Kendra withholding Lorrimors diary - good idea?

[Helaman]

Lorrimors diary more or less points the players at Harrowstone... Leading to what I think of the unfortunate circumstance of parties charging in by day 2-3 and missing so much of the town flavour and events. Ive seen a few posts where Kendra holds on to his diary for a few days, giving time for village creepiness to happen. Thoughts on this?

[MurphysParadox]

Probably a good choice. Also the log suggests going to the jail, but the jail is a bit rough for first level characters, so holding back the log should keep them from going there immediately.

[Joey Virtue]

Yeah Im going to hold it back

until the players are trusted by her

Im going to have the players deal with the Well encounter and the book spirt

[Pan]

Its been two years (wow) so im rusty. I remember the diary mentioning the place being serious business and that anyone going there should be well prepared. I'm the type to let my players go at their own pace so I didnt hold the diary back. They chose wisely to explore the town and do their homework. The other saving grace is my players are willing to tuck tail and run if they get in over their heads. I'd say its up to your group and either how gloves off a GM you are or how smart the players act.

[Zhangar]

The diary is what tells them about the stash in the cemetery, though.

[Helaman]

I'm ok with that. They'll need it for Harrowstone. If they delay going there then they'll only need it then.

I want the players to experience the town, the gloom seeping in, the spooky events... And possibly some undead action there before they destroy Harrowstone in 2-4 days.

[Griffyn Maddocks]

I plan to use the idea from these forums and have the diary on Lorrimor (initially overlooked) to be discovered when he comes a-knockin a few days later. I haven't checked yet, but the entries might need to be tweaked.

While I don't want the diary to be found right away, I personally don't like the idea of Kendra holding this info from the players. If I were to play it like this, rather than having Kendra hold it back, I would have her discover it a few days later and then alert the players immediately.

[Helaman]

That works too but the issue I have with the return of the old friend scenario and finding it then is that they've had the body for some time before the party arrives. Someone would have checked the pocket for sure - and if they had, they'd have no reason to bury it with him.