Carrion Crown Session 30

Session 30

DUNGEON MASTER: [GAME STARTS HERE]

DUNGEON MASTER: [Your watch order is: Grundig-Johan-Mesodias-Solar.]

DUNGEON MASTER: The night passes without incident, except for the occasional Growls of Shadow Splatterface out on the balcony and the sound of carriages and drunkards out in the street below.  Morning dawns clear as an autumn day can be.

DUNGEON MASTER: Breakfast is served at a long oak dining table in an impressively appointed dining room below.  The servants and butler (he a bald, severe man) are obviously acquainted with the protocol for serving the wealthy and the powerful.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "How is everyone this morning? Did you all rest well, recover from the time on the road?"

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan queries his companions between mouthfuls of fresh bread and the mornings asortment of food.

SOLAR CE’NEA: I slept well thank you

GRUNDIG: Well thank you I have never sleeped on such a soft bed before.

 grundig fumbles his way through breakfast not use to the elaborate servings of the rich.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "So what are we up to today? I for one would like to check out that stone structure outside the city walls if that is allowed including of course finishing up our unfinished business," says Johan.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar has his breakfast feeling comfortable in the setting

SOLAR CE’NEA: Perhaps we should first retrun these books, I believe we will get a reward and then can equipt ourselves with the gear we wanted to buy and can check out the stone structure in the process

GRUNDIG: “I would like very much to get our business out of the way first and maby have a look around at a few shops myself.”

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Shopping for some good gear sounds good to me. I bet a town this size would have a better variety compared to Ravengo," replies Johan.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar suggests going to the University first and return that book

SOLAR CE’NEA: A walk sounds good to get there perhaps dear Kendra you would liek to accompany us or do you have work you would like to do that is seperate

DUNGEON MASTER: "I might spend the day getting things settled," she replies with a smile. "I'd like to get my wardrobe ironed and hung up."

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar tries to hide his disappointment, Fair enough my Lay, you should be safe enough here!

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Take care with that while we take a closer look around town," replies Johan.

DUNGEON MASTER: The party sets out on foot towoards Lepidstadt University to find Dr. Montagnie Crowl.  The streets are considerably emptier in the bright morning than the night before.  Everywhere the remenants of the nights festivities are in evidence.

SOLAR CE’NEA: As Solar is walking he does what he does in every town he goes into, he looks around to see if he can see anyone observing him and his companions (looking for people that might try to find new people to town who would be easy marks)

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Whoever this guy is that have locked up definately is not popular around here. Check out the mess left over from last night?" Johan picks his way through the litter and mess left over from the celebrations the previous night.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Percpetion 1d20+4 =23

SOLAR CE’NEA: Yes I hope he actually did what they said he did or else he's got no chance, they clearly hate him, would hat to be his defence team for his trial

GRUNDIG: Grundig keeps his eye out not use to being in such a large town

DUNGEON MASTER: Solar notices no one watching them--indeed, the streets are pretty empty at this hour.  Lepidstadt appears to be a city on holiday.

DUNGEON MASTER: The University is not difficult to find, and a brief inquiry is enough to direct the heroes to the antiquities department.  The tall, marble-pillared building is currently the subject of a rennovation being conducted by several builders and craftsman whose hammers and saws are audible in the morning air.

Dr. Crowl greets the heroes in a wide room that appears to serve as both a library and a workshop.  The high–ceilinged workshop/library is lined with mostly empty shelves, and a trio of great leaded windows looks out over the university lawn. A staggering array of books, scrolls, maps, and curios, including shrunken heads, tribal masks, and bits of pottery, lie scattered all over the f loor, apparently pulled from the shelves. The room is otherwise crowded with overturned tables, desks, and cabinets.

Dr. Crowl himself is a short, long-haired man with a likeable smile and a pair of bug-eyed bifocals."Hello and good morning to ye!" he says jovially.  "I'll ask you to excuse the appearances--we've had a bit of a break-in, as you might have heard."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan raises his eyebrows, "I'm afraid we are at a loss? We were unaware of a break-in."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Is everyone ok?  no-one was injured?

DUNGEON MASTER: "No one injured, thank Pharasama! But the damage!" he cries waving his hand around wildly.  "No idea what the Beast was doing here in the first place!  Raging about and stomping and shattering and breaking!"

SOLAR CE’NEA: The Beast? Is this where they caught him?

GRUNDIG: Grundig looks around the room and turns to dr Crowl and askes “do you know what they where after.”

DUNGEON MASTER: "It is! Haven't you heard!  He was in here, raging like a demon, right out of hell you understand, and then he suddenly quiets down and the guards take him.  Almost nothing missing, which is a odd to my mind.  Anyway, how can I help you?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: ALmost nothing, what was taken?  did they find it on the beast?

SOLAR CE’NEA: Oh I am sorry my dear Dr, we are associates of Professor Lorrimor, unfortunately he recently passed, and in his will he asked us to bring you these.  Solar indicates what the Professor asked them to bring

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan quickly produces the items Solar refers to from his backpack for Dr Crowl to inspect.

GRUNDIG: "do you know what type of creature this beast is"

DUNGEON MASTER: "Don't know for sure about any 'they'--it was just the beast so far as we know, and the only thing missing so far is that stone effigy.  The Seasage Effigy, we called it.  Wasn't on the Beast when they took him, so maybe there was others involved in this as well.  I believe that's probably how it came out."

To Solar he replies: "I had heard about poor Lorrimor.  Such a tragedy!  Heard it was a falling gargoyle, but I don't believe a word of that.  He was a man of action, who took his theires out in the field to test them!  Mark my words, it wasn't a falling stone that killed the old grouch!"

DUNGEON MASTER: He accepts the book with thanks.

DUNGEON MASTER: "I didn't see the Beast myself, but the guards said he was a stitched horror, a golem, an abomination.  I'd guess on a flesh golem of some sort, based on their description."

SOLAR CE’NEA: We don't believe the Professor died neatly from a gargoyle either.  I say Dr out of curiosity have you heard of the Whispering way (percpetion check 1d20+4=10 Solar is loking to see the Drs reaction)

SOLAR CE’NEA: Strange, what would a Flesh GOlem what with a stone effigy, was it magical or just historically significant?

GRUNDIG: was there anything unusual about the Seasage Effigy that you could tell us?

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "That is most unexpected. A flesh golem that is. Do flesh golems possess some sense of intelligence to search for items and suddenly leave quietly when the guards show up?" Johan scratches his head at the thought not quiet knowing what is the norm for a flesh golem.

DUNGEON MASTER: "Now what a question you ask!" he says drawing up and peering over his spectacles at Solar.  "I certainly have heard of them.  Any proper Scholar of Antiquties in this land knows of them of course.  Are you such a scholar?"

To Grundig: "Not a thing!  It was three foot tall stone statue that wasn't magical in the least.  The golem or whatever the beast is didn't have it with him when he...it...was captured and I don't know that it *would* interest him, actually."

SOLAR CE’NEA: I am A Scholar, my family is the Ce'nedras

DUNGEON MASTER: To Johan: "Not as a general rule, no.  Although I'm not sure I would call his submitting to arrest 'leaving quietly'."

SOLAR CE’NEA: My family are significant researchers/ scolars at a university in Vasisia

GRUNDIG: is there sighnes of a brake in or do you think he got in by other means

SOLAR CE’NEA: And the Effigy wasn't found on him? that would mean he either gave it to someone or hid it here.  I wonder professor, for my own curiosity sake could we look around where he was rampaging

DUNGEON MASTER: To Solar: "Your family name does sound somewhat familiar.  Well!  It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

To Johan: "I can't see why not--here, let me show you about."

SOLAR CE’NEA: The pleaseure is all mine dear Dr, I am always very happy to know and confere with other Scholars, hence my close association with the Professor

GRUNDIG: grundig looks arround for sighnes of an accomlice to the beast. survival check 1d20+11=20

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar looks around for clues of what actually happened here, if the door or Window is borken, easy to open , which way the door or window shards are facing (to determined if the door/window were opened from inside or outside,) any unusual markings any burn marks indicating magic forcing entry, and if anything has been slide along the floor (scuff marks etc) percpetion 1d20+4= 22

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar follows this up with a detect magic sweep

DUNGEON MASTER: Grundig notices the tracks of huge, heavy, iron-nailed boots.  The trail is easy to follow—the footprints enter in through the back door, then passe through the auditorium on his way to the workshop.

"Here is where the effigy stood," puts in Prof. Crowl.  "As I said, it was just a three foot tall statue, greenish, and it had a face full of grotesque tentacles.  Personally I think it might have been an idol to one of the mysterious cults of the Dark Tapestry, but that's just speculation.  It's been part of our collection here for years.  And I'm sure it'll be back in our collection shortly, with the Beast already in custody."

GRUNDIG: grundig turns to his companions and tells them what he has found and continues to follow them.

DUNGEON MASTER: The tracks go back and forth across the room a couple of times, following a pattern of thrashed display cases and broken furniture.

DUNGEON MASTER: A number of the items in the display cases radiate magic.  Solar discovers that the back door was clearly forced open from the outside, along with the remains of a fine silver wire and a tiny bell that appear to be the components for an alarm spell.  There is a distinct smell of beeswax in the air.

Interestingly, the area where the Seasage Effigy once stood appears to not have been touched by the Beast's rampage--the glassware is all unbroken, the small, delicate fetishes that line the display case are covered with a bit of dust indicating they have not been moved in some time, and the wood is unsplintered.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Dr, do you know about this wire and an alarm spell, is this something done by the University? or was it someone not offical

SOLAR CE’NEA: Why is there the smell of beeswax? is that normal Dr?

DUNGEON MASTER: "Yes, we set the alarm--it's something we set up every night.  It alerted the guards and they came and apprehended the Beast in short order."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Ahhhh

DUNGEON MASTER: After inquiring amongst the workers, the Professor discovers and informs Solar that the smell is the cleaning polish used throughout the university.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Do you know how long it took the guards to get to the best from when he set of the alarm?

GRUNDIG: did the beast have iron clad shoo's

DUNGEON MASTER: "I didn't see them, but I imagine he may have."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Do you have any infuence with the city guard? If the beast has some capacity of intellect it might answer some questions if asked correctly. This assumes it is able to speak," says Johan. Johan inspects the room for places that could be used to conceal the statue using the signs of disturbance and the tracks as somewhat of a guide.

Perception check: 1d20+9 = 20

Survival check: 1d20+10 = 30

DUNGEON MASTER: "I don't know, but about a minute I imagine."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "He could have swollowed it if the beast is a fairly decent size. Being a golem it might not have killed it to do such an obscure thing," states Johan.

DUNGEON MASTER: Johan does a pretty thourough search of the room.  He does not find any hidden Effigies, though there could be any number of nooks and crannies in this rather large room.  He does discover one interesting thing however--of the three windows in the workshop, two are covered in grime, but one is not.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan gestures to the window of interest for all to see, "This window looks like it has recently been adjusted while the others have not. It's really the only thing that stands out to me. May I inspect it further with your permission?"

DUNGEON MASTER: "Interesting! Yes, yes be my guest!"

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan asks Mesodias for his Rope of Climbing. He inspects the window carefully before opening it. His intension is to activate the Rope of Climbing to attach to the roof or a section of the external building to search outside for anything of interest.

DUNGEON MASTER: "Eeeeeeehhh," says Mesodias, fishing the rope from his bags.

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar says to Grundig, could you look outside for foot prints, if it was passed outside, the weight may make footprints easier to spot

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan Climb check: 1d20+8 = 21

Johan Perception check: 1d20+9 = 26

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar ask the Dr. were these ladders and equiptment here when the Beast made his entry?

DUNGEON MASTER: "Indeed they were not!" replies the professor.  "The city paid for the damages out of gratitude for our guardmen's courage in apprehending the Beast!"

SOLAR CE’NEA: Well deserved Sir, Well desevered indeed!

GRUNDIG: Grundig looks outside for any sighns of tracks as Johan sergests.

Survival 1d20+11=26

SOLAR CE’NEA: I am new to the town, is the City usually this generous, it may be worth moving to such a generous town?

DUNGEON MASTER: Johan discovers the roof is made of clay tiles.  None of them appear to be chipped or broken above the windows.  There are no workman in sight up here--or anything else for that matter, except for a pair of ravens nesting near the eaves.

DUNGEON MASTER: "In this case?  Why it is the least they could do!  That thing has allegedly been terrorizing the countryside for years!"

DUNGEON MASTER: Grundig discovers no tracks in the lawn outside the window--which stands to reason, as it has been several days since the break-in occured.

DUNGEON MASTER: "The break-in occured two nights prior," puts in the professor.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Dr just one final question from me, do you perchance have any idea of the approximate weight of this idol?

DUNGEON MASTER: "Hmm.  It was three feet tall and fairly thin--I'd say it was about thirty pounds at the most."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan climbs back down before returning the Rope of Climbing to Mesodias. "Thanks for the rope. Looks like no sign of disturbance on the rooftop. I don't know what has happened here."

SOLAR CE’NEA: I like Grundigs theory but I cna't see how we can truely establish what actually happened, it is a mystery

SOLAR CE’NEA: We hope your atifact is returned soon Dr

DUNGEON MASTER: "Well that was all very interesting," says the professor  "I suppose the artifact must have been passed out the window.  But why? And to whom?" he gestures wildly.  "He is to be executed in a few days.  I hope the city gets to the bottom of this soon!"

DUNGEON MASTER: "Good day!"

DUNGEON MASTER: The party heads back out into Lepidstadt, back towards the townhouse that is the residence of Judge Daramid.  It is a fine building, filled with art, and situated near the center of the town.  She answers the door herself, and invites the party in at once.

"I had heard of Lorrimor's death," she says sadly.  "It is a shame--he was a good man and a good friend."

*** DUNGEON MASTER sent judge daramid.png judge daramid.png judge daramid.png ***

SOLAR CE’NEA: Indeed your Honour, it is not just a lost to us but to humanity as well, his contirbutions in many different fields will be missed

SOLAR CE’NEA: The Professor askes us to give you a book of a sensative nature

DUNGEON MASTER: "I saw the will.  What books did he will to me?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: As Johan gets the willed items out, Solar goes on to expalin to the judge what Johan Mesodius and he had experienced, fought and overcome  since going to the Porfessors funeral.

DUNGEON MASTER: Judge Daramid listens quietly as Solar tells of thier adventures.  She is a stern woman, whose gray hair is pulled back in a way that emphasizes her icy blue eyes--eyes that narrow in anger at the tragedy that nearly befell the professor's hometown.  She reacts in a similar fashion to the speculation that the professor was murdered by the whispering way, and finally one more time when the group relates what they discovered in the university a mere hour ago.

"You have done well," she begins, "to prevent these awful injustices.  I cannot imagine what would have happened without your timely aid."  At that she takes the books graciously from Johan and pays each hero the 100pp to which he was entitled.

But then she continues: "There is another injustice afoot in our town too, I am afriad.  This beast--I am afraid he will find no justice when he stands before the tribune this week.  In the townsfolk's eyes, he is guilty.  His cousel is... honest, but lacking, and I have doubt that my fellow judges will be interested in seeking out the truth when it is more convienient to kill this thing and be done.  You have made your delivery to me.  Have you plans to journey on at once?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar looks at his companions and says, Well I had not really planned anything inparticular after this point, I was oging to see what was around and decide then

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Please tell us what it is you know of the beast and the circumstances behind his fate," says Johan. "It seems everyone has trialed him already yet he is something of a mystery to me being an outsider."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Yes it seems a little strange, no-one has really investigated what happened at the University as far as I could see.

GRUNDIG: is there any evidance to sugest that he is inosant in any way?

DUNGEON MASTER: "There are many stories and rumors of his crimes, but I have also heard tales of his kindesses as well.  And I do not like this business of him being trapped in the University--why would he do that to himself?  Your guesses about idols being passed out windows concern me further." She pasues and looks around at the heroes.  "I cannot intervene myself--I am a judge, and it would not be... expedient for me to speak on his behalf.  But you four--If you were to aid the Beast's barrister in ensuring a fair trial, I would pay you again what you were given in the will."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Payment is good, and if we succedd I would certainly welcome it but I suspect even with out that offer we maybhave started investigating on our own, we find this strange, however investigating it with your authority behind us would make it much easier!

GRUNDIG: we can aide do you have any idear on where we might start.

DUNGEON MASTER: "Investigating with my authority would achieve nothing but forcing me to recuse myself from this case," she replies.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Ahhh of course your honour, I mearly meant having your blessing so if people think we are interferring and try to have us locked up as there appears to be very heated opposition against the beast that there would be someone understanding that we are not trouble makers and able to judge us accordingly

SOLAR CE’NEA: Does the Beast have a name, and does he not have someone reprenting him, perhaps they would be willing to accept our assitance

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "I'm sure after what we have been though we can get to the bottom of this mess. And as an outsider we won't care for any politics of bullshit we find along the way," says Johan.

DUNGEON MASTER: "You have my gratitude, but it is important that you act as free agents in this matter.  You will need to register with the court clerks as volunteer defenders for the Beast.  Also you will want to meet with Barrister Gustav Kaple, to see what assistnace he requires.  As I have said, he is an honest man.  But he stutters.  ...And it is best if my offer of payment be kept between us."

DUNGEON MASTER: The Judge looks sharply at Johan's profanity, but holds her tongue.  "I have every faith in you, as the professor Lorrimor did," she replies.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Understood your honour, we will only be looking for the truth to resent to the court and the people, so the payment would not sway what we do nor need it to be publisised

DUNGEON MASTER: "I believe that.  And that is why I can offer it with a clear concience."

SOLAR CE’NEA: SHould we mention to Barrister Gustav that you thought we may be of assitance or is it best he doesn't know?

SOLAR CE’NEA: Just not sure how strnagers would be recieved there

DUNGEON MASTER: "He does not need to know.  He seems...out of his depths, and I am sure he would be glad for assistance.  He is not in a position to question where his assistnace comes from."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Understood!

GRUNDIG: yes by all means we shell register with the corts and seek out Gustay and find out what he knows.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Is there anything else pertinant that we should know your honour about the beast.

DUNGEON MASTER: "The Beast?  He is intelligent, though he is also cunning.  He seems baffeled by the laws of the world of men, but at the same time he is no fool.

DUNGEON MASTER: "He has no name that I know of, other than 'The Beast of Lepidstadt'.  He answers to it."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Does anyone know who created him? He sounds like something put together in a story to scare children from staying out late. And yet you mention he almost has a soul and a free will which makes this even more interesting if that is the right way to put it," says Johan as he ponders the makings of the beast.

DUNGEON MASTER: "I do not know.  He mentioned his father once during our conversation, but he would not speak of the matter further."

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "If we do wish to speak to you would down the track what is the best way to get word to you? Do you have a place we could drop off a letter without attracting attention between us until this matter has been resolved?"

DUNGEON MASTER: "You can leave messages at this house and I will recieve them at night.  The trial will begin tomorrow and is scheduled to run for three days. During the trial I will unavailiable, except of course in official capacity.  Judgement should be rendered on the third day.  The citizens expect to see the beast burn on that evening," she finishes grimly.

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "I'm happy to work during the night collecting evidence and reviewing paperwork involved. That last one was meant for Solar."

GRUNDIG: well then we should waist on more time and make a start on this right away

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Grundig and myself can track any footprints of interest and find anything otherwise has been concealed."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Finally your honour, If I might be so bold, why did the Professor give you such an item in his will?  do you know why, I ask becasue although I trust the professors judgement and asking us to investigate the truth here clearly makes you as a good person, such a gift is not made lightly and I wonder if you have knowledge of evil things that may be happening in this country involving the Whispering Way or the Order of the palpatine

DUNGEON MASTER: "He gave it to me because he had borrowed it from me," she replies.  "I know of the Whispering Way, and I believe they murdered Professor Lorrimor because he was their enemy.  Your story seems to confirm that."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Do you know if the Whispering way are active here?

SOLAR CE’NEA: I would also like to hunt down and find the Professors killer

JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "I agree with that statement." says Johan. "The Whispering Way may have captured Roddyn Hawkran's soul. He was the warden and all that was stopping the haunts from taking over control of the prision. This why somehow be connected in some manner that escapes me."

DUNGEON MASTER: "I don't know," she replies to Solar. 

To Johan: "It may be, and then again, it may not--I have no evidence of their involvement here, besides the general stench of manipulation and destruction that follows them and many, many others."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Well thank you your Honour I think we have taken up enough of you time, unless my companions can think of anything else to ask, whe whould be on our way

DUNGEON MASTER: "Then you have my thanks, and I wish you good luck," she replies, showing the heroes out.