Kendra pauses, looking down at Filiana. She bites her lip, and then sighs. "...alright..."
She yawns. "We... we can talk about this in the morning. I'm so tired right now..."
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Kendra blinks at Imperia, her eyes hardening. "Imperia, what's going on?" She starts trying to move past Dr. Cawthorne...
Kendra blinks her eyes and looks over the papers Dr. Cawthorne presents to her.
"...er, no, Dr. Cawthorne, everything seems to be in order--" She glances up in time to see a glimpse of something over Khardan's & Imperia's shoulders. "Imperia? Khardan? I heard a racket downstairs--what happened?"
A groggy Kendra meets Dr. Cawthorne at the top of the stairs, her hair in disarray and her blue dressing gown wrinkled. "Doctor? What is it?" "...and Khardan?"
Kendra flinches away from Khardan as his fury briefly overtakes him, a spark or two flying from her fingertips. But the moment passes as the half-orc calms himself, even if it's only barely. "Filiana and I... we went to pay our respects. We were speaking of family and friends, and such... until we found his grave. Neither of us knew what had happened--in fact, until Lord Bramwell and the others caught up to us, I was about to storm into the cathedral of Pharasma and demand answers." "That's when the others found us. Lord Bramwell was the one who determined what sort of foul play was at work; some necromancer--or, rather, some form of necromantic magic was used to awaken my father's corpse as it lay in his grave. He clawed his way out, and now... now he's at large." "I don't want to think about what'll happen if someone finds him..."
Jayla is quiet, but nods her assent as she gets up from the bed. Once back at her home and settled in, the quiet Kendra speaks up. "...something's happened to Father's grave." She starts, her voice shaking with equal measures of fear and rage. "Someone's--someone's reanimated his corpse..."
"The thing is ... people in this situation, have been like this their whole lives. They were brought up being told that this is the way things are and this is the way you react to it. They do not make an effort to learn about what they fear because the fear is generations old and they have no reason at all to believe that there is anything to be learned. They need to be shown or they will never know there is another way." "Something my father dedicated his life to, in fact." Kendra says as she leads you into the Restlands proper. "It was a pity so many of them didn't believe he was worth listening to." "Of course, if the people of my village are anything to go by, many would not recognize a lesson like that if it bit them on the knee. Some people are too set in their ways to ever change. But some .. some could. The thing is though, for most smallfolk, being taught something by someone like Doctor Cawthorne, or even your father would not work. The good doctor is too far from the smallfolk for them ever to learn from him. It would need someone a bit more ... normal... someone like my cousin Cobble perhaps. He had a wonderful way with words and he was fearless. It's a shame he could not have stayed longer... perhaps he could have taught these folk not to be so afraid." "Really?" Kendra glances down at you as the two of you walk amongst the headstones. "What does your cousin do for a living?"
"Fear ... it is the constant companion of the smallfolk. There are so many things to be afraid of when you are small and powerless. The rich and powerful, the lawless, monsters. Especially monsters here in Ustalav. There are so many about that people start to see them everywhere. And that fear can so easily turn to anger. The people of my village are no different. They .. they tried ... umm .. they would react much the same to anything they didn't understand ... anything even just a little bit different. Even if it was someone they had known their whole lives." "And instead of making an effort to learn about the things they fear, they hide in their beds and lash out at whatever it is they're frightened of." Kendra sighs. "Father wanted to change that--to fight fear born of ignorance, using the Art as both a weapon and a means of education." "Truth to tell, it's possible I'd be no different from them if not for my cousin. He came visiting in search of family and told me tales of the world and showed me other parts of Ustalav. If not for him, I'd never have met your father. I wouldn't be here at all." "Hmm." The young woman looks down at you as the two of you approach the northern edge of town. "You and your cousin were blessed to have met him, I've little doubt."
Kendra takes a moment to put on a warm, fur-lined cloak before following Filiana out the door.
The chill of last night hasn't abated in the least as you and Kendra step outside. A gust of wind blows a few dead leaves across the Lorrimor home's front porch as you step onto the dusty road and begin the trek through town. As you pass through the town, you see few people up and about. Those few you do see have a nervous, unsettled look in their eyes, which dart in yours and Kendra's directions for a moment before turning to the sky. Some of them cross the street away from the two of you, their heads bowed and their hands moving in furtive, holy gestures. Kendra wrinkles her nose at them with a measure of annoyance. "Superstition and fear--two concepts in no short supply in this place, evidently. I'm a bit surprised none of the townsfolk have tried anything foolish regarding Lord Bramwell and Ser Khardan--perhaps they still have enough basic decency to honour my father's last wishes, if nothing else."
Kendra nods at Filiana. "The path to the Restlands is on the northern edge of town. Would you like some company?"
Kendra gives Filiana a small smile and kneels before her. "I think you give yourself too little credit, Filiana. My father saw worth in you..." She glances at the others in the room before continuing. "...and saw worth in everyone else here. And he was a good judge of character."
Kendra pauses. "...Ms. Longsong, I see nothing wrong with you wishing to pay your respects." "Still, there is the matter of his last will and testament..." She sighs. "...although I don't know how binding it is now. He wished for those he called his friends to help me adjust to life in Ravengro, now that he's gone... and there's still the matter of his murderers to deal with."
Kendra clears her throat. "Ser Khardan speaks truthfully--he, Lord Bramwell and Ms. Albus are here at my father's last request--he wished for them to watch over me in the coming month so I could perhaps settle into Ravengro, now that he's gone. He also wished for them to deliver some books of importance to Lepidstadt once the month-long period has passed..." "...but, of course, it wouldn't be that simple, would it?" She shakes her head. "We've learned that my father was murdered by a cabal of necromancers known as the Whispering Way--apparently, he came too close to discovering what they were up to at the prison of Harrowstone, and had him killed. Now, it appears that the restless dead are trying to escape Harrowstone and terrorize the town." "And now, it appears one of our number has fallen victim to being possessed by one of them... and perhaps the most powerful one." Dr. Cawthorne's Knowledge Rolls: The name, Bramwell, is a noble name that has been almost forgotten by most of Ustalav's smallfolk. Their misfortune began when their only heir, Gideon, was born... and when he hit puberty, his grave-tainted condition was made manifest, resulting in the smallfolk under the Bramwells' banner fleeing in disgust and fear.
Kendra ushers Dr. Cawthorne and Filiana into the living room and offers them a seat on the couch. "Yes, we have a bit of a... well, supernatural problem to deal with. I'll let Lord Bramwell and Ms. Albus explain further."
Soon enough, the front door opens to reveal the brown-haired, well-dressed daughter herself. "Oh, good morning Sheriff." She starts, but her eyes widen when she sees who's with him. "Dr. Cawthorne? I had my concerns as to whether you'd be able to make it. Thank you so much for coming here." She smiles and extends a hand to him.
Jayla looks like she's going to protest further, but she just sighs instead. "...very well. But, are the bonds really necessary?" "Hopefully, not all day." Kendra steps into the room, a tray in her hands. A plate of buttered bread and scrambled eggs is on the tray, next to a mug of water.
"It's kind of you to offer, Imperia." Kendra claps her tome shut. "I'll consider it."
"Do you have household help Miss Kendra? I don't want us to be a burden on you while we are here." "Um..." Kendra looks up from her dusty tome, rather surprised by the question. "...I don't, actually. I never really saw the need for them. Why do you ask?" Imperia's Research: Your perusal of the Lorrimor estate's library yields the following piece of information, on top of what Kendra has already discovered...
--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.
"Miss Kendra I'm happy to help you research while we wait for Jayla to finish her task. Are you ready to do that now or are there other chores I can help you with? I don't wish to be a burden to you or your household." "I can get started now, in fact. Please, follow me." Kendra leads Imperia to a part of the house she hasn't seen yet--a dusty library practically spilling over with books from all over the world. Kendra starts looking through the bookshelves...
Imperia's Perception (Jayla's Room):
Aside from Jayla's name scrawled in blood on the wall, nothing seems to be out of place...
The window of Jayla's room has a view of the road into town. Kendra nods her head at the compliments. "It's no trouble at all... it's the least I can do to honour my father's last wishes." She takes a breath and sniffs. "What are your plans for the day, Mistress Kendra?" "I was thinking I might do some more research on the Whispering Way while you were out. Of course, I'm open to different ideas if you have them."
"I slept... as well as expected, I suppose." Kendra sighs. "Yourself?" Jayla's Perception: You notice her eyes are ringed with dark circles, and there's dried streaks running down her face. It looks like she was up some part of the night crying.
When the party comes downstairs, several plates of buttered toast and scrambled eggs are on the dinner table. "Good morning, everyone." Kendra says with a smile. "Did you have a good night's rest?"
"Breakfast's ready!" Kendra's voice calls out from downstairs.
Kendra purses her lips and gives Jayla an appreciative look. "Thank you." "I would personally let Father rest in peace, but, if you wish to ask him something..." She sighs. "I won't object. I wish to see his murderers brought to justice as much as you."
Kendra finishes dishing up chicken stew for everyone and sits down at the dinner table. "Oh..." She looks down at her bowl with a somber expression before she starts eating.
"Er--spirit planchette? Pardon me?" Kendra looks back around the kitchen entryway, carrying a pot of delicious-smelling stew. She starts ladling out portions as the others converse.
The door to the Lorrimor home is open when the party returns. The smell of freshly-cooked chicken is coming from the kitchen beyond. Kendra peeks her head out from the entranceway to the kitchen. "Oh--you're back!" She smiles. "And just in time, too--I made some chicken stew."
"I'm not sure... I think he might have left a sketch of it in the back somewhere." Kendra disappears into the library again. It takes a few minutes for her to return. "No, I'm afraid he didn't. I think he was paranoid that the Whispering Way would find his journal, so he was as vague as he could be when describing where the crypt is--that includes not depicting it in sketch." She shakes her head in resignation. "I think he mentioned that it was in the northern part of the Restlands... still, there aren't that many mausoleums or crypts in the Restlands anyway. Odds are it'll be easy enough to find, even in the dark."
"Well, if you're going to go, now would be as good a time as any. I'll have some dinner ready for you when you return." Kendra stands up and moves into the kitchen, brushing some dust off the hem of her dress. The sun has fallen beyond the horizon, and the stars are twinkling outside.
Kendra listens attentively to the information Jayla has to offer. "Well... I didn't expect the archives to be that well-stocked." A smile briefly appears on her face before it turns into a frown. "Unfortunately, I wish I could say the same for Father's own library..." "At any rate, here's what we were able to learn of the Whispering Way..." Whispering Way Information (Lorrimor Library):
"As productive as could be expected, I suppose." Kendra sighs and stands aside to let the others in. "My father's library needs a bit more organization, but despite that we managed to learn a few things about the Whispering Way." She glances over at Lord Bramwell.
Jayla's Perception:
It looks like the group wasn't followed... Kendra opens the door after a few seconds. "There you are. Were you successful in making use of the town hall's archives?"
"A town gossiper would know. Is there one?" Kendra purses her lips. "Well, you could try the Laughing Demon. It's the town tavern--its owner, Zokar, is bound to be interested in talking."
Kendra sits down next to you and starts poring over the books as well...
"Hmm..." She relates the following pieces of information to you...
"Strange... I thought he had more on them than this." Kendra scratches her head. "Oh well... it's a good start anyway. Would you like something else, Lord Bramwell?"
The look in Kendra's eye becomes resolute. "I will. At least, until I know just what the Whispering Way were up to at Harrowstone." "And speaking of the Whispering Way..." Kendra sips from her teacup. "...Father found quite a few books and rare texts about them during his travels and investigations. He kept them in the library here." She nods at a door next to the stairs up. "Not sure if they've been misplaced or not, however..."
"If I may ask you, Miss Kendra, what has become of your mother?" Kendra's eyes turn to the lit fireplace. She's silent for a minute or two. "She passed away five years ago." She reaches out for her teacup and starts filling at anew with her teapot. "She caught the pox, and it progressed to the point where even Father Grimburrow's magic couldn't do much more than ease her pain."
As the others leave for the town hall, Kendra pulls you aside. "Lord Bramwell?" She clears her throat. "I must confess, I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do now..."
"The town hall is the two-story, grey-shingled building to the southeast of the town square. You can't miss it--just follow the road north." Kendra says as Jayla, Imperia & Khardan leave the house.
"I don't really have any sway with the council, I'm afraid." Kendra shakes her head. "But if you want access to the town's archives, you could try asking Councillor Hearthmount. He always struck me as being a reasonable man, if a bit stiff."
"Harrowstone?" Kendra's face pales slightly. "Well, the old prison was burned down with most of the inmates still inside... although, I'm not sure what this 'Whispering Way' would want there." "I'll admit that I haven't been keeping abreast of local history--perhaps the town hall will have more information regarding the prison." She pours herself another cup of tea. "Of course, they won't be inclined to let just anyone peruse their volumes..."
Kendra swallows and winces. "Um... his... his body was found behind the old prison. A gargoyle--I mean, a gargoyle statue, not an actual gargoyle--fell on his head and crushed him." She looks down at her feet and falls silent.
The leather book isn't a tome of esoteric knowledge like the other books in the trunk--in fact, it's actually a journal that Professor Lorrimor kept. Most of the entries are dry and uninteresting, but there are some entries whose dates are circled in red ink... Lorrimor's Journal: The Red Entries:
Starday, 9th of Neth, 4699 AR
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. Moonday, 1st of Arodus, 4709 AR It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be? Oathday, 2nd of Rova, 4709 AR 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. Sunday, 15th of Rova, 4709 AR 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. Toilday, 17th of Rova, 4709 AR 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. Wealday, 18th of Rova, 4709 AR 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. Kendra looks over Imperia's shoulder. "Oh? What's this now?"
"I will guard you as I did your father, though I don't know why he would want it for only a month." Kendra's face brightens in the aftermath of hearing her father's will. "I feel much safer already, sir." "Are you alright with your father's request for us to stay in the area for a month?" "Of course I will humbly abide by the Professor's last request. Do we rent a room here in Ravengro for a month? Nearby the house?" "I'm quite alright with the lot of you staying here for the month. The house has spare guest rooms for all of you." She then turns to the Councilor. "Thank you for coming here, Mr. Hearthmount."
Kendra looks up from the fire and her face pales. "Oh my--Councilor, I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting. I didn't expect you for another--"
Kendra proves to be quite appreciative of Jayla & Khardan getting the hearth going with a merry blaze. The chill of the outdoors lifts considerably, and a soft, orange glow fills the room. "Oh, praise be to Pharasma." The young lady scoots closer to the hearth and holds her hands before it. "Me, I prefer practical experience over books. That way, you never forget. It takes a lifetime to learn like that, but I have lots of time, yes. Lots of it." "Such as building fires, yes?" She says with a slight chuckle. Her face brightens a bit, but that could easily just be from the fire's glow.
Kendra nods and disappears into the kitchen. About ten minutes pass before she emerges from the kitchen, carrying a tray with a teapot and some sandwiches on it. Some teacups are neatly arranged on the tray. "Please, help yourselves." She says as she sets the tray down on the coffee table. "Would you like me to get some firewood and start a fire?" "That would be nice, I think." Kendra nods and points down the hallway past the stairs up. "The wood room is the second door on the left."
Kendra sniffs and nods. "I... I would." She steps next to the grave and looks down at the casket. "Father meant a great deal to me, even though Life seemed to conspire to keep him from seeing me. He was the one who taught me much of the wonders of magic, and how it can be used to help others. I chose to study the arts of divination because of his influence--to pursue knowledge as he did." "He was many things: a teacher, a father, a mentor, an explorer. I will..." She sniffs and swallows, her voice beginning to break and the corners of her eyes turning watery. "...I will miss him dearly." She steps back from the grave and looks at the gathered pallbearers.
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