Drake states to Anapa, "You said: 'It's only polite to introduce yourself to the rulers of an area when you step onto their domain', Well I am the proper ruler of these lands. I did not step into their domain.
I dont plan on provoking them or claiming my right. I dont want bloodshed or loss of life."
---
Speaking with Mayor Sensuleti:
He would let Cristo alert her to what he has learned and then Drake offers up a more precise explaination, "I am the ruler of the Tower. I have no intentions of harming or claiming more land. All of the ghosts have been expelled from Harrowstone Prison. I was among the other adventurers who cleared it. I have been busy with The Tower and apologize for not introducing myself sooner. Would you like to come back and take the tour of The Tower with your squad? Anapa here can carry you or I can."
She speaks plainly with Drake, "What you say is good. We are glad that The Tower poses no threat to our community. Yes I would appreciate a tour. I could get my coach ready. No need to apologize I have been busy learning the ropes myself."
---
She agrees to be carried by Drake. She just needs to change first. In a few minutes
she returns in adventuring gear.
*Updated
Drake states to Zenli, "I suppose that is an option but Anapa and I can travel much swifter than any horse. Anapa is likely a smoother trip."
Pleased the introductions appear to be going well, Cristo waits with Mayor Zenli for the carriage.
The group walks out of the mayor's office and begin to head back. Zenli in Drake's arms. Imrik or Anapa, likely help Cristo return.
In less than an hour they have returned and with the mayor in tow.
He puts Mayor Sensuleti down and leads the group back to the others. Happily, he states, "Everyone ready for the tour? Now the vault will be the last place to see. Do you want to see the dormitories and living spaces? Do you want to see the safe areas of the lower level?"
"I think we should just start at the top and work our way down." Imrik suggests.
"Dormitories? Living spaces? Yes, please", a surprised cleric answers. "After you, Master Windfall."
He leads the group around the top of The Tower. The common rooms, several empty bedrooms, the kitchen, the pantry, then he leads you to the waypoint again. A red crystal floats from his hand and augments the waypoint. You are teleported into a room with dim red light. The lights increase intensity as they turn shades of blue, green, and yellow. The room is made of slabs of granite. The doorway is circular. As you approach the three plates of metal making up the door reced into the wall. He takes you down a bare hallway. Then into another door. Here there is a wide window that covers most of the wall. He steps up to it and offers, "This is the gldungeon complex below the tower. As you can see it is infested with organic life forms. They are contained. A magical barrier is around the whole ecosystem." He waits for the questions.
"Have you been able to determine the tower's original purpose, if there was one?" Cristo asked.
"Again. He echo's my thoughts. Just in a more auditory way" he laughs
"This is quite an impressive building. How did it come into being? And, what happened to the prison?"
He relays happy to tell the tale, "Oh yes Cristo. Research. The dungeon grew and the elves of the region learned of the zerg infestation. The dungeon was culled and the barrier set in place. We grew The Tower from the trees and stone. As we left the tower, and the region, it descended. I was but a boy when the The Tower was finished. My mother was the lead scientist on the project. Much of those early memories I had forgotten but the heart showed me highlights to reactivate memories.
The prison is no more. It was nearly falling to pieces as the ghosts were put to rest. Elevating The Tower created a chasm and that is where the rubble of the prison now remains."
The Pharasman turns to the young Mayor. "Mayor Sensuleti, based on the testimony of Drake Windfall, will you cede to Drake's claim over the Tower?"
"Master Windfall, will you cede to the rules and laws of Ravengro when outside the Tower?"
She speaks plainly, "Yes I cede any claim I or the town has on the tower. I never thought we had a claim on it. Drake is the dungeon safe?"
"I will abide by the laws of Ravengro if they are just and right. I hope they can stand up to my standards. The dungeon is not safe. The barrier maintains the dungeon. I go in to cull everyday. That job will be left to the Dragonkin soon. Feel free to ask any questions you might have."
"What are you culling? More animated objects or are the undead rising still?" Imrik asks.
"If the latter, I am at your service. It is my sacred duty to purge and destroy any undead and send their souls to be rightfully judged" he proudly states as he taps his breast Armor and holy symbol
Cristo looks derisively at the aasimar, holding his Pharasma holy symbol. "Ahem."
"I realize you follow a similar code as my own, though i do believe we serve different deities" he chuckles
"This is very true", Cristo answers. "Hopefully, if there is time, I would enjoy a rousing religious discussion."
The Pharasman looks to the tower's lord or any more information, pleased diplomatic channels prevailed.
In response to Imrik, he points out the window to view the dungeon. It is a massive cavern covered in organic materials, vegetation, and insect-like creatures. "I continue to cull the Zerg."
If there are no more questions Drake leads the group back towards the waypoint. But stops at the furthest door, he touches a red crystal to the door and it opens. Within you can find all sorts of items. He enthusiastically states, "Welcome to the vault. I offer one item to each of you in your coming battles. Also please take a weapon or armor augment crystal. These gifts are in hopes that if the dungeon needs to be culled then you would hopefully answer."
Cristo gasps in surprise to see so many augment crystals in one place. "Drake, you have a fortune in augment crystals!"
The cleric takes a lesser crystal of energy assault (acid), and clicks it onto his morningstar.
The Pharasman looks at all the different magical arms and devices in the vault. Cristo blinks to see a rather smart-looking pair of spectacles of understanding. The cleric puts them on. "Astounding. I'll take these."
"Oh, by the way, Master Windfall, what are the Zerg?"
"You have quite the collection indeed. These must have taken quite some time to collect. Or perhaps you have a crafter that works for you? Or even, made them yourself?"
"From what I have gathered they are animalistic insects that evolve rapidly to outside stimuli. They are neutral outsideers."
"Like my new friends, I am more than willing to help fight back the undead scourge. I am ready ready for that fight!
Calin exhales in surprise at the arsenal that Drake stores in his vault. "Drake, you are most kind. If you don't mind, I need a few moments to look over your wares. There are too many options to choose from!"
[ooc]I'll get Calin's equipment figured out tonight or tomorrow.[/b]
"Anapa, most of these items were found in the dungeon. It produces magical crystals as well as the monsters. As you can see most of my trove includes ioun stones and augment crystals. Take what time you need, I can also get you a list. Let's head up and figure out our next steps."
He offers Calin a print out of the items in the vault. Then leads the group to the waypoint. Back upstairs he leads the group back to the welcoming hall. He has a seat in his special cushioned chair. "Mayor Sensuleti, you are welcome to stay as long as you want. Also if you want an escort back you just have to ask. Now if no one else knows where the books are at the moment they are likely still at the Lorrimor estate with Kendra. Which we need to deliver to
Calin looks up and down the rows of items in the vault. And makes his selections.
"I haven't seen the books since leaving the prison. Yes, I have to imagine that Kendra is still holding. Where do we need to deliver the books?"
Imrik picks up a nice looking bag and a gleaming gem and heads up.
After attaching the crystal and fastening the clasp, he goes to take a place next to Calin
"Though I do not think I am the best to carry the book, I do not mind helping escort those carrying it. As long as it's pleasant company, any journey, no matter how far, will be enjoyable"
"I can't remember where, I think there was a judge. It will be in one of the books."
Calin leads the group to the Lorrimor estate. After politely introducing the newcomers to Kendra, Calin inquires about the books.
"After a well-deserved respite and once again strengthening our numbers, I believe we are ready to complete the task mentioned in the books. Unfortunately, I have forgotten the details during the time away. Can we look at the books again? Plus, our new friends may see previously unseen connections or information within."
"Miss Kendra", the pharasman priest bows. "My condolences on the passing of your late father. He was a good man, and should be judged fairly.
I am Father Cristo Galdana."
"I am happy to assist in any way I can. And hopefully it will yield results needed. Though that will have to be seen"
"Do we know if anyone else might wish to take the books?" Imrik asks.
She pleasantly responds to Calin, "Yes, you are welcome to the books. Thank you Father Cristo Galdana." After introductions she lets Calin lead the group as she returns to the library.
He offers, "To my recollection, the books would be great tools for evil."
"Evil?" Cristo's brow furrowed. "What exactly is in these book?"
"What have they been used to do before?" Imrik asks.
"Much knowledge can be used for either good or evil. Knowledge in itself is not evil. The hand that wields such knowledge is the one that needs to be judged" he crosses his arms
This book is Petros Lorrimor’s journal. The other tomes comprise the books of dangerous lore mentioned in his will—three of these have notes tucked into them indicating that they should be delivered to one Montagnie Crowl, a professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University. The fourth, Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye, has a note indicating it should be delivered to Embreth Daramid, a judge at the Lepidstadt Courthouse (although the note asks for this delivery in particular to be handled discreetly, and includes the address of Embreth’s home so that you can deliver it there). These books are summarized below.
• Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye: The rich purple cover contains a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. The book’s covers are rimmed in polished steel and clasped with a small but intricate lock, the keyhole of which appears to be for a key with a strange, triangular shaft. The key is nowhere to be found.
The book’s contents seem strangely out of place compared to the other texts, for while it contains detailed descriptions of a number of ancient ceremonies, both magical and mundane, they are more concerned with purely arcane or mathematical topics and have very little sinister about them at all.
You recognize the book for what it is, and that the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye is a secret
society whose members have deep interests in all things political and arcane.
• On Verified Madness: This jet-black book is a treatise on aberrations and other entities found on Golarion that possess remote ties to the Dark Tapestry, the name given to the dark places between the stars in the night sky.
• Serving Your Hunger: This text is a copy of one of several unholy books sacred to the goddess Urgathoa. Lorrimor’s notations liberally sprinkle the margins.
• The Umbral Leaves: This lexicon is a translation into Common of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon.
She is a fair and kind judge, always looking for the truth even if it is hard.
well respected for her even temper and fairness. Embreth
Daramid (NG female old human aristocrat 3/expert 4) is one
of the justices of Vieland and a magistrate of Lepidstadt,
Palatine Eye, a secret society of elite thinkers and scholars with a tradition of mysticism.
The majority of the entries in the journal are relatively bland, accounting for day-to-day activities in a small town. The professor has circled several entries in the book with red ink, though, and it is these entries he wanted his friends to pay particular attention to. The final entry, dated 17 days ago, was written on the same day the Professor’s body was found.
You know that it will talk about how people go insane. A text that is harmless if read. Unless it is read out loud or the rituals performed within its texts. You believe it has the rituals to open your mind to deeper entities that likely would warp your mind.
Serving Your Hunger: K Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
It likely speaks about undead and their neverending hunger.
The Umbral Leaves: K Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
This lexicon is a translation into Common of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon. Another book that would be fine to just read, though saying any of the reading outloud or even worship towards Zon=Kuthon could be very bad.
You know that it will talk about how people go insane. A text that is harmless if read. Unless it is read out loud or the rituals performed within its texts. You believe it has the rituals to open your mind to deeper entities that likely would warp your mind.
It likely speaks about undead and their neverending hunger.
This lexicon is a translation into Common of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon. Another book that would be fine to just read, though saying any of the reading out loud or even worship towards Zon-Kuthon could be very bad.
"Madam Kendra, might I have a look at your father's books?" Father Cristo asks. "Assuming, of course, if we can find the means to open them."
"It seems the Professor wills us to go to Lepidstadt. I've never been there before. Have any of you?"
Calin examines each book in turn, taking his time to absorb the material and read Professor Lorrimor's notes particularly close.
Upon seeing the locking clasp on the Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye, Calin shrugs and sets the book back down. "I certainly can't open that book, at least without ruining the lock."
She pleasantly responds to Calin, "Yes, you are welcome to the books. Thank you Father Cristo Galdana." After introductions she lets Calin lead the group as she returns to the library.
She already offered the books to your group. There is only one with a clasp that locks. Looking closer at it there is string around it so it doesn't close. She leaves believing you can find your way.
If no one else, he can direct the group to the books.
With Kendra's blessing, Calin leads the group to Professor Lorrimor's library, and shows Anapa and Cristo the specific books that the professor asked to be brought to Lepidstadt.
"I've examined them before, but haven't been able to glean much. Maybe we'll have better luck this time."
The Pharasman sits down in the library and studies the books. After less than a hour, Cristo looks up from his studies.
"I thank The Lady of Graves for not allowing my mind to grasp the concepts in On Verified Madness. I can only imagine what, if any, sense can be gleamed from that book."
The cleric makes a face, as if he tasted something bitter. "Sadly, the other tomes were easier to understand. Serving Your Hunger discusses undead; sometimes in the First Person. And goes into the Hunger they experience."
"The Umbral Leaves is a translation into Taldane of the unholy book of Zon-Kuthon. Nasty stuff."
"Madam Kendra, might I have something to drink? I feel slightly revolted to study such tomes, and perhaps a beverage will help rid me of their essence."
"I am rather relieved that these books in themselves are just books. Even if what they depict and discuss is rather churning. Very few books are evil in themselves. But those are the books that have malignancy in their very pages." the canine shakes his head ruefully