is not my servant that-" But before she could explain the situation, the woman screamed and fled. Shea, still in a daze, turned to the phantasmal cat in her arms. "Strange people here.. Hmm" She stifled a yawn, her eyes wandering around the room. She could hear a woman's voice trying to calm the situation, but Shea was still lost in her own dreamy world.
Then she heard a name that was familiar to her from over her shoulder. Turning entirely around, she took in the white woman, the pale man wearing a hat indoors, and the creepy-looking tengu.
"Strange dream I'm in... I wonder what the demon bird is supposed to signify. We might as well make ourselves comfortable, Tobi. I don't know how long this dream will last. Must be my grief." She settled down by the pale man and pet her strange kitty, quickly dozing off while waiting for the tavern lady to return.
Turning from the antlered tengu, dragging a large bat, towards the pale woman, who appeared to be a performer of some sort, as she started to speak; her declaration clear and charismatic, Sariel was pleased to find a rational person trying to calm the crowd. Pacing quickly into the room, he turns and nods towards the antlered tengu to follow, then looks towards the door to see if anyone had actually left, presumable to fetch the sheriff. Seeing an empty table near the wall where the Absalomian was standing he quickly moves that direction eavesdropping in on the Absalomian comment to the napping noblewoman.
Having reached the table, he pulls one of the bent-wood backed chairs out for the antlered tengu. Pulling out a second by the wall, he takes off his pack and sets it beside the chair, Musing aloud "The professor had ... About to say "an interest in the unusual" , he realizes the phrase unusual could be taken in a way he didn't mean. Unslinging his crossbow, he continues "Many interests and interesting friends." As he leans the crossbow against the wall, he turns back towards the antlered Tengu, "Are you also one of the professors interesting friends?"
Not waiting for the tengu to answer he sits down on the chair he'd sat his pack beside. Reaching down towards his pack, he takes out a 'tea infuser' and a small pouch of black tea. Setting them on the table, he reaches back into the pack bring out a tightly wrapped cloth from which he produces a set of silverware. As the conversation continues he looks towards the waitstaff, hoping someone would dare approach their table.
The bird grunted in expectation of the barkeep’s response; however, she was taken aback at the unexpectedly calm greeting from these random strangers. She bowed low in thanks before setting the dire bat’s lifeless body by the door. “I do mean no harm, I too am here for the funeral. Lorrimor was… A cherished friend of mine. I just brought in this kill for trade, I require shelter…”
Senna bowed again and nodded to the young dhampir and confident dancer. She slowly drudged over to the table, cautiously shifting her eyes around the room unsure of what to expect, and waited patiently for the seemingly kind gentleman to take a seat. ”I’m glad I seem to have made it in time, at least... The travels from the Forest of Spirits was a long and arduous one,” she murmured wearily as everyone started to find their place.
She took gingerly took the seat offered, quizzically eyeing the two that now sat with her, and she adjusted awkwardly to her weapons at her back. She’d set them down if not for the pesky spirits, always playing their tricks on her. She nodded once more to the man and sighed deeply at the question. ”He may have been the only friend I ever had… Maybe because I was uh, interesting, but he was a good man nonetheless…”
The innkeeper returns with a dour-looking man holding a crossbow - presumably the sheriff. He looks the four of you up and down warily before lowering his weapon. "I thought I overheard one of ya mention the name Lorrimor as I was coming in. That true? Yer friends of his or somethin'? If you're here to cause trouble, I got deputies outside, but I don't wanna be the one to start somethin' if it ain't necessary."
”We are all but here for the funeral of the Professor.” Sorsul replied. ”With our friend here being a priest of Pharasma as well. I assure you that we are not here to cause any trouble.”
She truly hoped that this was true, as she did not know these people. The dhampir seemed honest enough, but she didn’t know if he was actually a Pharasmite or not. And the tengu? She had a menacing aura that the Fetchling had never seen before, as in her experience Tengu were not quite so large nor did they have horns. And the noblewoman seemed to be caught in a dream, and who knew what someone so addled could do. But those were hypothetical problems. What was truly before her were armed deputies that needed reassurance.
Relieved to hear the tengu speak, Sariel had heard they could only mimic others. Good to put that old wives tail to rest. He watches as the creature approaches, looking carefully at it's 'antlers.' He'd assumed they were part of some sort of 'head gear' but apparently, they were attached to the avian's head. Having no knowledge of where the 'Forest of Spirits' may be, Sariel looks towards the tengu's gear. The nodachi and tetsubo were clearly of Tian design, so it would make sense that the forest they spoke of may be on that continent. Letting out a low whistle, if that was the case the creature had traveled far.
Smiling as the creature sat down, the professor had been his friend as well. Though he learned later in life that his first interactions with the professor had been driven by the professors curiosity about Sariel's unusual procreation. As he considers how to respond, he reaches to his pack and unhooks his 'tea pot' setting it on the table he returns his attention to the tengu. "Yes the professor was my friend and mentor as well. He aided me with my understanding of ..."
As the door opens Sariel stops speaking mid-sentence, observing the sheriff and his weapon. Resting his hands flat on the table clearly in view, he considers how to address the Sheriff. Hearing the woman speak, he holds his tongue. This was the second time she'd referred to him as a 'priest' of Gray Lady, he makes a mental note to inform her otherwise later. As he sits, he can feel his heart beating harder, she'd informed the sheriff, the legal representative of the town, he was a priest. It was an untruth, not his own but still about him. Manipulations was his ancestors greatest tool outside of outright violence.
Breathing a sigh, he keeps his hands on the table, keeping his seat. Speaking up, he looks first to the sheriff, then he innkeeper, then the woman who'd also come to say farewell to the professor. "I am Sariel Patrick Cornelius, a servant of Pharasma. Though not a member of the clergy, I am a devout follower of the Grey Lady. Raised by the church, and at times, in its service. I am sent on occasion by it to deal with certain undead. As the lady said, my purpose here is to attend the professor's funeral."
Having unburdened himself of the unintentional lie that was not his own, he breathed a sigh of relief. Lifting one hand off of the table he reaches for the silver tea pot, lifting it by the handle he looks towards the innkeeper, asking, "Mistress, may I have some hot water, I have coin to pay."
The sheriff nods. "Hmm. I knew that Petros had unusual friends, but I don't think any of us realized the extent of it. Kendra told me she'd prepared the guest rooms for visitors. I'd suggest you head over once you're done here. It'll be more comfortable than the beds here, I'm sure."
The commotion of the Sherif arriving snapped Lady Shea back to consciousness, her eyes a bit cloudy before clearing and focusing on the sheriff. She nodded at the white woman's words and spoke in a soft, dreamy voice.
"Yes, I am also here for the funeral. No need to worry." She absentmindedly began petting her strange cat again. Watching the strange pale man who claimed to be a servant of Pharasma take out a teapot, she gently clapped her hands together.
"I am also a follower of Pharasma. It's a pleasure to meet you. Say, would you mind if I shared a cup of tea with you?" Despite her weariness, she managed to finish her request with a small smile.
Hearing the sheriff's suggestion, she nodded and addressed him.
"That sounds lovely, thank you. My friends and I will make our way over there after a spot of tea. and, perhaps, a nice meal?" She looked expectantly at the inn owner, smiling a dreamy smile before returning to her new 'friends'. "Tell me, how do you all know the professor?"
Sorsul smiled as she put her hands on the table. After a moment, the shadows cast by her hands extended and reshaped, rising up from the table. One looked like a copy of her, and the other of the Professor.
"To introduce myself, I am Sorsul. Once, long ago, I was indebted to a cruel and horrible master." She said, and her shadow form upon the table fell to its knees, with black manacles forming on its outstretched hands. The little shadow made pleading motions as it pantomimed its distress. "But fortune favored me, for I delivered a package to the good Professor. He removed the arcane bonds that tracked my every movement, and paid to have me sent far away to Ustalov, where I wouldn't be found." The shadow Lorrimor raised its hands theatrically, causing the manacles and chains to break away. The shadow Sorsul raised its hands in joy and supplication. "But then." She said, pausing theatrically. "Before I could repay him for his kindness, he passed away. And...here we are." The shadow Lorrimor and Sorsul flowed together, and a little shadow table rose. Sitting there were tiny copies of the group. With a smile she brought her hands together, causing the shadow to fall away and return to its natural state. "And that, my friends, brings me here. If you enjoyed the tale, then I would not say no to a drink or a meal." Given her lack of coin, and how tired her feet were, she did not see any reason why not to earn a meal from the strangers she had just met.
Smiling as the sheriff commented about unusual friends, Sariel looked at the three other newcomers. Unusual indeed. He paused as the woman who'd spoken first tells her story. He watched as she manipulated the shadows, telling her story, she not only entertained the crowd, but relaxed them as well. Who didn't enjoy a fine tale well told? As she finished with 'drink or a meal' Seamus lifted his tea pot, as if to request hot water again. Looking from the Innkeeper to the sheriff, he asked, "Lord Sheriff, could you tell us how to find the Lorrimor house?"
As things began to calm, Sariel, responded to the Dusky Lady, "Hopefully our meeting will be fortuitus." As he stood to pull out the fourth and final chair at their table, he asks, "Would you join us?" As he held the bent-wood backed chair for the lady. Turning towards the Innkeeper he smiles and asks, "May we have three cups with the hot water, and possibly someone to describe what items may be on the menu?"
After pushing the chair in for the dusky lady, Sariel again takes his seat. Reaching down into his pack he draws out a chipped ceramic cup stained light blue and a matching saucer, setting them near his silver tea pot. Turning towards the 'shadow caster' her gestures towards her hands, "Thank you for your performance."
Adjusting the saucer and pot again, shifting the 'infuser' and tea so it is at just the right angle, he begins to open the pouch of tea. Turning towards the dusky lady, he narrates, "My birth was something of an oddity, the professor heard of me and came to inspect me, his visit then happened on a regular bases. As we learned of each other, he helped me control my innate magic and encouraged me to learn what I could from the Pharasmin who were raising me." His eyes dropped to the table as he dips the infuser into the pouch, "After he retired, when he would visit Lepidstadt, we would meet and I would ask him for wise counsel."
He looks up and smiles at the dusky lady, closing the infuser and tea pouch, "Hopefully, hot water will arrive soon."
The innkeeper hesitantly returns with a pitcher of hot water and gives you the menu options. The prices are somewhat higher than you'd expect for a town this small, but it's still affordable.
- Mushroom Soup
- Venison Apple Stew
- Slow Roasted Boar
- Grilled Wolf Steak
- Ale
- Wildberry Wine
Seeing the innkeeper coming with a pitcher of how water, Sariel takes the lid off of his traveling pot. Moving it towards her so she can pour the hot water in, he reaches into his pack, setting a jar of honey on the table. Moving the tea pot near he drops the infuser in, nodding to the Innkeeper as he accepts a menu. "Thank you."
As the tea seeps, he reads the menu, handing back to her, asking, "May I have the Mushroom soup please."
After a couple moments, he takes the infuser out of the tea pot. Lifting the pot he pours himself some tea, then leans forwards and pours tea into the cup provided for the dusky lady. Looking towards the other two he asks, "Tea?"
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Lady Shea watches as the white lady makes shadows do her bidding. Shea smiles sleepily as she tells her story, watching the pantomime with interest. Once it is finished, she smiles at the performer.
"A meal for a wonderful show sounds fair. Let me buy you something to eat, your shadow magic is quite interesting, and your tale is captivating." Once again, the Lady yawns.
Seeing the young Dhapir pull out a seat for her, she smiled graciously, shifting her cat in her arms before taking a seat. She listened with a mild look on her face as the young man gave his account of why he was there. When asked if she wanted tea, she nodded, watching the warm liquid pour into the small cup. Once full, the gray woman reached into a pouch on her hip and withdrew a small orb covered in paper. She carefully peeled the paper off. revealing an amber colored sweet which she added to the tea.
"My name is Lady Shea Venvu. I also knew the professor. Much like you, I drew the interest of the professor due to my unique heritage. I believe it was my mask that drew him to me. After some time, we grew close and he helped me save up to purchase a candy store near Lake Kavapesta. Where I began making confections for the people there." She let out a long, dreamy sigh before continuing.
"I found that many people enjoyed my sweets, and thus I began to experiment. After a time, a young noble fell ill, her life draining from her youthful face by the day. I made a special candy that revived the girl and thus received a title and some land. Since then, I have been experimenting with different candies and spending my days with my sweet October." She scratched the strange cat behind the ears, its mouth opening wide in a yawn. The young noble smiled at her companion, then took a quick sip of her tea, before opening her pouch to produce two more sweets. She unwrapped them and placed them both in the tea, watching them dissolve.
"What of you, strange bird lady? What brings you here, and with such a large corpse?" She smiled dreamily, her eyes closing slowly and reopening.
Sorsul put her hands together in thanks to Lady Shea and quietly ordered the venison apple stew. She then silently raised her cup of tea in a toast to Sariel. It was important to show one’s thanks to patrons, but at the same time she did not want to interrupt the story telling. She listened intently, for the tales were quite good, and would make excellent additions to her repertoire. A rags to riches story, with land and title earned? It would sell well. And she hoped to have the opportunity to pick the Dhampir’s brain for more details of his. But if not she was sure she could make up whatever was needed. Already her mind raced with ideas of how they could be performed. With tea in hand she looked intently to the tengu, hoping that her tale would be as interesting as her appearance.
The spectral looking raven listened intently to everyone’s tales and displays with great wonder and interest, not wanting to be rude and interrupt. She graciously accepted the tea from the dhampir with a silent dip of her head to not interrupt, and waited for everyone to finish. Once she realized that people were inquiring about her, a flush of red burned hotter on the feather tips of her face.
“YEESS, well, you listen here,” she sputtered, the nerves of the sudden attention causing breaks in her vocal facade. She took a deep breath stifling the shudder in her hands. “I was a young child, barely a hatchling myself, when I first met the professor… He was a friend of my mother’s, so I didn’t get much interaction, but he came to study my erm, distinct…features. He was the first person to ever accept me that wasn’t my mother.” Senna took a shaky breath and then let out a deep sigh. “He’d come to visit sometimes over the years, when he checked my development and helped my mother to better take care of me and prepare me for my travels. I had just returned from exploring the seas around Tian Xia to see my mother when she gave me the news…”
It wasn’t noticeable, but the Tengu had been crying silently as she recalled the few memories she had with the professor. Hoping nobody had a chance to notice, she gently rubbed at the corner of her eyes, drying up any evidence with her down. You’ll see him again, you daft bird.
"Fascinating." Sorsul said. "All of you." She looked between Sariel and Senna, unsure of whom she should ask questions to first. Deciding that she could more readily make up details for the dhampir, she went with the Tengu. "And where are you from in Tian Xia?" She asked. "Please, tell me of your home and childhood. And what brought you all the way here?" She leaned forward, her face radiating interest.
After prying Senna for more information, Sorsul put out her cup of tea for a refill. Turning to Sariel, she pressed him for more information. "You say that your birth was an oddity. I do not mean to be rude, but as we are quite similar in our appearances, please know I do not mean to be so. But could you tell me more of your birth, how you were raised, and your relationship with the Professor? And for your innate magic, what exactly is it, and how did the Professor, and the Pharasmites, influence it?"
Having poured everyone tea, Sariel sat back down. Removing the lid from jar of honey, he sets the lid just to the left of the blue saucer and pours a dram of honey into his cup. Lifting the lid, he returns it to the honey, setting the honey near the exact same spot. Looking at the honey jar for a second, he shifts it slightly nearer to the saucer. Nodding, as if to himself, he lifts the blue ceramic cup his sips his team, as the others tell their stories. When the soup is delivered, he moves it slightly from where the server had set it, so it and the teacup and saucer seem to be in its orbit.
When Sorsul points out how fascinating everyone's stories, are he nods his head in agreement. He continues eating his soup, hoping the tengu would continue her story. He then looks around for one of the servers, hoping they would bring bread.
Retuning his attention to the table he realizes the one named Sorsul was asking about His background. Taking a deep breath he sat his spoon down on the edge of the saucer, then moves it slightly so it's handle is pointing towards the bowl. Furrowing his brow for a moment, he did not feel the two of them looked similar at all. But she was a friend of the professors and as such deserved his response, if not his respect. Responding "My birth was the oddity. We do not know the particulars for I was abandoned by a midwife at the temple. To everyone's surprise I lived. That is the oddity, for I am Dhampir."
He looks at his spoon for a moment, seeming to consider ending the conversation there and continue eating. Instead, he sighs and continues. "The professor was invited to evaluate me, to help determine if I should be permitted to live or not. He found nothing intrinsically evil in my magical nature. He recommended I be permitted to live, under the watchful eye of the church. Afterwards, he would regularly visit me to continue his assessment."
Pausing again, this time sipping the tea and setting the blue ceramic cup back down on the saucer. "Being a wizard himself, the professor soon realized I had inherited certain magics from my presumed father. I say presumed because we have no record of a Dhamphir born of a Vampire, historically it is a living mother. I have an affinity for blood magic and other gifts associated with the undead. As for the church I learned some magic having to do with channeling. The Pharasmin's call me a Soul Weaver'." He looks to the others at the table, his eyes resting on Dusky lady, "I do not know if other religions use the same term or not."
“Sounds like a rough start, I am glad you were found by such kind and resourceful people, Mr. Sariel.” Senna took a sip of tea to collect herself, but found herself startled at the tea, it tasted nothing like the teas back home. She set the cup back down as her plumage puffed out in shock. Recovering, she brought her attention to Sorsul and cleared her throat.
“Honestly there isn’t too much to tell… I was born with the mark of the Oni outside of Konoha, a community of Kitsune and Tengu that reside in the Forest of Spirits. It’s neighboring lands with Minkai, off the coast of the Songil sea,” she sighed, gripping the talisman at her chest. ”With this cursed body, the other Tengu hated me, and the Kitsune were afraid of me… Except for my mother. She found me wandering the forest, stumbling after the wisps and spirits that haunted the woods around her hut. Heh, now those spirits chase me…” Senna chuckled at the thought, shaking her horned head.
The tall, sinewy bird adjusted her shoulders and shifted, trying to ensure the weapons rested comfortably enough into her form. “She took me in without any hesitation, without any fear, and immediately got to work to understanding my ‘condition’ as it were, using the professor’s knowledge of the arcane and the supernatural to ensure I did not grow up giving in to the impulses of the Oni, but controlling them instead. I was trained by the Kami, powerful nature spirits, in the ways of combat. They saw my connection with the spirits of the forest and took pity on me.” The bird shook her head, remembering what Lady Venvu had asked her. “The DIYAR!! bat is food or trade, whichever will get me through the night and let me restore my body’s energy. Spoils from the trip, you could say. Why I got here is answered, same as you all, and how is easy: Boat, legs, and,” she paused, flapping her arm wings gently, “lots of jumping off of high places. What were the travels like for you all?”
Seeing the sugary confections had melted in her tea, Lady Shea took a gentle sip, her eyes closing as she savored the sweet and earthy taste. She quietly listened to the stories of her companions, taking small sips while petting her cat with her other hand.
"Most intriguing, the lot of you. Seems as though we all cared for Professor Lorrimor. It is nice to see he had a wide array of loved ones."
The iridescent cat hopped down from his mistress's lap and made its way to the bar, jumping up and meowing loudly at the barkeep. It was clear he was asking for some kind of food. Lady Shea let out a quiet chuckle, her dreamy eyes catching the barkeeps.
"A portion of stew for myself, please. And if you have it, a saucer of fish broth for Tobi."
Lady Shea took another sip of her tea, then stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. Placing the small cup down, she looked over the three others, her eyes hardly focused.
"Would anyone like a candy?" She asked, obviously a bit out of it.
Nodding politely to the odd tengu, Sariel had never really thought about whether the Pharasmins who ran the orphanage were kind or not. But if not killing you because one of your parents were undead and providing shelter for children who'd been left in your care is kind, then, well they certainly were. As he sipped his tea he ponders; since Pharasma was considered the mother of souls, did her followers have a responsibility to care for abandoned children? As he considers the thought, he realizes the person he'd have taken this sort of philosophical question to had been the professor. He wonders, who could he talk to now? Lost in thought, he hears the dusky lady say something about each of them caring for professor Lorrimor. Looking up at the lady, he smiles a melancholy smile.
Having finished his bowl of Mushroom soup, he left it sit where it was and sips his tea again. It had grown cold, but he enjoys it as much cold as warm, he really wasn't picky about some things. When the dusky lady asked about candy, he perks up. Candy wasn't one of the things he was picky about either. Smiling he looks towards the dusky woman, "Certainly!"
A meal, tea, a place to sleep (possibly) and now candy? The night was getting better and better. Candy was a luxury that was rare indeed. Sorsul gladly took one, and then took her time savoring it. While it was true that they were going to a funeral, life rarely provided true pleasures. It was best to appreciate them when they came.
Lady Shae graciously passed out the small, honey-colored sweets to her companions, smiling sweetly.
"I made those just last night; the honey is fresh from my apiaries. I hope you enjoy them. They are simple, but the honey I use gives it a sweet, floral taste."
She took another sip of her tea, her face relaxing into a satisfied smile, her eyes closing. Not long after, small snores could be heard from the noble.
Accepting the small honeyed candy, Sariel smiles, popping it in his mouth. "Thank you." As he sucks the piece of candy he pours out the small remainder of tea in the empty soup bowl and returns the pot to its strap hanging from his rucksack. Returning the infuser, tea bag, spoon, blue ceramic tea cup and saucer to the pack as well. He makes sure everything is just so; closing the pack, looking up, he turns to the others.
Noticing the Dusky lady had started to doze, he clears his throat. "Uggghhhmmmm," Smiling as they look at him, "Shall we pay for our meals and head towards the Professors house?" As he talks, he reaches for his pouch, "Do you think we can find it based on the directions the sheriff gave us?" Opening his pouch he takes out a gold piece and sets it on the table. Knowing it covered not only the soup and the hot water, but also a generous tip he hoped his next stop at the inn will go a little easier.
Standing, he lifts the pack to his shoulders. as he puts it on, he smiles and gestures towards the door.
Your meal complete, you make your way to the Lorrimor residence. There's a light on in one of the windows; someone's home. Your knock at the door is answered by a tall man of Ustalavic descent. He looks momentarily surprised by the exotic spread of individuals at the doorstep but quickly gives you a friendly smile. "Good evening, I presume you're the friends we were told were coming? I'm Adivion, Petros's brother-in-law. Please come in; I'll get Kendra."
As they leave the inn, Sariel again makes sure he steps over the threshold, pulling his hat down over his face. He was accustomed to moving alone and hiding his features from people. As they walk down the street he smiles at himself, there would be no way to avoid attention walking with these three ladies.
As they arrive at the house, he knocks lightly on the door. When the door opens he nods, handing his letter to the gentleman as a response. Stepping back away from the door he gestures, "Ladies, if you will."
Bringing up the rear, he closes the door behind them. Waiting to greet Kendra, he drops his pack by the door, hanging his hat and cloak on the pegs near the door.
Slightly worried for Lady Shad’s state of mind, the fetchling gently liked arms with the noble and led her in, politely greeting their host as she did so. On one hand she truly was concerned with the woman who seemed to be living in a walking dream. And on the other? It never hurt to make friends with people who had land and title. One never knew when sanctuary from a superstitious mob would be needed. Thus, from both a moral and a practical point of view, it was wise to look after Lady Shae.
Once inside she too removed her pack and her cloak, lest she make a mess of their host’s residence.
Before being ushered toward the Lorrimor reference, Senna gingerly picked one of the amber orbs offered, her head tilting to one side in a most avian way. Unsure of what to expect, she followed suit and popped one in her mouth as she stood with the party of strangers. The spectral fire that burned in her otherwise dark, hollow looking eyes burned bright, her feathers standing once more. By the gods, what is this magical treasure?!
Following suit, and not wanting her ignorance to be obvious, the beaked woman darted for her meal and dragged it along the ground by both wings to the residence. She felt nervous having someone else trail at the back, and kept looking behind out of habit. Upon arriving and before entering, she bowed before Adivion. "I brought potential food, I don't know if there's anywhere to prepare this..."
Adivion raises an eyebrow at the tengu's statement. "Your generosity is appreciated, but unnecessary, as there's plenty of food in the kitchen. I must confess that I'm unfamiliar with your culture, though, so if the bat is something that you need to eat, I'm sure we can find a way to accommodate."
Adivion leads you into the parlor where a young woman is waiting for you. Her eyes are almost completely white, but despite her obvious lack of vision, she still meets your gaze as she greets you with a sad smile. "Thank you for coming. I wish it were under better circumstances, but I know Father would be happy to see you all again. It's late, and you've traveled far. We've prepared a room for each of you - complete with a hot bath - and there's food in the kitchen if you're hungry. The funeral takes place at dawn tomorrow, and I was hoping you'd be pallbearers. Father didn't have many friends in Ravengro, I'm afraid, and I don't know who else would be willing to do it."
Lady Shea smiled gently at Sariel's manners as the fetchling woman linked arms with her, patting the other lady's hand before nodding to Adivion. "How pleasant of you." She let out a small chuckle, her eyes barely open, and allowed the other lady to guide her into the estate. Looking around at the entryway, Lady Shae took note of the room, pondering where the best places to nap were.
Looking at the Tengu woman, the Lady smiled another dreamy smile. "Perhaps someone could dispose of that for you. I am not familiar with dire bat meat, but I would think it wouldn't be as enjoyable as a meal. Perhaps they can use the fur for boots?"
Leaning a bit more on Sorsul, the masked woman closed her eyes and began dosing once more. After a few moments, gentle snores could be heard coming from the Lady.
Nodding to Adivion, "Thank you Adivion, I am Sariel."
Watching as the pale Sorsul linked arms with the masked Shea, Sariel steps wide around the antlered tengu and it's dire bat. It didn't surprise Sariel that the tengu, being related to carrion birds, would eat bat. But he was relieved hearing the creature would not be prepared for a 'group meal.' He didn't want to offend Senna, but he would not eat the bat. Not that it was because it was a bat, but because he didn't eat living creatures. He resists the urge to smile when lady Shae pointed out someone might be able to dispose of the dire bat, presuming a crafter of candy probably wouldn't be interested in eating dire bat.
Moving into the parlor, he admires how well kept and organized the room is. As his eyes fall on their host, he raises an eyebrow watching as she meet's his gaze. Instinctively he nods and smiles, realizing the organization in the room was due to necessity. He listens as she explains the situation and circumstance. Nodding out of habit, "Thank you for your warm welcome Kendra Lorrimor, I am Sariel Patrick Cornelius, your father and I corresponded after his retirement." He considers her requests, not wanting to make promises, he answers honestly. "Your father was my friend and I had hoped I might be of some small assistance."
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Waking as the woman entered, Lady Shae took her leave of Sorsul's arm and made her way to the woman. She took her hand and gave it a small squeeze.
"Thank you for your hospitality. Your father was a great man, and I was saddened to hear of his passing. But Pharasma will be fair in guiding him to his afterlife, and im sure his soul will be happy and safe during his next journey." Her eyes shone behind her ornate mask as she patted the woman's hands once again.
After her condolences, Lady Shae took a seat by the woman and opened her pouch again, smiling at Kendra.
"Take this, my love. Candy makes everyone feel better." She handed the woman a green and amber candy wrapped in parchment paper before unwrapping one for herself and popping it in her mouth.
The bloodied bird grunted in acknowledgement and tilted her head to the man. "Just not too picky an eater, I suppose. If it's of no use it can be discarded, then. Thank you, sir." Wasteful.
She briskly made her way after everyone else and found herself before the group and the sightless young woman. "Evening, ma'am. Thank you for your great generousity. It would be an honor to serve in any capacity," she cooed cooly. "Senna Tora, here to be of assistance."
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Kendra smiles at everyone's kind words. "Thank you. I'm so glad that all of you are here."
Not wanting to interrupt the social interaction, Sariel moves slowly, watching Kendra. She was the same sickly girl he'd met before Lorrimor retired here. Of course she'd grown, become a woman, but there was more. The way she, though blind, could sense their presence; Sariel wonders what magic was at work.
His thoughts interrupted as the dusky lady offers Kendra a piece of candy. He chuckles as his friend's daughter accepts. He was half tempted to ask if he could have another, having a thing for sweets. It was one of the few indulgences he permitted himself. But remembering what the priests had said, "moderation in all things". Sariel had altered the saying "Moderation in some things. Damnation in others." He knew the road eating meat would take him down and he didn't want to go there.
Noticing several empty chairs, Sariel was half tempted to take a seat. He preferred the night and was willing to stay up all evening. When he is working for the 'church' he rents the darkest room of an inn, sleeping the day away and working at night. Of course, the things he hunts are out at night, but this task will be done in the day and at dawn no less.
Sighing, he turns, smiling at this dinner companions, 'Ladies it has been a pleasure," Turning back towards Lorrimir's daughter. "The journey has been long and I should rest for tomorrow. May ask your leave." He looks from Kendra towards Adivion. "Would you prefer to show me a room, or let me wander about finding one?" He smiles, he would normally ask to sleep in the cellar, but since he would be sleeping at night and active in the day, any room would do.
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When you're done speaking with Kendra, Adivion shows you to your rooms. As promised, there are hot baths prepared for anyone who wants to wash off the grime from your travels, and the beds are comfortable. At precisely midnight, though, you're awoken by the ringing of church bells. They chime erratically for approximately half a minute before the sound ceases.
At dawn, you gather at the entrance to the Restlands with Kendra, Adivion, and five other villagers. The priest and two gravediggers wait at the burial site - according to local tradition, they don't accompany the pallbearers from the gate to the grave.
Taking the smallest guest room, which happened to be in the attic, Sariel gathers his pack and carries it up the stairs with him. Removing the belt and weapons, he lays the stakes near him on the bed. As was his habit he slept dressed, so when the bells began to chime, he was instantly awake, a stake in each hand. Peering out the small window he wonders what was going on in town and if he should go help. Smiling at himself as he realized the towns folks would likely attack him as quickly as any true threat, he laid back down and was quickly asleep.
Having slept comfortably in the small room in the attic, Sariel left his pack there in the room. Arranging the wooden stakes in his haramaki so they weren't obvious, he collected his tea pot, tea, honey, teacup and saucer and headed downstairs. Asking if he could put some water on the stove, Sariel made enough tea for everyone. Helping himself the oatmeal that had been made, he avoided the ham and bacon. He was not averse to eating eggs, but the oatmeal, with the raisins and extra honey, truly hit the spot for him.
Greeting the ladies as they joined in for breakfast, he enjoyed the small talk, getting better acquainted with his new friends. As they leave the house before down, he gathers his hat and cloak from the pegs and holds the door for the ladies as they prepare to depart. Walking towards their destination he asks, looking from Adivion to Kendra, "Do we know what caused the ringing of the bells?"
As they gather at the entrance to the Restlands, Sariel volunteers to be a pallbearer. Cautiously moving towards the casket alone with anyone else.
For her part, Sorsul felt somewhat guilty at enjoying a night of leisure. Her coin purse was none the lighter for food, a roof over her head, and a hot bath. It was a moment to cherish, but the joy was tainted at knowing what caused it. Part of her wanted to just lie back and take whatever life could give her, but guilt gnawed at her over it.
Come morning she nodded at Sariel as he joined them for breakfast. It was good that he volunteered to be a pallbearer, but she was hesitant to join him on that. She knew that with her slight frame, carrying such a heavy load would prove difficult. Eventually she, with some reluctance, volunteered to aid him. While she greatly feared carrying it, and the possibility of not being able to, she didn’t know what else she could do to repay the professor’s kindness. And if it meant struggling to carry him, then that was the least she could do for him.
Lady Shae retired to her room, disrobing from her travel clothes and laying out her nightgown before easing her way into the nice, warm bath. The scented oils and soaps eased her racing thoughts and soothed her body after the long carriage ride and subsequent walking to the Lorrimor house. Tobi played with the fringe of her nightgown and waited for his mistress for their nightly cuddles.
After washing her hair and body, Lady Shae rose from the bath and grabbed a towel, drying her body before pulling on her night dress. Before she knew it, she and Tobi were curled up under the covers and fast asleep. Her dreams were full of whispers and unrest, and she woke with a start to bells ringing out in the night.
"Tobi, I fear something may be amiss..." Tobi's bright, glowing eyes gazed into hers with an understanding only a familiar and their witch could have. Looking out the window and seeing nothing amiss, Lady Shae laid back down, pulled Tobi close, and waited for her dreams to retake her.
In the morning, the Lady made her way down to find the group already gathered for breakfast. She kept a relaxed look on her face, trying to ignore the dread building in her heart.
"Good morning, friends. I pray you all slept well?" She grabbed some toast and began nibbling as Tobi weaved his way in and out of the legs of everyone in the room. Looking around at the motley crew, she couldn't help but smile. The professor meant so much to her, and she could tell that the others felt very similar.
She threw her hand in to be a pallbearer, the best way to usher in a new beginning for her friend.
How could one sleep with the nerves of a big day so coiled tight in their chest? Instead, Senna chose to meditate and make peace with the spirits haunting her. After much meditation she disrobed and set all of her stuff aside, disregarding the spots in which she discarded them as they'd all end up scattered randomly throughout the room anyhow.
What an interesting group of unlikely adventurers... Leave it to Lorrimor to- her thoughts were cut off by the dreadful sound of bells with no harmony or rhythm. Cacophonous collisions chime out in the night. A bad omen, perhaps...?
As the sun rose, so too did the bird. She got dressed in her hiyoku, which was black with white stitched trees that had blood red sakura, found her belongings right as the spirits were finished pulling their pranks, and made her way downstairs to enjoy a somber breakfast with the new crew before heading off to the Restlands. "I can assist with pallbearing."
"Probably the wind. Ravengro gets pretty nasty storms at times."
The other villagers introduce themselves as Councilmen Vashian Hearthmount and Gharen Muricar, tavernkeeper Zokar Elkarid and his son Pevrin, and apothecary Jominda Fallenbridge. All were friends of Petros.
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You work together to lift the heavy coffin and solemnly proceed along the Dreamwake . Kendra leads the procession. You're about halfway to the gravesite when a dozen surly-looking individuals holding farming implements step out from behind various tombstones and move to block your way.
"That's far enough. We been talking, and we don't want Lorrimor buried in the Restlands. You can take him upriver and bury him there if you want, but he ain't goin' in the ground here!"
Kendra is swift to respond, her sadness swiftly transforming into anger. "What are you talking about?" she cries out. "I arranged it with Father Grimburrow. He's waiting for us! The grave's already been -"
"You don't get it, woman. We won't have a necromancer buried in the same place as our kin. I suggest you move out while you still can. Folks are pretty upset about this right now."
"Necromancy!? Are you really that ignorant?"