Female_NPC_recruitable's page

Kendra speaks up. "This is getting a bit out of hand. I gather you really want that sword, Vertielle. Rova, just what do you want? Also Wood, don't you have to return the ioun stone and the ring of feather fall to the Silk Purse?"

I messed up the math, the actual amount for equal shares per party member is 1319 g 16 s plus a few coppers.

That night at dinner, Kendra says to Rova and Zhiden "Please stay for a while longer. Father left a sum of cash, 100 platinum each, in his will for those of his old friends who came, as long as they stayed with me for 30 days after his death. There is a task associated with the bequest. There's a box of books he wanted delivered to two people in Lepidstadt. I would have no objection to including you in the bequest if you chose to stay."

As the group debates tactics and honor, they hear a voice.

"I see you were able to handle this lot. Very good."

Shalelu is sitting on one of the larger rocks the bandits rolled down.

"I tracked their trail back to their base. There's no need to worry about the others - and there are 4 more prisoners to pick up."

She steps down and joins the group standing over the gravesite.

"Varisan law says they should eventually be taken to Magnimar for judgment. I don't think we need to take them there, though. We can take them back to Galduria or north to Wolf's Ear where they'll be held until a decision is made to try them here or transport them."

She stops to think a bit.

"Perhaps it might be best if I took them to Galduria and then went about my task, allowing you to continue with yours more quickly. I'm certain there's a reward for this bunch, I'll make certain it's delivered to Sandpoint in your names."

As everyone enjoys dinner, Kendra asks "So, what are your plans for tomorrow? What do you have left to do there? How many of the -what did you call them- the 'big 5' are left?"

Kendra says "The cards can effect things you do, allowing you to adjust fate in some fashion. The one I dealt you specifically effects you, those six that were drawn first affect the goal as a whole. I feel that this one" she touches The Uprising "is relevant to Harrowstone specifically. The others...I'm afraid that the events here are part of something larger we have been drawn into. They play into that, but for now, I don't know how or why."

kendra speaks up. "Before you go, let me do a fate reading for you, like I did for the others."

After the table has been cleared she pulls out an old but elaborate box containing Harrow cards.

She looks up at the rest of the group. "Please, lay your cards here and spread the six fate cards, face up, in front of the deck. Kirik, Gkirkhan and Que left theirs, so..."she shuffles three cards back in.

"Rova, Zhiden, please, clear your minds and touch the deck."

After both of you have done so, she shuffles the deck again and deals out the two top cards, one to each of you.

Rova gets The Bear, from the Hammers suit.

Zhiden gets The Teamster, from the Shields suit.

"Interesting. Neither of you recieved any of the returned cards. I hope that means that our allies may return some time."

As Vertielle gives Zhiden a strange look, Kendra speaks up "Perhaps he has a point. What was that line Father Grimburrow quoted to us?"

'As splatters spell out names so bright
Then page by page the author fight'

"Maybe destroying the book will affect this Splatter Man."

Kendra says "The +1 silver mace? It's in the library."

Kendra looks at him and smiles. "Certainly, Wood. I'd be honored."

Kendra speaks up "Actually, Rova, unless your gauntlets are enchanted to be weapons, they will not damage incorporeal creatures. One of father's first lessons to me."

Around this time, Tomas enters the room. "Sir, I brought your things. They're in the wagon. Forgive me, but I'm afraid I can't get them in without help."

Kendra shudders and replies "Yes. Undead. Even here in town. I guess a little background wouldn't hurt. Ravengro was founded in 4594 AR as a support town for Harrowstone, a prison designed to hold dangerous offenders. The area was then known as the county of Tamrivena and the Count at the time wanted a was to make some money. He charged the other counties of Ustalav to hold their prisoners as well. This worked for a while, however, fifty years ago, in 4662, there was a riot that led to a fire that destroyed the prison, killing the prisoners, many of the guards, the warden, and his wife. Since then the ruin has been regarded locally as haunted. Father, father beleived that some recent events were being trigered by an organization of necromancers known as the Whispering Way. he went up there on the night of the fire and -never returned. The sheriff found him up there the next day. After his death, things started happening here."

"After dinner. Let Pitor get you a room and we'll fill you in."

"Rova, Zhiden, this is Vertielle, Eva, and Wood. They've been here since my father's - funeral - and have been quite busy unravelling the strange events since. I'm glad you both could make it here finally."

"Father told me a great deal about Rova. I'm glad he could make it. Rova, don't worry about your stuff, I'll send Tomas to pick it up for you. Get cleaned up and we'll have dinner. Eva, Wood and Vertielle can fill you in on what's been happening here."

Kendra pauses. "We've had yet another loss. Que had to leave. She left her share of the items you found in Harrowstone. After dinner, I think I'll do another reading from the Fate deck."

She smiles at Rova. "We'll have to get you a card as well."

"Thank you. Show Rova where the kitchen is."

Then Kendra smiles, one of the few anyone's seen since her father's death. "Try not to scare my cook" she jokes.

"If you really think you'll be more comfortable that way, I'll set it up. The rest should be back soon. I'll introduce you and they can fill you in on what's been happening."

She pauses, looking uncomfortable. "It seems that father's death...wasn't an accident."

Kendra nods. "I agree that this needs to be ended as quickly as possible. Still...please, please be prepared. I don't want to lose anyone else."

Everyone gets down with no issues.

You head back to Ravengro and Kendra's home. he's pleased to see you.

"Is everyone OK? Father Grimburrow has offered free healing if you need it. Anya will draw baths for you so you can clean up before dinner."

She pauses and picks up a letter from the sideboard. "Oh, Gkirkhan, this was in the mail basket today.'

She hands it to him.

The group gets back to Kendra's place with no issues.

She has a late dinner waiting, and says"How did it go? Did you learn anything about the events here...about my father's...accident?"

After dinner and hearing of your adventures, Kendra says

"Please let Father Grimburrow know about those undead. He and his acolytes will need to check out the Restlands to be sure there are no more. Meanwhile, whould you like to join me at the circus tonight? The Crooked Kin come by here regularly and they are quite talented. They occasionally brought Father information and I, for one, admire their ability to function in Ustalav in their - situation."

Kendra hesitates for a moment at Wood's request, then says "I guess it would be...I haven't cleared it out yet, you see. Would that bother you, just for tonight? I'll have Tomas clear father's things out tomorrow."

At Gkirkhan's words, Kendra shudders.

"I don't...want to believe that.Perhaps we are just jumping at shadows. Please, do look into this, not just for Father, but for me as well."

She pauses, looking down at the Professor's diary.

"This place is my home. This town,it's people, even poor Gibs, are family, friends, associates. Father seemed to fear they were all in danger. I *will* stand by them. I will not leave, I will not flee, until this is resolved. Please, stay with me here and help. There is room and I'll feel better with company. You have my permission to use anything here that might help resolve this. The Temple will have records you might be able to access. You can also check at the Town Hall or The Unfurling Scroll, our local school."

Here she pauses, closing her eyes briefly, seeming to draw strength from somewhere. When she speaks again, she reminds you strongly of her father.

"I'm afraid it may not be easy. Unfortunately, even the more open-minded of the townsfolk here take time to warm up to strangers. Still, if father was right about something evil threatening this town..."

Here she smiles at Gkirkhan.

"Please remember, they're scared and don't know why. It seems to be a common thing for any sentient to blame outsiders for their troubles, even when they know different. Keep that in mind when you're dealing with them. They'll come around. Even Father Grimburrow is...getting less open-minded lately. Take care."

"If this is a Fate deck, the cards chosen will aid you in whatever task you are fated to face. Supposdly you can call upon the 'power of the card' and it will grant you a benefit of some kind and return to the deck. You can't draw a new card until the one you first drew has been used. What cards do we have, anyway?"

The original draw, from the cuts, does include all six suits. The cards she turns over are: from the suit of Hammers: The Uprising, from the suit of Keys: The Crows, from the suit of Shields: The Survivor, from the suit of Books: The Hidden Truth, from the suit of Stars: The Eclipse, and from the suit of Crowns: The Marriage.

As for your individual cards; Evangeline has drawn The Inquisitor (from the suit of Books), Gkirkhan has drawn The Twin (from the suit of Crowns), Kurik has drawn [rather ironicly] The Brass Dwarf (from the suit of Shields), and Vertielle and Wood have both drawn from the suit of Stars; Vertielle drew The Publican and Wood, The Queen Mother.

@group: make a note of which card you have, and who will keep the deck.

"I know it seems odd, Gkirkhan, but father always believed this was a Fate deck, not a normal Harrow deck."

The chest doesn't look that ominous. It's relatively small, made of burnished oak and bound in iron. Once opened, the chest is found to contain five books. The first is the newest, and comes with an attached note: "Read me now!" it declares in familiar handwriting.

Four other tomes are removed: the first, a jet black book, "On Verified Madness," the second "Serving Your Hunger", the third "The Umbral Leaves."

The last is untitled, bound in rich purple satin, with a jeweled scarab affixed in the center, both as a lock and an identifying symbol, it would seem, as the book is unable to be opened. This one also has a note affixed. "Please deliver this tome to Justice Embreth Daramind of Lepidstadt, and do so with the utmost discretion." An address, presumably hers, follows.

One more item is to be found within the chest. A small, intricately carved and painted box with a close-fitting lid and wrapped in an old Varisian-style scarf sits next to the first book. Opening it reveals an old, well-worn Harrow deck. It, too has a note. "If my fears are correct, this may prove a help...or a hindrance. Still, take it and use it as you see fit. Kendra, my dear, remember the game your grandmother used to play? Please, one last time, indulge me."

Kendra blinks in surprise, then picks up the deck and begins to shuffle it, almost absentmindedly. “Hm. It's been so long. Let's see if I remember.” She seems lost in thought, then nods and sets the deck on the table. “Please, each of you shuffle the deck and cut some cards from it then set them on the table in front of you.” After you do, she takes the top card from each cut and sets it on the table in front of her, face down. She then gathers up the rest and reshuffles. “Now, each of you, draw one card.”

Before checking your cards, she flips over the ones in front of her, and smiles in relief. "Good, one from each suit. It worked!"

The cards in front of her are: The Crows, The Eclipse, The Hidden Truth, The Marriage, The Survivor, and The Uprising.

@group: each of you roll 1d6 and 1d8 please. If any of you roll the exact same numbers for both, roll a d20, lowest number rolls again until everyone has a different number/card.

For the tomes; appropriate rolls would be KN religion, history, local.

As everyone admires their gifts Kendra swallows nervously and lifts a key on a fine chain from around her neck. She places the key on the table and says "Perhaps one of you should open it?"

Kendra sees the councliman to the door then returns.

"I believe these are the items my father referred to."

She hands each of you a package with your name and a short note, some serious, some reflecting the Professor's bursts of humor.

The gifts:

To Evangline Valeria Aurora: enclosed is a masterwork cold iron cestus, the leather died a pale pink and trimmed with red and cherry blossom petals. [the note reads: Try keeping your hands warm with these.]

To Gkirkhan: enclosed is a masterwork warhammer with a hat engraved on either business end and the sides decorated with flagons. [the note reads: Now you'll never be without a hat.]

To Kurik Thurgen: enclosed is masterwork studded leather armor in your clan colors. [the note reads: The best defense is - often neglected. I hope this covers your needs.]

To Que Xuang: enclosed is a masterwork wakizashi in a fine scabbard, of elegant yet simple design. [the note reads: May this blade serve you well.]

To Vertielle Seipar: enclosed is a masterwork 'corset'-style studded leather armor, the design incorporating the symbols of all four of your chosen deities. [the note reads: I hope the pattern is suitable.]

To Wood the Wizard: enclosed is a wand labeled protection from evil (33 charges remain) in a leather carrying scabbard. [the note reads: This has aided me on quite a few adventures. May it do the same for you.]

The young woman smiles sadly. "And I am pleased to meet the people of whom my father spoke so highly as well. I'm glad you could make it. I only wish the reason for our meeting was happier"

She looks at the simple but finely made coffin and shudders, closes her eyes as if to draw strength from somewhare, and continues."As is the custom here, as his closest living relative, I must lead the procession to the burial site. May I impose upon those of you who have aready come so far for a further, last favor to my father? Would any of you be willing to serve as pallbearers?"