Alek Oltorev's page

"Sure...of course" He answered awkwardly as he placed his hat on his head once more I was expecting a stab to the heart, not a peck on the cheek The man in the long coat felt his fingers flexing and un-flexing But she's right, we'd best focus on the task at hand...and if she doesn't hate me, who am I to tell her how to feel? Last I checked I ruined every relationship I ever had with anyone Reasoned Alek, trying his best to placate his unyielding guilt.

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"Murder is a possibility, especially considering this Whispering Way cult that's mentioned" Commented Alek as he held the frontal edge of his hat.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Free Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Then his eyes looked to the doctor So he's received an offer and refused it, I wonder if they've asked all who studied necromancy in Ustalav or if they had hoped that the doctor here is corruptible... Then he turned his attention to the book case as Stefan approached it once more Better keep my eyes on him

Sorry Stefan, Alek is sort of the suspicious type ;)

Sorry guys I've got a cold, if I start feeling better I'll make posts, please DM PC me as you see fit.

You just had to ask me a favor professor Alek turned towards the rest of the people in the room his face an expressionless mask A month...I am bound to slip and reveal my full name, the chances are low, but the possibility is there His glance moved towards A'isha for mere moments before it returned to staring at the group as a whole.

And if I avoid the matter every time I am asked then that'll lead to suspicion, and with a group of strangers staying here for a month, guarding a grieving daughter...that is the last thing we need more of He took his hat off his head and a breath froze in his chest for mere moments Well if she's going to hack me to pieces with her sword, we might as well get it over with now "Miss Lorrimor, I'll do what I can to keep you safe, I'll also look into the whole matter of these thugs that tried to interrupt the funeral" Alek paused, the hand that held his hat moved to his side "I am sorry for not introducing my self sooner, my name is Alek Oltorev" He said to Kendra, his eyes no longer daring to look in the general direction of the armor clad woman.

Placing his hand on the window, Alek took a deep breath and did his best to hold back the flood of stress that mounting on his dam of patience. A part of him tried to seduce him into taking the easy way out by running now, to forget the reading of the will, to return to his life and leave A'isha none the wiser about this unplanned reunion, his more logical side on the other hand explained that it was best to avoid suspicion; that all he had to do was keep silent, steel himself with patience until his business here was at an end, and excuse himself without drawing any attention.

It was no surprise that the latter thought became more appealing as Alek began to regain his lost composure. He removed his hand from the window, crossed both hands behind his back and let the phantom of silence possess him.

Take care of yourself and come back when you feel better. We'll still be here, and if you think someone besides the butler or daughter did it, please share when you come back ;)

A cold splash of of emotion froze Alek where he stood, his eyes widened and he felt the weight he had long since thought was a bit easier to bear come crashing down on him like an avalanche, ghosts of the past came back, howling old regrets and fears he had believed he had sorted out and the vision of a little girl smiling at him and then the image of the same girl sobbing spun in his head till he almost felt like he no longer had the balance to even stand. A long, deep breath entered the brown haired man's lungs, but he made no other movements, and he was glad that he was staring away from everyone here.

She doesn't have to know, she seems to be better now, remembering me will only dig up old, painful memories He reasoned, as his hands broke free of the phantom shackles that held it and rubbed his neck.

Enjoy yourself and come back safely.

As the footsteps of Kendra disappeared into one of the hallways of her home, Alek moves from the spot he was standing in and closes the distance between himself and the other people included in the will of the late professor "An interesting place Harrowstone..." Begins the cynical man.

Alek will proceed to tell the others what he knows about Harrowstone.

"So the question is, why would the professor decide to visit such a place now? Why not before? Also the daughter doesn't seem to like the place, I can understand why, but I wonder if her hatred of it is simply because her father died while investigating it" Tipping his hat upwards as he walked to one of the windows, Alek looked to the outside world as he considered the questions he laid out before the gathered group.

We are a cynical lot, besides if it isn't the butler its usually one of the family.

*Gasp* Is there a butler we haven't met yet?!

A cloud of silence engulfed Alek, and his posture seemed like that of a petrified tree; unmoving save for the fingers that pinched the front edge of his hat. His hazel eyes drew a straight line to their host, one he did not bother hiding.

A crumbling statue, convenient Alek couldn't bulk his suspicions any longer, while Kendra appeared to not hold any sort of maliciousness, the story seemed too simple, too normal Or I could be just giving into my cynicism way too easily Alek broke away from the chains of motionlessness by turning his body fully towards Kendra But children and parents don't always get along...I know that all too well He unhanded his hat, his hand falling by his side.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 Is she telling the truth? Is something off about the way she explained her father's death?

Knowledge(Local) on Harrowstone: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Go, go free inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"Seems like a dangerous place, maybe I should inspect it after we are done here" Said Alek, stuffing both of his hands in his coat pockets.

Suspicion...it was something that Alek constantly had to deal with, especially after he left the local guards. He couldn't help at times but think that most people did things because of some ulterior motive or another. Yes, Kendra appeared to be the perfect host, but what better position would she have to be rid of anyone mentioned in the will of her father? Although there is nothing that really gave any basis for this line of thinking, Alek couldn't push the thought away entirely.

Rhia appears to not even notice as the brandy glass floats over to her hand. After taking a sip she looks up, noticing the other's stares. "Um..sorry"

Alek stared at the unusual event occuring around the woman with chilling aura with a critical eye "Neat trick" He spoke in a neutral tone, his face mostly hidden behind the shadow his hat provided.

Standing against one of the bare walls, Alek looks around, he was impressed by the massive collection of books, and as he skimmed through their titles he remembered discussing with the professor some their subjects as they exchanged letters. With slow steps he approached one of the shelves and looked at the titles more closely.

"None for me" He replied, Alek found the semi recovery of Kendra intriguing and just a bit suspicious.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Apologies for the late reply, Alek will pass on speaking.

Alek looked about as the last of the pallbearers ended her speech You'll be missed professor His eyes shifted to the coffin, before going back to A'isha; the sight of her tears had brought back memories of his childhood, he feared these memories because he knew that they would loosen the chains that he kept on his guilt, and the last thing he needed was for it to stampede through his mind and soul. Alek didn't bother to avert his gaze from the woman for many a moment, despite how he knew that it could lead to misunderstandings and awkwardness, it was like a wraith from his past had taken over his body and forbade from even tilting his head in another direction. Finally a muffled sigh escaped his lips as he tipped his hat downwards, another memory came to him, a memory of the last time he had seen his best friend, his gaze hovered over the graveyard , as visions of the past came alive in his mind Better this then stare awkwardly at someone who could be a complete stranger She had said that her parents were killed, it was either him letting his paranoia beguile him because of two coincidences or it was really her Whichever it is, I'd better leave after we are done here

"You know what isn't far enough? You and our way, I suggest you fix that before I put down this coffin and fix it for you" The voice of the man in the long coat rang with clear annoyance and hints of anger. His eyes unabashedly showering the crowd with a glare that mirrored the feelings heard in his words.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 3 First Inspiration point of the day.

A subtle chill ran up Alek's spine as he saw the woman clad in black and silver embrace Kendra, he pulled his coat on tighter Wonder how the professor met her Alek stared at the woman for a few moments, unable to shake away the strange presence she seemed to have afflicted them with, but at the same time he surprisingly didn't feel any direct danger.

"I'm Dr. Stefan von Herzog. Petros was one of my teachers back in the day, and we'd become friends at the University of Lepidstadt. I regret that we're meeting under these circumstances."

Hazel eyes turned towards the man with the top hat, and soon an extended hand reached out to shake the offered palm "My name is Alek" He replied simply "The professor helped me with some issues I was dealing with" Alek exhaled and looked to where the coffin was "We rarely get to pick the circumstances of our meetings or farewells for that matter"

While reaching for the front edge of his hat with his fingers, Alek's eyes moved towards the woman who introduced herself A'isha, his face becoming completely impassive as a storm of emotion began raging within him Same name, the face is not unfamiliar The Ustalav native tipped his hat upwards But she wouldn't have a reason to be here He looked to the ground as his arm fell by his side.

Just what I needed at a funeral, a reminder of the last one I attended Alek began massaging his forehead and then he heard yet another person offer to become a pallbearer, which reminded him of The daughter, how could I forget that she has experience with the arcane He looked at the saddened daughter of the professor once more I'd best not linger once the funeral's done, the last thing she'd need is old friends of her father reminding her that he's gone, she doesn't need that His eyes glanced towards A'isha once more before returning to Kendra Yes it would be best if I don't linger, but...

"If there is anything you need help with, just ask the local inn keep for Alek" Your father's helped me through a rough time in my life, only fair I do the same Said the brown haired man, his voice sounding quite sincere.

One question Grand Moff Vixen, did A'isha introduce herself with her full name or just her first name? I ask because my next post will differ depending on the answer.

Little difference is what Alek saw when he arrived at the funeral; yes customs were different, so were the styles of clothing and of course the method of preparation, but the ghosts of tragedy loomed over them all the same, this funeral was no different in spirit than any other he'd been to, he hoped to be done with this as soon as he could, but knew that the sense of loss and grief would tail him like a shadow after he left. The morning sun did little to lighten the mood, and the sea of black coats, cloaks and dresses seemed to strip everything else from view, save for the forest of grey gravestones that surrounded them, each with its own tale of loss and sadness.

Alek took a long deep breath, pulled on the front edge of his hat and tipped it downwards, causing a mask of shadow to come over his face You'll be missed professor He bid the man he owed goodbye mentally, before turning and taking note of the woman that closed the distance between them.

”Welcome I hope you are not too tired from your journey.” She wipes a few stray tears away with her sleeve. ”I am Kendra Lorrimor, you must be one of the old friends my father asked to attend. I have black cloaks prepared for you if needed, but otherwise my father asked for you to be one of his pallbearers. You don't have to accept but it would be greatly appreciated.”

The daughter, I think I heard he had a daughter discounting the frown that was on his face, Alek expression was fairly neutral "I would be glad if he thought of me as a friend, in all honesty he helped more than I could him" The man's eyes peered at the grieving woman from beyond the shadowy wraps that slightly obscured his face "If there is no one else of his friends deemed closer, I'll do it" He answered simply and then looked to the black haired man who stood next to them.

"You knew him?" He asked seemingly out of nowhere, his focus shifting swiftly from Kendra to the individual who just offered to be one of the pallbearers.

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Has Alek ever heard anything about Kendra?

Free Inspiration for trained Knowledge check: 1d6 ⇒ 4

GM Ghost wrote:

Grand Moff Vixen wrote:

I am checking in with A'isha. Since I have spent all but about 3GP of her money, I believe I am set. I may buy some small cost items but that is it. I await the gameplay thread!

Gameplay thread will go up tonight when I get home.

*Darth Vader voice* Impressive, most impressive!

*Places fingers against each other and leans back in his chair* Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.

Happy to be here. GMT+3.