Gang, I'm so sorry for disappointing you, but I'm done. I was very excited about this game and I put a lot of time and thought into my plans for the game, but things just got off-kilter and I haven't recovered my enthusiasm. I've actually typed this message twice now, but convinced myself I could push through it. PbP just isn't for me. The RP has been terrific, but the pace is just unbearable.
You've all had some memorable moments that were great. Thanks for your contributions. I feel awful letting you down, but you deserve to have me tell you this up front rather than just fading out and disappearing. Happy gaming.
The young deputy nods as the watch order is worked through. Right then. That puts me with this one for the third, he says while thumbing toward Kitch. That being the case, I'm going to get to sleep. Wake me when second watch ends. At that, he strides off and plops down at the base of a tree and wraps a thick blanket around himself.
Go ahead with any chatter you'd like to engage in and when you're ready, Sohar and Coiger, I'll have you make the checks for your watch.
The deputy takes on a chastised expression and tries to grin sheepishly. Oh, miss, I don't intend to get drunk. I can hold my liquor fine. It's only a nip to keep us warm. I did mention that it was for all to share. But if it'll make you feel better, I'll put it away for now.
He then addresses the rest of the party. I'll uh... I guess I'll join the priest here for first watch. I'd just as soon get it over with. We've orders to take in anyone that comes near the monument, but we've gotta catch them redhanded, see? Hold fast until they've done something and then restrain them. I've got shackles here. Who's got the rest of the watches?
The deputy looks at Chellian quizzically. I brought plenty for all of us, miss. Could you settle for sharing with us gentlemen? He clearly doesn't want to lose his share.
What are your plans for watch? Shifts? How will you divide them? Anything you want to do or look for specifically during shifts?
I apologize, everyone. I thought you might want to have some discussion about what Coiger and Kitch learned at the temple. But I just realized that I said A WEEK AGO that we'd skip to the monument. You were waiting for me and I was waiting for you. Ha! Sorry.
Night falls cool and cloudy. The air near the river is noticeably cooler than in town. As the group arrives at the monument, you hear a call come from a cluster of bushes about 30 feet from the monument. Heading over, you find the young deputy who greeted you at the sight earlier today hunkered down behind the bushes.
He's well-provisioned with a stool, a pack full of food and a small cask. The mug next to the cask is half full with a liquid that is glowing faintly green. When the deputy sees you looking at it, he grins sheepishly. Zokar's "liquid ghosts." Have you tried it? Terrific ale. He brews it himself. He offers the mug to any who are interested.
I'm Matthew. I'm a deputy to Sheriff Caeller. He puffs up a bit to show off the badge pinned to his overcoat. Make yourselves comfortable. Goodness! Have all of you come? He looks about as if just noticing that there are five of you. I thought it would just be one or two of you. Not that I mind! I guess that's good. We can get some sleep now. In shifts?
Sohar, Chellian, and Morgrym were only at the monument for about 10 minutes, unless there was something else you'd like to do there. Coiger and Kitch, on the other hand, were at the temple for many hours. You'll find them there, unless you wait and meet up somewhere else. If no one has anything specific to do then we can just jump to the stakeout.
I assumed you spent hours gathering what you did. You can certainly go looking for something else if you like, but what I gave is what you've got. No new leads along those lines.
Morgrym, Chellian, and Sohar, I'm going to jump ahead to the monument stakeout unless there's something you want to do to prepare. If I don't hear by tomorrow morning (Friday) I'll go ahead and assume you're ready.
Coiger, your last question appears to be made to the group. Do you mean to return to them with your information?
After many hours poring over dusty tomes and records, Coiger and Kitch emerge with some valuable information on the prisoners kept at Harrowstone at the time of the tragic fire. Of the Whispering Way, only a single reference in a record in which an inquisitor of Pharasma, Samuel Dean, infiltrated a coven of the necromancers long ago. When he was discovered, he was branded with the image of a gagged skull and his face was destroyed, preventing the church from learning the secrets he'd gathered, even by way of a speak with dead spell.
No reference gave much explanation for the nightmare plague.
Of the most infamous prisoners, first there was Sefick Corvin, nicknamed the "Father Charlatan." While Corvin was actually not a violent criminal at all, his cons while impersonating a priest of many different religions set back their work significantly and was blasphemous enough that the government of Ustalav was pressured into condemning him to death. He was awaiting that end when the prison burned.
Next was Vance Saetressle, called the "Lopper." Saetressle was a particularly sick serial killer. He would choose a target and stalk them for days. After learning their habits, he would conceal himself in the most bizarre and extreme of hiding spots, sometimes for days, before leaping out and beheading his victims with a handaxe.
Ispin Onyxcudgel was the only non-human of the most notable prisoners.
The dwarf was a popular blacksmith in the now-desolate town of Mosswater and a doting husband. One day he discovered his wife in an affair and his mind was shattered by grief and rage. He took a hammer to his wife and smashed in her skull. His broken mind, now consumed with guilt, convinced itself that if he could rebuild her skull, then all would be as it was before the unfortunate incident. He began a rampage of murder with his hammer. From each victim, he would collect pieces of their broken skull and take them home to his wife's decaying corpse. "The Mosswater Marauder" they called him, and eventually he was caught and condemned.
"The Piper of Illmarsh" is the most mysterious of the lot. Witnesses recount that the bard rolled into the town of Illmarsh and quickly became very popular. He was charismatic and charming. After a few days of gathering a following, he announced a special show at the tavern, but only for those who paid an exorbitant cover charge. To prevent peeping, he had the windows and doors covered and barred before the show began. Just minutes after the show began, the screaming rattled the town. It is said that the screams were heard from the outlying farms, some a couple of miles away. By the time anyone hacked their way into the tavern, a scene of ghoulish carnage was all that remained. The bodies of the attending townsfolk were mutilated and the burst corpses of gorged rats littered the scene. The Piper was caught fleeing the scene with a wagon full of gold and barrels of alcohol.
The final, and most feared, was Professor Hean Feramin, "The Splatter Man." In his day, he was a noteworthy professor of anthropology, specializing in naming conventions of the peoples and races of the Inner Sea. Those close to him tell that a beautiful, and rather inappropriately dressed, dark woman visited him for an appointment. After that appointment, his friends and family barely recognized him. He was crazed. He stopped caring for himself or his responsibilities, only babbling about names and their power. He began stalking old associates and acquaintances, arranging for them to find a letter of their name written in blood each day. Once the victim had seen their whole name spelled, he would hack them up with a large razor. His reign of terror in Caliphas is legendary.
Hey, all. If you haven't noticed, I'm in a rut. I've taken on a temp job that keeps me busy through my usual messageboard times. I've tried to adapt, but I haven't done well. I'm sorry. Your patience is deeply appreciated.
Sorry, Coiger, I know you've been waiting days for your research. I'm around and I haven't forgotten. What about everyone else? Anything you want to do?
The sheriff smiles broadly. Terrific. Now, as we're all trustin' each other, I'll give you fair warning. My boy will be instructed to watch y'all as carefully as he's watching the monument. <For all that's worth.> he grumbles to himself. Anything happens to him an' I'll know it IS y'all been stirrin' the pot 'round here. We understand each other? Great. Gotta get back over. And please keep this accord between us. I'll sing your innocence on the rooftops once you've proved it, but for now I gotta play it safe. Y'understand? At that he strides back over to the monument, careful not to step in any blood splatters.
Sheriff Caeller turns his head and spits behind him at Chellian's consideration of something having been stirred up by Lorrimor. Damn. If that crazy old man started this... Still, my money's on a troublemaker. I can't rightly go around blaming invisible goblins for everything goes wrong 'round here. Listen, I need favor. Give you a chance to earn my trust. I'm having one o' my boys keep watch over the monument tonight, see if he can figure who's behind this. He's gonna fall asleep though, an' if it's a local he likes been doin' this, he might try to protect them. I just need an objective pair o' eyes here. Can y'all help?
Coiger and Kitch find the archives easily in a sublevel of the temple. It's a fairly large room - maybe 20 feet by 40 feet - filled with bookcases, mostly filled but with some space for more. As you enter the room, you notice that the air is much drier and cooler than the room you came from.
Perception 20, detect magic, or Spellcraft 15:
There is also a very faint mental tingle that pervades the room. Clearly, some magical effort has been made to create an environment conducive to the preservation of the records here.
Tell me what you're looking for and then make a Knowledge check with a +4 circumstance bonus. What kind of Knowledge depends on what you're looking for: Harrowstone and the prisoner logs are (local or history), the Whispering Way is (arcana, history, or religion). Searching the archives takes time; each check represents an hour's work. You can spread your time over many topics or make continuous checks about a specific one, if you're unsatisfied with what you've found up to that point. It's about 9 am. You'll be asked to leave at 7 pm.
After several dull minutes pass, the sheriff approaches Chellian, Morgrym, and Sohar at the tree. He addresses you with a weary, but not unfriendly voice. Well, I'll be damned if it ain't y'all again. Now, every time I go and convince myself that this has got to be the work of y'all outsiders, y'all show up and confuse things. How am I supposed to make a case when y'all keep acting so innocent? He then leans in and lowers his voice. Did y'all find anything when you came back yesterday? 'Cause we're fairly stumped. Ain't no one in town with a motive to do this and there ain't no one in town stupid enough to do it twice if they're just raising a ruckus. Folks are startin' to think about other possibilities as to who's done it. And there's some silly gossip goin' 'round about haunted dreams. Psh! What's an angry spirit want with anyone's dreams?! Anyway, tell me good news.
The stern priestess raises an eyebrow at Kitch's simpleton act. Hmm. Charming. I will notify the Father that you're waiting.
After about 10 minutes, the worshiper stands along with Grimburrow and moves past you to the door. Grimburrow gingerly makes his way alongside the middle-aged woman to see her out, then turns and greets Kendra with a warm smile and open arms. Ah, child. I'm so pleased that you're out and about. That's a good sign for one in mourning. It's the ones that shut themselves in their homes and forget there's a Sun out there that go mad. I trust your father's friends have been seeing to your needs. He raises an eyebrow at Coiger as if to convey the answer he expects to hear.
Oh, yes, Father. she replies. My father kept good company...mostly. These friends have been priceless to me. Now, what's this I hear that you're being stingy with your town histories. Come now, Father. My father always used to say, Before you can fight the darkness, you must fill your mind with light. You wouldn't keep these friends, who have proven themselves loyal and honorable more than once, from the light you tend, would you?
Grimburrow grins approvingly at the chastisement. Well said, girl. Well said. It was only for your sake that I barred them yesterday. My priority was your well-being and they've tended to that well. He turns to Coiger and Kitch and nods deeply. I appreciate your patience and your care of young Miss Lorrimor here. You may enter the archives with my blessing. Brother, I trust you will exercise care and discretion. Knowledge may be light, but light can also blind those unprepared for it. Now, Kendra, I see you've got a bottle of Zokar's bourbon. I have a matter I'd like to ask you about, if you and your bottle would accompany me to my office?
The young deputy looks a little uncomfortable at Morgrym's offer and assurance. Right, um, well the sheriff isn't letting anyone near the shrine just now. Especially y-, I mean...well, let me tell him you're here. He turns and jogs over to the sheriff and speaks to him out of hearing as he gestures over to the small group. The sheriff shoots an impatient glance your way and says something to the deputy who promptly returns to you. Sheriff says he'd like a word. He needs you to wait over by that tree, he motions, until he's ready. You're not to leave until he's had a word. He then lowers his voice a bit and adds, I don't think he really suspects you, see. But he's gotta keep up appearances, you understand?
The woman draws a spiral over her heart as she inclines her head to her Brother. "Mmm." she confirms, still eyeing Kitch suspiciously. As you can see, Brother, Father Grimburrow is unavailable. You may wait for him, if you like. Has your...companion been taught the proper behavior in a sacred temple of the Grey Lady?
Coiger, Kitch, and Kendra enter the temple with the gift bottle and find old Grimburrow sitting in quiet council with a worshiper on a pew near the front of the chapel. A severe-looking priestess standing nearby approaches and greets you, though she makes a face as if she'd smelled something unpleasant when she looks Kitch over.
As Sohar, Chellian, and Morgrym approach the monument, the grisly scene is partially blocked by a throng of onlookers. The sheriff's deputies are keeping everyone back a ways while the sheriff himself and one one more deputy stare rather blankly at the mess.
A decapitated rooster lies at the base of the monument and blood has been splashed around. The letter "V", which was scrubbed off yesterday, has returned and is now followed by an "E". Many of the onlookers look suspicious and accusatory at your approach.
The women appear astonished at Brother Coiger's interruption. And quite embarrassed. Well...um...yes, sir. The monument to the Harrowstone warden and his guards was desecrated again, as yesterday. Animal blood was splattered all over the place. And the letter "V" redrawn, but with an "E" this time, too. "VE" it says. Or at least so it's told, sir. We were going down to peek now, if the Sheriff hasn't blocked it off yet, that is.
At that, both women shoot a guilty glance at Sohar before bustling away.
As the party steps out into the crisp morning air, an intangible buzz of energy suggests that all is not right. A gaggle of gossipers stands at the side of the road in the direction of the Harrowstone monument west of the Lorrimor home.
A passing pair of women look at you all suspiciously and drop their voices to an excited whisper.
Perception DC 15:
Which one of them looks most likely to slaughtering animals and vandalizing our heritage? - The dwarf or the elf, I'd wager. I've never cared for elves. Odd. Odd. Odd. I do hope the Sheriff locks the lot of them up this time.
Glad to hear you're OK, Morgrym. I, too, just moved and actually just got on to offer my own apologies. I've been AWOL for about a week. The Internet service we ordered was a bust and we had to wait a week for the new company to come for the install. If you're like me, you know a week without Internet is like a month in POW camp. (I probably shouldn't diminish the suffering of POW's, I guess.) Anyway, things are back up and greatly improved now. I truly hope for no more hiccups.
Morgrym, we recruited another rogue after you got busy. If you and Kitch want to work something out, I'll allow character changes. Or we could just have 2 rogues. Is everyone ok with that?
Kendra looks embarrassed for having spoken so bluntly. Of course. Well, hopefully we can make some headway with Old Grimburrow this morning and maybe we'll even find something useful at Alendru's school. The better prepared you are when you go, the better. I'll just go and prepare myself.
She returns, fully groomed, in about 20 minutes. Anything else anyone wants to do before you leave for the temple? Is everyone going together?
Kendra wears a dubious expression as she considers the discussion to visit the prison at night. You wish to explore a famously haunted location...at night? Does that not...frighten you? I wouldn't expect anyone to be watching the prison. Especially since you're outsiders. Not many would truly care if...something happened to you up there.
Hey, gang. I'm moving this weekend and will be AFK. I do have internet on my phone, but I won't have access to any rulebooks or the AP module. It might be a week before I have my computer up and running with internet, but I'll try to check in. Thanks for your patience during this move.
I'll do my very best to keep my fingers on the pulse of the game, but if the moment for some desired RP has passed then go ahead and "flextime" it out.
Kendra waves her hand dismissively at Sohar's query, but her attention still doesn't quite engage. She speaks, but her gaze stays fixed at the window and her voice sounds far away. I'm fine. I'm fine. Just...I still need to decide what to do with myself. I desperately want the truth of my father's death, but whatever that truth may be, I still have to decide where my life goes from here. I'm just preoccupied with "what ifs" is all.
She suddenly turns to the gathered group. I'm dreadfully sorry to hear about everyone's awful nightmares. I'd have the house checked by Father Grimburrow if they hadn't afflicted Jominda and Kitch, too. Do you suppose these are some omen? Or just the result of dark thoughts surrounding the dark occasion?
Oh! And I meant to ask, were any clues found at the memorial statue yesterday?
I'm happy to hear that everyone is generally happy. I sincerely didn't mean to call anyone out. I just wanted to make sure all are still interested and take some feedback if anyone had any. As I've said from the beginning, I'm quite new at this so being shy about criticism will do me no favors.
Let's continue on as we were and I'll keep in mind how hard all of you are working. Thanks for sticking with me! :)
Hey, all! I wanted to do a quick check-up with everybody on the game.
How's it going for everyone? I'll be honest, I feel like it's grinding along at a snail's pace. Perhaps that's because I'm on summer break (school teacher) and I find myself checking far more often than I was before, but I get the feeling that we never regained any momentum after we lost Morgrym and...the cleric. Then we lost the oracle before she even started. That's rocky for any game.
I confess I've been self-conscious about how little action (aka combat) we've had. Do I just need to spice it up some? I've tried to lay out a mystery for investigation without railroading your endeavors. Have I left it too wide open? Are you lost? Are my hooks too subtle? I really enjoy each of your characters and I'd be sad to see this game die, but I equally don't care to drag along the carcass of a dead game.
I'd really like input. Am I making this up or making something out of nothing? Is this the new pace that I should just accept? Do I need to make some changes to the gameplay? Have people lost their enthusiasm and it's time to call "time" on the game? I welcome honest (hopefully constructive) criticism. I want this to be good for everyone.
I'm going to put the next morning on hold and let Chellian and Coiger run with the events of the night. Sorry for jumping the gun on you two. I've been trying to up the pace a bit when I can lately. But this is good. Carry on! :)
I'll let Coiger decided if he was loud enough that anybody might have heard him. If no one responds specifically to the dreams then we'll jump to the next morning.
Dawn breaks with some sky actually showing through the usual Ustalavic could cover. Kendra puts out some bread, peaches, milk, and coffee for breakfast. The girl herself appears a bit distant in her thoughts.
My powers of discernment have failed us again. Cassandra appears to have left us before truly joining us. *sigh* At least Kitch is hanging tough. Cassandra, I was excited to get to know your changeling better, but it appears that you're not up to our pace at this point. I get it. No hard feelings, but we're moving on without you. Thanks for applying.
You stalwart 4 remain. Hopefully we can continue on now without interruption.
Soon after you fall asleep, your dream finds you walking through the Ravengro town square on a very UN-Ustalavicly sunny day. You can hear children laughing, smell bread baking, and feel warm sun on your face. It's an idyllic day. In the distance, you hear a faint tune played on a flute. It's a lively tune full of trills and runs. Moments after the tune is detected, the children's laughter turns to hysterical screaming and a deep-seated feeling of dread grips your stomach painfully. The screaming grows increasingly louder and a wave of people pours into the square as if fleeing from the very fires of Hell. Their terror is palpable. Right on the heels of the fleeing people - their numbers ever dwindling as they're pulled down one-by-one - is an unimaginable swarm of rats. The tiny creatures seem driven by a bloodlust so monstrous as to rule out any earthly cause. You turn to run, but too late. You're quickly pulled down as a wave of the beasts washes over your legs and pulls you low. The pricks of their tiny claws and the rips of their sharp teeth can be felt acutely all over your body. You attempt to scream out, but a rat dives into your throat choking you.
Suddenly you awake in your bed at the inn with the choking feeling still present in your throat and the ripping of your flesh still burning all over your body...but there are no rats to be seen.
Coiger:
That night, as you drop swiftly off to sleep - your body eager to catch up after last night's loss - your dream carries you back to the temple where you served as a deacon, prior to full vestment. You can feel the ache of a long, hard day's work. Today was the funeral of a local woman who fell victim to a crazed maniac who hid in her rain barrel for what appears to be days, based on the evidence found there. When she finally went for water, he leapt out and and removed her head with a single lop, as evidenced by the cleanness of the cut. "The Lopper" they've been calling him. But funeral days were hard work for Pharasmin deacons. So much preparation and so many errands to see the full rights done properly by the vested brethren. As you stumble toward your chamber, you feel your gut roil and decide you'd better stop by the lavatory before bed. As soon as you enter, you sense an eerie feeling - nothing concrete - but it tugs at a corner of your mind too buried by exhaustion to sound the full alarm. You shrug and lift your robes to do your business. Suddenly, the toiler bursts open with a splash of filth and a horrid cackling laugh pierces the silence. A very thin, bald man with an unnaturally wide, wicked grin lifts a gleaming handaxe and with a whoosh the world tips oddly and your last sight is of your own feet, still standing.
Suddenly, you awake with a violent start. Your heart is racing from the shock and your head aches where it struck the ground in the dream.
Kendra raises an eyebrow when Chellian mentions 'Mr. Muricar.' You didn't know Varro was Gharen's son? Is that a problem?
So, I guess we're bringing a bottle of bourbon with us to the temple tomorrow? Only about half remains of my father's bottle, but Zokar will have more, I expect.
I have news of my own. While you all did your work today, I did some of my own here in my father's archives. I have learned some unsettling secrets my father kept on the Whispering Way. Should it come to light that they were indeed involved then we'll want to be prepared.
The Whispering Way are an ancient cabal of necromancers. They frequently ally themselves with the greater undead and enslave the lesser. Tar Baphon himself was their leader for a long time. Their learning can only be shared by whisper, thus their name. They are exceptionally talented infiltrators. The ultimate goal for the most devout of them is to learn and carry out the formula to become a lich. If this is truly the enemy we face, I fear we may be in over our heads.
Anyway, in the excitement of this mystery, I sometimes forget that it's my own father's death that we're investigating. Thank you all for the work you're doing. I'm going to retire to my room and do some thinking about my plans. I'll accompany you all to the temple tomorrow and then I'm going to visit Alendru's schoolhouse to see what records he has. Sohar, he deals in items of magical quality. You may be interested, should you care to accompany me.
Kendra nods, then adds in a tone that betrays her lack of faith despite her optimistic words, Perhaps Grimburrow will be in a better mood tomorrow. And I'll accompany you to show him you've attended to me well. He can't deny you then if you've done all he's asked.
Now, Chellian, tell us what you learned from Varro.
Just as Kendra asks the question, the door opens and Chellian enters. A young man in a nice overcoat can be seen walking back toward town over her shoulder.
Kendra looks to each of you. What will you do now?
---
Chellian, unless there's anything specific you wish to discuss with Varro, we'll go ahead and assume that the dinner passes well. Varro seems to be a genuinely good guy and you enjoy yourself. When you're finished, he offers to walk you home to Kendra's.
Good catch, Sohar. Yes, Kitch, we're using a house rule. Your first level hp are equal to your ENTIRE CON SCORE, plus favored class bonus or feat bonus (but not CON mod - that would be redundant).
Varro raises an eyebrow at Chellian's smile...which comes across as more of a grimace. Is something wrong with your drink? Here. I'll get you a new one. Zokar! He beckons the barkeep over, who nods and holds up a finger indicating he'll be a minute.
They do sound like names right out of a tale meant to scare children. But people love to be melodramatic. Look at the "Beast of Lepidstadt" today. We can't let a tale go unembellished. I'm sure they were just horrible men. Anyway, I couldn't say about the temple granting access. I'd say it depends on old Grimburrow's mood. He can be a goofy old man, or a stodgy grump depending on the whim of the moment. I hear he's partial to good bourbon, but I'd handle a bribe carefully if that's your intent.
At that moment, Zokar brings out two plates of kabobs with steak, peppers, onions, and squash, still sizzling from the grill. The dish is accompanied by some buttery biscuits and steaming mashed potatoes. Zokar looks to Varro for approval and asks, Was there something you needed young Master Muricar?
Back to Chellian's date...Do? My father is Gharen Muricar. I don't think he's done much of anything in his life. My grandfather was a stone mason of some skill in Caliphas. When Harrowstone was to be built, he was recruited to oversee its construction. He came here, made a fortune, and the family has been here since. My father never had to work a day, and he got his position on the Council by his name and by making all the right friends. That's one thing is is good at. No one can resist his boyish charm. Varro's voice is thick with exasperation as he speaks that last line. Anyway, that's why I became curious about your inquiries into Harrowstone. My grandfather built the place and it never occurred to me to look into its use after that point, but I learned some very interesting things.
You've heard, I'm sure, that it was a famous prison and that it burned during an uprising nearly 50 years ago? The town of Ravengro was established in order to support the prison. Economically speaking, it's a bit of a wonder that the village survived the prison's closing. All of the prisoners, most of the guards, the warden, and his wife were all killed that night, though no one's ever really known why the warden's wife was there that night? Visiting her husband, I suppose? Anyway, there's a statue outside of town. Have you been to see it?
Anyway, the prison was pretty notorious - most of Ustalav's executions were being done there at the time. The worst of the worst were sent there and the town was paid well for the "risk." What was fascinating is that I learned that the fire was actually a bit of a blessing in disguise. A surviving guard reported that the prisoners had actually won control of the dungeon level and it was only by accident that the fire started and killed everyone on that level, including the warden and guards.
At the time of the fire, the prison was rather full. Most were pretty rough criminals, but apparently five of them were also quite famous. The "Father Charlatan", the "Lopper", the "Mosswater Marauder", the "Piper of Illmarch", and the "Splatter Man". There wasn't anything about their crimes in the records, but I can guess at a couple of them. I'll wager the temple has records of them men's deeds. They were all set to be executed and the church keeps track of that stuff.
