#ravengro

[golariontoday]

4594 AR: Ravengro founded https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Ravengro Founded as a town for workers of the, now infamous, Harrowstone prison & their families. Count Eigen Lorres built the prison to house, for a fee, criminals from anywhere in Ustalav

[golariontoday]

4661 AR: Harrowstone Fire https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Harrowstone Harrowstone prison was set ablaze killing all the prisoners and many of the guards during a prisoner uprising. The prison was never rebuilt.

[golariontoday]

4594 AR: Ravengro founded https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Ravengro Founded as a town for workers of the, now infamous, Harrowstone prison & their families. Count Eigen Lorres built the prison to house, for a fee, criminals from anywhere in Ustalav

[sing-a-ballad]

Ravengro, Take Two, Part the Second

There's too much to say about what happened today, hence why I split up this log.

The Head Priest of the temple told us that the students went to the local school, so we headed there.  A group of girls were jump roping together in front of the school.  The song though...

Put her body on the bed.

Take a knife and lop her head.

Watch the blood come out the pipe.

Feed the stirge, so nice and ripe.

Drops of red so sparkly bright.

Splatters spell her name just right.

With a hammer killed his wife.

Now he wants to claim your life.

Tricksy father tells a lie.

Listen close or you will die.

Dear gods, what do they teach children here in Ravengro? Regardless, I took the time to learn the song while Mondai played with the children and Seph and the others went inside the schoolhouse to talk to the boys who found Professor Lorrimor's body.

The others went inside and were told to wait until classes were over to talk to the teacher.  Once classes ended, the teacher reluctantly talked to them, as his pupils watched, intrigued by the novelty of new people in a small town.  He allowed them to talk to the kids, but only if it was for a moment and he could watch.  It seems it was just a bit of bad luck that had them find Prof. Lorrimor's body. 

At the same time, I was just getting the hang of the schoolyard rhyme and started playing it on my instrument.  It was just bad luck that a pair giant, cat-sized mosquitos attacked us in the yard.  The kids, in their fear start to run around wildly as one of the giant bugs latched onto a girl.  Mondai was able to sneak attack and hit one of them off of her and I was able to fascinate the mosquito.  It was then that I noticed that the mosquitos were beating their wings to the song.

Well... that probably wasn't a very good thing, but I kept playing regardless.  

Mondai was able to kill the mosquito easily just as the others and the teacher came outside in response to the children's yells.  I stopped playing, as the teacher ran to the kids (or the kids ran to him, whatever...)  He examined the children and the corpses and declared that the mosquitoes were actually sturges -- magical beasts that could possibly carry disease.  We best get the children checked out quickly.  I don't think my concious could take it if they were permanently harmed because of something I might have unknowingly done.

Of course, when the old man starts asking how the sturges got there, I played dumb and said I wasn't sure because, honestly, I really wasn't sure.  It could have just could have been a cosmic coincidence, right?

Right?

We headed back to the Temple (jeeze, that priest must be sick of seeing me), teacher and several students in tow.  It seems a sturge was an unusual thing to see and the children were too excited to just go home.  I was able to talk to the children who found Prof. Lorrimor, and they continued their tale.  They, naturally, ran back to town right away to tell someone.  They're good kids, it seems, if a bit mischievous.  The children also seemed to be very excited about me, personally, since I could play an instrument.  They asked me to play, so I performed a small bit to their amusement before we entered the temple.  The kids who were bit might have caught something, but it was a good thing the teacher could identify the bugs as sturges early, so that they would not be wandering around town.  The priests at the temple could contain it, and hopefully keep them from going blind from Blinding sickness.

Thank Desna, they're okay. 

It's late now, so let me wrap this up.  I really, really hope I didn't summon those sturges.  

Bard, Heiress of the House Galdana of Amaans, Fiancee of Count Haserton Lowls IV

[sing-a-ballad]

My First Trip to Ravengro Goes A Little Something Like This...

I regret to inform you that the wonderful Professor Petros Lorrimor has passed away some days ago.  Many have heard tales of his travels, famed scholar, explorer, and teacher that he was, and it does the lands of Golarian a great disservice to see such a man gone from the mortal coil.

Had I not been summoned to his funeral at all, I would hardly believe it.  Gods, even now I find myself still shaken despite being a part of his funeral service and reading of the will.

The day started with Seph, Mondai and I arriving into Ravengro, and meeting with Ms. Kendra Lorrimor, the late Professor's daughter, at the Restland.  The poor dear looked like she had been crying for days that I could not help myself but want to give her comfort.  Perhaps it's a curse, but I never liked seeing another being cry.

Seph and I helped Kendra and two humans I did not know to carry the Professor's coffin, only to be waylaid by a crew of superstitious villagers.  To think, they would accuse Professor Lorrimor of being a necromancer!  As if burrying him upriver would be any better if such a tale be true.  Very quickly, a fight erupted from the disagree parties as villagers engaged our small group in combat.  We had no choice but to put down the coffin (and not drop it, although if I was in the front of the casket, I might have been startled into doing so) and take up arms.  

One of the villagers attacked Seph and Ms. Kendra, although only the latter sustained injuries in the beginning.  Only uneducated curs would believe attacking a defenseless woman would make them right!  One of the humans began to yell at the villagers before casting Light on Ms. Kendra.  I am unsure of what purpose that would have assisted us, but at least we would be able to track her if these unscrupulous bastards succeeded in isolating us.  The other human, also a spellcaster of some sort, performed some spell that I did not catch, for I was too busy noticing Seph take damage when his attempt to cast Mage Armor failed. 

Quite fortuitously, I was able to end the battle quickly by charming the ringleader of the rabble and convince him to leave Ms. Kendra and her decomposing father for the time being.  It seemed my bluff worked, as the superstitious bastards left, but not before Seph was knocked unconscious.  The cleric residing over the Restland was able to heal both him and the Professor's daughter, and we were able to resume the ceremony.

I do not believe Ms. Kendra had any reason to give us thanks and apologize on behalf of the riff-raff, as their actions were entirely their own and no way her fault.  I'm certainly glad Mondai was too far away to really affect the battle -- as proficient as she has gotten at killing, that would only lead to more problems in the long run.  I was able to keep her from running off to take care of the man who hurt Seph, but only barely.  There's a reason why the sorcerer was the one to keep Mondai in check.

The funeral, despite the shock given to many of the people in attendance, went off without a hitch.  Ms. Kendra's eulogy was heartfelt, that I too felt like crying as we laid this great man to rest.  We mourners were given a chance to give their last words to the fallen Professor.  

As always, Seph merely gave a curt "Thank you," but I feel that it meant more than that to the Dragon-blooded man.  The woman who fought with us muttered something to the upturned soil, but I was too preoccupied with my own thoughts to hear what she said clearly.was suffused with so much that I will never know about.  Both I and the wizard had similar thoughts -- the world had lost something great upon the death of Professor Lorrimor.  I just wish I was able to tell him was such a great boss for the time I worked with him.  Mondai was her usual self around the grave, but I caught a glimpse, right at the end, of something odd. I only saw Mondai for a moment as she looked at the grave, silent and still, before she turned again and grabbed our arms, urging us to "go!"  I was tempted to ask her what she said to the late Professor, but I felt it best to leave the drow to her secrets.  If Mondai wanted us to know, she would tell us, simpel as that.  No use worrying over particulars.  

It pains me and my bardic pride to think I could not record the rest of the mourners' words, but more interesting things happened as we left the Restlands.  Ms. Kendra stopped the five of us -- the woman and wizard from before and us three -- as we were leaving.  "Thank you so much for attending my father's funeral," she said, "If you want, you can come to my home and we can talk.  I'll have refreshments -- I'm still heartbroken by what happened, so I could use the company.  Also, you are all mentioned in the will..." She trailed off, but it was fine, as both Mondai and the wizard were enthusiastic about the chance of free food.  Perhaps I laughed under my breath, or perhaps not, but we followed behind.

I knew the Professor was well off -- my paycheques were testament to that fact -- but I was surprised at the size of his home.  For some reason, I somewhat assumed he had lived in a small cottage converted into a one room study, but my assumption was quite unrealistic.  There were many things I did not know and could not presume about the Professor, so why would his living arrangements not be on such a list?

Once we entered their home, Ms. Kendra explained that we would have to wait for a Councilman Vashian to come, as he had the will and the authority to open it.  She then left to gather the promised refreshments as the five of us got a chance to talk amongst ourselves.  Seph attempted to explain the concept of "wills" to Mondai, which... did not work.  I can not particularly say that I am surprised by such an outcome.  Soon enough, Mondai was bothering and poking at the others in the room, urging them on to introduce themselves.

And that is how I come to meet Miss Eris, witch.  It seems she had helped the Professor out of a bit of trouble, but did not care to elaborate. In fact, she did not like to elaborate about herself at all, other than saying that she was a traveller from another land.  If we have a chance to talk again, I wish to ask her about the places she has seen, perhaps beyond the Inner Sea region if she has made it there?

Although preoccupied, we were also able to meet Tildrew, a human wizard.  It seems he was a wizard who was a former associate of the late professor.

Kendra soon returned with cookies and asked Seph how he met her father.  I was surprised that Seph was willing to talk about his bloodline and the time he studied under the Professor.  

As we wrapped up introductions, the councilman appeared at the door.  Councilman Vashian was not as I expected -- more rotund, bigoted, and obtuse than a man I would think the Professor would entrust his will to.  No matter, he wanted to be done with the will as soon as possible, so who was I to judge.  He popped the seal of the scroll container, tipping it over to reveal a key that fell to the table with a quite audible CLANK! before the scroll spilled out into his waiting hands.

I, Petros Lorrimor, being of sound mind, do hereby commit to this parchment my last will and testament. Let it be known that, with the exception of the specific details below, I leave my home and personal belongings entire to my daughter Kendra. Use them or sell them as you see fit, my child.

Yet beyond the bequeathing of my personal effects, this document must serve other needs. I have arranged for the reading of this document to be delayed until all principals can be in attendance, for I have more than mere inheritance to apportion. I have two final favors to ask.

To my old friends, I hate to impose upon you all, but there are few others who are capable of appreciating the true significance of what it is I have to ask. As some of you know, I have devoted many of my studies to all manner of evil, that I might know the enemy and inform those better positioned to stand against it. For knowledge of one’s enemy is the surest path to victory over its plans.

And so, over the course of my lifetime, I have seen fit to acquire a significant collection of valuable but dangerous tomes, any one of which in the wrong circumstances could have led to an awkward legal situation. While the majority of these tomes remain safe under lock and key at the Lepidstadt University, I fear that a few I have borrowed remain in a trunk in my Ravengro home. While invaluable for my work in life, in death, I would prefer not to burden my daughter with the darker side of my profession, or worse still, the danger of possessing these tomes herself. As such, I am entrusting my chest of tomes to you, posthumously. I ask that you please deliver the collection to my colleagues at the University of Lepidstadt, who will put them to good use for the betterment of the cause.

Yet before you leave for Lepidstadt, there is the matter of another favor—please delay your journey one month and spend that period of time here in Ravengro to ensure that my daughter is safe and sound. She has no one to count on now that I am gone, and if you would aid her in setting things in order for whatever she desires over the course of this month, you would have my eternal gratitude. From my savings, I have also willed to each of you a sum of one hundred platinum coins. For safekeeping, I have left these funds with Embreth Daramid, one of my most trusted friends in Lepidstadt—she has been instructed to issue this payment upon the safe delivery of the borrowed tomes no sooner than one month after the date of the reading of this will.

I, Petros Lorrimor, hereby sign this will in Ravengro on this first day of Calistril, in the year 4751.

Leaving the majority of his possessions to his daughter did not surprise me, yet I don't know why I'm so surprised the Professor would ask for our assistance from beyond the grave (and I use this term much less literally than I would normally).  Some things struck me as odd and worrisome during the reading however. Having "knowledge of one's enemy" implies that there is an entity or group that poses a threat. We are, I am forced to admit, a rag-tag bunch, with relatively little in common save our connection with Professor Lorrimor.  Would not informing the crown, Prince Aduard Ordranti III, or one of Ustalav's greater neighbors be a better plan of action?  I suppose I will never know...

The payment of 100 platinum coins is also a cause for concern.  That is not paltry amount -- even some Noble families have problems procuring such money, yet the Professor is willing to give the us that amount for the mere delivery of some tomes and the protection of his daughter.  Ms. Kendra is the last issue I have -- what sort of things does Professor Lorrimor expect his daughter to face that he would hire us?  He knows protection was, and never will be, my forte, but he does know that I would never leave someone in pain to suffer more so if I can help it.  I am in this for the long haul, as I'm sure he knew I would be.  Manipulative bastard, you were like this in life too, and I respected you for it.  I suppose that has not diminished in the slightest.

During my musings, Ms. Kendra and the councilman talked before she quietly dismissed him.  It seems she is unsure what she will do with the property, but in the mean time we are free to stay within its walls, room and board provided for us during this month we have to protect her.  I do not think I could accurately convey my thanks to Ms. Kendra; a drow, a dhamphir, and a Dragon-blood would have a difficult time trying to find lodging for such a period.

The key was quickly put to good use as Ms. Kendra brought a small, oak chest kept closed with a standard-issue bronze lock.  Mondai, resident thief as it were, took the key and quickly began checking for traps.  I do not think the good Professor would leave such a surprise for us, but her paranoia has certainly helped us out over the time we've known each other.  Attempts to detect magic revealed nothing, just as Mondai's attempts at finding traps, so with as much glee as the woman-child could have, she opened the chest, just as Ms. Kendra left.  It seems that the daughter had something to be wary and nervous of in her father's research...

Inside were several tomes, all of them greatly aged except for the one on the very top.  Attached to it was a simple note "READ ME NOW."

It seemed that, even in death, the Professor was unwilling to be anything but concise.

I attempted to reach for the book, only for Mondai to stop me and check it for traps once more.  When the drow deemed it safe enough, I began to skim its contents.  It was a journal -- the Professor's journal.  This required a bit more of a thourough read.  It appeared to be at least ten years old, and several entries were circled in red ink.  Knowing how expensive ink is normally, especially when colored, made an impression in my mind that these were important.  I began to read them in order, from the ten years, to just seventeen nights ago.

Ten Years Ago: The Whispering Way is more than just a cabal of necromancers. I see that now. Undeath is their fountain of youth. Uncovering their motivation does not place me at ease as I thought it might. Their desire to be eternal simply makes them more dangerous. Two Months Ago: It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be? One Month Ago: Whatever the Way seeks, I am now convinced their goal is connected to Harrowstone. In retrospect, I suppose it all makes sense—the stories they tell about the ruins in town are certainly chilling enough. It may be time to investigate the ruins, but with everyone in town already being so worked up about them, I’d rather not let the others know about my curiosity—there’s plenty of folks hereabouts who already think I’m a demonologist or a witch or something. Ignorant fools. Twenty Days Ago: It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list. Eighteen Days Ago: I see now just how ill prepared I was when I last set out for the Harrowstone. I am lucky to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not find it prudent to investigate further) prevented me from transcribing the strange symbols I found etched along the foundation—hopefully on my next visit I will be more prepared. Thankfully, the necessary tools to defend against spirits are already here in Ravengro. I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down below. If my luck holds, I should be able to slip in and out with a few borrowed items. Seventeen Days Ago: Tomorrow evening I return to the prison. It is imperative the Way does not finish. My caution has already cost me too much time. I am not sure what will happen if I am too late, but if my theory is right, the entire town could be at risk. I don’t have time to update my will, so I’ll leave this in the chest where it’ll be sure to be found, should the worst come to pass.

Someone, it escapes me just who it was, asked about the Whispering Way, the sinister group of necromancers, agents who seek alliances with, or join the ranks of, the undead.  Seph beat me to the explanation, explaining how they were named after the way their philosophies were shared -- never written but whispered from member to member, making it nearly impossible to find out their true goals -- to their most notorious member -- Tar-Baphon, more commonly known by his epithet the Whispering Tyrant. 

I was, of course, quite put out that my friend would not allow me to share the bardic tradition of sharing stories, but it seemed the others understood Seph's infinitely drier version.  I mean, he didn't even try to change his voice or include characters or anything!  Who tells stories without doing that?

Three other books were below the journal: On Verified Madness, a jet black book about the aberrations that appear in Ustalav; Serving Your Hunger, the sacred book of the Palid Princcess Urgathoa; The Umbral Leaves, bible of the god Zhon-Kuthon; and The Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye.  The last one caught my interest for two reasons.  First, the Palatine Eye is a secret society that has a deep interest in all things political and arcane, just like me.  Secondly, it's locked.  A locked book just wants to make me crack it open and read what's inside.  Mondai went right at it as I read the rest of the entries in the journal (to think, so many adventures left unsung!  How my reputation would soar if I were to compile these events from the Professor's life and immortalize them in song for all the world to hear?) and Miss Eris and Seph read the other books.  They did not interest me as the journal did.

In the end, however, it seemed to be a fruitless task, since Mondai could not open the book, even after nearly an hour of work.  I consoled her with a mild bluff, knowing that the drow was not used to being beaten by what appeared to be a simple lock.  Perhaps she could try again, in the future but I would rather that she did not beat herself up over it.

Night descended upon Ravengro.  My attempts to keep Mondai from hitting sensitive subjects for Ms. Kendra failed when the drow right up and asked how the Professor died.  It had been bothering me for a while since I did not know either, but I felt that asking his daughter was a bit tactless.  Ms. Kendra surprised me however when she was entirely candid -- the professor was found at the ruins of Harrowstone Prison, the same one he mentions in his journal.  Seph asks if this is why he was believed to be a necromancer by some of the townspeople.

"He researched odd things, but I never suspected him of evil.  He has raised me well, and his heart is true."  I did not have the heart to tell the woman that necromancers were not necessarily evil, but I agree with the sentiment.  Professor Lorrimor was a good man.

The night grows later as our human companions go to sleep, leaving Mondai and I awake.  And then she gets it into her pretty little head to go exploring. It takes quite a bit to convince her to go to the graveyard instead of the ruins, and even more to convince her to let me come, but soon enough we are sneaking into the Restland.   I noticed the freestanding mausoleum first.  It's an imposing structure with gargoyles and the like watching over it.  The door, at first glance, seemed locked, but upon closer inspection, it appears someone had broken it.  Part of it was melted away with acid, and then put back to make it appear that it was whole.  Ingenious.  Was this the work of the late Professor?

The graveyard was dead silent, but I checked for undead anyways.  Perhaps Mondai's paranoia was catching, but it is always better to be safe then dead.  We entered the crypt, a simple mason affair that was essentially just one very small, 30x35 foot room, with a set of stairs leading down further in.  Down the stairs, we could both see a closed cache.  We headed down and Mondai started to check for traps -- nothing suspicious other than the existence of the cache itself -- before opening it up to see what's inside.  And that's when I heard it, the sound of scuttling against the stone of the crypt.  Oh shit. Two giant centipedes, ready to fight.

The battle wasn't particularlly special, other than the fact that Mondai can kick ass; she easily killed the first centipede and then the other with nary a scratch.  I however was not so lucky, suffering from a poisonous bite that was quickly sapping me my ability to move.  I was able to send a Message to Seph before the paralysis fully set in, and then I was essentially a very pretty statue for the rest of the night.

Thankfully, it seems Seph was able to rally the others quickly to our aid.  Although the wizard did blind both Mondai and I with his Light, it was certainly more welcome a sight than another group of centipedes.  

The cache turned out to be a nice treasure trove of magical items.  Between the witch and wizard, we ended up identifying 2 Scrolls of Hide from Undead and 1 Scroll of Detect Undead (all Divine and thus useless to us), 5 Potions of Cure Light Wounds and 2 Potions of Lesser Restoration, 17 regular Arrows (10 +1, 5 +1 Ghost, and 2 +1 Undead Bane), 12 Silver Arrows, 4 Sun Rods, 6 Flasks of Holy Waters, and a case with the symbol of the Palatine Eye engrossed on it.  The case opened to reveal space for 10 vials -- six of which were missing -- and some sort of board.  The vials were Haunt Siphon, which will damage and suck in any Haunts within a certain area.  If the Haunt is fully defeated, the Siphon will glow green and can be destroyed (normally with impact) to cause Negative Energy. If the vial appears to lose magical properties, that means the Haunt has not been defeated.  Each vial could be used one time, but they seemed to keep pretty well.  Unfortunately, none of us could figure out what this board could do, but we took it and the rest of the loot with us back to the Lorrimor estate.  Mordai and Miss Eris attempted to harvest the Centipede Poison (which I can, obviously, say is very effective), but it did not seem to work.

...Just because I was paralyzed, doesn't mean I wasn't paying attention, all right?

Ms. Kendra met us at the door and, although puzzled by the blood, did not comment.  It seemed that she was able to identify the board though.  It is a Spirit Planchette, which allows us to contact spirits, once per day, and ask them a question.  Answers are not always correct and the spirits might attempt to take one of us over, but it still might be useful to have.  At the very least, if we want to sell it off, it would have to wait for us to enter a larger city than Ravengro.  Ms. Kendra guessed it could fetch a couple thousand gold for it.

We split the loot fairly evenly, even though Mondai complained that she  should get it all as she was technically the founder, much to Seph's amusement. 

Essentially, it looks like this:

Seph gets a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, a Flask of Holy Water, two Potions of Restoration, and a Sun Rod.

Tildrew gets a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, two Flasks of Holy Water, and two Sun Rods (let us hope he remembers to give me and Mondai warning before using them this time).

Eris gets a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, a Haunt Siphon, a Sun Rod, a Flask of Holy Water, and the Planchette.

Mondai gets a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, a Flask of Holy Water, and a Haunt Siphon.

and I, Al, get a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, a Flask of Holy Water, and two Haunt Siphons.

We will probably sell all three scrolls, as none of us can cast Divine Spells, as well as all the arrows.  The Planchette might go as well.

It is the morning after everything happened and, thanks to a good night's sleep and Miss Eris and Mr Tildrew, I am feeling much better and am able to move.  Certainly not back to 100 per cent, but getting there.  Perhaps today I will ask around town about its history, or check for any clues in the late Professor's library.  We shall see, and may Desna watch over us.

Bard, Heiress of the House Galdana of Amaans, Fiancee of Count Haserton Lowls IV

All players earned 340 experience points for play on 4 November 2011.

The experience that you guys gained from the first session is as follows:

Defeating (convincing) the thugs who were trying to stop Professor Lorrimor from being buried: 150 each

Researching about the Whispering Way: 90 each

Defeating two Giant Centipedes: 100 each

Everyone gains the above experience. Ignore the fact that only two people fought the centipedes.

Dammit, attempts to be awesome and mess around with Tumblr's font killed half of this post so I had to rewrite it... again... This is a running theme with me.