I didn't forget you Antoni! Just busy trying to save the splatter effect of that horrible Deck of cards
Kendra leads you in to a room lit by candles near the ceiling. In the center is a large glass case containing a masterwork suit of plate armor. There are other items in here in glass cases: weapons, gemstones. Kendra is telling you about her family history and the glory days of Ustalov, when the Ravengro Councilor who opened the professor's will appears at the door. He signals he needs to speak with Kendra. She apologizes and leaves you alone, asking if you will please close the door when you are done. You are free to look around.
Kendra reaches around the back side of the last pillar on the left, flicking a hidden switch. There is a grinding sound as the stone slab falls down into the floor...
Kendra looks up from her books. Antonia, darling, will you come here for a second? I have something to show you. She rises and leads you into an auxiliary room, down a flight of stairs, through a passageway. She lights an oil lamp and walks through long halls under ground, the ceiling butressed by mighty pillars. Eventually she comes to a room with a stone door. She turns to you and says I know you are a warrior of the greatest calibir. I would like to show you my families treasures. But you must promise me not to take anything from this room. There are some powerful items in here. I feel I can trust you, however. Would you like to see them?
Kendra zeros in on Groznost. Sir, do you know anything else of the lore of Orcish Origin? It's always been a facination of mine. I mean, every other race that claims to come from deep within the earth say they have thier essence comes from the stone. But Orcs have claim to the depths at least as ancient as the claims of the dwarves...yet an Orc is NOT made of stone, or borne of stone, or wrought of stone. They are more flesh, in ways, than we of the upper world...Do you know anything about this?
Genuinely interested in this kind of lore, storywise. Gur's story addition reminds me of the Russian theory of 'A-biotic' oil...that petroleoum is not the result of millions of years of organic creatures bodies mashed together as we were all taught in grade school, but that it is a naturally occuring product of the earth...maybe even a 'renewable energy' in that respect. It is interesting. I mean: scientist tell us there is nothing under our feet but plates, then magma, then an iron core. But no one has any proof any more than they had proof of a flat earth.
Fittingly, Kendra arrives just at that moment. She wishes you all a warm welcome, the introduces you to a gravely man who has arrived with her: Councilman Vashian.
Kendra: Friends, it is now to to do what you came here to do. We shall open my father's will...
Veshian produces a scroll case, shows that the professor’s personal seal is unbroken, then breaks the wax and opens the case. As he does, a small iron key falls out of the tube, clattering noisily onto the table. Undaunted by the key, the councilman begins to read, eager to be done with the business and to get back home.
the will:
“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 home and
personal belongings entire to my daughter Kendra. Use them or
sell them as you see fit, my child.
“Yet beyond the bequeathing of my personal effects, this
document must serve other needs. I have arranged for the reading
of this document to be delayed until all principals can be in
attendance, for I have more than mere inheritance to apportion. I
have two final favors to ask.
“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 manner 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.
“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 Lepidstadt University, I fear that a few I have
borrowed remain in a 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 tomes to you, posthumously. I ask that you please deliver
the collection to my colleagues at the University of Lepidstadt, who
will put them to good use for the betterment of the cause.
“Yet before you leave for Lepidstadt, there is the matter of
another favor—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 a sum
of one hundred platinum coins. For safekeeping, I have left these
funds with Embreth Daramid, one of my most trusted friends in
Lepidstadt—she has been instructed to issue this payment upon
the safe delivery of the borrowed tomes no 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 _____.”
Once the will is read, Councilman Vashian looks to Kendra, who thanks him and dismisses him. Putting on a brave face, Kendra thanks you again for coming, and informs you that she’ll need at least a few weeks to decide if she wants to sell her family home or remain here in Ravengro—in the meantime, as stipulated by the will, she asks you all to remain as well. She offers rooms in her spacious house for you promising you free room and board for the month the will requests you to remain in town, and then excuses herself to go fetch the chest mentioned in the will...
Master Gilderoy, If the auras you suggest are here in this well, I do not believe we have the fire power between you and I to handle it at this time. Perhaps we should find the others and bring them back here? We must also attend to my Father's Will. The town Councilman was planning to open the seal for me tonight with you all present. I'm sure he has awayed to bed by now...
It is 4:00am. Clouds have rolled back in during the night but the world around you is starting to brighten, hinting at morning.
As you mount the horses to return to town Kendra spurs her mount along side yours. Gosler has been a faithful horse of mine for many years. Gilderoy, I feel the troubles we face are only beginning. If you will stay here in Ravengro with us, with me, to help us overcome these terrible challenges, I would like to offer Gosler to you as a gift. He will serve you well. What do you say? Is this a fair offer?
Gosler is a non-combat trained heavy horse, worth 200gp. A fine animal and worthy treasure for a budding adventurer.
Kendra laughs. You are obviously a rider! There is more to you than meets the eye, Sir. And with that she spurrs her horse off into the moonlight. Keep up, sorcerer!
nice roll! Amazing what a man can do when he's being watched by a women!!
Kendra walks out the front door with Gilderoy. She motions to a young girl standing among the townfolk in the street. Zita, go to my stable and bring Gosler, the Stallion. My friend and I must ride to Fenburry Farm tonight.
The little girl curtsys politely. Yes miss Then runs off into the night.
Well I'm glad I didn't have too much to drink at the wake! It appears this will be a long night. Here Gabi:
Kendra pulls an iron skeleton key from around her neck and hands it to Gabi.
If you take the children back to the Lorrimor House, you can use this key.
Turning to Sir Gilderoy: And you Sir, will you accompany a lady?
So Talon/Antoni are taking the body to the Temple; Gabi and Rasgraton are headed back to the Lorrimor house with the kids; and Kendra/Gilderoy are going west to the farmhouse. Did I get that right?
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.
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Indeed Master Talon. Forgive my insensitivity. This has been one of the worst weeks of my life. The death of this poor girl may be even more horrific that what happened to my Father. Let us indeed take her to the Temple of Pharasma. (E on the map)A room therein serves our town as funeral home. Father Grimburrow has a cleric named Alfons working there as undertaker. Her parents are humble farms who live outside town to the west. I shall ride there tonight she motions outside to the Clydsdale and break the news. Shall I go alone?
She hands Talon 4gp.
For the down payment on the undertakers' services?
By now other townsfolk have ventured in to the house and discovered the horrific scene. Some weep. Others talk to the twins and try to confort them. One old man says You may not feel heroic, but you are 2 fer 3. That's good battin' in my book. He attempts to shake Gur's hand.
Mr Baily also told me to inform you that he would reward you hansomly for the return of his children. I told him not to hold out hope but I seem to have underestimated you all. We saw magic and heard steel coming from this house before the blast...
Would you like to deliver the children yourelf? Or shall I call for a coachman?
I thank you, friends, for what you HAVE saved. I sent Mr and Mrs Baily to my home to await word of their children. I am sorry for the loss of Lola. She was a trusted friend of many families in this town. We shall give her a proper burial. I am sure this haunt has something to do with the work My father was doing. Let us return to my home. There we can do what you came to do...perhaps we will find a clue in his WILL, for which you must all be present when we break the seal.
And you can rest at my home until your wounds are healed...
Talon hears the sound, a soft crying from behind a burnt couch.
if look behind couch:
A charred body of a young girl is here, her blackened arms spread out over two smaller girls protecting them. Looks like the brave baby sitter spent her last motions protecting the little ones in her charge. A true heroine. They appear safe, but terrified
Kendra kicks the burnt body of the clown. What the hell WAS that??
You hear horse hooves outside. Kendra arrives at the house mounted on a white socked Clydsdale (you know, the budweiser horse kind) her crimson cape flowing behind her. The commotion has attracted townsfolk, they are beginning to fill the streets.
Is everyone alright? Gilderoy? Gabi? Can you guys hear me?
Kendra walks over to Gabi and takes one of the glasses. Thank you for coming. Thank you ALL for coming. Tonight we shall open my Father's will. I have not read the will, it is sealed, but he left a letter demanding that each of you be present when that seal is opened. When you are ready, you are invited to my home, where my family Lawyer will handle the affair.
Emotionally exausted, Kendra strides gracefully to Gilderoy's table and sits down. She plays with the stem of her wine glass, allowing the sparkling red light refracting through it to dance in her eyes.
Trashy prose from DM 'nora roberts' night-shade, lol. You guys get that one for free.
Hah, yes he used to chase me around the Gazebo at the center of town with that 'pantomime!' Kendra says, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes. She does not let go of the Orc's hand, who is a concrete reminder to her of the love her Father had for all creatures.
The Frankenstein impersonation is found moderately humorous by the crowd, the party gains 1 trust point: total now 21
My Father loved this town. He was a great professor and a great man, and had such a wonderful sense of humor! I remember when I finally was old enough to attend the university in Ustalov. I was nervous to be taking a class from my own father for the first time. One day, the class filed into the classroom and took their seats. On my father's desk were to large plastic containers filled with scalpels, scissors, knives and other sharp objects. On the blackboard was written, in extra large font, BLOOD. "Today we're going to talk about blood. First we need to get some, so we'll divide into pairs, grab something to cut with and start on each other." He then turned to the blackboard and started writing the names in pairs. After some ten seconds, he turned around, jumped onto the desk and let out a primal roar!!! About half of us nearly peed our pants! Then he just hopping back down off the desk he said in a quiet voice "No. Today we'll be talking about adrenaline".
performance:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Kendra and a few crowd members laugh. She looks around at all of you. Please, kind friends, if you have anything light hearted to say about my Father, please help me lay his spirit to rest with your kind words...
Kendra moves through the crowd slowly, touching each man tenderly on the shoulder or cheek, giving encouragement. Come my friends, let us bury my Father together. Then call for your families, you wives and eligible sons and daughters, let them meet us at the Laughing Demon, where the Lorrimor family will call for the best Dragon-Weed Ale in the Cellar!
Tiny drops of rain begin to fall from the sky, tinkering off your armor (if you are wearing any). Kendra unfurls a petit black umbrella and holds it in her fishnet-gloved hand over her head. Come here, Gabi, there is room enough for us both she says with a kind smile as she walks.
Wow you guys are awesome!I love reading all the posts!
For the first time in weeks a smile breaks Kendra's face. I am so happy you are all here! Perhapse My father will have the burial he deserves after all!
@Gaby: A Wake! Yes, a wake is in order! And I shall be purchasing all the festivities tonight from my own funds...@Rasgraton: You ask strange questions, sir, but I would too If I were such an ancient and magnificent being from so far away! Thank you for coming! @Antoni: You certainly have done more than you know. And it will all be revealed in due time!
Now come my friends! Let us bury our old professor and father!
She slaps Talon on the back, rather uncharacteristic of a victorian lady. A dwarven token of friendship. [ooc] it takes no motive check to realize There is more Kendra than meets the eye.
Indeed Kendra says looking Gilderoy up and down, you look physically good to me -- for the job I mean! She blushes with embarrassment, but quickly composes herself. Will you please help me sir? I know it is asking a lot to bear the coffin of a man you don't know
Suddenly potting the rest of you all Kendra is surprised.
What are you all doing here? Do I know any of you?
carry coffin DC7 with 4 people, take 10. Heading home now. post again later tonight! You can all tell Kendra who you are in the mean time.
Dusk falls. Kendra does not see you all standing in the at the intersection in the cemetary. But Seeing Toni step in to help, Kendra appears relieved.
Thank you, kind warrior! I am sorry you must witness such a rag-tag affair this evening. My father Petros was a great great man! He did much for this town. But now not a single wretched soul has come out to see him buried! I even sent invitations by telegram to his 'friends' all over Varisia and Ustalov, but no one as answered the call to attend:(
Oh please, please be careful my friends! My poor father's bones must be carried with as much honor as possible! I'm so sorry I couldn't find more family friends to help us!
the crackling of the burning wood seems to emphasize the old woman's desperate plea: 'I beg you, sirs, to rescue her. She is only seventeen and she's done no harm to anyone. . .' she bursts into tears again.
An old woman swathed in shawls comes over. The takes Grim by the arm, it was him who first offered to help after all! "Pay no attention to this rude lot" she says, glaring at the man who spat on the floor. "Truth is, it's hard to blame them though...too many folk round 'ere has given up, their 'heart's blood!"
The low murmur of voices that had begun once more is completely silenced. Many people are casting fierce looks at you and the old woman and the barman bellows at her to be silent. But her face is flushed with the warmth and the wine, and she says she will not be unheard.
"Tis the Count, damn his black heart; folk vanish from the village, they do, and are never seen again. The Count takes them up to the castle, to be sure, and there they die a terrible death. Terrible. Folks have heard the screams from the places, screams as if from the souls in hell itself." Now tears run down her old, weathered face. She looks about at the sorry townsfolk:
"Didn't he take my grand-daughter only yesterday? Didn't we see the coach and the headless horseman in the village? My poor little Nastassia, such a beautiful, gentle girl, taken by the fiend 'imself, and not a man in this god forsaken place brave enough to go to the castle and save her!" Embarrassed voices murmur round the room as sparks fly from the fire...
Amazing! shouts Adel at this display of dexterity.
The old man by the bar shouts out to the little girl step back little one! That halfling be doing some dangerous stuff! Pretty impressive though, I admit.
