Qorin stands there, the very essence of vigilance as...
Dantrian's bomb explodes, barbecuing the centipede from the outside. Insde the sarcophagus you find:
- 12 silver arrows
- 4 sun rods
- six flasks of holy water
- 10 +1 arrows
- 5 +1 ghost touch arrows
- 2 +1 undead bane arrows
- 5 potions of cure light wounds
- 2 potions of lesser restoration
- 1 scroll of detect undead
- 2 scrolls of hide from undead
- 1 scroll of protection from evil
- 1 thin darkwood case decorated with the an image of a scarab with a single eye glaring from its back (the same as the purple book the Professor left you)
Inside the case are three objects, a spirit board with an odd looking paddle shaped something like an arrowhead and four iron and glass vials containing tiny, churning clouds of vapor.
On identification; I'll tell you what 'mundane' magical items you find but anything that is listed as a separate entry in the book you'll need to identify.
The lid of the sarcophagus moves deceptively easily and clatters to the round with an almighty bang. Before the party can search the interior of the sarcophagus, however, two giant centipedes appear from behind Gabbi.
One rears up and darts forward, attempting to bite the poor girl.
Qorin reaches the sarcophagus without incident; the room beyond is empty save for dust and the sarcophagus itself. The signs of increased activity are shown in the dust around the stone coffin.
Ebon's keen eyes pick out that the footprints lead through the left door. Upon opening, he sees that they lead to a solitary stone sarcophagus against the north wall.
You see no signs of a trap, but you do see some footprints in the decades-old dust. Oddly, there are no dead interred within the crypt, despite it's exterior implying that it must have stood here for decades if not longer.
You notice that although the lock looks whole, it has actually been melted with acid and carefully replaced to look whole to the casual observer. It would appear that the crypt is actually open.
Dantrian:
To your surprise, the lock falls away! It appears that someone, presumably Petros, has melted the lock with acid and then replaced it to make it look whole.
From now, please describe where you move to in relation to the map. We're not into initiative yet.
"I've taken lodgings at The Laughing Demon. It's... eccentric, but the food is filling if not quite up to the standard I am used to in Caliphas," Adivion answers Dantrian.
"I'm sure Kendra has had a trying day and I do not wish to put upon her when the sun has set. I'll call for her in the morning to see how she is, she was very close to her father and I'm concerned that she'll take his death badly," he then replies to Qorin. You do not detect that he is evil.
"Well, the hour is late and I don't wish to tarry much longer. I bid you good night and perhaps we shall meet again before I depart for the capital," Adivion gives a small bow before ambling away, his staff tapping along with his footsteps as he heads towards town. You give the grave of Petros Lorrimor a quick glance over but nothing seems untoward.
The false crypt is only eighty feet or so further on. It is a freestanding granite mausoleum, the roof of which has been decorated by a couple of leering gargoyles. A single stone door with a rusty looking look sits on the south wall.
"I can scarcely call upon her at this late an hour," Adivion says with a raised eyebrow, "It would hardly be proper. Rest assured, I intend to visit with young Kendra in the morning for brunch before securing transport back to Caliphas. However, I am most intrigued to make your acquaintance. I've never actually conversed with a tengu. I have, of course, seen your kin from afar but never so close. Absolutely fascinating."
Adivion appears to be in his mid 40s. Certainly, he would have been young to have known the Professor when he was in Caliphas but not out with possibility.
If anyone has Kn (nobility) trained you may roll to see if you know the name Adrissant.
Adivion listens intently to Lysa and then shakes his head. "Petros was many things, but a Necromancer was not one of them. A shame to see that the people in the village he chose to settle in still do not accept him, but I suppose that is the problem with these backwater settlements."
Sense Motive:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
"I knew Petros when he was the toast of academia in Caliphas before fatherhood changed him and he turned his attention to the study of evil in all it's forms. Noble work, no doubt, but his reputation certainly suffered for it."
At The Laughing Demon
Zokar nods in appreciation at Dantrian's gesture. "Something for the kids," he says quietly, pocketing the coin.
At the Restlands "You need not be concerned that I am here for ill purpose," the man says without looking up, "I was held up when my coach was run off the road by a madman riding his own coach as though the hounds of Hell were hot on his heels. Unfortunately, it has taken this long for alternative transport to pass so that I may come to pay my respects to my dear departed friend, Petros. But I am remiss in my manners," the man turns to face the group. He is handsome enough, but his clothing is spattered in mud. "I am Adivion Adrissant, friend and colleague to Petros Lorrimor. And what, pray tell, are you doing skulking in the Restlands at this hour?"
You feel that Ebon is not telling you the truth about his past.
As you get closer to the glow, you see a single man standing at the gravesite holding a staff that is giving off the soft glow that you had seen. He appears to be in his own world.
Exactly. While I'm all for roleplaying in 'downtime' such as at The Laughing Demon, I'll probably move things on in a day.
Saying that, I'm going on holiday from the 21st to the 28th. I may or may not have internet access; I won't know until we get to the resort.
Expect things to go slowly from there for a week and we'll pick up on my return. I'll probably aim for us to finish up The False Crypt by the weekend and we can take a quasi-break until I find out if/when I can update you guys while on holiday.
Yeah, I was typing up the legend while you posted. I've included basic details for the shops but there may or may not be additional things that require skill checks to find out about ;)
I am aware of the time zone differences which is why I asked, but by all means if you want to continue any conversations/other roleplay from earlier in the thread, feel free to do so in spoilers with the name of the involved parties.
I've uploaded the two maps for Ravengro and the Restlands. You'll also see at the top of the screen that I've uploaded the map for The False Crypt, our first combat encounter.
Zokar guffaws at Lysa's suggestion. "We have blood jelly and witches eyeballs!" Zokar gives Lysa a large grin.
Zokar comes out with your meals and drinks, deftly setting them on the table with a speed that defies his bulk. He grins and indicates you should eat. As you tuck in, you come to realise that the food is actually delicious. Whatever misgivings you may have had of the names, it is clear that Zokar and his boy know their craft well.
Once you finish your meals, you thank Zokar and prepare to make for the Restlands. First, you walk Kendra home as she will not be accompanying you on your investigation.
Please let me know if I move things on too quickly but I'd rather keep the action going. Feel free to continue roleplaying on the way to the Restlands.
As you make your way through the Restlands, you notice a faint glow emanating from the general area of the Professor's grave.
"A goblet of blood and a vampire stake for the lady," Zokar calls out to his son in he kitchen, a twinkle in his eye. Kendra laughs at the reaction of Dantrian and Lysa.
"Don't worry, it's just Zokar's little joke. Everything is named after monsters, to keep people's spirits up. It was something that Dad suggested soon after Zokar opened," she says with a large smile.
"You can't go giving away all my secrets, Kendra," Zokar says with mock indignation, then let's out an enormous belly laugh. "Oh, the famous Almyra sisters are here tomorrow night on their way to Caliphas! You should come along, they're meant to be very good! What are the rest of you having then?"
At first, it appears as though the girls will be too frightened to speak but eventually one of them answers.
"It's just a skipping song. Our mothers taught us and they learnt it from their mothers. It's been sung forever," the girl tells Dantrian. With their piece said, the girls pick up the skipping rope and head home as the sun begins to set. The girl who had spoken turns and waves just before she disappears from view.
+2 to Ravengro trust score!
You proceed to The Laughing Demon where Zokar ushers you in.
"Welcome, welcome, come in," he says warmly, indicating towards the largest table in the room, "Your meals will be on the house, in memory of Petros. Tonight we have vampire stakes, brain stew and werewolf balls. As always, we have a number of alchemical potions to quench your thirst! What'll it be?"
As Dantrian approaches the girls, they suddenly still and the rope drops limply to the ground. They look at Dantrian with a combination of fear and mistrust.
Any further interaction will need to be accompanied with a Diplomacy roll. Anyone want to give it a bash?
The group, and Kendra, leave the house and head for The Laughing Demon. Kendra insists that despite the name, it's a fine eatery and happens to be run by Zokar, the other man who served as pallbearer this morning.
As you are walking, you come across a group of five little Varisian girls dressed in shawls and dresses playing at the side of the road, playing a skipping rope game. Each of the girls takes turns jumping in the rope while singing two lines of a rather disturbing song. She turns skips out and the next girl skips in and sings the next two lines. The way in which the girls switch from skipping to passing the ends of the ropes to each other to keep the whole thing going is strikingly well timed and well choreographed - and the verse itself, which the girls sing in Varisian, is rather disturbing.
Varisian:
"Put her body on the bed. Take a knife and lop her head. Watch the blood come out the pipe. Feeds the stirge, so nice and ripe. Drops of red so sparkly bright. Splatters spell her name just right. With a hammer killed his wife. Now he wants to claim your life. Tricksy father tells a lie. Listen close or you will die."
"The Unfurling Scroll is Ravengro's schoolhouse and local magic shop, but he also has a small library which he lets people use, for a fee," Kendra explains.
As Lysa explains their afternoon's events, Kendra speaks up after she finishes.
"The Unfurling Scroll might have more information too, as may the Town Hall, although it would be too late in the day to go there now," she explains. "Perhaps you could look there tomorrow?"
Some good news, due to the way in which the Trust system works and the lateness of it's addition to the module, it is recommended to double the number of points awarded which means that due to your impressive start to the adventure, you are now Liked in Ravengro. You'll begin to see those benefits appearing soon but for now you get a +2 to any Diplomacy rolls made in the town and also a 5% discount on anything purchased within the town.
Kendra idly flips through some of the books that Dantrian has put into piles. A small smile plays on her lips as his concentration reminds her so much of her father.
"You remind me of him, Dantrian," she says quietly when Ebon and Gabriela are otherwise engaged with research of their own. "My father chose his friends well." There is a twinkle in her eye that hasn't been there all day.
Some excellent roleplaying going on, and I can't wait to see how the party dynamics work out! I'm hitting the circus tonight so feel free to roleplay while I'm there. However, try and come to some consensus as to what you want to do for the evening. You could just stay with Kendra, you could investigate the crypt that holds the cache of tools in the Restlands, you could interrogate Gibs or you could simply while away the evening with some ale and music at one of Ravengro's two taverns. The choice is up to you!
"Don't worry about it, my dear, they'll soon find something else to talk about," Father Grimburrow replies.
Are you intending on you two heading back to the house to discuss what has transpired? If so, we can probably skip forward to 6pm and you guys can decide what you want to do. Further RPing can be done in spoiler tags, just to keep things moving.
Father Grimburrow draws his eyebrows together in thought for a moment. "I suppose that the temple records would hold a list of those who perished in the fire at Harrowstone, but I'm afraid that I can't permit you to view those records, as they are property of the church. I suppose that I could perhaps investigate upon your behalf but that would take a couple of days as I must carry out my right and proper duties as they only fully-invested member of the church in this village."
"As to your question regarding a cache of tools hidden in the Restlands, I certainly have no knowledge of such tools and I have looked over the inventory records for the last decade. Certainly, if such a cache ever existed, it would have long since become useless," Father Grimburrow replies. It appears as though this is all he will say on the matter, but then seems to change his mind.
"Petros was a good friend to this temple and to the Church at large, and I suppose it will do no harm for you to look. Please act in accordance with the sanctity of the site you are visiting, I don't want the people of my parish to think any worse of Petros than they already do."
Don't be too disheartened that he won't permit you to use the records; the Pharasmin records are hands-down the best records in the village and as such are difficult to get access to. You may attempt another Diplomacy roll tomorrow, provided that you bring some evidence that would necessitate that request. Otherwise, the Father will bring you what he finds out in 1d4 ⇒ 4 days.
Alternately, as your Ravengro Trust Score rises, you might find that the Father will trust you to be discreet enough to not divulge any other records that you may come across.
+1 Trust to Ravengro Trust Score due to treating the Father with respect.
After several hours perusing through the books in Petros' home, Dantrian has managed to piece together what he believes is pretty much everything that the Professor knew. Dantrian's years of working with the Professor has helped him understand the Professor's methodology.
Dantrian:
In addition to what Lysa has already told you, you now know the following:
- Agents of the Whispering Way often seek alliances with undead creatures, or are themselves undead. The Whispering Way's most notorious member was Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant, although the society itself existed much longer than even that mighty necromancer.
- The Whispering Way itself is a series of philosophies that can only be transferred via whispers - the philosophies are never written or spoken of loudly, making the exact goals and nature of the secretive philosophy difficult for outsiders to learn much about.
- Exact details on the society are difficult to discern, but chief among the Whispering Way's goals are discovering formulae for creating liches and engineering the release of the Whispering Tyrant. Agents often travel to remote sites or areas plagued by notorious haunts or undead menaces to perform field research or even to capture unique monsters. Their symbol is a gagged skull, and those who learn too many of the Way's secrets are often murdered, and their mouths mutilated to prevent their bodies from divulging secrets via speak with dead.
While Gabriela and Dantrian converse as they search through the writings of the Professor and his many books, Gabriela's memory whips her back to the previous year when she came to Ravengro to work with the Professor. Intrigued by the large ruin on the local hill, she had asked the Professor about it and now that her memory has been prodded, she recalls the following details.
Gabriela:
In addition to what Lysa has already told you, you recall the following:
- Harrowstone was built in 4594. Ravengro was founded at the same time as a place where the guards and their families could live and that would produce food and other supplies used by the prison. The fire that killed all of the prisoners and most of the guards destroyed a large portion of the prison's underground eastern wing, but left most of the stone structure above relatively intact. The prison's warden perished in the fire, along with his wife, although no one knows why she was in the prison when the fire occurred. A statue commemorating the warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in the months after the tragedy - that statue still stands on the riverbank just outside of town.
- Most of the hardened criminals sent to Harrowstone spent only a few months imprisoned, for it was here that most of Ustalav's executions during that era were carried out. The fire that caused the tragedy was, in fact, a blessing in disguise, for the prisoners had rioted and gained control of the prison's dungeons immediately prior to the conflagration. It was only through the self-sacrifice of Warden Hawkran and 23 of his guards that the prisoners were prevented from escaping - the guards gave their lives to save the town of Ravengro.
- At the time Harrowstone burned, five particularly notorious criminals had recently arrived at the prison. While the commonly held belief is that the tragic fire began accidentally after the riot began, in fact the prisoners had already seized control of the dungeon and had been in command of the lower level for several hours before the fire. Warden Hawkran triggered a deadfall to seal the rioting prisoners in the lower level, but in doing so trapped himself and nearly two dozen guards. The prisoners were in the process of escaping when the panicked guards accidentally started the fire in a desperate attempt to end the riot.
As Gabriela researches the Whispering Way with Dantrian, she also comes across some additional information on the prison, or more specifically, the prisoners themselves.
Gabriela:
You learn the following:
- Originally, Harrowstone housed only local criminals, but as the prison's fame spread, other counties and distant lands began paying to have more dangerous criminals housed within this prison's walls. At the time of the great Harrowstone Fire, the number of particularly violent or dangerous criminals imprisoned within the dungeons below was at an all-time high.
Dantrian, Ebon and Gabriela will not be able to research another topic today, as their sifting through the books takes them up until approximately 6pm. You may decide what to do with your evening though. For just now, we'll concentrate on what happens with Lysa and Qorin.
At the Temple:
A fresh-faced acolyte answers Lysa's knock and smiles brightly as she makes her request.
"Of course, please follow me," he steps back, sweeping an arm out to indicate that Lysa and Qorin should step inside. "He's currently tending to the Remembrance Garden but he'll be happy to speak with you."
A few moments later, you're standing in front of Father Grimburrow as he dusts off his robes.
"Ah yes, I recognise you from the Professor's funeral. How can I help?"
Kendra shrugs at Qorin. "You can try to speak with Gibs, but he usually keeps himself to himself. He owns a shack on the edge of the river, if you follow it south you should find it although if you come across the river then you've gone too far."
She listens to the rest of the discussion but is otherwise quiet.
So Ebon, Gabriela and Dantrian are remaining at the Professor's home to research the Whispering Way while Gabriela's eidetic memory also answers practically everything there is to know about Harrowstone from a previous visit with the Professor. All information will be posted up in a few hours time. Feel free to roleplay amongst yourselves as your research will take you into the early evening.
Lysa and Qorin are going to proceed to the Temple to question Father Grimburrow about the cache hidden in the Restlands.
Wow, nice roll. I'm pretty sure that will reveal practically everything the Professor knows about the Way so I'll fill you in tomorrow when I get to work.
"Father rarely discussed his work with me. I think he was trying to protect me from the darker side of life," she replies, "You are welcome to use his books to try and gain some idea on what his research was about."
You may now use Petros Lorrimor's house for researching the Whispering Way. You may make one (1) attempt a day which benefits from the +2 bonus conveyed by Petros' years of note taking. Anyone who does not have Knowledge (arcana) or (local) trained may still assist due to the volume of information within Petros' home but without any modifiers from their Intelligence or the inherent +2 from using the research in the house.
Lysa:
From your own knowledge, you are aware that the Whispering Way are a sinister organisation of necromancers that have been active in the Inner Sea region for thousands of years. Also, you can corroborate what Kendra has told you of Harrowstone. It was partially destroyed in a fire during 4661 and the building has stood vacant ever since. Locals suspect it is haunted and do not care to speak of it.
Lysa has just earnt the party 100 exp! Lysa, your checks represent your own knowledge, therefore you may make another roll to spend the rest of the day researching the Way. Others may assist, as stipulated in the rules above.
"Harrowstone?" Kendra returns, as though puzzled by Dantrian's question, "It is - or rather - was the local prison. It was destroyed fifty years ago in a fire that claimed the lives of all of the prisoners and most of the guards. It's to the south of the village. There is a memorial to the event along the river. It's also where Father's body was found."
Kendra returns from elsewhere in the house, carrying a small oak and iron chest. She offers the key nervously to Dantrian and watches as he unlocks the chest.
Within the chest are five books; four which bear signs of age and the last, the uppermost book, which appears to be relatively new.
The four aged books are certainly more interesting than the newer one if judging by the covers. The first is a purple time which sports a brass scarab on the front cover with a single eye in it's centre which appears to function as a lock, although there is no key in sight. It bears no title, however. The other three do bear titles, 'On Verified Madness', 'Serving Your Hunger' and 'The Umbral Leaves'. The purple book has a note attached which asks it to be delivered discreetly to Embreth Daramid at the Lepidstadt Courthouse although the note also bears their home address. The other three books all have notes asking to have the books delivered to Montagnie Crowl, professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University.
It is the newer book the becomes very interesting as the group begins to read it. It is he journal of Petros Lorrimor and although many of the entries are mundane, there are a series of circled entries that Petros obviously intended you all to read, given the note attached to the book which boldly exclaims 'Read Me Now!'.
Petros' 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 I'll prepared I was when I last set out for Harrowstone. I am lucky to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not think 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 I'd 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.
It is now midday so you have about six hours left in the day if you want to do anything.
Kendra fetches some tea and cakes, and you spend the hour making small talk. Feel free to roleplay further conversations in spoilers, if you wish. At the appointed time, Councilman Hearthmount knocks at the door and sweeps in when Kendra opens the door. The look on his face tells you how much he trusts dealing with outsiders as he looks at you as though there is a foul smell under his nose. Regardless, he says nothing as he takes a seat, fetching a scroll case from within his jacket. He holds it forward, allowing everyone to see that the seal of Petros Lorrimor is intact. Once everyone has seen that, he quickly breaks the seal and opens the case, a small iron key clattering onto the table. Unperturbed by the noise the key makes as it slaps against the oak table, Councilman Hearthmount begin to read in a gravelly voice.
"I, Petros Lorrimor, being of sound mind, do hereby commit to this parchment my last will and testament. Let it be known that, with the exception of the specific details below, I leave my house and personal belongings entire to my daughter Kendra. Use them or sell them as you see fit, my child." Kendra chokes back a sob as the Councilman pauses.
"Yet beyond bequeathing my personal effects, this document must serve other needs. I have arranged for the reading of this will to be delayed until all principals can be in attendance, for I have more than mere inheritance to apportion. I have two final favours to ask." The entire room is silent as the group and Kendra wait for te Councilman to continue.
"To my old friends, I hate to impose upon you all, but there are few others who are capable of appreciating the true significance of what it is I have to ask. As some of you know, I have devoted many of my studies to all manne of evil, that I might know the enemy and inform those better positioned to stand against it. For knowledge of one's enemy is the surest path to victory over its plans," Councilman Hearthmount clears his throat before continuing.
"And so, over the course of my lifetime, I have seen fit to acquire a significant collection of valuable but dangerous tomes, any one of which in the wrong circumstances could have led to an awkward legal situation. While the majority of these tomes remain safe under lock and key at the Lepistadt University, I fear that a few I have borrowed remain here IMA trunk in my Ravengro home. While invaluable for my work in life, in death, I would prefer not to burden my daughter with the darker side of my profession, or worse still, the danger of possessing these tomes herself. As such, I am entrusting my chest of times to you, posthumously. I ask that you please deliver the collection to my colleagues at the University of Lepistadt, who will put them to good use for the betterment of the cause," the Councilman pauses for breath once again although this time he looks a little shaken, and his eyes dart to the mountain of books surrounding you all as though they were going to jump out at you all.
"Yet before you leave for Lepistadt, there is the matter of another favour - please delay your journey one month and spend that period of time here in Ravengro to ensure that my daughter is safe and sound. She has no one to count on now that I am gone, and if you would aid her in setting things in order for whatever she desires over the course of this month, you would have my eternal gratitude. From my savings, I have also willed to each of you the sum of one hundred platinum coins. For safekeeping, I have left these funds with Embreth Daramid, one of my most trusted friends in Lepistadt - she has been instructed to issue this payment upon the safe delivery of the borrowed tomes. O sooner than one month after the date of the reading of this will. I, Petros Lorrimor, hereby sign this will in Ravengro on this first day of Calistril, in the year 4711."
Councilman Hearthmount looks to Kendra who nods and thanks him. The Councilman rises and takes his leave.
"Thank you for coming," Kendra says, putting on a brave face, "I'll need a few weeks to decide on what I'm going to do with the house so I'd echo Dad's sentiments in asking you to stay here for a month, as long as no one has more pressing business. You are, of course, more than welcome to remain here as I have rooms aplenty. If you'll excuse me, I'll fetch the chest that Dad spoke of," she says, rising from her seat.
You have a few minutes to discuss what just transpired before Kendra returns with the chest.
"No," Kendra replies, "He'll have found something else to worry about by tomorrow. Most villagers just ignore him. He usually keeps to himself out at his cottage."
The interior of the Professor's home is much like he was in life; packed with knowledge. Floor to ceiling book cases fill every available spot in the wall of practically every room.
"Thank you," Kendra says to Lysa and Dantrian. She looks Qorin over before replying.
"His name is Gibs," she replies eventually, "He's a local rabble rouser. He used to be a soldier but retirement ill suits him as he finds few people are willing to follow him any more. He latches onto whatever topic is bothering the village in a bid to feel important. Father ignored him most of the time, which served to cause Gibs to think Father was up to something."
Kendra sighs, "I guess I should have thought something like this would happen. We've lived here for fifteen years and yet we are still treated as outsiders."
The assembled group nods at Gabriela's words. Ravengro Trust increases by 1 point.
At this point, the acolytes begin the slow process of covering the Professor's coffin with earth. Kendra moves through the group and extends her thanks and goodbyes as they begin to disperse.
"Thank you for being my father's pallbearers," she says to the group, "Please, come back to the house for a drink while we wait for Councilman Hearthmount to attend to the reading of the will. He has some other business to attend to for an hour or so, but he'll be along as soon as he is finished." Kendra indicates back towards the town and waits expectantly for the group to take the lead.
You've got an hour in-game if you want to make further introductions and learn more about each character. Or you can pose questions to Kendra, although bear in mind she's still quite fragile. Everyone is awarded 120 exp due to dealing with the crowd in a peaceful manner. It is currently approximately 10.30am.
"Enough, Gabriela," Kendra hisses, as Father Grimburrow looks at the young wizard with a guarded look, his Pharasman holy symbol glittering in the light. The leader also turns his head to look at Gabriela, as though memorising her face.
The procession proceeds in silence to Petros' freshly dug grave. Several wreaths are sitting to one side, ready to be placed onto the grave when he has been lowered into the ground. Quietly, the acolytes busy themselves showing each pallbearer how to untangle the cord from the handles that each of them have next to them, before coordinating the lowering of Petros' coffin into the ground.
"Oh Lady of Graves, we commend this body to you so that it may have a blessed and eternal rest. We trust that you will judge the soul of Petros Lorrimor and usher him on to his final place of rest. We ask this in your name, amen," Father Grimburrow says the prayer with practiced ease, then steps aside to allow Kendra to step forward.
"As you all know, my father was a courageous man who stood against the numerous threats that exist in our fair country. That his life be cut short by a mere accident seems a bitter tragedy. Nevertheless, he now has the rest that he earned. To me, he will always be Dad, a man who manage to put aside time for me, no matter how busy his schedule. I'll miss you, Dad," Kendra lets out a sob. Father Grimburrow indicates that if anyone else wishes to, they may speak some words of the Professor.
You may make a single Diplomacy or Perform roll along with your eulogy, if you choose to give one.
The group murmur amongst themselves, and even the leader takes a step back from Ebon's ire, compounded by the words of his compatriots. Be grudgingly, the group disperse, careful not to appear threatening despite still carrying their various farming implements which they had been brandishing as weapons moments ago.
Just as the group disappears from sight, a harried old man hobbles into view from within the Restlands, followed by two acolytes.
"What on earth was all that commotion?!" he asks, concerned.
"Some of the locals were a bit riled up, Father," Councilman Hearthmount says before anyone can speak, "However, a stern rebuke from our..." Councilman Hearthmount motions towards Ebon with a confused glance, "... friend here saw them off."
"Oh," the Father remarks, a fleeting look of irritation crossing his face. "Well, if there's nothing more to be said, perhaps we can proceed?"
