Cael had paced back and forth in the study, waiting for the others to arrive. When they were finally present he began. "Gentlemen, and Lucetta, thank you for coming so quickly. I have grave news that I desperately hope to be just my imagination run wild."
Cael pulled a small leather bound book from his robes. He continued "I opened the Professor's trunk, the one we are to deliver in a month's time, to examine the contents. Purely academic reasons, I assure you. Among the dark texts in there I found this. Lorrimor's journal."
Cael passed the book to the group, with scraps of paper sticking out of the top, marking the important pages to read. Once more Cael spoke, "Petros was following the trail of a cabal of necromancers it seems. It has something to do with a place called Harrowstone, here in Ravengro. The last entry is dated just before he died. Friends, I'm afraid Petros Lorrimor's death may not have been as innocent as we have been led to belive. I believe he was murdered." He let his words hang in the air as the others read the book.
Circled Entries in Lorrimor's Journal:
Ten Years Ago:
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.
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 or a witch or something. Ignorant fools.
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. I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down below. If my luck holds, I should be able to slip in and out with a few borrowed items.
Seventeen Days Ago:
Tomorrow evening I return to the prison. 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, should the worst come to pass
Cael emerges from his room at last, bleary eyed. It is clearly evident to see him that he got very little if any rest last night. He staggers into the kitchen to scrounge some food for breakfast. He makes his morning pleasantries as perfunctorily as one might, though he seems more distracted than anything else. He ashs Kendra very matter of factly for directions to her father's library, assuming that he of course had one, or a study at the very least.
As he begins exiting, half eaten food still clutched between his hands, he hangs back to ask Brevon to step outside for a brief word. Once in the hallway, Cael lowers his voice to barely more than a whisper, eyes wild, "I need you to gather up everyone in the house besides Kendra and meet me in the study as soon as possible. Something has just come to my attention that may be of grave importance. I pray it is simply my imagination run wild but I cannot risk ignoring it. Gather the others, I'll be waiting."
With that Cael departs for the study.
DM ONLY:
Going to try and do some research on the Whispering Way and Harrowstone.
Know(history):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Know(arcana):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Cael twirls the key in between his fingers, eyeing the chest in the corner. He breaks from his reverie as everyone begins discussing other things, chiefly drinking. "I don't suppose you have a good Chelish red stowed away somewhere? I have never been partial to whiskey or ale except on certain occasions." Cael breaks off for a moment as if finished speaking but resumes after a second, "Of course if this vintage whiskey is remarkable I wouldn't refuse a glass."
With that, Cael moves to the chest and inserts the key, his curiosity having gotten the better of him.
"How could we refuse, my dear? Lead on, we are right behind you." Cawley gestured to indicate they were all ready and willing to return to her home and hear the Professor's last wishes.
Cael stepped forward as the coffin was lowered. He tried to remember what he had written in his little notebook for a eulogy, but somehow it didn't feel right. Instead, he cleared his throat and spoke softly, "He was an inspiration to us all, a passionate educator devoted to bringing the light of knowledge to any who would listen. He was a loving father, and a good friend. I will miss him dearly." With that finished, he stepped back and hung his head.
Cael feels anger swell up inside, his outrage growing. He spares a glance at Kendra to try and temper his demeanor. He takes a deep breath and pushes it down, the snarl fading from his lips. He wills his voice to be calm and reasonable as he interjects with his own two pence, "If by some strange happenstance you do have such proof to suggest the good Professor was some sort of necromancer, wouldn't it behoove you to bring it up in a time and manner befitting your claim? I think we can all agree that on the way to the grave site is hardly the proper time or place to present it. We would hardly capitulate to such a conclusion by reason of a few men on the road. Unless of course, you cared not for presenting logical conclusions and instead wished to do violence to our persons on sacred ground." Cael takes a moment to gesture to the graveyard around them.
He forces a smile as he genially concludes, "This, by the by, would probably be something frowned upon by the local clergy, I would think."
Cael lies a hand upon the coffin, closes his eyes, and speaks in a low voice.
Elven:
"May the Lady of Graves take you to a better place. May whatever you find on the other side fill you with joy and light. It was my privilege to know you. It was my honor to call you a friend. Be at peace, Petros. Go with grace."
He opens his eyes and retracts his hand from the coffin. He does not approach the other people assembled but he gives them another deep nod. Inside though he wonders, Is this all? Where are his devoted pupils? Where are his colleagues? Does no one care this man is dead?
Cael takes hold of her hand, offering his arm for the lady as they stride toward the coffin and the other men. He whispers to her as they walk, "Take heart, child. Be strong but remember, this day is for you to say goodbye. In whatever manner you need to. Don't be afraid."
Finally by the coffin, Cael disengages from Kendra and walks around the coffin, trying to see where it would be best to hold it from in case he were to fail in his responsibilities. The front? No, poor Petros might come out head first. The back then? Yes, that'd do much better. A dead man's shoes would hardly cause a fright. He spared the other men a casual smile and a quick hello with a wave before taking up a space by the rear of the coffin.
Cael pales a bit, thinking to himself I was never very strong of body, is this some sort of final practical joke? Petros, you fool! Don't hold it against me if you come spilling out of your coffin on my account!" What comes out of his mouth though is, "It would be my distinct honor." He makes a small bow nod in reverence for the occasion's solemnity. All the while he curses himself for not preparing a spell to help with this.
Cael finishes helping Kendra down the stairs, then darts to the sitting room. He sees the two men left in the room, Gadoongo and Kavakii, and gestures with his hand for them to follow. He adds, "Come along gentlemen, the services are about to begin. It wouldn't do to dawdle."
With that done, he returns to the foyer to make ready to leave. He dons his cloak, straightens his robes, and looks about to see if there are any last tasks to be done before leaving.
Cael nodded and turned, bending his head down to whisper in Lucetta's ear, "It's Cael, not Carl." He then strode off in search of Kendra. He passed Brevon on his way up the stairs and followed the sounds of sobbing to Kendra's door. He straightened himself as he stood before the door wondering what to say. Eventually, he knocked softly and simply said, "Kendra? My dear, there's someone at the door. He says it's time to begin the service." He stood outside the door, waiting for the young woman to come out or to say something definitively on whether or not she was coming out.
Cael sets his teacup down on a nearby table and motions for Lucetta to remain seated. "No, no. You stay and get the answer to your question. I'll get the door." He makes his way to the entrance of the sitting room and makes his way to the foyer to answer the front door.
Cael tilts his head to Lucetta's direction, saying "I'm not sure if she'll be joining us, but now that she's not waiting on us hand and foot, I think it would do well to leave her to her own devices. Though if there is another knock at the door, I daresay it should be one of us to answer."
Cael turned to the large man who had just put forth a quite erudite inquiry. He blinked, slightly taken aback, but managed quick response all the same, "I'm afraid I can't quite recall. It may have come up at some point but I confess, while more than passingly familiar with a number of divine subjects, my true expertise lies in the arcane."
Cael nods, chiming in, "Well, I met Professor Lorrimor whilst I was on sabbatical. This was, let's see, almost two decades ago? Something like that anyway. As a fellow educator we had much in common and struck up a friendship rather quickly. The man was quite well read in a number of fields and we spoke at length on a great many topics. He will be dearly missed."
Cael lifts his teacup in a toast, "To Petros Lorrimor."
Cael pats Kendra's hand while smiling warmly. "No need for apologies, my dear. We all have our needs. This is the day you say goodbye to your father. You express yourself, however you like. I'll go take this tea into the sitting room. You can stay here and compose yourself if you like, but this house is, for the time being, empty no longer.'
Cael returns to the sitting room with a small tray with a teapot and two teacups. Setting the tray down on the table, he poured a cup and handed it on a small saucer to the large stoic man who had requested it. He poured the other for himself and sat back in his previous seat, sipping his tea gingerly. He looked around at the others with a curious eye and set his teacup back on his saucer. "I didn't miss anything, did I? Are we discussing something?"
At the sound of Kendra's (Ah, that was the girl's name!) weeping, Cael snaps his book shut, stands up, and strides to the door of the sitting room. Briskly walking down to the area of the crying, Cael bids her to sit and be at ease as he finishes preparing the tea. He tries to comfort her as he does so speaking softly, "It's all well and good to try and live up to your father's expectations and stand on your own; but there comes a time when you need to lean on others, despite your inclinations not to. 'The acceptance of help is not the admission of defeat.' I believe that was another one of your father's, was it not?" Cael looks up from his work, screwing up his face as he thinks. "Or was it? I can't seem to recall."
Eventually, Cael finishes preparing the tea, standing with teapot in one hand, and two teacups in the other. He turns to Kendra, smiling warmly. "Now, I believe I will help myself to a cup as well. How about you dear? Shall I add a third cup to the tray?"
When the daughter opens the door, Cael tears up and embraces the woman. "You must be his wonderful daughter. He told me so much about you, I am so sorry for your loss." He wipes the corners of his eyes and takes her hand and nods as she explains about the sitting room.
On the way back, he desperately tries to remember her name as he asks her "My poor dear I'm sure you must be dreadfully distraught, have you no one else to perform this grim task today of all days? Receiving visitors when you might be saying your final goodbyes? Forgive me if I overstep my bounds, but it seems you are less than fit for such trying work."
Upon reaching the sitting room, Cael glances around to see the other two men already waiting. "Ah, gentlemen. Professor Cael Vysorin, at your service. I presume you are both here for the funeral as well? Absolutely dreadful." He trails off as he examines the bookcases and trinkets around the room for anything familiar or of interest. Eventually he sits, pulling out his own journal to peruse his written eulogy.
I guess I'll keep the intro train rolling. Cael (pronounced like kale) is going to be mostly arcane utility with the occasional blasty spell.
I personally live in PA and have been playing DnD and other assorted tabletop games for the past 5 years or so since I was introduced to it in high school. Currently studying Computer Science and about a year out from graduating!
A bump in the road startled Cael awake, rousing from his reverie with a start. His eyes darted around the small black carriage but find nothing of the horrific sights he had previously beheld. "Damn this Usalavan air. It quite disagrees with me." he mumbled to no one in particular. The grey dawn had only barely began shedding enough light to see by, but it was enough for him to pick up his journal and pick up writing his eulogy where he had left off.
The pen hovered over the page for a few moments before Cael sighed and put down both journal and pen. He stared out the window, his mind still reeling. It's only natural I think of her now, after so long. Being in Ustalav, seeing Lorrimor again. Well, seeing him one final time. . . " he thought to himself as the carriage took another nasty bump in the road.
Cael hissed as his inkpot spilled over onto the floor of the carriage. He began tidying what he could. He wiped a strand of hair out of his face and looked up to where the driver would be sitting on the other side of the wall and began raising his voice. "Well, at least with all this bumping we must be making GREAT SPEED!"
He clicked his tongue as he sat back down. Today was the day of the funeral and it wouldn't do to be late. Much of that was now out of his control, but if harsh words could drive his horses faster then by all the gods, they would have them! He resolved to make another comment in less than an hour, but first he really must finish this eulogy. . .
Okay, Background Points have been added to the profile page. Really enjoyed how they helped to flesh out the character! Totally stealing them for my next game that I run.
The warforged's shoulders slump, and it seems the energy is drained out of him. His gravelly voice drones, "Oookaay. This one will search for work elsewhere."
Ok, added backstory, made a note about his personality, and I think I've fixed any problems with his stats that were there. Made the Warforged race using Hero Forge's options according to the conversion site, so if something looks wrong, just let me know.
"I live to serve!" the warforged proclaims, giving a curt bow with his clenched right fist crossed over his chest.
Alright, here's a quick run through of everyone who has posted interest and at least rolled for their stats.
The people who have characters built and posted in some form are listed below. Everyone else who have only rolled for stats and such are down at the bottom.
If I have missed anyone, just let me know.
PLAYER -> CHARACTER -> RACE/CLASS
Algar Lysandris -> Cedric Targayrian -> Human Cleric
Antariuk -> Chierak of the Ghaal'dar -> Hobgoblin Samurai(Sword Saint)
Phurs -> Resuce -> Warforged Armiger
Spacefighters -> Alistair Creed -> Human Wizard
Gerhard Ronn -> Illyri -> Changeling Rogue
Silvertounge -> Eldrak Oreborn -> Warforged Fighter
Viluki -> Avicia -> ??? Warlock (concept only, no crunch)
Everyone else has only rolled for stats, no alias, stat block, or info about character posted.
The list:
Sec Seibzehn
GrinningJest3r
DoubleGold
Alex Mack
Quon Tifton
Twilightrose
Fabian Benavente
Caranthir70129
Warsor
Dreaming Warforged
Jubal Breakbottle
Eminem80
Apollo Randasian
GMT
Rune
