Baron Samedi Harrow Cardnca were having breakfast when they heard a large bang at the door. Kendras personal halfling porter went to greet a late arrival of the funeral, here to pay her respects. She introduced herself as Zeldana, an oracle. After talking with the woman the adventurers learnt that Zeldana had been cursed with a transmorphic affliction that caused he body to change daily. Zeldana told them of how her love, Lucas, whom had been turned into a water snake. She had contacted Lorrimor at the university of Lepidstadt many years ago in the hope could help her in curing the affliction. Zeldana also believed Lorrimor and his colleagues could restore her beloved to his former state. Lorrimor had been for some time working alongside Alphon Cormarc, Adivion Adrissant and Gabel Krane for a solution for many years, attempting to conquer it by either alchemy, herbalism, new science, arcane or divine magic. There attempts thus far had ended in failure.
After the adventurers informed Zeldana of the strange circumstance of Lorrimors death, the evidence thry had gathered and that a dark cult that may be behind it, Zeldana agreed to help them. But first she would have to contact councillor Hearthmount regarding Lorrimors will and final testament. Zeldana agreed to help them out when she had finished with Hearthmount, promising to visit the professors final resting place to pay her respects when she was done with the nitty gritty. Ecthelion told her to wait, that there was another she needed to meet. A dwarf named Oghren Furyshield whom also helping them out. After searching the manor thoroughly, Oghren was no where to be found. Ecthelion asked the porter if Oghren had returned the previous night. The porter said “Oghren did not during the night, but knowing the dwarf he was probably passed out somewhere”. Anca agreed to take Zeldana to Hearthmounts. Ezekial was going to return to Pharasma temple to look for more clues while Ecthelion would ask around town if anyone had seen the dwarf.
While walking down the road the adventurers saw some children whom were skipping and singing a song that gave the a creepy feeling. A child would jump inside the rope and sing the song portion of the song, with the rope getting cumulatively faster. If a child skipping hit the rope, he or she would pretend to die according to passage of the song they were up to.
The song went as follows;
“Put her body on the bed.
Take a knife and lop her head.
Watch the blood come out the pipe.
Feeds 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.”
While watching they saw a child pretended to loose its head, another prtended to be eaten by bugs running around shouting “get them off… get them off”, while the third produce a red lipetick an wrote her name on her own arm. Intrigued what the aong meant Ecthelion introduced himself to the children. They asked him how old he was and how come he never went to class at Aleundru’s. Ecthelion told them he was not a local and was like Riff, a halfling. The children asked Ecthelion to join in there game, but he decline, saying “A paladin of Sarenrae does not sing and jump about such things”. When the children asked what Sarenrae was, Ecthelion simply pointed to the sun. Ezekial wanted to change the line of questioning feeling the paladin was going to give a longwinded speevh of the doctrine of Sarenrae. Ezekial asked the children where they had heard the song from. They told him that it was passed down from there fathers or mothers. Locals often sang the song to there babies to calm them down. Quite a morbid look covered the adventurers faces.
The adventurers thanked the children before Anca gave them a scary look making them run away scared. Ecthelion asked why, Anca replied "To give them something to think about. All children are little devils ". She seemed to get allot of enjoyment out of it. The adventurers seperated going there own ways. Ezekial headed toward the temple, Ecthelion the deputies office, while Anca and Zeldana walked towards Hearthmounts home.
As he walked Ecthelion did his best to offer friendly gestures to those whom he passed by, whether it was a wave, a nod or a bow to those older in the community. Most just simply walked on by, others spat as he passed. Many of the older folk enjoyed the polite young man. One even offered him some boiled candy. While passing through the town square two dogs began to balk and growl violently. Several passersby screamed quite loudly, as the dogs had a man bailed up against a wall and looked like they were going to attack at any moment. As Ecthelion watched the pair of dogs he noticed the dogs were not foccussed on the man pinned againdt a nearby wall. Poor Gibs – the rude thug he previously met – was shouting out for someone to help, clenching his right wrist were he had obviously been bitten. The dogs began to bark at something, sniffing the air in a completely different direction from Gibbs.
Evthelion positioned himself between gibs and the dogs, saying “Down boys, nobody wants to get hurt here”. As he foccussec on the dogs Ecthelion noticed several strange foot prints appear in the mud. The footprints were like a phantom that had been walking.The dogs seemed to be focussed on them. Almost holding his breath at the spectacle Ecthelion moved towards the footsteps trying to head them off,. If it was a entity of some sort it would have to get by the halfling. However before his very eyes the footprints vanishec. Awestruck by the dpectacle, Ecthelion began to breathe a little easier as the dogs calmed down and begqn to sniff about were he had last seen the footprints. Ecthelion gave the dogs a pat, at the same time only thinking one thing strange,,,,
As Anca and Zeldana reached a Hearthmounts, Anca said she would do the talking. Zeldarna asked if Anca would politely wait outside, as Zeldana did not like the look of the witches flirtatious clothing, “I wish she would cover up she thought to herself”. “Do not tell me what to do the” the witch replied moving away from the front porch of the house to the gate. Zeldarna shrugged and then knocked. “Hello anybody home”. Hearthmount answered and Zeldana entered. Zeldana told Hearthmount she had recieved a letter inviting her to claim something bequeathed to her in the will. Zeldana informed Heathmount that she was late to the funeral due to having to travel further from the south.
While talking to Hearthmount Zeldana learned that she was not the only one expected to be late. Two others were also making there way here. A woman called Darnys and a professor from the Lepidstadt university know as Viktor were also expected to arrive within the next few days. Hearthmount told her to wait in his sitting room while he went and fetched the will. While in the sitting room a piano nearby began to play itself. Zeldarna had heard of duch gnomish devices that could play themselves from travellers she had spoke with from Absalom, but did not expect to find such a device in such a backwater town. The tune was quite frantic, like someone was pressing the keys to hard or banging the piano. Experimental was the best way to describe it. It wasn’t a very nice tune Zeldarna thought. “Or maybe it wasn’t working properly, gnomish devices had a bad habbit of playing up”. After a few moments the tune stopped and Hearthmount entered.
“I hear your an amatuer pianist” he speculated. “Lieara Hawkran on the outskirts of town offers lesson if you would like them”. “Ohh no that was not me” Zeldana said. “You must have one of them pianos that play themselves”. A quizzical look covered Hearthmounts face, why would she lie to him. “Perhaps see was embarrassed at how badly she played” he thought. Not wanting to get to much into it due him having a busy day he showed Zeldana the professors will, pointing out what was left to her in it.
To Zeldana Zudan, I leave you my library and collection of books on curses, superstions, myths and afflictions. May it help you in the answers you seek. Included in my personal library is all the research notes compilrd over the years of your affliction by some of the modt intelligent minds in Ustalav. In the event something should happen to me you should seek out Adivion Adrissant or Alphon Cormarc to continue my research. I shall always remember your tales you spoke of to the distant south, lands I wished I could have seen. I hope someday you manage to save your beloved Lucas from his horrible fate. Everybody deserves someone to share their life with and love. I just hope you can to before we reunite with each other in the afterlife
Zeldana was touched by the professors words breaking down and crying in Hearthmounts arms. Hearthmount did his best to calm the distraught elf maiden.
Meanwhile outside Anca was getting annoyed having to wait so long. Surely walking into Hearthmounts house getting the will and leaving would not take this long. She decided to preoccupy her mind by thinking of ways to humiliate locals or spells she could conjure on a bunch of nearby children kicking around a rubber ball. It was as she was thinking of devious things she could do she noticed a man watching the children intently. As she watched the man, she saw the mans head roll off and the rest of his body preceeded to kick around his head on the ground like the children ball. She rubbed her eyes and had to look twice. Sure enough the man was still there kicking around his head. Anca began to circle around, calling forth a detect magic spell to locate the spellcaster responsible for the obvious illusion meant to be played as a trick on her. As she circled the building she found no trace of magic, no one else nearby, not even an animal that could have been masquerading as a familiar. Returning back to the gate Anca looked high and low, but the man was gone. The children continued to play there game without even noticing. “What the hell was going on” the witch thought….
Zedana returned moments later, leaving Hearthmount and saying goodbye. Anca could she Zeldana had been crying from her red eyes. Anca wished to prevent the woman crying any further, so she decided not to tell the oracle what she had seen. Zeldana asked if Anca could take her back to the manor, to spend somr time alone and see what research Lorrimor had left behind for her regarding her affliction. Anca decided it was a good idea, as she could get back to working out who the Whispering Way were, study the artifact the had found in the crypt and hopefully work out what in Asmodeus name they had been going on in the town.
Questioning those he could about Oghren, Ecthelion did not get any direct answers about his missing friend Oghren. Those whom were polite enough to speqk to him said they had seen the dwarf around town, but none of them had seen the dwarf today. Ecthelion did his best to sway the minds of the xenophobic locals, stopping by and pitching a hand to help those in need whenever he could. He helped one old lady retrieve her cat that had escaped under her house and helped another man put a sign up, holding the poles while the man pitoned them down. Eventually Ecthelion made his way to the deputies office. Riff was working inside again. Riff agreed to shown Ecthelion the holding cells to show the dwarf wqw not there. Ecthelion got the vibe Riff just wanted to spend some more time with him. No Oghren only Nimble Fingers. Knowing the dwarfs nature Ecthelion expected the dwarf to be here. Instead perhaps he was passed out somewhere like Kendras porter had suggested. Surely Oghren had not left Ravensgro, as Ecthelion had seen it with his own eyes the determination on the dwarfs face to unravel the mystery surrounding there mutual friends death. After speaking with Riff whom said she would “keep an eye out for the dwarf”, Ecthelion spoke to Leomar.
Leomar said he knew where the dwarf went, but would not give up the information for free. Not wanting to bribe an official, Ecthelion tried the next best thing. Ecthelion tried to persuade the deputy to cough up the info. Ecthelion said, “Sarenrae looks favorably upon those whom help her divine agents”. He went further telling Leomar the dwarf could be injured or lost, in need of help. Leomar was not interested in doing the right thing, he was more worried about getting out a full days ride. Leomar instead suggested Ecthelion could run a simply errand for him that Benjan the sheriff had wrote down on the to do board, that was required to be done within the next few days. It involved simply delivering a package to a nearby farmstead. When Ecthelion enquired as to what was in the package, Leomar got defensive and asked him if he wanted to do it or not. Unsure whether it was a good idea Ecthelion passed, saying he would search the town first and if Oghren could not be found he would drop it off the next day.
Unhappy Ecthrlion spoke to Riff again. Riff said “I’ll take you to the farmstead tomorrow afternoon if you can’t find Oghren, so you don’t get into any trouble with Benjan”. She also asked Ecthelion to accompany her for a drink. When Ecthleion suggested a date, Riff blushed and got a little embarrassed. Ecthlion thought Riff was quite attractive and as thus far had been quite helpful. She had also been kind, caring and competent. Why not indulge the girl a little, she worked hard and was a goid source of information about locals. Ecthelion informed Riff that his vows and virtues of Sarenrae prevented him from excessiv drinking. However on special occasions it was ok to have a few wines or ales. Giving Riff a kiss on the cheek which made her go even reder, Ecthelion said he would see her tonight. Happy with that, Ecthelion began to circumvent the entire village, searching and asking about the dwarf Oghren.
Ezekial spent the morning and afternoon researching the Whispering way. What he learnt was;
The Whispering Way is a sinister organization of necromancers that has been active in the Inner Sea region for thousands of years. Agents of the Whispering Way often seek alliances with undead creatures, or are themselves undead. The Whispering Way’s most notorious member was Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant, although the society itself has existed much longer than even that mighty necromancer. The Whispering Way itself is a series of philosophies that can only be transferred via whispers—the philosophies are never written or spoken of loudly, making the exact goals and nature of the secretive philosophy difficult for outsiders to learn much about. The Whispering ways symbol was that of a gagged skull.
Ezekial was a little uncomforatble about what he had learnt. It was getting late and the father was tired he decided to head back to Kendras to call it a night.
Anca ha also found some intersting information back at Lorrimors, from one of his dark art textbooks. It said “the exact details on the society are difficult to discern, but chief among the Whispering Way’s goals are discovering formulae for creating liches and engineering the release of the Whispering Tyrant. Agents often travel to remote sites or areas plagued by notorious haunts or undead menaces to perform field research or even to capture unique monsters. Their symbol is a gagged skull, and those who learn too many of the Way’s secrets are often murdered, and their mouths mutilated to prevent their bodies from divulging secrets via speak with dead”.
Anca had also discovered the purpise and use of the spirit board the adventurers had previously found in the crypt. The board was a device used to channel the dead. It could contact spirits of the diseased to answer queztion which if were channeled right would spell out anything on the board. Although she did not tell the others Anca decided to contact the spirit of Lorrimor tonight and ask him some question about his death. She asked Zeldana of she could help channel the spirits. Ezekial looked tired and the paladin had a date with a local. Anca did not like the paladin anyway, she did not think he would understand using the board. Surely folk around town would consider it devil worship.
Ecthelion had returned to the manor and was well on the way to getting himself ready for his dinner date tonight. Kendras porter had offered him some expensive clothes to wear, but Riff had told him she preferred him in his armour. Riff herself rarely wore anything but leathers. Ecthelion also felt it might be a better chance to change the mind of the locals by sharing in a social drink with them. After spurcing himself up with a few left over herbal remedy perfumes from the late professors cupboard, ge gave the rest of his friends a wink goid night and left for the tavern. Perhaps he could learn more about Oghren if folk were less suspicious and afraid of him.
As soon as Ezekial got home he left his notes of what he found on the table at Kendras, He took some of his alchemical extract before heading to his room to sleep. He knew his body would not hold up well if he continued to work as hard as he had. The alchemical extract would only offer temporary relief. It had been personally designed by Lorrimor to help Ezekial sleep, aid in developing new blood cells, rejuvenate lost energy and stabalise tge father from his condition becomming any worse. The vampire that attacked him all those years ago had literally stopped his heart from beating. Ezekial knew he had died. He had met the entity that was sent to help his soul crossover. Only to have his soul violently shunted back into his body through a shicking grasp spell used by Lorrimor to restart his heart.
Lorrimor for some time had told Ezekial the body was a complex system of electronic impulses. Although Lorrimor was no expert, he knew someone who was. Alphon Cormarc was a master at manipulating organic material with electronic impulses. Ezekial had seen Cormarc move a squid tentacle by prodding it with a statically charge iron ball held by tongs. Ezekial affliction had left him with a deathly look about him. A man whose religious beliefs were based upon that one experince. For Ezekial still swore that he had briefly met the pale lady. In one arm she clutched a harrowdeck and had three companions working beside her. The figure told him that he was to be the traitor in her collection whatever that meant.
His body had since had trouble replenshing his blood levels. Anemia is what the professor called it, but a rare form of anemia the professor had only seen extracting samples from vampyric spawns. The vampire which the fathered had leant was Vesnic Demicci. All Ezekial knew was Demicci was an ancient old vampire, at least 1000 years old. Ezekial had always considered himself lucky for surviving the attack. But his entire body was weakened beyond repair. Ezekial got sick if he spent to much time in the sunlight or pushed his body to far. He was currently feeling unwell.
It had always been strange to Ezekial how he was bestoyed the title of father. He had no formal clerical traininng, no special gifts bestowed from the powers that be, not inducted into the priesthood and nothing overtly special about yis worship. Yet dtill the priest of Pharasma saw something in his prayers that warrented such a title. Ezekial had hunted undsad, but no more then any other adventurer in Ustalav. He had thought for a time it was out of pity. It was Lorrimor whom first told him why. Ut was Ezekials natural instincts. He cared for those feeling pain, showing them a kindness like that of a dad with his little girl. Lorrimor had often told Ezekual he was more of a father to Kendra tgeb he had ever been. Even though Ezekial was only four years her senior. Lorrior work at the university forced him to travel. Ponto the porter of the manor was often to busy to spend much time with Kendra.
For two years Ezekial spent at tge manor while his body recuperated, recovered and rehabilitated. Over those two years Kendra and Ezekiak had became close. More close then Lorrimor would have liked. Lorrimor did not agree with his daughter having feelings for Ezekual. Lorrimor had shielded his daughtwr from the adventuring lifestyle his entire life. Lorrimor knew Ezekial, knew he would never stop adventuring, unless his body broke down, he became to old or he died. Whatever circumstance, after Ezekual had fully healed Lorrimor politely asked Ezekual to move on wuth his life. Tellung him Kendra did not have it in her to live an adventurers life. Ezekial knew in his heart Lorrimor spoke the truth. Kendra was fragile. Too emotional. Too kind. All trairs admirable in a woman, but not in an adventurer whise life or death relied upon being able to shelf such emotions in a dark corner of ones mind to fulfill tasks required of an adventurer.
It was because of this reason Ezekial chose to leave. He still remembered turning back. Watching Kendra slumped on the ground begging him to stay. Mesnwhile the whole time he got a polite nod from Lorrimor, which suggested he was doing the right thing. That was the last time Ezekial had seen Lorrimor. He had written Kendra various letter of his travels. Seeing wonderful places of beauty. Keepimg the dark tombs and mass grave sights of Fedagru to himself. It had been nostalgic returning to Ravensgro for Ezekial. But he knew he would have to be there for Kendra, as she did not have it in her character to get through the death of her father unscathed without a helping hand or shoulder to cry on. Ezekial decided not to let his thoughts wonder any further and went to sleep.
Ecthelion had passed the Laughing demon several times. The large half-orc who was tne bouncer had often given the halfling the stinky eye. A statement which meant a strange look that people got, when they smelt something foul or discussting. Neverthless he walked noldly up to the door. Patches the half orc moved to block him, putting his arm across Ecthelions chest. “Your kind is not allowed in” he said. Before Ecthelion could respond Riff appeared from behimd the orc. She wore her normal leather attire, except she had several flowers in her hair. “Now do not be mean patches. Ecthelion is my guest” grabbing Ecthelion by the arm and pulling him into the establishment.
As they walked in Riff introduced Ecthelion to the numerous locals that wer having a drink or some strange cuisine that was for sale. He met Councilwoman Straelock, the old proprietor of the Laughing demon before Zokar took over.
Taigh talked a little about the purse, how it offered loans to local farmers in return for a percentage of havested crops for a season. Although Ecthelion was interested with Taigh he could see that Riff felt as though she was being ignored.
The final person Ecthelion met was Sarianna Vai, owner of the Outward Inn.
The outward Inn was purported according to Sarianna to be the best inn in all of Canterwell. Ecthelion had not seen anthing else of note in Canterwell yet otherwise to justify the woman claim. Sarianna informed Ecthelion that she was a famous diva in Canterwell. If he would part with a few couns she would sing for him and his date. Ecthelion was happy to oblige.
Sariannas first song was titled a Furred Grave
Place to bury bone
Time to crawl in hole I lay and wait,
But by then it’s too late.
Better off undisturbed. I lie…
Shall I interfere, or just leave things be, or shall I dig a Furred Grave?
My achievements bring happiness, your absence brings loneliness
It’s hard not to hate what brings us apart.
I lie… I give and give, but return unsatisfied,
Is the grass greener on the other side?
Without a choice But to carry on, my never ending quest
For the best of both worlds. Am I sick?
Should I fit in your little click? Should I trade what makes me tick?
For a slap in the Face? Am I sick? Should I fit in your little click?
Should I trade what makes me tick? For a slap in the Face?
Her second song was titled the Black Assassin
See the man in black Watch as he walks by I know it’s not my turn
Or my time to die I know he?s evil Neither flesh nor bone
Obeys his master And walks the Earth alone
Black assassin Murder in disguise
Black assassin It’s your turn to die
Some say he?s a demon A plague on Glorarion
Some kind of savior From the Devil?s birth In his clutches
You will perish A wasted life That we now cherish
Her final song was called Death Is Beauty
Nothing is easy Except to feel pain The notion of pleasure Is running from my brain
Cold feelings Cold world They changed the rules today If this continues
Then death is beauty I love to feel this way Voluntary murder
Hatred to excess To rob me of my life Is to achieve success
It?s coming Death is on its way I grow tired of standing to one side Watching my life decay
The pain inside The hatred I can?t hide
After hearing her final song Ecthelion decided to tune out. The locals had an interesting way of enjoying themselves singing about death all the time. A little dreary for Ecthelions liking. Ecthelion decided he would spend the night and focus on Riff, as she was very shy, something he didn’t expect. “So did you grow up around here” Ecthelion said to bring Riff out of her shell. “No, I am from the capital in Caliphas. I moved here about four years ago, as I found city life suffocating. So I know how hard it can be for a newcomer to be accepted by the locals”. As a wench came over Ecthelion ordered an expensive wine. Riff blushed again, not expecting Ecthelion to fork out so much coin on a date. She could tell he was definitely was trying to impress her. “So what do you know about the old prison” sipping his wine slowly. His tastebuds rarely touvhed the stuff so he would make the most of it and enjoy every bit of it. It was quite bitter, more bitter then he had tasted in the few wines he had ever tasted.
“All I know is that it burnt down about 30-40 years ago during a prison riot. The warden and his wife died in the fire. As did many of the prisoners serving out there sentece in Harrowstone. The prison itself imprisoned some of the most notorious criminals in Ustalax. The town records would be able to tell you more. Why do you ask?”. “Well my friends and I are considering holding a vigil to Sarenrae where the Professor died” Ecthelion responded. “Most of the locals stick clear of it, as many believed it to be haunted. They say the if you watch the western balcony on clear nights, you can see the old executioners scythe floating around. People have also heard a strange flute emanating from inside on occasions”, Ecthelion could see Riff was allot more comfortable about talking about local superstiotions then her own personal life. So he decided to push it further.
“Were you there when they found Lorrimors body?”. Ectheliin asked . “No” Riff repled. “Benjan does regular patrols to keep people away from the ruins for there own safety. He found Lorrimors body,. I read through Benjans report,. The body was found along with some strange red markings. Benjan belueved that they were some sort of ritaul the professor was attempting to create. But without his Lorrimors head Grimburrow could not question his body. There was no physical evidence around the were the professor died to suggest foul play. Benjan put it down as simply wrong place wrong time. An unlucky coincidence”. Riff began to look over the menu to see what was on offer.
Ecthelion relaxed a little, looking around the room. He could see the locals were still uncomfortable with him being there. “Don’t worry”, Riff said “they’ll come around”. Trying to make the paladin feel more comfortable. Ecthelion order some vampire steaks, squinting his nose in dislike as he read over the menu. Riff on the other hand order some corpse chowder, laughing at Zokar’s creative names for his dishes. Ecthelion asked Riff if she had heard any strange rumours around town, specifically men in black cloaks. She told him how the laughing demon was all fun and games. Aokar serves mire corpse chowder when outsiders mysteriously leave town. Never go out the back or you could be next. A concerned look covered his face. He did not think it was funny to joke of such things sith his friend kisding and the last place he was headed was the laughing demon.
Before he had a chance to respond a the flames in the room began to flicker. Ecthelion could feel the room got cold his breath turned to an icy mist. Then the flames were entirely extinguished. In the pitch black he heard a womans death curdling scream. “Eeeearrrrhhhh”, the scream was followed by heavy footsteps. The ectoplasmic glow of a large man carrying a hammer could be flearly seen. He walked up to the woman screaming and began to bash her head in with a hammer. Riff grabbed Ecthelions arm. The halfling was unsure whether or not he should draw his weapon to ruah to the womans aid or protect Riff. With the bloodied body of the woman on the ground, the dwarf seached through the woman skull looking for something. Seconds latter the image disappeared. And only the dragging noise of a hammer remained, as it grinded on wood. The flames in tbe room flicked back on. the room was silent before chuckles began to emenate around the room.
“You’ve done it again Zokar” one man said. “He must have conjured this up with Aleundru” another said. “He never fails to please” a woman said. Laughs began to emanate around the room. Looking over a Zokar Ecthelion could see the man had a concerned look on his face. Riff began to breathe a little easier. Ecthelion knew there was more to that entity he just witnessed, as he could see the purply white residue left over on the floorboards. “Something else to tell the others” Ecthelion thought. He just hoped Oghren did not have something similar happen to him. He decided he would enjoy the rest of the night despite what he had seen. He owed that to Riff. After enjoying a few more drinks, sharing some tales, a few dances with Riff, a meal and a nice walk back to Riffs home Ecthelion gave Riff a kiss and thanked hrr for the jight. He swid he would see her again tomorrow, kissing her on the hand.
Meanwhile back at the Manor Anca preparer the spirit board in Lorrimors study, clearing off his table. Zeldana had had second thoughts, she decided to spend the night reading over the professors notes. Anca was alone. She stated of a chant.
There is a land where we all go, Whence ne’er the frost nor cold wind blow, And friends remembered reunite, And those who hate, forget their spite, In glow surround these gentle beings, We call you now to bless our meetings, Heaven’s promise, our spirits thrive, So now for the living, let the dead come alive.
Greetings spirits,
Speak thee to us?
“Spirits hear my cry i summon you from the other side come to me and cross the great divide. I call upon the spirit of petros Lorrimor. Spirit of Petros Lorrimor, I bid thee enter The Outer Circle. The Second Circle. The Inner Circle. I am protected by this Pentacle upon my breast. Which bears the name of of the Pale Lady, Pharasma. I bid thee, Spirit, Reveal thy Earthly name!
Zaldana broke in and stole some historical records from the townhall. Ecthelian went out on a date with a local deputy, an ex halfling rogue named Riff. Ezekial studied religious records held at the cloister of Pharasma. Meanwhile Anca keep studying the strange spirit board and made sure Kendra was never alone. They find a severed head of a cat with a “V” painted in blood on statue in the town square.
To fulfil his promise to Leomar (Human deputy), the next day Ezekial goes to drop off the strange parcel to a bizarre farmstead off the main road into Ravensgro, about four hours travel outside of town. Refusing to hand over the parcel to the gangly malformed man. On the ride back to town Ezekial and Ecthelian encounter a hunting party of the hillmen. Both the hero’s riding horses loose there front legs to a trap. However, father Ezekial and Ecthelian manage to fight off the hill men, dragging one back to Ravengro alive to stand trail for the various merchants that had disappeared. That night the heroes fight off a group of striges who attack Kendra in her home, bewitched by haunting pipes. Kendra spends the night in Ezekials room afraid to be alone at night.
Tracking down Leomar the next day, the man who had tricked them, the heroes learnt that the hillmen stay outside of when humanoid body parts are delivered to them for them to eat. Learning that several other hillmen still inhabit the cannibal farmstead the heroes set out at night time to return and eradicate the rest of he Urgathoa worshipers. Unable to convince sheriff Benjan to accompany them, Ecthelian instead convinces Riff to join them. Travelling to the farmstead, the heroes are careful to navigate around the various traps laid down in wait. Arriving at the house they find the mutilated corpse of the dwarf they had only met days before, a friend of professor Lorrimor whom attended the funeral.
Investigating strange noises in the rear of the house the heroes located a small trapdoor that lead down in a 3ft tunnel nexus.
Guided by only a singly lit lantern and the eyes of the mysteriously cursed oracle, the heroes venture into the dark tunnels. Strange echoes of insanity bellowed through the tunnels. The gruff snorts of hungry cannibals. Afraid, dodging traps an taking turns of being at the back and front, the heroes ultimately find the inner sanctum of the hillmen, slaughtering several of the cannibals along the way.
Finding the matron and children of the inbred folk, the heroes slaughter the last of them. Inspecting the sanctum, they find piles of corpses, body parts cooking in a broth, tanned human skin and the wall decorated in blood drawn hieroglyphics.
Returning to Ravengro the heroes find out that recently deceased folk are waking from there graves. Following a strange luminescent sphere in the street they are lead to the town square, where once again the find the decapitated head of an animal (horse) with the letters “VES” written in blood. Dispersing the entities spiritual form, the heroes have a troubled night sleep about just what in the nine hells is really going on in Ravengro, more importantly, what is going on in Harrowstone prison.
Loot X1 +1 Machete (medium sized)
X4 Machetes (medium sized)
X1 Potion of Fly
X1 Potion of cure moderate wounds
X6 daggers (medium sized)
75gp
250gp gems
X5 leather armor (medium sized)
X3 crossbows (medium sized)
X2 longbows (medium sized)
100gp rings
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