An Unfriendly Welcome

Session 1 Part 1 Recap

From the Journal of Sister Carlotta Dumaine, Dawnbringer of Sarenrae

Oathday, 1^st of Pharast, 4712 AR

The journey to Ravengro from Vigil was longer than I expected as my guide, one Feldrin half-elven, took us on a path that led around the dangerous land Virlych. When we finally arrived in the backwater village of Ravengro, Feldrin made a quick exit, leaving me alone so he could go off hunting some suspected necromancer to the south. I was just as glad to be rid of the serious and soft-spoken ranger as I did not find his company all that pleasant. I did feel a bit bad for him, as seemed rather embarrassed to be around a woman and was obviously not used to the social aspect of travelling with company. Nevertheless, I shall have to inform father of his desertion of me upon our arrival. He would not want to hear that the man hired to protect me took off on some wild goose chase the first chance he got.

Because of the circuitous route we took to get to Ravengro, we arrived late and I didn’t even have a chance to change my clothes before the funeral. I felt like a beggar in my mud-caked robes and the breastplate father bought for me, though custom fit for me, is rather cumbersome and ill-suited for long distance travel and makes my back and shoulders ache if worn for any length of time. As a result, I was not in the best of moods upon arriving, and I fear I may have made a poor first impression on those I have met.

Prior to the funeral I was introduced to Kendra Lorrimor, the professor’s daughter. She’s a pretty enough girl, though her funeral fashion seems to be a few years out of date. She seems to be taking her father’s death particularly hard and looks a little too thin and pale. Aside from that, there was no time for further introductions, though the small funeral procession consisted of a handful of locals and three other foreigners: a rough looking barbarian from the north, and two exotic looking elves. It saddens me to think that in the professor’s long life, so few people would come to pay their respects. I hope that when my time comes, a larger crowd gathers to see me off.

Before the professor was finally laid to rest however, we were to gain more company. As we made our way through the Restlands, we were accosted by six local farmhands who did not want us to bury the professor in the cemetery. Apparently, they thought he was some sort of necromancer and felt he didn't deserve the honour of a traditional burial. Kendra grew angry at their accusations and the six farmhands, wielding an assortment of tools, moved into to scare us off. Unfortunately for them, they did not expect any resistance. The barbarian immediately began threatening the mob with his gigantic hammer and that sent three of them running. As the three remaining peasants moved in to attack, the silver-haired elf, Aeros, unleashed a spell that resulted in a riot of colours, which knocked the leader of the mob unconscious. Thayel, the other elf, showing no emotion, quickly kicked the feet out from under another attacker and brought his axe up his throat, demanding he surrender. Panicked and alone, the remaining attacker lashed out unsuccessfully at the barbarian. Not wanting to kill the poor fool, the barbarian Gisley attempted to pummel him into submission with his giant fists. He missed wildly on his first swing, but eventually managed to bring the peasant down. After the skirmish, Aeros wanted to tie the peasants up, but Father Grimburrow the priest arrived on the scene and suggested that the humiliating beat down was punishment enough.

With that bit of unpleasantness behind us, we continued on our way and the funeral went off without further incident. After the funeral, we were invited back to the Lorrimor house for the reading of the professor’s will.  As we waited for the solicitor to arrive with the professor’s will, we introduced ourselves and talked about how each of us knew the professor. It seems trust is hard to come by these days and I sensed that each of my new companions held back much about themselves and their relationships with the professor. I wonder if the days ahead will see them open up a little more. It was at this time that Kendra also told us a little bit about how her father died. Apparently, he had been investigating the ruins of Harrowstone, a burned down prison to the south of town, when a stone gargoyle fell off the crumbling roof and crushed him. Such a tragic and ignoble death for one so learned.

The solicitor, an overweight, drowsy-eyed noble by the name of Vashian Hearthmount arrived about an hour later. It was obvious that he didn’t approve of us being there, but the professor had insisted. It was then that we were to learn that we were expected by the professor to stay in Ravengro for a month to make sure his daughter was alright. We also came into possession of a number of dangerous tomes the professor wanted us to deliver to his colleagues in Lepidstadt, for which we would be paid a handsome sum of 100 platinum pieces each. Though I am in no need of extra cash, I daresay that the others do not look as well off as I and will gladly jump at the chance to make some easy coin.

Amongst the professor’s belongings we also found his journal which he had indicated he wanted us to read. Inside we found several circled entries dating back as far back as ten years, referencing some diabolical cult known as the Whispering Way. According to the professor, this cult had been active in the area and he was investigating their activity up near the old prison days before he had died. We now believe that the professor’s death was no accident or mere coincidence. The professor also mentioned that he thought the prison was haunted and had gone to a false tomb in the Restlands where a number of holy items were stashed to help him should he come across any unquiet spirits.

We all knew that a trip to the ruined prison would be in order, but before we headed off into possible danger, we decided to research the Whispering Way a bit in the professor’s study. Our research turned up precious little, indicating that they were an ancient cult dedicated to necromancy and undeath and that the dreaded Whispering Tyrant, scourge of Avistan in ages past had been a member of their cult.

As I sit here now in my room, the sun is going down on my first day in Ravengro. The day has brought more than its fair share of surprises and I am both excited and wary of what the coming days will bring. We have decided to go to the Restlands tonight under the cover of darkness (so as to not have the locals believe we are raiding the graves of their kin) and find this false tomb so we can outfit ourselves with the necessary tools to overcome what lies ahead. As I said earlier, I am anxious about my situation, but I do want to find out why the professor died. I owe him that much at least.

I find myself growing more upset over the fact that Feldrin has left me, for if ever I needed his protection, it will be tonight. If he wanted to hunt necromancers, he need only acquire a little patience, for it seems that we may have a few on our hands here.