Carrion Crown (on the Farm) IC: Season One

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Kristoph's Status, Round 3

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Kristoph Harrisson
Male Lawful Good Half-Elf Paladin 1, Level 1, Init 3, HP 12/13, Speed 20 ft (30 ft. Base)
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 14, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 1, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 1, Action Points 3
Falcata (18 GP) +3 (1d8+2, 19-20/x3)
Breastplate (200 GP), Heavy Steel Shield (20 GP) (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14 12, Int 12, Wis 9, Cha 17
Condition Smite Evil (0/1 Used)

Keeping one hand on the reins, Kristoph calls out, "I've got the horses! Get the stirges off! And when you can, help me up here - the big one's looking hungry!" Then he takes his sharply curved blade and strikes at the giant stirge, continuing to ignore the one attached to him for now.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Move action to control the horses and bring them to a halt. Standard action to attack the giant stirge: Falcata (1d20+3)[18] to hit, (1d20+3)[19] (19-20/x3), (1d8+2)[5] slashing damage, (2d8+4)[17] critical strike damage.

[SanguinePenguin]

This battle has been going poorly, were it not for Adivon’s assistance, Tamara would be in quite the dire position. It feels almost like she has run out of… luck. It hits her all at once, and she cries out to the goddess, “O Desna! You aren’t mad about the carriage, are you? Magic horses! That’s basically catnip for me! What was I supposed to do?! Plus Adivon is a wonderful person! Please don’t hold this against me! You know you'll always be my fav deity!”

Adivon ducks back into the carriage again after bailing her our, and she shouts, ”thanks again, Adivon! Aaron looks okay, so I’ll go help up front!”

She moves into range of the horses to help the poor beasts. With the creatures lodged into the horses they make better targets, and the halfling strikes again with aid of the scarf. She beckons them to encroach and sets up a second attack.

Spoiler: Actions - Round 2

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Move to I11
Attack K12: (1d20+9)[19] Damage: (1d10+6)[10]
CC (27+): (1d20+9)[21] Damage: (1d10+6)[16]

AoO Attack vs first to provoke: (1d20+7)[14] Damage: (1d10+6)[12]
CC (25+): (1d20+7)[25] Damage: (1d10+6)[7]

Spoiler: Tamara - Round 3

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Tamara Whittlecrop Brockhouse
F CG Halfling Barbarian, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/13, Speed 30
AC 19, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 15, Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 0 (4 fear), CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
Greatsword +4 (1d10+3, 19-20/x2)
Chakram (5) +5 (1d6+2, x2)
brace, reach, sunder Lucerne hammer +4 (1d10+3, x2)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +3 Dex, +1 Size, +2 scarf)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 12 9, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 14
Condition Allied cloak 6/8
Con -3
Rage 4/5
Bardic performance

[Farmerbink]

Elian turns to lob the alchemist's fire, and quickly rethinks the proposition for Zellara's (oddly effective) intrusion. Instead, he clambers down, and readies his rapier, continuing to sing the whole way.


+1 to-hit and on saves against fear!

Spoiler: Elian, round 3

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Elian Evenstarr
M NG Dhampir Dirge Bard, Level 1, Init 3, HP / , Speed
AC 15, Touch 13, Flat-footed 12, CMD 13, Fort 0, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Short Bow (20 common arrows) +3 (1d6, x3)
Rapier +0 (1d6, 18-20, x2)
Dagger +0/+3 (1d4, 19-20, x2)
Leather (+2 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 8, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 18
Condition Bardic performance: 5/7 rounds remaining

move as close to O/27 as possible
ready the rapier

[Inspectre]

The battle begins to swing decidedly against the stirges as Aaron finally manages to lay a hand on the stirge feeding on him, causing it to literally shrivel and wither before flopping off his shoulder onto the dust of the road.
On the other side of Adivon's carriage, Tamara charges forward with a prayer to her goddess on her lips, and it seems Desna is listening as her weapon finally draws blood, and quite a lot of it as the stirge she hits pops like a bloody balloon.
At the back of the caravan, the carpet of feathers covering Lo'sais's oxen roils and takes flight, leaving their owner free to take several swings at the stirge that had been feeding on him with his dagger.

Spoiler: Lo'sais

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Acting for Sarone, Lo'sais will continue trying to stab at the stirge that had been feeding on him, as well as taking an AoO when it moves away this turn.
To-Hit: (1d20-5)[-1]
Damage: (1d4-1)[0]

AoO:
To-Hit: (1d20-5)[0]
Damage: (1d4-1)[0]

Despite the stirges at the back of the caravan taking flight and seeming to flee at Zellara's approach, the ones at the front of the caravan continue their feast.
Well, all except for the one only a couple of feet along the flank of the horse away from the stirge Tamara just cleaved in twain - that particular stirge gives an alarmed trill and releases its grip on the horse to take flight and flee - only to fly right into the path of Tamara's backswing as she chops it in half.

"Damn!" The guard holding onto the reins of the supply wagon grunts appreciably upon witnessing this rampage by the halfling adventurer.

The other two stirges on the far side of the wagon from the halfling butcher continue their feast undeterred.

At the very front of the caravan, the attached stirges on Kristoph and the horses continue to feed, while the one now finding itself grabbed by the guard it had been feasting upon squirms desperately in the man's grip with an alarmed trill.
It seems unlikely that the hand-sized bird-quito would be able to escape, but a flailing wing slapping into the man's face startles him into releasing his grip.
It's panicked trill now taking on an angrier tone, the stirge flaps off into the woods, making good on its escape.

The paladin's blade chops into the side of the massive stirge clambering around on top of the carriage, the blade stopped from cutting all the way through it but earning a trickle of blood from where it hit.
In response the massive stirge clambered down the side of the carriage and leaped down at the paladin with an angry buzzing of its wings, attempting to repeat what it had done to the driver to the admittedly much more heavily armored warrior.
As while it is a near thing, Kristoph's armor holds as the stirge's beak scrapes off his armor, almost finding purchase, but ultimately failing to do so.

Spoiler: Stirges

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Attached stirges continue feeding. The stirges on Lo'sais and his oxen release their grip and flee, moving to their new positions on the map.

Stirge #15 releases its grip and attempts to flee - sadly it's intelligence score is probably not sufficient to do so as a Withdrawal action, so it provokes from Tamara and gets wrecked.

Stirge #3 feebly attempts to escape Guard #1's grasp.
CMB: (1d20+3)[17]

Spoiler: Giant Stirge

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The giant stirge attempts to bite and grab Kristoph.
To-Hit: (1d20+9)[18]
Damage: (1d4-1)[0]
On hit, Grab: (1d20+6)[13]

[Inspectre]

With most of the stirges dead or driven off, the caravan's guards move back onto offense.

Muttering curses under his breath after watching the stirge flee into the forest, Luramin's carriage guard pulls out a dagger and attempts to cut one of its fellows off of the horse's flank. As a sign of the man's continued bad luck, he only manages to leave a long gash down the back of the stirge rather than cut it off the horse completely.
At the supply wagon, the dagger-armed guard descends and likewise tries to cut off one of the stirges on the far side from Tamara, while the driver guard wraps the reins around his arm and reaches down to pull up the heavy crossbow resting at his own feet.
Already loaded, the guard takes careful aim for a moment at Luramin's carriage, and then fires at the giant stirge still clinging to the top of it, taking care not to accidentally hit Kristoph. The bolt accurately punches through one of the giant stirge's wings, causing some damage but ultimately a minimal amount of it given the beast had four such wings.
Finally at the back of the supply wagon, the guard begins the laborious process of reloading his crossbow now that he no longer needed it as a makeshift club.

Spoiler: Guards

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Guard #1, moves up and draws a dagger, and stabs Stirge #13
To-Hit: (1d20+5)[21]
Damage: (1d4+3)[4]

Guard #2, picks up heavy crossbow, and fires at the Giant Stirge (-4 penalty as it's in melee with Kristoph)
To-Hit: (1d20)[16]
Damage: (1d10)[3]

Guard #3, drops down off the carriage and cuts at Stirge #7
To-Hit: (1d20+5)[15]
Damage: (1d4+3)[7]

Guard #4, reloads heavy crossbow, 5' steps to the southeast

His part in this battle apparently over, Adivon does not emerge from his carriage again after snapping the door shut once more.

Further back, the Zellara's odd traveling companion mutters something foul under his breath as he continues to hold the reins.

Spoiler: Sorin & Elian

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You don't understand the language being spoken, but it certainly sounds particularly harsh and foul - Zellara's companion clearly is not happy being left sitting there keeping the horses from panicking.

Seeing the stirges flocking to either side of the caravan, Zellara considers her options, and then nods and takes a deliberate step forward across in front of Lo'sais oxen, driving the stirges on his side further away.

(Zellara moves to J32, prompting those stirges to flee on their next round into the forest.)

Battle Map

Spoiler: Status

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Party
Kristoph: -3 Con, 1 Stirge Attached
Tamara: -3 Con
Aaron: -3 Con
Lo'sais: -2 Con

Allies
Driver: 1 Damage, -2 Con

Guard 1: -1 Con
Guard 2: -1 Con
Guard 3: -1 Con
Guard 4: -2 Con


Baddies
Giant Stirge - 2 Blood, 8 Damage

Stirge 1 - 3 Blood (Attached)
Stirge 2 - DEAD
Stirge 3 - 1 Blood, Fleeing
Stirge 4 - DEAD
Stirge 5 - DEAD
Stirge 6 - DEAD
Stirge 7 - DEAD
Stirge 8 - DEAD
Stirge 9 - DEAD
Stirge 10 - 2 Blood
Stirge 11 - 2 Blood
Stirge 12 - 2 Blood
Stirge 13 - 3 Blood (Attached), 4 Damage
Stirge 14 - 3 Blood (Attached)
Stirge 15 - DEAD
Stirge 16 - 3 Blood (Attached)
Stirge 17 - DEAD
Stirge 18 - DEAD
Stirge 19 - DEAD
Stirge 20 - DEAD
Stirge 21 - DEAD
Stirge 22 - 2 Blood
Stirge 23 - 2 Blood
Stirge 24 - 2 Blood

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Kristoph's Status, Round 4

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Kristoph Harrisson
Male Lawful Good Half-Elf Paladin 1, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/13, Speed 20 ft (30 ft. Base)
AC 19, Touch 11, Flat-footed 18, CMD 14, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 1, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 1, Action Points 3
Falcata +3 (1d8+2, 19-20/x3)
Breastplate, Heavy Steel Shield (20 GP) (+6 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14 11, Int 12, Wis 9, Cha 17
Condition Smite Evil (0/1 Used)

"Can anyone see bandits in the trees? Did someone sick their pet stirges on us or is this a natural swarm?" calls Kristoph as he swings his sword at the mutant, giant stirge again.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Move action to keep the horses calm and stopped. Standard action to attack the giant stirge: Falcata (1d20+3)[10] to hit, (1d20+3)[5] (19-20/x3), (1d8+2)[5] slashing damage, (2d8+4)[15] critical strike damage.

[Gyrfalcon]

With the horrific parasites removed from his body, Aaron takes a moment to catch his breath and take stock of the situation. Most of the stirges in the center of the caravan look to be cleared away, but there are still plenty at the front and back, though the ones in the back look to be fleeing already.

Raising his voice, he shouts out some advice ”I only see stirges, but fire will help drive them off - they’re as afraid of it as any other creature!”

Taking a few steps away from the carriage, he glances between the front and back, before raising his crossbow and taking a shot at one of the stirges fleeing into the treeline at the back of the caravan.

Spoiler: Mechanics and Status

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Move - 2 squares south
Action - Fire Light Crossbow at Stirge 11

Light Crossbow - Attack Roll vs Stirge 11 - (1d20+2)[11]
Damage - (1d8)[5]

Crit Confirmation - (1d20+2)[8]
Extra Crit Damage - +(1d8)[5]

HP 6/6 | AC 15 (Touch 11)
Active Effects: Mage Armor (+4 AC, 1h), Bardic Inspiration (+1 to hit, vs fear)

[Triskavanski]

Sorin frowns at the fowl language, while scanning the tree lines for more threats, he takes a pot shot at a fleeing stirge to try and help keep down the stirge population

Spoiler

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stirge 11

(1d20+3)[15]

if crit [roll] 1d20+3[/roll]

(1d3)[3]
acid splash

[Farmerbink]

The lithe man charges backwards down the line of wagons.

+1 to-hit and on saves against fear!

Spoiler: Elian, round 3

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Elian Evenstarr
M NG Dhampir Dirge Bard, Level 1, Init 3, HP / , Speed
AC 15, Touch 13, Flat-footed 12, CMD 13, Fort 0, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
Short Bow (20 common arrows) +3 (1d6, x3)
Rapier +0 (1d6, 18-20, x2)
Dagger +0/+3 (1d4, 19-20, x2)
Leather (+2 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 8, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 18
Condition Bardic performance: 4/7 rounds remaining

move to P/31
Attack Q/32
Rapier: (1d20+1)[16]
crit confirm: (1d20+1)[10] (applies on nat 18+)
damage: (1d6+1)[3]
crit bonus: (1d6+1)[3]

[SanguinePenguin]

Tamara, happy that Desna seemed to have forgiven her minor slight, charges forward at the giant stirge. A wild grin spreads across her face as she leaps into the fray with Kristoph.

Spoiler: Actions - Round 4

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Charge to K6
Attack Giant stirge: (1d20+11)[13] Damage: (1d10+6)[11]
CC (30+): (1d20+11)[27] Damage: (1d10+6)[7]

AoO Attack vs first to provoke: (1d20+7)[16] Damage: (1d10+6)[14]
CC (25+): (1d20+7)[24] Damage: (1d10+6)[11]

Spoiler: Tamara - Round 4

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Tamara Whittlecrop Brockhouse
F CG Halfling Barbarian, Level 1, Init 3, HP 11/13, Speed 30
AC 19, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 15, Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 0 (4 fear), CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
Greatsword +4 (1d10+3, 19-20/x2)
Chakram (5) +5 (1d6+2, x2)
brace, reach, sunder Lucerne hammer +4 (1d10+3, x2)
Studded Leather (+3 Armor, +3 Dex, +1 Size, +2 scarf)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 12 9, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 14
Condition Allied cloak 4/8
Con -3
Rage 3/5
Bardic performance

[Inspectre]

Determined not to give the stirges at the back of the caravan time to regroup, Aaron, Sorrin, and Elian team up against the nearest stirge flapping about above the road in confusion.
Aaron's bolt goes wide, but Sorrin's globule of acid splashes across its wings, slowing it just enough for Elian to charge forward and drive his rapier through its midsection, skewering it neatly.

(Fun fact! Charge in 3.5 gives +1 to-hit, but it's +2 in Pathfinder, so Elian's charge attack just barely hits! )

Kristoph and Tamara each take swings at the giant stirge, but it manages to elude them by backing up more fully onto the top of the carriage, nearly breaking line of sight completely.

Lo'sais merely gives a tired wave of his spear at the stirges as they flee, driven back into the woods by Zellara's presence.

The guards attempt to remove the remaining stirges from their horses, while the last guard comes around the front of Adivion's summoned carriage and gives more incentive for the stirges still buzzing near Elian to disperse.

Spoiler: Guards

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Guard #1 stabs Stirge #13
To-Hit: (1d20+5)[14]
Damage: (1d4+3)[4]

Guard #2 - reloads heavy crossbow

Guard #3 stabs Stirge 16
To-Hit: (1d20+5)[25]
Damage: (1d4+3)[6]

Guard #4 5' steps to the south again, and shoots at Stirge #23
To-Hit: (1d20+4)[5]
Damage: (1d10)[1]

Spoiler: Status

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Party
Kristoph: -4 Con
Tamara: -3 Con
Aaron: -3 Con
Lo'sais: -2 Con

Allies
Driver: 1 Damage, -2 Con

Guard 1: -1 Con
Guard 2: -1 Con
Guard 3: -1 Con
Guard 4: -2 Con


Baddies
Giant Stirge - 2 Blood, 8 Damage

Stirge 1 - 4 Blood
Stirge 2 - DEAD
Stirge 3 - 1 Blood, Fleeing
Stirge 4 - DEAD
Stirge 5 - DEAD
Stirge 6 - DEAD
Stirge 7 - DEAD
Stirge 8 - DEAD
Stirge 9 - DEAD
Stirge 10 - 2 Blood
Stirge 11 - DEAD
Stirge 12 - 2 Blood
Stirge 13 - 4 Blood, 4 Damage
Stirge 14 - 4 Blood
Stirge 15 - DEAD
Stirge 16 - DEAD
Stirge 17 - DEAD
Stirge 18 - DEAD
Stirge 19 - DEAD
Stirge 20 - DEAD
Stirge 21 - DEAD
Stirge 22 - 2 Blood
Stirge 23 - 2 Blood
Stirge 24 - 2 Blood

[Inspectre]

The eerie flute music that has been playing throughout this brief but savage attack of stirges fades to silence. And just like that, the battle was over.

With their bellies swollen to capacity with blood, the stirges detach from Kristoph and the two horses pulling Luramin's carriage and lazily flap off into the forest. (Tamara and Kristoph may make an Attack of Opportunity against the stirge that was on Kristoph as it flies off if they so desire to kill it out of spite. ) The stirges buzzing around at the back of the caravan, rather than finding somewhere else to go and feed than Lo'sais's oxen, instead choose to flap back into the forest as well. The massive stirge shows an iota of more intelligence than its smaller fellows as it continues to retreat backwards along the top of Luramin's carriage, and then takes flight off the far side of the carriage from Kristoph and Tamara, veering around the guard still angrily flailing his dagger at the stirge that had been feeding on the horse next to him. (the giant stirge, having some intelligence, withdraws instead of just moving, and goes into the forest to the south).

Still grumbling under his breath, the guard near Luramin's carriage eventually comes around the side of the carriage, wiping his dagger clean before sheathing it, and takes the reins out of Kristoph's hands.

"Thanks for the help with keeping the horses calm. Dunno what would have happened if they had taken off with Luramin still in the carriage, but I doubt it'd have ended well. Damn stirges are always a nuisance around this time of year, but this is the largest batch I've seen in years. Never heard anyone trying to use them to attack before, they seem too stupid for training, but . . ."

The guard shakes his head as he pulls himself back up onto the carriage, as one of the carriage's doors swings open to allow Luramin and the driver, now with his shoulder crudely bandaged, to step out. If the guard was going to say anything more at this point, he keeps his mouth shut as Luramin runs up to Kristoph, grabbing one of the paladin's hands to shake vigorously in both of his.

"Thank you, thank you very much for your aid young man! Without you around, something terrible might have happened indeed! It is good to know that even when some people can't be counted on to do their jobs properly, you are willing to step up! I'd like to reward you for your bravery, but um . . . I'm a little short on coin at the moment, at least until I start selling some of these goods I'm bringing back to town. Hrm . . . oh, I know! You'll need lodgings during your stay in Ravengro, right? Well you just tell Sarianna when you get to the inn that Luramin owes you a favor, and that I'll be covering the cost for the duration of your stay . . . you aren't planning on staying in Ravengro more than a week, right?"

***********************

Traveling back to Adivon's magical carriage, Tamara and Aaron find the professor sitting back in his usual spot, a thick tome titled "Legacy of Blood: A Genealogy of Ustalav's Greatest Heroes and Villains" cracked open on his lap. He nods at the two of you.

"I trust the caravan is once again safe, then? I see that the little bandits who waylaid us have left their marks on each of you. Sadly, I do not have the capacity to restore your drained vitality, although given these appeared to be the common Northern Ustalavi Stirge, you should make a full recovery on your own in a couple of days."

Adivon snaps his book shut and tucks it back into a pocket of the rune-etched satchel sitting on the seat next to him.

"Well then, shall we be on our way again?"

The professor looks pointedly at Tamara until its clear that he is expecting his scarf back, which he examines with a critical eye and gives a quiet, annoyed "tsk" when he sees a few spots of Tamara's blood have dripped onto the fabric.

"Ah well, a few bloodstains is to be expected, I suppose. Hopefully it was at least of some use to you."

The professor notes coolly, before he breaths out a simple enchantment, and the bloodstains break up into dust and fall away from the scarf, leaving it intact once more.

"There, good as new."

Spoiler: Spellcraft DC 15

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Adivon casts Prestidigitation, cleaning his scarf of the bloodstains

********************************

Zellara meets Sorin and Elian back at her carriage, climbing up and taking the reins from her robed traveling companion who wordlessly steps back inside their wagon.

"Well then, that was certainly exciting, wasn't it?"

She says with a slight smile to the two as they hop back up onto the wagon as the caravan makes ready to set out again.

"I am glad that no one got seriously hurt, although I imagine those stirge bites will itch for a few days. Nothing I can do for those, unfortunately. I would like to offer you something for your aid today, although I'm afraid neither of us has much to give. Ah, but perhaps you would be interested in a Harrow reading? I have some talent in reading the cards, although doing so on top of a moving wagon is less than ideal! My friend and I are intending on setting up camp just outside town, as we're more used to sleeping in our wagon than at an inn at this point. Perhaps you and any of the others traveling with us would be interested in having a reading if you stop by our camp later? We should be here for a few days, at least."

[DarkOne-Rob]

Kristoph shakes Luramin's hand back firmly but with less overt enthusiasm than the greedy merchant demonstrates. "Your men did well, sir. This attack was unusual and would leave even the bravest man shaken. Don't be too hard on them, for my sake," he says with a smile to both the guards and their employer. "And thank you for your hospitality - I accept, at least for now. I do not know how long I will be staying, as I have business with Professor Lorrimor. If it is longer than a week I will either pay for my stay or seek lodging elsewhere. It wouldn't do to wear out my welcome!" Kristoph exclaims with a laugh and strong hand on Luramin's shoulder.

Looking around at the caravan, Kristoph takes a moment to offer prayer of thanks to Pharasma. "If anyone else wishes to thank the Mother of Souls for our safe battle this day I will be glad to lead. Gather around, please, then we can get moving again!" he calls out, inviting everyone to a spot just to the front of the middle of the wagon train. Once everyone interested has come and made an arc he begins by drawing a ceremonial dagger and using it to trace the spiral of Pharasma over the assembled group. "Lady of Graves, mysteries, and keeper of the Boneyard, we thank you this day that we can say, 'Not this year, not yet,' after this attack. When it is time we will see your face, as all must. For now we take joy in another opportunity to enjoy the cycles of this season and drink of the waters of life. Bless the rest of our journey and those around us," he ends silently making the sign of Pharasma's spiral on his breast, tracing the bright blue spiral on his overcoat and raising his head to look at the caravan.

"Excellent, let's get back to going!" he calls out as he makes his way back up to the front and gets ready to tirelessly walk beside the lead wagon (until/unless Luramin invites him to sit).

[Inspectre]

Kristoph is doubtlessly pleased to see that nearly everyone in the caravan (PCs excepted, you can make your own choices whether to join in or not, although Pharasma is probably the most common deity in Ustalav) steps forward to join Kristoph in his prayer of thanks – even Adivon begrudgingly steps out of his carriage to bow his head (although the professor keeps his distance and remains near to his magical carriage). Following the prayer, there is another minute or two of checking on the horses, helping Luramin's driver get back up into his set, and cleaning up from the mess that the stirges left behind, and then the caravan sets out once more. This time, Luramin offers Kristoph a seat in the carriage without further question of payment, although he does warn the paladin to mind the blood spot on the seat where the driver had collapsed after being attacked.

It turns out that you really didn't have far to go at all, as after rounding the next bend in the road, the forest thins out a bit to reveal a few scattered farms that the road winds past, and then beyond them, the compact cluster of buildings that is the town of Ravengro.

Music Theme

The road that you are presently on approaches Ravengro from the north, roughly parallel to the wide but slow-flowing river that cuts the modest town of several dozen buildings in half. Most of these are one or two story wooden homes although on your current side of the river, the west bank, there sits a sizable church made of stone. Beyond the back of the church is a sizable graveyard, fenced off from the rest of the area by chest-high stone walls although these seem more to mark the boundaries of the graveyard than for security.

Situated around the church at a respectful distance are several houses that could be deemed the “affluent” section of Ravengro, as they are larger than the others clustered across the river and one is even three stories high. That being said, they are still constructed out of the same drab wood as the other buildings and have the same weathered air as the rest of the town – which one could describe the town as not sleepy, but tired.

Passage over the river is provided by two rickety covered wooden bridges at the north and south end of town, and it is on the east bank of the river that the majority of buildings squat in a rough circle. Ravengro does indeed have a town square of sorts, in the form of a muddy circle of roads surrounding an old gazebo perched on a grassy bump (rather than hill) in the middle. Lining this circle like spokes from a wheel are the vast majority of buildings in the town, most of which have faded signs hanging above the front that indicate the local blacksmith, apothecary, inn and the like.

The road continues south out from this circle of buildings past a dozen or so more homes, and then winds its way back into the woods beyond Ravengro. Most likely, this road eventually terminates in the foreboding black stone building that squats on a hilltop several miles further south outside of town, and which is just visible over the tops of the trees.

As your caravan nears the town proper and starts to pass the graveyard, Zellara guides her horses off of the road and turns to Sorin and Elian.

“I think this is where we will set up for the evening, just outside of town and at a respectful distance away from this place of eternal rest. I imagine that you will be much more comfortable at the local inn than on the ground out of here, and I’m afraid our wagon only has enough room for myself and my traveling companion. So I guess this is where we shall part ways for now. Pharasma guide your path.”

Zellara says to both Elian and Sorin. Her mysterious traveling companion does not even bother to poke his head out the door to speak his own farewells.

The caravan continues on its way across the northern bridge, passing by a large log driven upright into the ground beside the road just beyond the bridge. A teenaged boy balances precariously on top of a stool next to the log, attaching a finger-long slip of paper to the side of the log by hammering a tack into place.

Before reaching the town square, the caravan is forced to briefly come to a halt in front of a modest building with a faded sign depicting a scroll unfurling itself hanging above the door. The reason for the halt is the gaggle of half a dozen children bursting out of the front door of the building as the caravan approaches, running out into the street with a chorus of merry giggles. An older man with more salt than pepper in his beard follows them out, yelling at them to clear out of the way and to stop playing in the street, which at least manages to get them out of the caravan’s way even if the children continue to merrily run along on their way.

Spoiler: Perception DC 10

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As the man storms out of the building after the children, one final child, a very pale waif-like little girl of perhaps seven or eight, quietly slips out the door behind him. Unlike the other children running off, she very solemnly and quietly walks off along the side of the street, head bowed as if deep in thought. It’s probably a good thing that she is off to one side of the road and away from the caravan, as it does not look as if she has even noticed its existence at this point.

As the caravan makes its way into the muddy circle that marks the town square, Luramin’s carriage and wagon pull up in front of one of the first buildings on the eastern side of the circle, with the words “Taigh’s General Store” painted on the front in peeling black paint. As Luramin is stepping down out of the carriage, the front door to the store bangs open and the merchant is immediately swarmed by three young girls. It’s hard to tell if they’re shrieking “Daddy!” or “Candy!” – possibly both – but Luramin certainly seems to understand as he laughs and digs into the pocket of his vest to pull out a handful of small hard sweets, which he distributes one to each of the girls, as well as the two slightly older girls who came running from the gaggle of children still running down the road.

Luramin’s joyous return sours, however, when a moment later two women also step out of the shop. The one is clearly the girls’ mother as she laughs and lightly scolds the five girls, telling them to give their father some space. The other woman is a youthful looking half-elf, although there is a coldness in her eyes as she snaps shut her pocketwatch and slips it into the pocket of her silk blouse.

“I was expecting you yesterday Luramin – you’re late.”

She said by way of greeting, and Luramin’s frown deepens.

“It couldn’t be helped. The caravan left a day late, and given that we ran into some trouble on the way back, I’d say that waiting was probably the right decision, all in all. Sorry about the seat cushion in your carriage, by the way – your driver bled all over it.”

“Godsdamnit! Well, I suppose that’ll just be coming out of his wages, then. As for you Luramin, as I was telling Marta here, now you’ve got twenty-nine days, and not a second more.”

“What!? I literally just got back with my stock! We agreed thirty days from my return back in Ravengro!”

“And if you had read the contract, you’ll know it had an expected return date listed on it – yesterday. Money doesn’t sleep Luramin – twenty-nine days from now, and not a second more.”

If Luramin was going to make any more arguments, they are interrupted by a loud bang from the supply wagon, as one of the guards who had been unloading the crates and sacks from the wagon onto the muddy street, slips and drops the crate he had been carrying onto the pile.

“Hey, careful with that! Wait, are you seriously just going to unload the crates here, in the middle of the street!? You can’t even carry them inside!?”

“And if you had read the contract, you would know that *my* wagon would deliver your goods to your shop. Here is your shop – if you had wanted them to stock your shelves for you as well, you should have asked it to be included.”

The woman says smugly, nodding at her guards as they unload the last of the cargo and both carriage and supply wagon pull out further down the street, pulling into an alleyway between two buildings, one of which has a sign depicting a half-open bag of coins above its door. The woman nods her head with a final self-satisfied smile at Luramin.

“I will see you in twenty-nine days with your return on the principal of your loan, along with the promised interest. Or I won’t, in which case I believe our contract stipulates the penalty.”

Luramin swears under his breath and angrily waves the woman off, his good mood from the childrens’ greeting gone. As the half-elven woman struts off, the merchant sighs and walks over to the pile of boxes and sacks left in the mud, hefting the top one on the pile onto his shoulder.

“Come on girls, help your old man out. Marta, just need you to hold the front door open there. Ah, Sir Kristoph! Building next door here is the inn, just go talk to Sarianna and she’ll take good care of you. Once you leave the square, keeping going south down the road, Lorrimor’s house is the second on your right.”

While Luramin is having his drama out in front of his shop, Adivon has exited his carriage, and once Aaron and Tamara have disembarked, dismisses the entire construct with a wave of his hand.

“Well . . . isn’t this a . . . quaint . . .little hamlet.”

Adivon observes, looking down at his fine boots in the churned mud of Ravengro’s town square with some obvious distaste. He forces a faint smile back onto his face as he turns to nod at his two traveling companions.

“I believe this will be where we part ways, my young friends. I’m going to go see what sort of rooms they have available at this inn next door, and then I suppose I shall see how old Petros is getting along here.”

(The party is currently standing just in front of the location marked “F” on the map, in the town circle on the east side of the river.)

Spoiler: Ravengro Map

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(While I could leave things here with the party in the middle of Ravengro’s town square, since I imagine the first order of business for people will be going to see Petros Lorrimor, I’m just going to move along to that scene and assume all of our PCs just happen to head in that direction at the same time. Which would be location “N” on the map above.)

***********

As described by Luramin, Petros Lorrimor’s residence is certainly not hard to find. A modest two-story manor house sitting along the road running south out of town, the building matches the drab tired wooden buildings of the rest of Ravengro. Although judging by the tattered condition of its roof and front porch, the house is perhaps a bit more heavily worn than even the decrepit buildings surrounding it. Even so, a warm glow comes from within the house, although even the warm lights cannot dispel the chill that passes through the group as you get closer. Something is definitely wrong here, as three horses stamp their hooves out in the street in front of the Lorrimor residence, two burly men in armor seated on two of them, one holding the reins of the third horse. Before you can make any inquiries to the two men outside, the front door of the residence swings open, revealing a third weather-beaten man in a long leather duster over studded leather armor and a lovely young woman dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. Catching sight of you, the weather-beaten man says a quiet good-bye to the woman, puts his equally-weathered hat back onto his head, and then walks out to confront all of you.

“Pardon me, I’m Sheriff Benjan Caeller. Afraid I haven’t seen any of you folks around here before now. Are you here to see Petros Lorrimor? Unfortunately, that makes me the bearer of the bad news for you. Allow me to be the first to express my condolences, then, but Petros Lorrimor is dead.”

Spoiler: Kendra Lorrimor

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Spoiler: Sheriff Benjan Caeller

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(Also just realized I had never shown a picture for Professor Adivon, so here’s once for him as well!)

Spoiler: Professor Adivon

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Spoiler: Status

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Lingering Status from the Stirge fight:

Kristoph: -4 Con
Tamara: -3 Con
Aaron: -3 Con
Lo'sais: -2 Con

[Gyrfalcon]

On the road
When the man wearing the breastplate and overcoat with the spiral of Pharasma gathers the caravan for a prayer, Aaron willingly joins the circle, praying with a quiet intensity to the Mother of Graves and gloved hands grasped together tightly.

He joins Tamara and Professor Adivon in the professor’s magical carriage, feeling a bit dizzy from bloodloss. On seeing the tome, he blurts out a comment ”Ah, Legacy of Blood, truly a classic work. I wanted to thank you, Professor – your aid was invaluable with those blasted stirges.”

In his dazed condition, he doesn’t manage to identify the specific chant the Professor uses, but the effects are clear as his scarf is cleaned. That reminds Aaron, and Tamara can perhaps notice the different methods that produce the same results as the apprentice murmurs a chant under his breath and traces a symbol in the air before touching the blood staining his clothes where the stirges had struck, the fluids fading away as if they never existed. The holes are another matter, and Aaron frowns to himself. ”Blast, I’ll need to memorize [Mending] tonight.” he mutters to himself.

Entering Ravengro

When the caravan stops, Aaron sticks his head out of the carriage to see what is going on and smiles a bit at the laughing gaggle of children. He hoists his backpack onto his back as he steps out of the magical carriage and nods in appreciation as Professor Adivon dismisses the magical construct.

Aaron adjusts his glasses and offers Professor Adivon his hand. ”Good luck, Professor – though the town may be small, hopefully the inn has rooms for all of us.”

Aaron starts down the street in the direction of Professor Lorrimor’s house, somewhat surprised to see that so many others are traveling with purpose in the same direction.

And then the sheriff breaks the news, and the blood drains from Aaron’s face. Combined with his blood loss from earlier, he stumbles a step and steadies himself with a hand on a wall.

”What…? The Professor is… How? When?” he asks hoarsely.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Kristoph has a happy, zealous joy in his expression as the caravan gathers for his prayer. It's clear to anyone paying attention that he's passionate about his deity, though unusually pleasant and life-oriented for a worshipper of the Lady of Graves.

Once in town the Paladin doesn't just walk off, instead helping with the crates as best he is allowed. "I cannot help with your contract, but if you need anything I can provide, please let me know," he offers as he puts down the last one. "You have a lovely family. I'll be back after I visit the Professor."

---

At the sobering news Kristoph takes a knee, right in the muddy road, and bows his head. "Mother of Souls, we know that all who live must face her judgment. Be gentle with the Professor, as I know he was an honorable and good man," he says, loudly enough for all nearby to hear, before rising with a grim expression. "Sheriff, how did he pass? Is there anyone at his home?"

[SanguinePenguin]

Tamara laughs as the stirge swarm retreats. “You better run… err, fly… away… quickly!” She brandishes her massive blade menacingly at the retreating insects. Turning to Kristoph, she proclaims, “it looks like injuries aren’t too severe. That was fun!” She looks at her three large puncture marks with a grin from ear to ear. She happily joins in the prayer, even if it is to stuffy Pharasma, it is proper to honor the good deities, or at least good enough.

Back in the carriage with Adivon, she quickly turns over his scarf.
“I am sorry about the mess! Thank you very much for lending it, and for your timely missiles! Boom!”
She laughs as she mocks up an explosion with her hands reminiscent of how the stirge exploded.

Once in Ravengro, she first is awestruck by Adivon’s disappearing his carriage, but then she waves goodbye to him, “thank you again, Professor Adivon, for both the ride and the aid of battle. I’d be happy to return the favor sometime.” If Adivon is a tenth as fun as Petros, then she genuinely looks forward to his cashing in a favor eventually.

Kendra looks… sorrowful relative to when Tamara had last seen her. She is about to ask her what was wrong, when the Sheriff explains curtly. “No! That can’t be! Oh, Kendra! I am so sorry!” Tamara’s incredulity stems largely from the larger than life persona she has built up in her own mind of the Professor. Prone to daydreaming and a rather fanciful imagination, Tamara has storylines of her own fantastical adventures with the Professor etched into worldview, while she knows they are fiction, the seeds of them come from reality, and for Petros to die… disbelief and horror, wracked the halfling into a rare silence.

[Farmerbink]

Zellara meets Sorin and Elian back at her carriage, climbing up and taking the reins from her robed traveling companion who wordlessly steps back inside their wagon.

"Well then, that was certainly exciting, wasn't it?"

"Indeed," Elian replies, lips curled into a wry smirk. "Was that a countersong?" he asks, pointedly. "It seems to have been very effective... I fear I'm not much for quick-thinking when things get dangerous, I could have done the same for the front wagons," he adds with a thoughtful frown.

"To your point, though, I'd love to take you up on a reading. Somehow, it seems they're always more than just entertainment...." The lithe man looks up at Kristoph's request, and joins the group near Adivon with an expression of obvious disbelief. He keeps his peace, perhaps concerned for the attention he may be drawing.

Several minutes later, Elian nods gratefully to Zellara. "I appreciate the ride and the company," he murmurs, reaching down to place a respectful kiss on the back of her hand. "Given half a chance, I'll be out here to take you up on that reading!" With a happy wave, he follows with the rest of the caravan as they rumble across the covered bridge.

He glances up curiously at the apparently acrobatic youth. "Pray tell, what are you doing up there, young man?" After only a moment, he adds "Seems there's got to be a... more reasonable way..." with an amused smile.

He eyes the hooded waif with concern, mentally marking her direction and path for later. With an empathetic smirk for the struggling merchant and his family, Elian watches, surprised by the young paladin's eager aid. As the last crate quietly thuds inside the shop, Elian dutifully joins the group headed towards the Lorrimor house. He raises his left hand to his coat pocket, nervously rubbing the carefully folded paper within as he stares blankly towards the south- guided by simple gravity and largely unaware of the people walking alongside.'

He favors the mounted duo with a content, welcoming smile, breaking eye contact to glance at the 2-story facade behind them. His smile wanes with concern as he takes in the wear and tear marking the residence. His frown creeps to his eyes as he withdraws his hand from its den. At Kendra's weeping face, he scowls, turning to the sheriff with just enough patience to let him describe the situation.

Finally, he blinks in surprise, his face a mask of impassive observance.

[Inspectre]

(Finishing up conversations from earlier)

Tamara & Aaron

Adivon nods curtly at the thanks from you both.

"I am glad that you are both - relatively - unharmed. If you start feeling ill, however, I would recommend speaking to whoever passes as the local doctor when we get to Ravengro. Some stirges are known to carry a variety of unpleasant maladies."


Fortunately, as it would turn out, Pharasma would smile upon each of you as no such sickness would later develop (i.e. no diseased stirges bit either of you).

Adivon is relatively withdrawn during the brief trip the rest of the way into Ravengro, but manages a smile when it is time to part ways.

"Hopefully there will be enough room at the inn indeed, Mister Eldaval! Best of luck in your endeavors as well."

The professor nods a farewell to Tamara as well, his smile increasing a bit as he considers Tamara's offer.

"I hope that someday I will be able to ask for such a favor, young lady. Until then, try to stay safe."

Kristoph

Luramin is surprised, but clearly grateful to get the help in moving the crates of supplies out of the muddy road and into the cramped but well-stocked interior of the shop, piling the crates up just inside the front door. A quick glance at the shelves set up inside reveals most of the stock are farming tools and building materials, although one dusty back corner holds adventuring supplies (such as torches, rope, arrows). The centerpiece of that corner is a beautiful suit of full plate mail set up on a mannequin that unlike the rest of the supplies is free of any layer of dust. The merchant smiles and nods at the suit of armor.

"Marta's father was an officer in the army. Unfortunately, that armor was all that got left to her as her inheritance. Least she has something to remember him."

He explains with a nod towards his wife, who is still trying to shepherd all five children back into the shop.
With Kristoph's help, all of the crates are quickly moved into the shop, and the merchant nods his thanks, frowning slightly at the mention of his business contract.

"Wish I had never gotten involved with Quess Yearburn, but she and her partner are the only money-lenders in town. They'll probably end up owning the whole damn town in a couple years, but there's nothing I can do about that now."

The merchant sighs and shrugs.

"As you said, it's my burden to bear. Don't worry about me, you should hurry over to the inn and talk to Sarianna before everyone buys up all the rooms!"

Elian

"It was a countersong . . . of a sort."

Zellara says evasively.

"The music seemed to be drawing the stirges in, so I simply used a magical talent I picked up to do the reverse - convince the stirges to leave."

The traveling fortune teller shrugs.

"I suppose I could try to teach it to you, if you are interested in learning it, although it would take a bit of time."

You then part ways with the fortune teller and her companion, and head into Ravengro.

At your call, the boy by the post teeters more precariously on the stool for a moment before he is able to steady himself, looking over his shoulder with a self-conscious grin.

"Posting the day's notices, sir! I've got two more poles to update after this one! Afraid this stool is the only thing I could find to give me the boost I need to reach the empty spots! I'm Pevrin, by the way!"

Looking a little more closely, Elian can see a variety of weather-beaten bits of paper tacked to the pole elsewhere, with notices covering weddings, legal disputes, to auctions and the daily meals available at some place called "The Laughing Demon". The notice that the boy is currently posting seems to be covering some sort of funeral to be held later tonight, although from this angle (and with young Pevrin in the way), Elian can't see much more of it.


Everyone

The sheriff purses his lips for a moment as he regards the group, clearly evaluating how much he should trust to this group of strangers. He seems to come down on the side of being forthcoming, as he nods at the puffy-eyed young woman still standing in the doorway of Petros's surprisingly run-down house.

"Just his daughter, Kendra. She reported him missing yesterday, said he had gone off to the Prison a few days ago and not been back since."

The sheriff notes the mostly blank stares from the group over mention of "the Prison", gives a quiet sigh and explains with a shake of his head at the "ignorant out-of-towners".

"Used to be a big prison outside Ravengro, called Harrowstone. Place burned down during a riot decades ago, but the ruins are still there. We keep those ruins locked up and off-limits to anyone without permission of the town council because they're unstable and dangerous. But apparently that wasn't good enough for ol' Petros, because my deputies and I rode up there to investigate and found him lying outside the wall. Damn fool had been trying to climb up the walls with a rope and grapple, and part of the statuary broke off the top and fell down on his head. Just seemed to be bad luck on top of a bad idea, trying to get in there in the first place. We brought his body back, and left it with Father Grimburrow to prepare for burial. Body was in pretty bad shape between the statue smashing into it and lying out there for a couple days, so the Father wants the burial done quick as possible. Funeral will be held tonight, just before sundown. Just delivered the bad news to Kendra, and now I'm on my way to talk with the town council to see if there's anything else we can do to keep people away from the damned place - it's just not safe."

Spoiler: Spellcraft DC 16

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Now that is just damned odd. You don't have any particular reason to disbelieve what the sheriff said for finding Petros's body, but the old professor trying to climb up the walls with a rope certainly didn't make sense. While the professor may have been reserving his higher-level spells for other purposes, you know from experience that he had access to spider-climb, a fairly low-level spell that would have been trivial for him to prepare prior to venturing up to the prison. That would have rendered the wall an easily surmounted obstacle, and without the risks of attached a rope to apparently unstable pieces of masonry . . . so why did he?

Spoiler: Sense Motive DC 15

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While the sheriff is trying to provide a fairly casual explanation of events, there is a nervous edge to his words, particularly when describing the Harrowstone prison. He clearly thinks of the prison as dangerous, but more than just an unstable pile of rubble that can shift and fall on people's heads. That's just a hazardous place, but the emphasis on "dangerous" suggests the sheriff sees the prison more as a threat than just a danger for the curious and clumsy. And judging from his guarded stance around all of you newcomers to town, he will probably be less forthright about explaining why than he was on the Professor's fate.

While the sheriff explains the Professor's fate, Kendra hears Tamara's call and turns her head to look at the group.

"Tammy!?"

She calls to the group, clearly seeking confirmation that Tamara was amongst the group, and that she had heard her voice correctly.
For those who had not adventured with Professor Lorrimor in recent years or visited him in Ravengro before, the fact that he had a daughter at all should come as a surprise as he never really mentioned her in the course of the group's adventures.
For Tamara, she remembers Kendra as an awkward but lively young girl just entering her teenage years, not the elegant young woman stricken with deep sorrow standing in the doorway to Lorrimor's house.

Kendra steps out of the doorway and into the light, wincing immediately and blinking her eyes furiously as she digs in the pocket of her dress. She produces a pair of dark glasses which she settles over her eyes, and then descends the stairs of the porch rapidly, skipping over the third step as she runs a hand down the stairs' rusted railing. She rushes over to the group after reaching the bottom of the stairs, one hand held out in front of her, narrowly avoiding running straight on into the flank of one of the deputies' horses before he maneuvers the animal out of the way at the last second. Now reaching the group, the tall young lady manages to find Tamara and kneels down in front of her, wrapping her arms around the somber halfling's neck and clinging on tight as she sobs into Tamara's shoulder.

Spoiler: Tamara Only

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It's not clear whether or not Kendra is actually blind here, or just sensitive to light, but that's definitely new. When you met her a few years ago when she was still a teenager, she could see perfectly well.

It's at about this point that Adivon walks up behind the group, evidentially having finished making his reservation at the Outward Inn. And, apparently, he's here to see Petros Lorrimior as well.

"What's going on here? Where is Petros Lorrimor?"

[Gyrfalcon]

Aaron's eyes narrow at the sheriff's description as he leans against the wall.

"I'm sorry Sheriff, but that makes no sense. Professor Petros is... was getting on in his years, but he was also a powerful mage. I know for a fact that he knows a lesser spell called [Spider Climb] that he would use to climb over a wall as easy as walking, long before he'd try to haul himself up with a simple rope."

Aaron takes his glasses off and polishes the lenses for a moment. "But... can I pay my respects to the Professor with Miss Kendra's blessing? He was a friend, and I'd appreciate a moment alone before the funeral."

[DarkOne-Rob]

With a whistle of appreciation Kristoph looks at the armor in the back of the shop. "That is a magnificent treasure, sir. I'm sorry to hear of your wife's loss, though. It's a poor trade, really...I'm sure his reward in the next life is noble, though. Pharasma judges all justly," he says reverently. "I'd hate to be too bold, but if you she were to part with it, how much would it cost? Today I am penniless, but perhaps in time I could do you and your family a blessing by returning to purchase it?"

---

Kristoph frowns, at first sadly, then with frustration, through the sheriff's explanation. When the spectacled young man speaks up about arcane magic he listens and then purses his lips in thought. Looking back to Sheriff Caeller Kristoph pipes up too. "If what this gentleman says is true, and I have no reason to doubt him, then there is more to this story, Sheriff Caeller. The ruins are dangerous? Fine, I believe you. But why? Really?" he asks, intensity and confidence projecting from him. "You can tell me, or I could just ask Father Grimburrow. Around here he is surely a priest of the goddess I revere, so he'd likely tell me..." Kristoph finishes, unconsciously traces the spiral on his tabard.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Diplomacy (1d20+7)[17]

[Farmerbink]

Elian smiles mischievously, matching Zellara's evasion with his own mysteriousness. "Alas, it seems we're running short on that just now..."

He favors the youngster with an appreciative nod. "Ah, hard at work, then. Well done, young man Pevrin." Keenly aware of the impact of positive attention from adults, he holds the young man's gaze a few moments longer than strictly necessary. "Take care on the remaining poles!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Just a reminder that Elian exceeded the perception DC? Don't know if anything more was to come from that right now, but I don't want to forget it entirely :-).

---

At the run-down Lorrimor home, Elian keeps his peace, listening as the sheriff expounds and Aaron makes his objections known. Strange and stranger, he wonders, musing the details as they come...

[SanguinePenguin]

Tamara returns Kendra’s hug and doesn’t leg go. Few things can flap the halfling’s general unflappability, but the death of a man practically her idol is certainly one of them. Sometimes trodding the heroic path leads through blades and blood; right now, it’s through tears and hugs. She squeezes more tightly and sobs a bit too.

When she recognizes Adivon’s voice, she says, “Oh Adivon! Petros… he…” A sniffle. A deep breath. “Petros has… died.” She considered softening the words for Kendra’s sake, but injecting any euphemism for something so cataclysmic and yet so mundane seemed more of an offense somehow.

[Inspectre]

Kristoph

Luramin gives a wistful smile at the question of purchasing the armor, nodding at his wife.

“Afraid you’d have to talk to dear Marta about that one. Currently, it’s not for sale – not for any price. Personally, I’d like to take it out of the store for that reason, but . . . we have nowhere else to put it.”

Your conversation comes to an abrupt end a moment later as one of the young girls breaks away from Marta to run over to Luramin, jumping up and down at his feet with arms outstretched. Luramin turns away from you with a smile, bending down to pick up his daughter and swing her up onto his shoulders.

“Oof! You’re getting so heavy Elizabet! I don’t know if I’m going to be able to carry you anymore!”

Luramin warns, staggering to the side and loosening his grip on the girl’s legs, causing her to shift backwards and nearly topple off of his shoulders. Rather than cry out in alarm, however, Elizabet cackles in delight and cries out in mock concern “Catch me then Daddy!” Luramin immediately straightens up and steadies the girl as she continues to laugh – evidentially this was some sort of game. With the merchant’s full attention now on his family, and the last crates picked up out of the mud and loaded into the shop, it was time for you to quietly take your leave for the moment. You’d have to talk to Marta about purchasing that suit of armor some other time, when she is not still trying to herd four other children.

Elian

Spoiler: The girl

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The young waif solemnly walking down the street seems to be unnoticed by everyone except you, which makes her stand out even more to your eyes due to the contrast with the other children running about pelt-mell. Since you’re on foot now, rather than race past her you’re able to follow the girl at a discreet distance. She’s holding something in her hands that is taking almost her full attention – you’re able to eventually make out that it seems to be a long black feather, likely a tail feather from a crow or raven. The girl twists it back and forth in her fingers, looking at it with clear quiet anguish – a memento from a beloved pet? Gift from a deceased family member? Impossible to know without actually talking to the child or her parents, and getting involved in a child’s personal sorrows was hardly what you had come to Ravengro for. At least you do see where she lives, as shortly past the loop of the town square, the girl ducks down a side alley between two buildings and goes up to the next house back from the “main” road, pulling open the front door and ducking inside. You faintly hear a female voice call from the depths of the house “How were your lessons today, Lireia?”, before the door swings closed.

Everyone

“What!?”

Adivon says in response to Tamara’s simple but heartfelt explanation for what happened to your mentor. He simply stares at Tamara for several long moments, mouth not quite agape but his posture clearly conveying a sense of disbelief in line with if Tamara had said Petros had gone on sabbatical on the Moon. After that brief pause, however, he recovers and clears his throat, his attention re-settling on Kendra as he returns to his usual stern professor demeanor.

“My apologies, miss, I do not believe we’ve been introduced yet. I am Professor Adivon Adrissant of Lepidstadt, and you are?”

This question inspires Kendra to pull herself together, awkwardly wiping away a fresh set of tears out from under her shaded glasses with one hand while using her other on Tamara’s shoulder to half-pull, half-push herself back up to her feet. Once back on her feet, she lifts the hem of her dress and gives a proper curtsey to the professor.

“I am Kendra Lorrimor. My father has told me a lot of stories about you, Professor Adrissant. He thought very highly of you.”

Again, for the second time in as many minutes Adivon is clearly stunned, and this time even seems a bit hurt as his brow furrows in thought, muttering quietly to himself.

“He never told me he had a daughter . . . *ahem*! So, how did Petros die?”

This prompts a sigh from the Sheriff, before he quickly fills Adivon in on what he just told all of you, prompting a firm headshake from the professor.

“Ridiculous. Mister Eldaval has the right of it – it is simply absurd to think that Petros would put himself in such a situation to begin with!”

The Sheriff lets out yet another frustrated sigh and waves to his two deputies.

“You two go on ahead and tell Hearthmount about the funeral, I’ll catch up in a minute.”

As the two deputies shrug and ride off down the road, the Sheriff turns his attention to Kristoph and Aaron.

“Father Grimburrow is the one you want to talk to, both about the prison and whether or not you can privately say your good-byes to ol’ Petros. I’m . . . well, I’m just the Sheriff around here, so I’m just the one trying to keep idiots from going and getting themselves hurt up in those old ruins. All I know is that folks around here consider the prison haunted, but the source for that is mostly just the ghost stories that the local drunks tell each other for fun, far as I know. If you want, I can take you over to the chapel, introduce you to the Father.”

Spoiler: Sense Motive DC 15

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Yeah, the Sheriff is still not being completely honest here. There’s still that note of apprehension and doubt in his voice when referring to the prison. He seems to be trying to pass off that tidbit about the ruins being haunted as just a local superstition to explain away the caution, but he in fact happens to be one of those people who see the prison as haunted. That belief is the core of why he sees the prison ruins as “dangerous”, but there’s a fervent edge to that belief that you can’t quite put a finger on. Whatever the reason behind it is, it’s a deeply personal one.

“My father believed the prison was haunted.”

Kendra says quietly.

“He made quite a study of it and its history over the years – what little people around here were willing to tell him about it, anyway.”

She concludes, with just a note of bitterness as she gestures back at the door to the Lorrimor home.

“Assuming you can find it amongst all of his other notes from various research projects, you’re welcome to come inside and look through them.”

The invitation to come inside seems to trigger a thought in Kendra’s mind, as she suddenly covers her mouth with her hand.

“Oh! Where are my manners!? All of you must be exhausted after traveling all this way! Please, come inside! We . . . I . . . don’t have much in the way of refreshments, but there is some water, and maybe an old bottle of wine . . .”

“Ah, finally some proper hospitality in this town! You need not worry about refreshment, my dear, as I did bring a bottle of Petros’s favorite vintage with me from Lepidstadt. It was meant to be a gift, but well . . . perhaps it will serve well for a final toast to his memory instead?”

The Sheriff looks around warily at the group, adjusting his hat on his head for the third time since this conversation began.

“I don’t want to impose here, so I reckon now is as good a time as any to tell me leave. Again, my sympathies on your loss, Kendra. If any of you wish to be introduced to Father Grimburrow now, I can take you over to the chapel.”

(Party split time! If anyone wishes to go with the Sheriff to see Father Grimburrow right now, you may do so, or you can stay here and continue to associate with Kendra and Adivon. And obviously, it’s not like you all can’t go see Father Grimburrow yourselves later, it’s just that right now the Sheriff is offering to introduce you to him.)

[Farmerbink]

“My father believed the prison was haunted.”

"He was a wise man," Elian interjects quietly, pointedly keeping the young woman's gaze.

“It was meant to be a gift, but well . . . perhaps it will serve well for a final toast to his memory instead?”

The lithe, pale man smiles and nods. "A fitting tribute."

“If any of you wish to be introduced to Father Grimburrow now, I can take you over to the chapel.”

Elian turns to the sheriff directly, for the first time. Extending a hand to shake, he nods in appreciation. "I'm sure there will be time for that later, and Miss Lorrimor can make sure we find him," he offers by way of politely declining the offer. "Thank you for being here for her, and keeping the peace here in Ravengro."

Elian turns to follow Kendra inside, mumbling. "Seems this graveyard is an important place..." The canny observer might note that the mumbles are a bit louder and clearer than most...

[DarkOne-Rob]

“Father Grimburrow is the one you want to talk to, both about the prison and whether or not you can privately say your good-byes to ol’ Petros. I’m . . . well, I’m just the Sheriff around here, so I’m just the one trying to keep idiots from going and getting themselves hurt up in those old ruins. All I know is that folks around here consider the prison haunted, but the source for that is mostly just the ghost stories that the local drunks tell each other for fun, far as I know. If you want, I can take you over to the chapel, introduce you to the Father.”

"Sheriff, you are doing important work and we respect you for it. Please don't take offense - several of us knew the Professor better than you could have guessed. As for the prison ruins, if they are haunted then Pharasma demands action from me, but I will not go off alone or unprepared. I will also let you and the good Father know before I visit them," Kristoph says, respect and steel in his voice, particularly when referring to the undead. It's clear he takes the Pharasmin prohibition against undead very seriously...

With a nod at Elian's diplomatic words the knight turns to their unexpected hostess and smiles, sadly. "I will only have one glass tonight, to honor the recently departed, but I agree - the wine is a fine tribute. Miss Lorrimor, I'm afraid my boots are quite muddy - where can I clean them off before I come inside? Your hospitality is welcome, in spite of the sad news..."

Spoiler: Diplomacy Check, if needed, for the Sheriff

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(1d20+7)[17]

[Gyrfalcon]

Aaron takes a deep breath and lets it out, realizing that he had been ignoring the one most affected by the Professor’s death – the man’s own daughter. ”Of course, Miss Kendra. A toast to your father’s name is the right thing to do. It looks like all of us here knew the Professor, and we can speak of better times with the Professor.”

When the warrior of Pharasma asks for a place to clean the mud from his boots, Aaron manages a small chuckle. ”Please, allow me good sir.” he says, casting [Prestidigitation] he points to each person’s footwear in turn as they enter the home, the spell cleaning them in turn.

[Farmerbink]

Elian eyes Aaron with newfound interest- or perhaps respect. "Quite the handy trick, that- especially amidst seasonal showers." He frowns thoughtfully, but inclines his head in appreciation as his suddenly-clean feet make for the threshold behind Kendra.

[DarkOne-Rob]

Kristoph nods thankfully to Aaron and carefully enters the home, mindful of his armor and weapons as he looks for a place to set them where they won't be in the way or damage anything - but still be available if needed. "Thank you for the assistance, sir. I'm afraid I don't know your name, nor have I introduced myself to everyone. It seems we all knew the late Professor, though, so perhaps we should be friends. My name is Kristoph Harrisson. I'm training to be a holy knight, dedicating my life to the service of Pharasma and her crusade against the unholy taint of undeath in our world. So far as I know I am the only such warrior blessed to walk the path of the paladin in our faith, but I am no less deterred by the solitude. I met Professor Lorrimor on the road to Virlych where he and I fought off a small group of skeletons together..."

[Gyrfalcon]

Aaron finds a seat inside as Kristoph begins the informal wake, detailing the adventure that led to his acquaintance with the late Professor. When the holy squire finishes, a silence fills the room. Aaron is the one to break it, polishing his glasses with the hem of his tunic.

”Shall I go next? My name is Aaron Eldaval, and I am a student of the arcane arts. I originally studied at the University of Lepidstadt, while the Professor was one of the instructors there. I had joined the seminary of Phrasma, but the path of faith was… well, not mine to walk. Professor Lorrimor took me under his wing, and gave me a letter of recommendation to one of the universities in Absalom.

It was a long journey, and Absalom is a completely different world to our own Ustalav. I found I excelled at my arcane studies there, and I made a living writing several collections of folk tales. We find the story about the two zombies and the ghoul to be quite normal, but apparently its considered quite macabre in Absalom… but there’s a healthy market for that sort of story…

A strangely armored sachel at Aaron’s waist rattles, and with a smile he opens it. A tiny white and grey lizard-bird climbs up his arm and circles across his shoulder, resting a winged forearm on his head as it peers with alert curiosity at the others in the house. It opens its beak to chirp, revealing the teeth lining the yellow appendage.

”This is Perry, my rhamphorhynchus familiar. It’s a mouthful to say. He’s something of a testament that you can truly can find anything in Absalom.” Aaron says with a wry smile. ”I might have continued my time there for some years, but I received a letter from the Professor asking for my aid in some matter. Given the great favors he had done me, I was on my way at once.” his face fell as he finishes quietly. ”Though not fast enough, sad to say.”

Spoiler: Rhamphorhynchus

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