Picking his way down to the river's edge, Ulam plucks the object from the water. It is a necklace with a scarab beetle pendant. The beetle is identical to the one that adorns the cover of the locked book that the professor left behind.
On the backside of the pendant, the initials A. A. have been engraved.
With Gibs
"That night up at Harrowstone...?" He looks a little confused, then answers Catherine's question about the Professor. "I don't know that he'd rise, or what power he has beyond this world. Alls I know is that he was always traipsing about at night."
Coming to the Lorrimor house, Gibs gives Catherine a half-hearted salute, "Be seeing you deputy."
You notice that Gibs appears to be a completely different person than the one you first met this morning, then at the pub.
Lorrimor House
Kendra stops a moment on the steps. "Grayden...? It doesn't mean anything to me personally. Is it something important? To do with the mystery of Father?"
The trio make their way outside, where they see the angry man from the funeral parting ways with Catherine, who addresses her as 'deputy'.
Ulam stops, and sees the sparkling metal object in the water. The water is moving slowly, lapping lazily at the rocks along the shore. There appears to be a rough path leading down to the water's edge.
With Gibs
"More than thirty years ago, now. I was really no older than a boy," Gibs replies.
As you make your way south, you can see the Lorrimor house coming up on the right. About ten more minutes and you'll be there.
Gibs continues his story. "Settled down here in Ravengro, the one place that didn't seem too concerned with my past. Met a girl, we married, and then she left when we couldn't get anything from the land." He sighs deeply before continuing.
"Now I work as a general farm hand, taking whatever work comes my way."
Lorrimor House
Echo pops her head out, informing Vitaliy that it will be just another minute. Soon after, Kendra emerges, dressed in blue robes that swish against the floor. A wooden staff with a taloned claw at the top holds a blue crystal in place.
"It's time we found out what Father was doing with his nights." She heads towards the stairs, and looks back to Vitaliy. "Coming?"
Gibs warily takes the offered hand, smiles weakly at the comment about men with balls, and walks south with Catherine.
"For a short time, I hunted with Rogeif Yharloc. We were stationed around Ascanor Lodge, when a pack of those two-legged wolves came out of the trees like shadows." He slows his pace, watching Catherine for any reaction.
"In the heat of battle, Rogeif was dragged off into the woods, never to be heard from again. One of the fleeing bastards lunged for me, knocked me down, and gnawed on my leg for a few seconds before bounding off after it comrades."
He stops for a minute, pulling up his pant leg. His calf is criss-crossed with scar tissue and poorly executed stitches. "Estovion Lozarov--the warden of the lodge--had me examined and sent away. Said my scent would keep drawing the wolves back. I made my way through the woods, and wound up here."
The small group starts on their way back to Kendra's home. Before entering the covered bridge, Viktoria spots something glinting in the water on the west side of the river, along the bank.
With The Sheriff
"Not that you'd know anything about it," Gibs snarls, "but I've seen plenty of fighting. Kept those werewolves at bay, before one of them clawed my leg up. Was sent packing in case I was infected." Catherine now notices his limp.
"Sure wish they'd outright killed me, instead of leaving me to suffer..."
He turns on the sheriff. "What is it you brought her out here for? To make a liar out of me?!"
Sheriff Caeller responds to Gibs shouting by staying calm. "The young girl here has already stated her side of the story. Perhaps it's best if you walk yourself home and sleep it off before you make a bigger scene, and I'm forced to lock you up."
Caeller moves over to Gibs, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'll have her escort you home." He looks at Catherine while speaking. "She's the law now, so she'll make no moves against you."
He gives Gibs some space, and Caeller gives you directions to his shack.
I don't know why it's not on the map...weird...area O (the statue), there's a small shack northeast of it, at the north end of a field--that's Gibs' shack.
Lorrimor House
There appears to be nothing distinct about the mirror. The glass isn't warped in any way, the wood is plain. Feeling the glass, it isn't warm or cold.
Pulling the mirror away from the wall, Vitaliy spots an engraving. There is a jack-o'-lantern face carved into the upper right corner, with the words
Gibs continues leaning against the hitching post, and starts muttering again. "Red dress...The red paint...make him believe...send them away."
He shakes his head a few times, and sits down hard in the dirt. He seems to deflate, leaning his head against a pole. "My friends don't need to help me with you...whoever..." He spots the newly adorned badge pinned to Catherine's chest, stands, and shuffles over to her.
"Don't know who you are girly," he starts, the alcohol strong on his breath. "But if'n you're wearing that badge, I reckon we's got business." He looks over to the sheriff and snorts. "What is it Benjan? Did I have one of my lapses again? The post-war thingy what makes me all crazy?"
Sheriff Caeller puts a hand on Gibs' shoulder. "It seems you might have. Tried to put a stop to old man Lorrimor's funeral this morning. Then came around my office talking about strangers jumping you in the Restlands."
Gibs pulls his hair back from his forehead, revealing a fresh cut. "Well someone gave me this," he says, scowling at Catherine.
Catherine notes that his eyes haven't flickered again.
I realized it was a long weekend in the US, so I'm guessing that's why I haven't heard much from anyone...I hope. :)
Pevrin is wary of Ulam at first, then swipes the coin out of the orc's hand in a blink. Making it disapear into one of his many pockets, he replies to the orc. "I'll make sure you get a fresh copy of the Wealday Parchment."
With The Sheriff
Gibs pulls the towel from his head, looking at it confused. "Wh...Where..?" He looks up to the afternoon sky, and starts muttering to himself. "Wood for...the stove...pitchfork...out back."
He turns his attention to Catherine. "Learn from their mistakes?" He stands up, using a hitching post for support. "The only mistake I made was letting you all carry that coffin to the gravesite!" You notice that his eyes were blue, and they flickered black and gray while he was yelling. Once his outburst was over, his eyes went back to blue.
Sheriff Caeller takes a step forward. "Now Gibs, you agreed that we'd talk about this morning, and let Catherine here tell their side of the story."
Lorrimor House
Vitaliy leaves Echo and Kendra in the bedroom. Standing in the upstairs hallway, the mirror catches his attention once more. From the bedroom door, it looks innocent enough.
I'll leave any RPing between Echo and Kendra until Echo makes another post. Vitaliy is free to explore the upstairs.
-------------------------------------
Pevrin makes the coins disappear before Dawn can reconsider. "Certainly miss, I'll make sure EVERYONE knows. I've got connections here in town, and can see to it that all the townsfolk know your names." He's literally vibrating, scratching out some notes on a paper.
He walks distractedly towards the church when Grimburrow beckons him inside.
Standing slightly apart from the party, Luvick answers Dawn's question. "A festering wart on the landscape: Carrion Hill."
Knowledge (geo) / Knowledge (local) to get some more info about it, or you can role-play it up.
---- With The Sheriff ----
Gibs makes it to the door, and he leers at Catherine, giving her a lecherous look. "Oh hey, deputy. Want to escort me back to my shack, where we can keep this little party going?"
Without a word, Caeller gives Gibs a nudge out the door. Gibs stumbles, loses his footing, and falls to a heap on the dusty ground. "Hey now," Gibs says. "I was only trying to get some company on this so sad day. What with the funeral and all...she must be a bundle of nerves."
He smiles up at Kendra, "She could use some calming down."
---- Lorrimor House ----
Standing up, Kendra shies away from the wardrobe, even after Vitaliy confirmed there was no one in it.
"Numbers, yes. The temple. Grimburrow will know what to do." Kendra nods her agreement, and sits on the bed, twisting her hands around each other. She looks at Vitaliy, her eyes pleading, scared. "Why is all this happening now? When Father is gone..."
Luvick responds to Viktoria, "I've been here in Ravengro for nine years." He tilts his head to the townsfolk. "Still an outsider after all this time." He finishes with a sigh. "You may address me as Acolyte Luvick, although that feels a tad too officious. Just Luvick will do nicely."
Pevrin's eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets when he sees the two shiniest copper pieces ever. "W..Well...there's always something that someone wants to share. People selling livestock, birthday wishes, missing items, newcomers to town. We even have a weekly news posting. Nothing like what they have over in Lepidstadt, but we're proud of it."
He reaches out for the coppers, "W...What would you like to have posted?"
---- Lorrimor House ----
Kendra looks at Vitaliy with confusion. "M...Mirror? Hallway?" She recovers quickly. "History...? It's just a mirror which father inherited. I don't believe there's anything special about it."
Looking at Echo, Kendra shivers, and doesn't seem to notice. "Perhaps it's better that I stay here. If it is some sort of shade, I could contact it and find out what it wants."
Gibs slaps his knee and guffaws. "I don't need no friends to deal with you two." he says, ushering a couple of beefy characters at the bar to sit down.
Standing up, Gibs finishes his drink in one pull, and stands with the sheriff toe to toe. "How 'bout we show the girl here just how dirty you fight, eh sheriff?"
The serving girl has stopped her rounds, and everyone else in The Laughing Demon has gone quiet as a mouse.
Caeller stifles a scowl, and covers it up by blowing smoke in Gibs' face. "Let's take it outside Gibs, we have some jawing to settle." He gently steers Gibs towards Catherine and the door.
Gibs stumbles around the tables, while the even, measured steps of Caeller's boots follows.
Catherine can intervene at any time, or take an action if she wants.
"I...I've never seen him before. He...he looked like he'd crawled out of the lake. He was holding a hammer...his hair was hanging in his face. He looked so old..."
Inside the wardrobe, Vitaliy sees an assortment of clothes all neatly folded and arranged. There is no one inside of it.
---- Temple of Pharasma ----
Luvick pauses when he reaches the door, and looks back to Dawn. "I'll be here, when your friends are ready."
The townsfolk gather on the temple grounds, making side glances in the party's direction. They stay in small groups, no more than 6 people to each little cluster. None of them approaches you...except a young boy.
He's the same boy who was at the funeral this morning. "Afternoon folks," he says, his voice cracking as he pulls out a piece of parchment. "Need anything posted on the boards? Only one copper, and I'll ensure that it's up for a week."
Father Grimburrow comes outside, talking with each of the small groups gathered. As he leaves each group, they move inside the temple, and Grimburrow moves onto the next. It takes him about ten minutes to get everyone inside. You can dismiss Luvick, or chat with him until Grimburrow ushers him inside--which will happen last.
---- With The Sheriff ----
The sheriff gets a blank look on his face at Catherine's question of the silver bullets, then smiles, shaking his head. "No, we shouldn't need anything of the sort."
He moves to the door, directing Catherine to join him, and pushes it open. Inside, it is surprisingly well-lit. There is a young serving girl buzzing from table to table, a tray of drinks threatening to spill over.
At the back of the room, Catherine sees the overweight man who was at the funeral, the one who kept wiping his neck and face with the handkerchief. He has a large serving of food in front of him, and has paused mid-bite when he sees the sheriff.
Two tables away, Gibs is nursing a glass of ale. His head is bandages, with red all over it. Even from the door, Catherine can see that it's some sort of paint or stain.
The sheriff takes in the crowd, and strides over to Gibs' table. "Alright Gibs, you've had your fill. How about we finish our talk outside?"
Gibs glares up at the sheriff, his fist clenched around the handle of the glass. "I told you, I ain't spending another night in that cell of yours. Last time some thief walked right into my house and took my razor. Still waiting on you to find it, too."
Sheriff Caeller stands perfectly still, puffing on his cigar (there's about a quarter of it left). "You don't want me to drag you outside do you?"
Looking around, Gibs asks, "Who's gonna help you? All your deputies are out working the fields."
Caellar points a thumb in Catherine's direction without looking at her. "She's gonna make sure you play nice today."
---- Lorrimor House ----
Vitaliy lays his hands on Kendra, and her moans cease almost instantly. Her eyes flutter open, and she eases herself into a sitting position. "H...How did he get in here? The door was locked." She gasps, and a hand covers her mouth. "What if he's been waiting in the wardrobe...?" Her eyes flicker between a large wardrobe in the corner and Echo and Vitaliy.
Luvick pulls out a scroll case, and unfurls a map of the cemetary. He quickly finds the crypt that Dawn explains. "One of the first crypts used by the residents of Ravengro. A lot of local families interred there.
He looks at each of the remaining party members, and seems irritated that he's been dismissed. "I don't believe that the good Father intended that I should find your lost friends." He folds up his map, turns around, and heads back inside the church.
As he reaches the door, you start to see townsfolk approaching the church.
Feel free to respond before he heads back in.
---- With The Sheriff ----
Quote:
as long as I'm given an opportunity to counter what he says
"I'll be with the both of you, so I'll make sure you get your chance. I want to be sure I get both sides."
Quote:
Is there a reason you find the apothecary suspicious?
"S..Suspicious? N..No." He stammers a moment. "No. Just making sure everything's alright. She attended Lorrimor's funeral, and there were words exchanged. Making sure she's okay."
You can make a Sense Motive check here if you want, or just let it go.
Quote:
What type of establishment is this and why are we going here?
Standing outside the Laughing Demon, Sheriff Caeller raises an eyebrow. "That's right, you only just arrived. It's a pub, owned and operated by one Zokar Elkarid. I know Gibs will be in here, because he told me this is where he'd be when I was ready to lock him up."
Quote:
Once I step through this door, what assurances do I have that I will step back out?
He scratches his skin, and pulls out a metal badge. "Probably shouldn't be doing this without the approval of the council." He hands the badge over to Catherine. "You'll be in town for awhile, and I DO need the help. No one's going to raise a weapon to the law." He seems to grow taller as he straightens his back. "I've been sheriff here for almost ten years, and I've never lost a deputy. We deal with drunks and vandals for the most part. If it puts you more at ease, you can stand guard at the door while I escort Gibs outside."
Vitaliy gives the door the final push it needs, after which both Echo and Vitaliy stumble into the room. Kendra is laying on the floor, face down, a hairbrush in her right hand. Dressed in a simple shift, her legs are splayed out behind her. Her head is towards the door, and you can see a long, bloody gash across her forehead. It is still oozing blood which is pooling up beneath her cheek which lays on the floor. She appears to be passed out, and is moaning in her sleep.
Behind Kendra, you see an ornate floor mirror, broken into a thousand shards. Around the edges, the glass is still in place, but shattered, reflecting Kendra's prone body a hundred times over.
I have a very hard time reading the font in the journal, unfortunately
I'll copy/paste the text.
Professor's Journal:
Circled Entries in the Professor’s 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 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.
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 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.
"Harrowstone, eh?" He steps up close to Dawn, lifting his cudgel up onto his shoulder. You can smell the garlic on his breath from lunch as he talks. "Best to just stay away dear. A lot of bad history up on the hill." His face grows long as he finishes his sentence. He gently grabs Dawn's arm, "Please, child. I beg of you not to dig up the past. Petros did, and now he's dead..." He lets her go, and turns back to his temple.
"The resources of the church are yours to use. There's an office in the back which Petros was using. I'll see to it that you have access to the room, but only during non-service hours." He looks up to the sky, and then glances down the road. "And I'm afraid that won't be until tomorrow morning. The flock is coming home."
"Luvick!" Grimburrow shouts, and within moments, a young man dressed in simple black robes comes out the front doors. "These visitors need some help with the Restlands. You've recently mapped it out, so I'd like you to assist them with identifying a crypt. Renei will take over your duties today."
"Good luck, and I'll assume I'll see you in the morning." Using his cudgel as a walking stick, Grimburrow makes his way into the church.
The journal does say which crypt it is: 'a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path'. I'll give you guys a map. Basically though, right next to where Petros was buried.
With The Sheriff "The bestial wolves. I shudder to think what would happen if one found it's way into Ravengro." Benjan is quiet for awhile, letting Catherine talk, nodding to townsfolk heading south.
As you exit the covered bridge which leads into the town square, Benjan stops. "I asked one of your party to come along to bear witness for your defense against Gibs. I'll ask that you do as little talking as possible, except when asked. He's likely drunk, and looking for a fight, and we don't need to give it to him."
Benjan starts again, moving his blunderbuss to a more accessible position on his hip. As he repositions the gun, you notice that it hasn't been fired in a long time. You quickly find yourselves in the town square, which Benjan leads you around counter-clockwise. He points out Jominda's shop. Letter H on the map.
Passing by the apothecary that Jominda runs, you see that he slows down, and seems to be trying to see into the windows--he's giving the place more than his undivided attention.
He leads you down the roadway between H and I, stopping at a building sitting along the river. Building C on the map. Handing above the door is a wooden sign, with an outline of a demon. "The Laughing Demon," Benjan says as he hides his weapon inside his coat.
You can respond to anything you want here before heading inside, or just let me know that you're ready.
Lorrimor House
Echo rattles the door handle, but the deadbolt keeps the door from swinging inward. Shouldering the wooden door, Echo manages to crack the wood around the deadbolt, but she's unable to gain entry into the room.
I really thought you were gonna get in... You can try another Strength check, find something to pry the door open with, pick the lock, or get Vitaliy to help you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Using his cudgel to prop himself up, Grimburrow sighs heavily. "It's not so much a problem with the professor. It's the folks here in town. Lorrimor was always traipsing about in the night, spending his time locked in the library here or at his home, so the townsfolk grew suspicious."
He steps in closer to the party, lowering his voice. "After those black robes up and left town, and then Lorrimor was found dead, the townsfolk came to their own conclusions. Black magic they say." He shakes his head violently and steps back. "I just can't bring myself to believe it."
"An unused crypt in the Restlands? I can assure you, dear, that they're all being used." He scratches his chin, his eyes darting between all of the party members. "I'm afraid I can't just let you go breaking into crypts, and causing who knows what other mischief in the Restlands. I'll send a couple of the acolytes over to have a look in...err... Which crypt was it?"
You can sense a lone, weak aura--a swirling red mist--moving towards a mirror in the hallway. Frost grows on the flowers nearby, freezing, then shattering the delicate petals. As it envelops the mirror, the mist fades into nothingness.
If you want to do something, I'll give you one action before it disappears.
I'm sure she'll run into the room, but I'll wait for Echo before I describe what's going on inside the bedroom.
he raps a bony knuckle loudly on that door several times.
From the other side of the door, there is only more moaning. As you stand before the door, you feel a rush of cold air, which passes as quickly as it starts.
Temple of Pharasma
The sheriff gives Catherine a nod, and bids Grimburrow a farewell. Walking away from the temple, heading north, he waits only a moment as he beckons Catherine with a wave of his hand.
"Nothin' but trouble, with that Lorrimor. Even dead, he's causing me problems," Grimburrow says, as he wrings his hands together. Realizing that the party hasn't left, he turns his attention to everyone. "Come to spare a few coins for Pharasma? Maybe stay for the evening sermon?"
With The Sheriff
The sheriff plods along at a steady pace, his eyes taking in the woman beside him. "Caeller. Benjan Caeller," he says as he holds out his hand. "Couldn't help but notice your finger's got an itch to it."
Lorrimor House
Reaching the top of the stairs, you can see that all the doors are closed. Unsure which door to use, you pick one at random, and wind up in a small room (On the Lorrimor House map, it's the room in the southeast corner). It is just as packed with books and nick nacks as the rest of the house.
From the other side of the west wall, you can hear a low moaning.
Temple of Pharasma
Calmly folding his paper, the sheriff examines each crease as it's created. Silence fills the afternoon, as he makes the paper smaller, and slides it into a pocket inside his coat.
Titling his hat back, and raising his eyes to the sky, he then turns to Dawn who now has his full attention. "It's true that when Gibs came into my office he was 'discouraged', and ready to have you shackled and caged."
He waves his hand in a downward motion, indicating that he won't be arresting Dawn.
"Problem here, as I see it, is that Gibs--however much I may distaste his company--is a local. And you folks aren't." Shifting his weight to a more relaxed stance, he pulls out a cigar of his own. "I intend to have this matter cleared up by the time I finish this."
He pulls out a match, hesitant to light it. "My deputies are all out working the fields today, so I can't call on them. As I understand it, you folks seem to have a bit of free time available, and will be in town for a a spell."
Striking the match, he inhales deeply on the cigar. "Would one of you mind coming along with me to have another talk with Gibs?"
The Lorrimor House
As Echo and Vitaliy discuss books and swords, a scream comes from upstairs. It is quickly followed by shattering glass and a loud thump.
The leather trench coat creaks as the sheriff slowly turns around. His skin has been weathered, this morning's stubble still bristling. Eyes as blue as glacial ice are squinting, his entire face on the verge of a scowl.
"Ain't too smart using that little trick with the fire around here. Some folks might be apt to dunk you in the river to see if yer a witch." The sheriff nods to Viktoria as he finishes. "Course, there ain't no law against using magic, but some o' the folks round here are a bit on the superstitious side."
He sizes each of the party members up, and pulls out a piece of paper. "Says here there should be six of you, and I only count four. The other two wouldn't be off causing more trouble would they?"
Without waiting for a reply, he continues. "Seems there was some kerfuffle over at the Restlands." He consults his paper again, then proceeds. "Seems old Gibs asked you folks to parlay, and he wound up with quite the thrashing to his head. Unprovoked." As he finishes, he stands with his hands on his hips, his brow furrowed.
"Care to explain yourselves?"
In the background, Father Grimburrow seems to have settled down a big, scratching his chin, his eyes focused on nothing.
At The Lorrimor House
Echo stays behind to work on the lock which keeps the purple book closed. The two keys salvaged from Professor Lorrimor's room are no help, and the lock continues to elude Echo's efforts.
If you want to join the group heading to the temple, you're welcome to catch up with them.
Harrowstone:
Nothing more to learn.
Harrowstone is a ruined prison—partially destroyed by a fire in 4661, the building has stood vacant ever since. The locals suspect that it’s haunted, and don’t enjoy speaking of the place.
Harrowstone was built in 4594. Ravengro was founded at the same time as a place where 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 so doing 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.
The Whispering Way:
The Whispering Way is a sinister organization of necromancers that has been active in the Inner Sea region for thousands of years.
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 has 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.
The Party Goes To The Temple of Pharsma
The party leaves Vitaliy to his reading, and head outside. The day has warmed up considerably since you first arrived at the Lorrimor home.
Making your way down the pathway to the road, the five girls scatter, running north to the town square. Out at the road, a yellow dog stands up, and slowly follows the children.
Turning south, with a little more time to take in the details of the town, you come across a thick wooden pole in the ground (area B on map). There are numerous papers tacked to the pole, all written in the same script (common).
At the bridge, the elf who was playing the violin is gone, although her blanket was left behind, blown against some bushes, threatening to be deposited into the water below (Ravengro Creek).
On the far side of the river, outside of the temple, you see another pole set into the ground, with what looks to be identical postings to the one at the south end of town.
Standing outside the temple is a large man in a black leather hat, and a black leather trench coat. His arms are crossed, and his back is to you. You can see a metal tube, with a wooden handle at one end strapped into a bandolier. (Version C :) )
As you approach the temple, you can hear Father Grimburrow shouting. "Him and his croons just waiting in ambush! I seen 'em lurking about. Thought maybe they had some decency in 'em--honoring the dead. Then those visitors...oh! Here they are now..." Grimburrow stretches out an arm, an arthritic finger extended in your general direction.
At The Lorrimor Estate
After everyone had left, Vitaliy heard the upstairs door open. Kendra came back to the sitting room, where she watched the dhampir for a few minutes. "I apologize for earlier. My attitude, my reaction to your appearance. Very unladylike of me." She moves closer to Vitaliy, and pulls his hood down.
"I can see why father was so...drawn to you. He spent most of his life hunting the undead. And you...not quite undead, and not wholly alive. What a thrill it must have been for him to have met you." She holds out a slim book to Vitaliy.
"It's not much, but I hope it helps in whatever you're hoping to find in these old books." She pats his arm, and then returns to her room upstairs.
Vitaliy: Knowledge (arcana or religion) for researching the Whispering Way--your choice.
Slim book:
Codex of Forlorn Secrets. You can choose to either continue your research into the Whispering Way, or read the new book. The codex will require 7 days of reading (though they need not be consecutive).
Gasping in shock at Vitaliy's appearance, she recovers quickly enough. "I...I am sorry. I didn't know..." She moves into the hallway, perhaps a little scared of the Dhampir.
"Please excuse me, I'm already overdue for my studies," she says. "Make yourselves at home, and remember dinner."
She makes her way upstairs, and you can hear a door closing softly, the latch engaging, and a deadbolt secured.
At the back window, Catherine sees a large field. A couple of farmhands are working the land, sending up dust balls as their hoes crack open the earth.
Off in the distance, you can hear the murmuring of the river. All seems to be at peace in the little town of Ravengro.
Kendra gingerly takes the journal, then passes it back to Echo. "No. Whatever he was up to, I'd rather it be finished with the last conversation we had. He was excited about some runes... and I must admit, I was getting excited for him."
She looks at the journal one last time. "Please, keep it with his other books that are bound for Lepidstadt. I'd wind up throwing it away anyhow."
Kendra picks up the tray, and heads back towards the kitchen. Turning back to the room, she says to the entire party, "Dinner is at six. Don't be late, or you're on dish duty."
Kendra walks to the window to see who Ulam and Catherine are talking about, and places a hand on Vitaliy's shoulder as she passes. "Thank you for staying with me," she says. "Although, you may perish if your intention is to eat that sandwich from the smell of it alone." She takes Vitaliy's hand, and places the sandwich in it. "Eat."
She turns to the window, spots the girls, and recites their names: Caroline, Andrea, Christine, Hannah, and Amalie. Seeing the boy walk by, Kendra laughs. "Little Pevrin!" Crossing her arms, she scowls as she watches him pass. "Not even a full day after Father's death, and there he is, earning his coppers with the posting poles. Bah!" She turns away in disgust. Realizing she has company, she quickly composes herself.
Turning to Echo and Catherine, "What's this about graves? Please tell me you're not about to dig up Father's grave before the dirt has even settled."
As Ulam looks outside, he sees five girls skipping rope in the roadway. Despite all the chattering, he realizes that this is an out of the way area for kids to be playing. He also notices that the young man who attended the funeral has passed the Lorrimor house three times in the last hour.
"Stay?" a voice asks from the doorway. Turning around, you see Kendra with a tray of sandwiches. Moving to a side-table, she places the tray down, and turns to all of you. "Where are you going?" she asks.
There really hasn't been much for me to interject, and I appreciate everyone's patience the past couple of days. :) Dawn's Knowledge (religion) check earned each party member 58 XP.
Serving Your Hunger: A book sacred to the goddess Urgathoa.
The Umbral Leaves: This lexicon is an unholy book of Zon-Kuthon.
Echo:
On Verified Madness: A treatise on the creatures that are related to the Dark Tapestry, the name given to the dark places between the stars in the night sky.
The purple book means nothing, other than the symbol that matches your pendant.
Dawn digs through the chest, but there is no key that she can spot, even guided by Desna's hand. Sorry Dawn... :(
Only the purple book with the scarab is locked.
The three other books are as follows:
On Verified Madness - Know (arcana)
Serving Your Hunger - Know (religion)
The Umbral Leaves - Know (religion)
Some of you may have heard of these tomes before. I've included the necessary Knowledge check for anyone who wants to check if they've heard of these tomes before. Each is a separate check, so you can't lump the two religion checks together to get a double whammy. You either know it or you don't. You can obtain the same information from the Knowledge check by spending an entire day reading the tome.
You guys can continue looking through the books, search the chest, search Lorrimor's library for a hint of the Whispering Way, or just wait for lunch.
After Viktoria's amazing roll, she knows all that can be currently learned about Harrowstone. There's an XP system in-place where each new piece of info gives a bonus. In this case, all of that XP was unlocked, resulting in each character receiving 125 XP. :) Good job Viktoria.
Echo deftly inserts the tools into the lock. A bead of sweat rolls from off her forehead into her eye, which she quickly blinks away.
Vitaliy sits in a nearby chair, nodding to himself occasionally, flipping the pages at a steady rate.
Echo:
After a few tries, the tumblers inside refuse to give way. Unless you have something to boost your Disable Device, continued attempts may snap one of the tools.
Remember, there are still 3 other books to look at while Vitaliy is reading the journal, Echo is messing with the lock, and Kendra is cooking.
Catherine goes through the professor's room as carefully as she can. After what she felt was a thorough search, she comes up with 2 keys. One made of black stone, the other a metal plated in red chrome--neither of them is triangular.
Aside from that, hundreds of more dusty books, a collection of insects on a peg board, and what looks like a large mechanical insect. Knowledge: Arcana to identify.
Kendra smiles at Dawn."It would take weeks to find a single key amongst all of Father's things. Nothing immediately comes to mind."Does she really think that I was privy to Father's books, let alone their secrets? It was all I could do to allow him to let me copy from Grimburrow's tomes.
A hint of anger flashes over her eyes, which passes as quickly as it came.
She thinks for a moment. "His room upstairs is the most likely place he'd keep a key. Feel free to look around, just try not to make too much of a mess." She indicates which room it is, and then goes off to see about some lunch.
The second book in the pile is a rich purple. On it's cover there is no writing, only a single brass scarab, set with a single eye in its center.
The book's cover is trimmed with polished steel, and clasped with a small but intricate lock. The keyhole is an odd shape, appearing to require a key with a triangular shaft.
It appears to be the professor's journal. Most of the entries are fairly bland. Skimming through the book, you notice that occasionally there is an entry circled in red ink, as if someone were drawing attention to them.
It will take an hour of concentrated effort to go through the journal.
Kendra returns with a small oak chest, secured with iron fittings. Struggling with the weight of it, she nearly stumbles into the room. Doing her best to be dainty about it, she drops it onto the desk that Vashian sat at only a few minutes prior.
"It seems to be locked," she says, as she searches about for the key that was in the scroll case. She holds the key to the chest, and her hand starts shaking. "I...I can't. Who knows what Father kept in there." She turns away from the chest, and hands the key to the nearest party member, who happens to be Ulam.
Ulam shrugs, goes over to the chest, and turns the key in the keyhole. There is a faint click, and the latch pops open. Inside the chest, there are three dusty old books, and a fourth that is relatively new, sitting atop the others. Scratched into the red leather of the topmost book are the words Read me now!
"I believe I know which trunk my father spoke of," Kendra says. "I'll be back in a minute, if you'll excuse me," she finishes before leaving the room and heading upstairs.
You guys will have a few minutes before she comes back if there's anything you want to talk about amongst yourselves.
Kendra: "Mister Vladovich, stop talking such nonsense. My father trusted you with the task of delivering his tomes, and to watch over me while I sort out the estate. I insist that you all stay here as long as you need."
Kendra finishes her tea, and has placed the glass on a nearby cozy, when there is a series of three sharp raps at the door. "That must be Councilman Vashian," Kendra says as she stands and goes to the front door.
Leading the short, pudgy man into the drawing room, Kendra reclaims her seat. Vashian looks around the room, before seating himself at a small desk. "It's good to see that the wishes of a dead man were fulfilled," Vashian wheezes out, his face beet-red. Taking a glass of the iced tea, he continues on between gulps, reading from a crisp piece of paper he's fished out of an inner pocket. "We are here, on 7th Sarenith, to read the will of one Petros Lorrimor, in the presence of his daughter," indicating Kendra. "The late Petros has also requested that six other individuals be present, though there is no indication as to why."
He harumphs, then re-reads the document to himself, his lips moving with each word. Clearing his throat, and replacing the paper, he then pulls a scroll case from a small bag he has brought with him. He presents the scroll case to everyone in the room, pointing out that the professor's wax seal has been unbroken. Vashian cracks the seal, and unfurls the scroll, sending a small key that was contained inside clattering across the desk and onto the floor. Ignoring the key, he reads 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 entirely 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 Gozran, in the year 4711.”
----
With the reading of the will concluded, Vashian looks to Kendra. The woman is shocked, his lower lip quivering. She pulls herself together, thanks Vashian, and walks him to the door. A few moments later, she returns to the drawing room.
A smile flits across her face. "Oh yes! Over the past few months, Father has been corresponding quite frequently with Judge Daramid in the Lepidstadt courthouse. Father always said she was one of the few people he trusted most in this world."
"We've been here fifteen years. Right after Father retired from the university in Lepidstadt. He said it would make me well-rounded to spend time out here in the country."
"It's a memorial to Warden Hawken. The town built the statue to commemorate the warden when he kept the prisoners contained in Harrowstone the night they rioted. The town surely would have been lost..." her words trail off, as she realizes you don't know what she's talking about.
"The big, black building up on the hill? That's the old Harrowstone prison. Father has a book which recounts the tale. Remind me to dig it out for you before you leave."
To Dawn, "I do not understand why he asked for all of you." Sipping her tea, she then continues. "Perhaps his late-night adventures caught up with him, and he needed help." She sighs, slumping slightly. "But you're here now, and hopefully we'll all be able to get some resolution."
To Viktoria, "He was found up at Harrowstone prison, a stone gargoyle atop him, obviously having fell from one of the towers, crushing his face and neck." Silent tears stream down her face, as her eyes unfocus, lost in the memory of seeing him. "When I found him, I immediately called on Father Grimburrow, to see if we could learn what had happened by talking to his spirit. The good Father tried, but said he was too tired, and the spirit may have been too long away from the body."
Kendra turns to Catherine, "Antrellus, the poor old soul. I have never been able to have a proper conversation with him, but father is very--WAS very interested in his stories. He mentioned once that Antrellus was helping with some research."
She stops and thinks for a few moments. "I can't fathom what beasts he was shouting about. If you're staying in town long enough, you may run into Antrellus again. You could ask him yourself, though most days he's fairly unintelligible. As for helping with any 'beast slaying', that would be up to the Ravengro Council."
Leaving the Restlands, you find yourselves in a swampy stretch of land between Ravengro, and Lake Lias to the north.
When you first cross into the town proper of Ravengro, you are immediately impressed by the smell of the town--a combination of the odor from the swamp as well as greasy cooking fires, bitter ale, and the tanning businesses that ostensibly support this town. Curiously, though, the town is quiet. The only noises that mar the buzzing of the swamp are the joyous sounds that spill out from behind the closed doors of the temple of Pharasma, and the sounds of tradesmen at work. Strangers pass with appraising glances or hardened stares. Neither do anything to set the traveler at ease. While Canterwall children are never what one would call ever-present, in Ravengro they are akin to ghosts; seldom glimpsed except in fleeting moments when their parents require their presence in town on some errand.
While the ramshackle buildings across the river at the center of town seem to blend into the swamp itself, on this side of the river, you see a few nicer houses, surrounded by farmland, which appear to be set apart from the town. Nearing the bridge, on the far bank of the river, you see a 25 foot tall statue of a man. What it could possibly be for is anyone's guess. Beyond the statue, to the south, atop a hill, you can see a large building made of black stone. In the mid-morning sun, it appears to absorb the light, and cast a shadow over the area.
Crossing the river, you see an elven violinist sitting cross-legged on a blanket. With a small ceramic bowl placed at the edge of the road, she teases a song out of the instrument as you approach. Dressed in dark gray leggings, and a low-cut top, her brilliant red hair is in sharp contrast to her drab clothing.
Kendra leads you a short distance from the bridge to her home. The home previously owned by Petros Lorrimor. Stepping inside, the curtains are drawn, keeping the light out, giving the house the feeling of being in a museum. The walls of nearly every room are lined with shelves, books crammed into every available spot. Moving into the lower drawing room, Kendra slumps into a chair.
"I'm sure you all have many questions. Please allow me a few moments of comfort before you ask them." She smiles at the nearest party member, and asks, "Could you bring me some iced tea from the kitchen?"
---
Everyone can ask one question of Kendra before the story moves on. Catherine already asked about Antrellus, along with the offer of help. I'll be checking in throughout the day tomorrow, but at 9pm pacific time (or thereabouts), I'll move on with the next part.
---
Ravengro Map - I'll add this to the campaign info tab.
Temple of Pharasma - E
Nicer houses - M1-M4
Statue - O
Black stone building - R
Lorrimor house - N
Jominda's back straightens, though the pain of it lances across her face. "I'm Ravengro's apothecary...an herbalist." Watching Vashian walk away, her back eases into her normally hunched figure, "No, there are precious few who are comfortable around strangers." She pulls Echo near, and whispers to her.
Echo:
"My advice is not to tarry too long. Gibb is only the first layer of the onion that is Ravengro."
She disengages from Echo, returns to Kendra, then makes her way out of the Restlands.
