High above, the clouds have whisked away. All that remains on the great, dark night sky is the shimmering moon and a carpet of stars. Far in the distance you can see the outline of Ravengro, through the thin haze of mist that haunts the graveyard.
The pathway to Ravengro is empty...
Aerys gazes up at the moon, breathing in deeply. After the heavy atmosphere of the crypt, the night air seems remarkably fresh. "Let us hope our return is somewhat less eventfull..."
The burly Northerner nods his head once in brisk agreement.
Indeed. Valerya, lead them. I will follow behind.
Valerya takes the lead. The walk down the Black Path is heavy and the mist seems thicker; behind you, the door to the false crypt closes slowly, a screech that haunts the night. Throwing glances at the structure, it has all the semblance of a mouth, its jagged gargoyles peering at you... or so it prickles in your necks. The gate out of the Restlands never seemed more welcoming, yet before you cross the treshold, Valerya stops...
You see a cluster of weathered tombstones close to the road. The closest one reads:
Aerys Trejyon
Come to my world, and be as I;
as I am now, soon you will be;
embrace your end and witness me.
~Died 4661 AR
Valerya stops dead at her tracks, her face displaying surprise and just a touch of fear.
"Aerys?" - As she says his name, she points at a particular tombstone, her eyes working fast to scan the other graves. "Someone must've... been playing tricks on us. Someone or something."
A cold trickle of fear slides down Aerys' back as he reads the tombstone Valerya has pointed out to him. "I suppose it's too much to hope for that mine is a common name in these parts..."he manages to whisper. A chittering from his shoulder makes his jaw clench. "Yes, Nyx. I'm glad your name isn't on there as well." Aerys then tries to see if he can read names on the other tombstones in the grouping.
Venedictos grips the haft of his glaive all the harder. He gives a little jump at every cracking twig and gust of wind. He peers at every passing tombstone.
Perception:
Valerya directs your attention to the tombstone. There's a soft howl in the wind, a whisper that raises hairs. As you approach the tombstones, you find that the text is weathered and whatever was once inscribed is no longer...
Aerys shudders at the lifeless wind. In a small voice he says"Perhaps we should be getting back. I could use light. And warmth. And a few less gargoyles for decorations..."
The buildings have eyes.
Ravengro feels eerie as you trod out of the Restlands and down to the small village - and it's notable in the architecture that the window-frames resemble great frowns, whether alone or in pairs. The streets are lifeless, and when you arrive at the Lorrimor mansion, the moon disappears behind great, black clouds.
When you enter the mansion, you find Kendra in the living room. The tomes found in Lorrimor's chest are spread neatly around the table. The book in her lap is jet-black and her expression seems puzzled and anxious. One of the books on the table bears a scarab with a single eye glaring out of its back - much like the darkwood case. She looks up - and gasps. "Oh goodness, what... what happened to you? Is... is that blood, Torsten?"
She puts the book down and hurries over to you all.
"We at least fared better than the creatures that laired in the crypt. Your father was indeed a brave man to have undertaken so much by himself, Kendra. My respect for him grows." Seeing the cover of the book on the table his brow furrows. "Perhaps we should look into that before opening the case we brought back..."
"I agree. This seems ominous, and we should try, in any way possible, to learn more about what is happening. Right now, the obvious place to start is that book, in my opinion."
"First things first. I should have done this back at the crypt, but, I'm ashamed to admit, I was too frightened to think of it. Gather round, everybody."
He lowers his head for a moment, then begins to sing. The birthmark on his bald forehead glows softly in perfect rhythm to the chant. Calm and beauty wash over everybody, relieving minor hurts, sealing scrapes and cuts, as well as the larger gashes on Torsten's shoulder. As the man's baritone chant fills the room, you think you can hear birdsong chittering above the melody in perfect descant.
Channel Energy x 2:
After about ten seconds, though it seems like minutes, Venedictos raises his head and smiles.
"Next, we need some brandy!"
Perform: Chant:
"I agree on the brandy part. It's chilly, we could use a little more warmth. Torsten, you really need to clean that wound, only the gods may know where that creature has slithered and what sorts of diseases it can carry. Come with me."
She'll walk out of the room, searching her supplies, her bedroom and the house (in that order) for some alcohol and bandages (that can be used to prevent infections and whatnot).
If Torsten follows her, she'll sit him down in a well-lighted room and clean his wound.
"I agree on the brandy part. It's chilly, we could use a little more warmth. Torsten, you really need to clean that wound, only the gods may know where that creature has slithered and what sorts of diseases it can carry. Come with me."
She'll walk out of the room, searching her supplies, her bedroom and the house (in that order) for some alcohol and bandages (that can be used to prevent infections and whatnot).
If Torsten follows her, she'll sit him down in a well-lighted room and clean his wound.
"Before I drink as much as this evening warrants, would you mind if I examine this book, Kendra?" Aerys crosses the room, seating himself comfortably on the floor with the tome bearing the eye symbol. "The tombstone we saw weighs heavily on my mind - perhaps I can find something to provide some sort of explanation."
Kendra is relieved when Venedictos channels the healing waves, and in sight of everyone Torsten's wound is knit and mended. The flesh where the pincer pierced the flesh is red and raw, but there is no longer pain nor bleeding to be seen. She gives Venedictos a soft kiss on his cheek in appreciation before she goes to the kitchen. Kendra returns with a bottle of brandy, which she hands to Venedictos. "I couldn't find the key to the book," she said with a sad smile.
Aerys finds that the strange book is rimmed in polished steel, and it is clasped with a small but intricate lock; the keyhole appears to be for a key with a strange, triangular shaft. It is firmly locked.
You have no idea what this book could possibly contain, nor what the symbol represents.
"Oh goodness, what... what happened to you? Is... is that blood, Torsten?"
It is nothing, lady Kendra. Fear not, my people are a hardy sort.
At Venedictos' chanting, Torsten relaxes visibly and smiles at the man. He is not surpised to feel his wound closing; such beauty can only come from the gods themselves.
He claps Venedictos hard on the back again.
Ha! A Tongue of SILVER, skald! You brighten my day. It is almost enough to make me forget that business with the gravestone...
Torsten, you really need to clean that wound, only the gods may know where that creature has slithered and what sorts of diseases it can carry. Come with me."
Indeed, there seems to be no need. Venedictos' singing seems to have caught the ear of Shelyn Herself, and no surprise! As to poison, I felt it try to overtake me, but I have little doubt that it has failed to do so. In the Land of the Linnorm Kings, we keep pets more deadly than those creatures. He smiles, as if to signify a joke.
--------------------
If you'd like, I can attempt to rip the tome open. That lock does not seem too challenging.
"Did you say intricate lock? Let me have a look before you rip it out." Valerya will try to examine the lock and its surroundings, looking for signs of traps, mundane or magical.
Finding any or not, she'll open a small wooden box filled with varied tools and contraptions. She'll carefully use those to prod the device and try to open it.
You find no traps during your thorough examination - though despite using every single trick and skill you know, the lock seems to be beyond your skill in lockpicking.
After several minutes, Valerya seems unsuccessful in picking the lock...
Kendra shows some dismay at the suggestion of ripping the book open. "I don't think it would be a good idea," she says quietly, "The book was to be delivered... Trying to force the lock may destroy it."
Aerys nods resignedly and returns the tome. "Yes, we mustn't risk damaging the book. Perhaps we should see what it is we've brought back from the false crypt?"
"It's no use trying to pick this lock, and I think any strenght capable of bursting it will probably destroy most of the book. Perhaps its original owner has the right key to open it, aaand it possibly isn't of our concern." The last part of the sentence is said a bit half-heartedly.
Aerys nods resignedly and returns the tome. "Yes, we mustn't risk damaging the book. Perhaps we should see what it is we've brought back from the false crypt?"
Ah, true enough. Let's see what we have, here...
Torsten begins pulling items out of his pack and laying them gently on a side-table.
Torsten lays the items on the table, and after a few minutes you have them all sorted out. The crypt contained a dozen silver arrows; seven strange arrows, two of which were different from the other five; seven potions, two of which were different; four different scrolls; the Darkwood board with the same sigil as the iron-laced book; and four iron-and-glass vials with strange, churning gas.
"Fascinating..." Kendra says as she peers at the vials, and the board. "I can sense magic in these items ... if you wish, I can spend the morrow to identify their properties."
She lets out a tired sigh. "But it is late... I will get some sleep. Your beds are prepared upstairs... were any of you planning on going out again tonight?"
"Yes, let's all get some rest. There's nothing more that we really need to do tonight, and we've all had a very long day." He heads to the stairs, whether or not anybody else is coming.
"I shall bid you all a good night."
Then he remembers Modestine, and so quickly turns about, saying, "Donkey" to the room of people he just left, and finds the stable, tending his donkey before turning in himself.
"That would be wonderful, Kendra - you are trained in the Art? If I can aid you in your efforts tomorrow please let me know." With a stretch, Aerys also heads towards the stairs. "Good night to you all."
"Then I think we shall call it a night..." Kendra says with a smile, and a yawn. She locks the front door of the mansion, and bids good night to you all...
It is close to noon when the first of you wake up; last night's venture to the Restlands took its toll. There is a faint smell of fried bacon downstairs; from the shuffling below, it is apparent that Kendra has been awake for a while...
Torsten rises early, after spending nearly an hour after the others went to bed, sitting alone, thinking and smoking an ornate pipe of ivory. The morning finds him refreshed, however, and apparently quite a morning person.
Good morning, Kendra. How are you feeling today? The bacon smells delicious.
He lounges on a chaise, greeting the others by name - full name, save for Venedictos, who is met with a hearty "GOOD MORN, SKALD!" - as they come downstairs.
Aerys smiles and nods a greeting to Kendra and Torsten as he comes down the stairs. The night's rest and the daylight streaming through the windows have done much to lift his spirits, but his thoughts still occaisionally drift back to the message on the tombstone. "Good morning. I feel shamed that you have been so busy while I've slept Kendra. Can I be of any help?"
"Need help with the bacon, Kendra? And by help I mean eating it!" Smiling, Valerya sits down on the chair, grabbing a generous side of bacon and bread.
"The strangest thing happened last night, Kendra, and I'm convinced magic was involved in it somehow. Mind hitting the books with me to check if there's another documented ocurrence of something similar? I suspect some kind of illusion, but I'm sure you'll know better."
After receiving her response (wether affirmative or negative), she nods and asks the others:
"Did everyone sleep well?"
"Very," Venedictos says, coming in from having fed his donkey. "I was so tired I slept right through Matins. I'm sure that Shelyn will forgive me. May this day be more beautiful than those before it."
He sits down at the table, tucking in his girth, and piling food onto his plate, offering a blessing for it.
Kendra is dressed in red today, a thick, red robe with simple and elegant patterns; it is also riddled with many pockets. She is all smiles and good cheer, with a hint of sadness in her eyes. She lets you all settle by the table as she brings in the breakfast: rashers of bacon, fried bread, fresh water and milk, some fruits, boiled eggs... "Oh, please don't worry about it, Mr. Trejyon, I enjoy cooking, and it feels even better to cook for others... As long as you enjoy the food, I'm happy."
"I think my father has a section in the library - I can try to find it for you after breakfast, Valerya."
"I examined the items you brought back this morning." She pulls out a scroll from one of the pockets, which she lays on the table. "Here. I had to look through some of the more ancient tomes for the vials, and their purposes are...unusual. But then again, this is Ustalav..."
There are twelve silver arrows, mundane but well-crafted;
The rods are Sun rods, a common tool for casting light;
There are six flasks of holy water; the water is distilled and old, but the effect seems to remain in place;
Ten of the arrows are merely enhanced with magic;
Five of them have an ethereal nature about them, and are likely meant for ghosts; they have a strange chip in the arrowhead, which is hollow. The inside is deathly cold;
Two of the arrows, the ones that are barbed, emanate an aura that unravels necromantic energy made manifest; by my readings, they are made to combat the undead;
Five of the potions are of curative nature, to mend flesh;
Two of the potions are of restorative nature, to cure more brutal damage and similar ailments;
One scroll contains a spell that allows you to scry the nature of undeath;
Two of the scrolls contains a spell that hides you from the eyes of the dead;
One scroll contains a spell that wards against evil;
The darkwood case contained a board that is commonly referred to as a 'Spirit Planchette', made of brass; supposedly, they can be used for divining, as it allows you to channel spirits;
The four vials of iron-and-glass are a form of siphons; they neutralise malevolent spirits that have infested an area. Supposedly, you need only twist the metal casing to open the vial, but it must be done the moment the malevolence manifests...
"Thank you for your efforts, Kendra," Aerys says as he examines the scroll. "Hopefully these items will protect us - I assume Harrowstone is our next goal? The professor seemed concerned in his journal at what or who the Whispering Way might be seeking there, and expressed fear too much time had already lapsed."
Indicating a line on the scroll, he turns back to Kendra. "This Spirit Planchette - I'm not sure if I'm familiar with such an item. Do you know much about it, Kendra?"
Venedictos meditates for a moment, allowing Shelyn to guide his thinking.
Knowledge (Religion) with guidance: in case that's a more useful skill for something about undead.
After breakfast, Torsten oils his greatsword, humming softly in a deep baritone. After that is complete, he moves to clean the dishes, finding peace in the mundane labor.
You all talk much of magic, history, and religion. I do not know much of these things. Do not worry for me, I will make myself useful as I may. If anyone needs an escort anywhere, let me know.
"Harrowstone...? I know my father was on the trail of something in the old ruin, but we don't know what... I was thinking of visiting the Unfurling Scroll and the Town Hall today to look into Harrowstone and this... Whispering Way. I was hoping you would join me."
"A spirit planchette... I think you can commune with spirits. The board you brought had letters, and I know of several books on the subject - if you wish to try it..."
She finishes her meal - and suddenly looks weary and tired. "I... I'm sorry. My father died outside of Harrowstone. I ... I don't want to see his friends die as well. I only wish to urge caution and to make as many preparations as possible from what I... and Ravengro can offer. Please... I can't stop you from visiting, but could you maybe... wait a couple of days...?"
While you don't quite know the details, you know that using a planchette requires concentration for a while as it attunes itself to its environment - to which it supposedly responds to questions.
"Kendra shouldn't leave the house unguarded, but between the five of us it shouldn't be a problem."
"I always thought these boards to be simply a superstition, could it have some truth about it?
"Looks like Petros was expecting to fight undead or even worse - spirits. We can't run headlong towards such enemies or it will be our funerals. We'll need at least one day to research information about Harrowstone and another to make preparations for the journey. How about we leave in two days' time?"
Aerys nods. "More preparation could only be to our benefit. The Unfurling Scroll sounds particularly fascinating. Does it deal in the arcane as the name implies?"
What you do know of spirits is that they are supposedly all around you, and of all variations; some are benevolent and others are malevolent - and they lie to the living as oft as they tell the truth... when they bother to tell you anything at all.
"You make it sound as though I couldn't go out to buy groceries, Valerya." She smiles and rises from her seat. "The door does have a lock, after all."
"The Unfurling Scroll is a schoolhouse, and a shop of wonders - or so Alendru Ghoroven proclaims it. I believe he has a small selection of arcane goods and items. I have borrowed some tomes of lore from him in the past, and he has an impressive collection as well."
She goes to help Torsten clean the dishes.
"That certainly sounds like it holds promise for our research. Do you think we can take Master Ghoroven into our confidence completely in our questions?"
"That's not like it at all, Ken, I just worry about you."
Valerya accompanies Kendra with the dishes to the kitchen. She proceeds to gather a few leftovers in a wooden bowl and opens the kitchen rear door, letting loose a sharp whistle.
"Hey Grimm? Dinner!" Putting the bowl in the ground outside the house, she sits on the doorstep, waiting. A lean german sheperd comes to view, running towards the red-headed woman, who pets it. The guard dog then starts to eat the leftovers loudly.
"So do they always grow them so big in the Linnorm lands, Torsten? What did your 'ma feed ya?"
Torsten laughs roundly at Valerya's question.
Ulfen people vary in size, just as Southerners do, Valerya. Physical might plays an important role in our culture, however, so it is to one's advantage to gain as much girth and muscle as one can, and to do so quickly. I am... was... one of the largest men in Losthome, though - at least by height. Several of the elders have grown... wider... as they have turned their prime years over to Pharasma's care, though.
As far as what my móðir fed me, I suspect the fare was not much different from your homeland - unless that place be far more exotic than I imagine. Chicken, breads and pastries, stews of all kinds... these were the foods I enjoyed most often. What about you? If you've mentioned where you're from, I've forgotten it in all the events that have transpired since Petros left us.
"Actually not too far from here, just a couple hundred miles southeast. A little farm town, by the Droa river, a stone's throw from Anactoria, but I guess you haven't been in Ustalav long enough so that'll mean much to you. Anyway, this is my country, my land, for as long as I remember and a few years before that...
What exactly is a Linnorm, by the way?"
A linnorm is a fearsome beast, a dragon of sorts. They are only intelligent enough to be dangerous, but physically they are quite daunting. In order to become a Linnorm king, a warrior must defeat one in single combat. There are few Linnorm Kings.
The dishes done, Torsten wanders back into the sitting room.
So, what is the plan, academics? Where are we off to today?
"I'm rather hoping this Alendru Ghoroven will prove a good source of information for us. If the Whispering Way is indeed interested in Harrowstone, perhaps its agents have even entered The Unfurling Scroll..."
Torsten and Kendra finish washing the dishes. She goes upstairs to get a coat when you feel the earth trembling beneath your feet, and a low murmur of different voices; it seems to be coming from outside.
"What is going on?" Kendra asks as the hurries down to the foyer, the coat in her hands. As you open the door, you can see a crowd of people moving across the southern bridge outside the mansion gates.
"This is an outrage!" "Who desecrated the monument!?" "Blood! There's blood!"
"Oh dear, another mob," Venedictos says, his voice tinged with worry. He snatches his glaive up from the umbrella stand and heads outside with Kendra.
Torsten, wary of outraged Ustalavians, leaves his greatsword just inside the door of the house, but hurries ahead of Kendra to asses the situation. He follows the mob.
Aerys mutters under his breath"We were clearly borrowing. No desecration at all. At least not much." He then hurries towards the door to likewise see the source of the commotion.