Valen does his best to follow to the site. Seeing Madeline's somewhat awkward attempt to make her way, he offers to take her book and pencil for the walk/travel to free up her hands.
Search Posts
"Puny humans hate Beast! Always chasing Beast. Beast smash! "
Valen has been listening intently - trying to discern clues from the story as well. At Vaghn's offer, he bows his head and adds: "It would be an honor and Pharasma's will to bless the new Boneyard, Master Lazne. The Grey Lady seeks peace for your dead - that they may go safely to her judgment. Once we have examined the area, I shall proceed to do as you ask." As an addition to Vaghn's observations and quietly, Valen adds:"Cursing...he says the Beast cursed them greatly. In our conversations with him, that Golem - self-aware as he was - was almost...child-like in the way he spoke. If Lazne is to be believed, that doesn't even sound like the Golem we met - unless the controller can speak through him with its own voice."
I feel like we could use one more, but if it doesn't pan out we can keep on going as is.
Sorry to hear that. Best of luck to him. It was probably all that high falutin' investigatin' we been doing that drove him off. ;-)
Valen also remain fairly quiet - trying to gauge the mood of the townsfolk at the news that beast is still alive. There is some reflection in his eyes, as he considers the small town.
Sounds good. Is it Kahncast or the Eye of Sauron (Time-Warner), by any chance? ;-)
Valen does his best to look presentable as they people approach. He glances towards the others for some sign of who will speak. If no one else does, he gives a simple greeting and says:"Good afternoon, folks."
Well - hope it went well and that you enjoy the new digs.
Valen scans around with a sort of warm look in his eyes. Although Crow's Bridge was not as rustic, the simple surroundings remind him of his former home. "My guess is a probably a village elder or priest, if there is one. I doubt anyone else will trust us much as outsiders - especially anything that seems unnatural from what they are used to." He glances at Madeline as he says this while also adjusting his hair to best hide his ears.
LOL! It's all good, man. Hope it proves fun and helpful.
I *may* be using some of your PCs as NPCs in my physical campaign, so I hope you all don't mind. Sounds cool! Good luck with it - there's certainly an old-school vibe to Pathfinder that I can see them enjoying (having been a 1e and 2e guy at one point in my life). As for NPC usage, I hope that doesn't wind up falling into "henchman" category - otherwise known "human trap-shield." ;-)
"I am afraid we simply do not have enough information to make any sort of educated guess. Anyway, we had best get going; we have a limited time-table to gather what evidence we can and get back in time for the start of the trial." Valen nods at Vaghn's statements. "Maybe so - but the notion that the Beast is a construct under someone's direction would better explain the sort "organized" destruction he caused in that workshop." He seems uncertain what to say about the origins of the cloth. "I guess we best put it on the list of unusual things about this theft - maybe we'll find a sign to link the evidence. I tend to think Vaghn's right and best get going to Morast before it is too late."
Valen gives quizzical look to the others. "When Doctor Crowl said something about the Beast orchestrating a larger plot, I started to wonder. I don't know how involved the Beast really is, but could this have something to do with the Whispering Way? It strikes me that someone helped the Beast; and they have an interest in relics." He shrugs his shoulders at the suggestion - leaving it open for discussing as they prepare to leave for Morast.
Just a heads up to one and all that next week (5/18-5/24) going to likely extremely swamped with a project and my posting will likely drop. If there needs to be some auto-PCing for me for combat, etc. - please feel free. Thank you and sorry in advanced.
Valen looks at the others with an expressive look before adding at the Doctor's question/comment. "I would say that there is something more at work in this theft than just a rampaging attack. Whether the Beast is the planner or the puppet is what I think we are trying to find out."
"The Beast smashes through your whole workshop; damaging equipment; and rampaging through the room. And yet, when it reached this area - where the Seasage Effigy was kept - it suddenly takes care to remove the object and not damage anything else in this display. That strikes me as odd and not in character with everything I've heard about the creature." Valen cocks his head looking at the empty spot where the Effigy must have sat. "Could someone else have been following or helping the Beast? If the Beast was incapable of it, maybe another more delicate hand took the Effigy so as not to disturb the display. Might also explain why it is still missing if the creature was captured in this room."
The missing, effigy, Herr Valen, well, I don't think it was very important. It was an odd, ancient item that I couldn't quite place. It certainly didn't have ties to any of the gods I know of. It was a murky, green stone effigy we called the Seasage Effigy." After hearing Dr. Crowl's explanation, Valen turns towards the undamaged area he is examining, and asks: "Was the effigy located in this area over here, Dr. Crowl?"
At Alexa's question of beeswax, Valen nods in acknowledgement. "I smell it too - aside from maybe a burning candle, what would smell of beeswax?"
RGM:
Valen will move towards that area - anything special about it? Items or books that might indicate its exception to the destruction. Valen cocks his head as he looks around and listens to Dr. Crowl's explanation. He adds with some empathy: "Sounds like it was quite a row then - you said something about a missing effigy? He also asks casually: "Was there anything in here that might have given off strong odors - like candles or beeswax?"
Valen let's a small smile at Dr. Crowl's commentary about Vaghn, but then proceeds to also examine the room as he listens to Dr. Crowl talk about the Beast's capture. "It seems everything I hear about the Beast is that it keeps to shadows and hinterlands - why would it come to such a public place as the University? Was anyone here that was injured in his assault?"
Valen smiles at the Beast's response and nudges Vaghn. "Sounds like you've made a new friend, Professor."
A little concerned about overwhelming the creature with too many questions, Valen waits the Beast's response to Vaghn's questions. He gives a puzzled glance at Madeine - just now noticing her sudden fascination with the creature.
"I don't believe there's any deception from the Beast - he seems honestly confused by all this," Valen says quietly for Vaghn to hear.
For the moment, Valen focuses on the Beast and less on Madeline's comment. "Anything bad? Can you tell us what you were doing when you were caught?" He also follows up with the question: "Do you know anything about a town called Morast?"
...the Beast lets out a roar that echoes throughout the basement, quieting the rest of the prisoners instantly. While surprised, Valen looks sheepishly at the others:"Ahh...well, I seem to have upset the poor being." Hearing the trudging of the guards and worrying what will happen, Valen attempts to calm the Beast. "We mean you no harm - we are trying to find out what happened. If you are blameless in these accusations we to find the truth."
Valen - noticing that Vaghn has answered Alexa much more than he could - stares intently at the creature, somehow hoping to learn more about the Beast and it's strange nature. Seeing corpses is one thing, but a sort of animated patchwork like this is something he's not sure of how Pharasma would judge such a creature. Without much preamble he speaks to creature:"Excuse me, good sir, but are you alright? We are here to assist, if you can speak to us." Vaghn's comment also echoes his own concerns to Kaple: "It doesn't seem right for him to be treated so."
Valen gives the man nod of acknowledgement at suggestion. "Yes - that might give us some clues as to what to look for in our investigations."
"Well - with our recent reward, purchasing or borrowing shouldn't be an issue I would think," Valen adds with a shrug.
"Then let us do what we can to put you at ease. It sounds like we need to head for Morast soon enough then." Valen cocks his head for a second, and then adds: "Have you had any success speaking with the Beast - could he share any clues of what we might find in Morast? Or is he mute or such?"
Have a safe journey.
For those of you who celebrate, Happy Easter Sunday!
Valen remains quiet on the way to the courthouse - taking in the "burning man" near the building with curious apprehension. The tone of the guards doesn't fill him with confidence about giving the Beast justice. After meeting Herr Kaple and hearing his details, he also looks quizzically at the man's sudden ramble.
Not wanting to offend the magistrate, Valen attempts to deflect the conversation:"Ah, it's no worry - not being from Lepidstadt, I was simply wanting to make sure we didn't choose an inn of questionable reputation. I'm sure Vaghn knows of a few places that would suit our needs."
Valen does look slightly uncertain at having so much money, and nods at the suggestion. "Ahh, thank you. That thought did cross my mind - as being a stranger to your fair city limits my knowledge."
"Ahh.. well then. I am sorry for my presumption," he adds sheepishly. Goddess, I really do sound like an adventurer - asking for the nearest inn like I was in Pathfinder Journal tale.
Valen nods at the last part of her explanation to acknowledge her request. Adding: "Sounds like we have several tasks ahead of us then - seeing the university and Professor Crowl; and also speaking with Herr Kaple concerning the Beast." Valen thinks for a moment, and then asks: "Forgive my ignorance, Dame Daramid, as I am new to your city. Could you make any suggestions on secure quarters we might use while we are within the city?"
...rest of us are just a group of disparate individuals brought together by tragedy to stop a group of... by the gods, we're adventurers, aren't we?"
Well, I can guess, I suppose, but I'm going to avoid guessing for the time being. Because... Oh... nevermind."
Valen looks pointedly at Vaghn and his chatty dagger, but says nothing else about it. I hope this dagger isn't going to cause us trouble. There's is also a bit of surprise on his face at receiving the reward - having never seen so much coinage in his life. "How much time do we have to get investigate the matter - before the trial starts, at least?}
"That's Professor Crowl's department. It is perhaps Pharasma's blessing that both path's - delivering the books and investigating the incident - lead us to this gentleman." Despite the serious matters, Valen gives a small grin and jokes at Vaghn: "We are most fortunate as well to have an important member of the university to assist us then - right, Professor?"
Hope you have a good evening then.
Valen blinks several times at the presence of the wards, but remains otherwise quiet as the conversation continues. He visibly nods at several of Vaghn's statements - especially remembering those he knows who have fallen to the Way's darkness - Lorrimor, Creel, Hugo...
When the matter of the books is resolved, Valen will ask of investigating the Beast:"How or where was the Beast caught - within the city or outside of town? Is there any way we can speak to him - assuming that it does talk?"
Bowing his head slightly to the magistrate, "Apologies for my prying...by all means let's return the books as the Professor Lorrimor requested. Does this mean we should take the rest of them to Professor Crowl as well?"
|