Kendra was awake early the following morning and the smells of oatmeal and tea wafted through the house. After breakfast Garland and Shara bid farewell to the group to make their way to the city's temple of Pharasma.

They were greeted by an acolyte who bowed politely and led them to Father Grimburrow's simple cell. The aging priest raised a hand in a gesture of blessing.

"What brings you here, my children?" He asked rheumatically.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:40, Tue 22 Jan 2019.

Garland payed special attention to the archetecture of the temple noting not only the architectural differences but also artistic ones from the massive Cathedral he called home back in Caliphas. As they entered Garland made a slight bow as was traditional for someone in a junior position. "Hello Father, Im pleased we could meet under better circumstances. As a formal introduction I am Garland Van Burke, a cleric of the first circle in Caliphas Moonlight Cathedral. As per Petros Lorrimor's will I and several of the ones you met yesterday will be staying in Ravengro for some time. However some things about Petros' life and his death have come to light and I will be investigating further to find the truth of his death. My new friend here Shara and I came here hoping you might be able to aid us in that investigation."

Shara walks silently behind Garland, and at the cleric's introduction copies his bow towards the elder priest. Her eyes watch the man carefully, intently searching for signs of deception in the conversation to come, a gaze mirrored by the whippoorwill on her shoulder.



Passive Perception of 20, passive Sense Motive of 19.

Father Grimburrow met Garland's introduction with a benediction and invited both him and Shara to sit.

"How are affairs at the Cathedral? How is father Zosima? Still keeping a ready eye on the novices, I expect. My duties here kept me from making my pilgrimage there last year. Perhaps next season." He shrugged his wizened shoulders and gave them a kindly smile.

His face grew graver as Garland spoke, and he leaned forward.

"A shame about the professor. He was quite secular by nature, but respectful and wise none the less. Quite the blow to young Miss Lorrimor.

The temple's archives are open to you, and we will lend you what aid we can, within reason."

---

Shara doesn't manage to get a hunch about the situation.

11:02, Today: GM, on behalf of Garland Van Burke, rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Diplomacy.

Garland sits patiently and folds his hands in his lap, listening to the ageing priest with genuine interest. "The cathedral sits as usual as one of the centers of worship in Ustalav. We see many coming to it in pilgrimage before moving on to other sites across the nation. However the society has changed somewhat, I believe due to many of the young men and women seeking the lady's power. Many young novices wish to take up arms and cleanse Ustalav of creatures of the night and while their hearts are in the right places, I've had to pull far to many back from the brink of death.

There is a sorrowful pause for a moment as Garland thinks about the recklessness of this new generation of acolytes. "Last I saw him Father Zosima still stands as a beacon of light to the new generation. While I do not know him that well, I can say that he still teaches with knowledge and experience, if anyone can curb the reckless actions of our novices, its him."

As he hears his pleas for aid are heard Garland bows his head respectfully. "Thank you Father. The archives may hold the answers to what Petros was looking for in Harrowstone. On another matter, something in Petros journal mentioned a false crypt within the restlands, he specifically wrote that it was within the intersection between the black path and eversleep. He also wrote that there were a number of tools there that would help defend against restless spirits. Do you know anything of this crypt?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:44, Thu 24 Jan 2019.

Father Grimburrow scratched his chin, folding his arms in front of his as he wracked his long memory.

"A false crypt? No, I don't recall reading anything about a false crypt in the archives. I'll have one of the acolytes search for any mention of it in the temple records.

We support the temple with sales of indulgences, holy water, some spell casting, but I don't know anything of 'tools to defeat spirits'.

Prayer, and keeping your nose out of sticky situations. That's the best defense against spirits." The old priest said with a sage wink.

Garland shook his head back and forth slowly, somewhat disagreeing with the old priest on a fundamental level. "Petros mentioned that the temple may not have been aware of it but knowing him as I did, I trust his information. If Harrowstone truely is haunted this will not be my first time facing the ghosts of Ustalav and if I learned anything from my last encounter it is that knowledge about your target is both the best defense and offense. We will investigate this lead further, should we find the false crypt I would request the presence of one of your priests should we need to exhume the crypt, they would be far more familiar with Ravengro's traditional burial rights and architecture then I."

Father Grimburrow's brow furrowed and he tapped a knobbly finger against his chin.

"I suppose you're as qualified as anyone to retrieve church property from the crypt, if it exists." He said.

"I'll send Enos with you when you go to investigate." He gestured to the acolyte who had inducted Garland and Shara into the temple and was now hoovering nearby, polishing the statuary.

"Any items you find there should be retrieved and brought here to the temple to be inspected and cataloged. If you really do plan to investigate Harrowstone you may find them useful, if there's anything there."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:09, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

"I am well versed in the handling of spirits, but any supplies you could lend to our cause of purging the darkness from the area and investigating the death of the dear professor would be most appreciated. Holy water, scrolls, potions. We will of course return any information and relics of the church we recover." Shara chimes in, sounding as sweet as she can.


12:48, Today: Shara rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Diplomacy.
Nat 20, nice.

"Very well I will come for Enos should we require further assistance." he said softly, giving the young priest a firm nod of respect before he turned back to Father Grimburrow. "I am a man that believes to take you must give back. Very much like the cycle of life and death the lady of graves see's over. For all that you have given us, should you require assistance please come to the Lorrimor estate where I will be staying. I am a well versed scholar though my talents at healing, both magical and mundane, are notable as well. If there is any way I can assist the temple you need only ask."

He looks over at Shara, awaiting an answer about further assistance though Garland feels hes taken enough for now. "I think we should return to the others and see if they've discovered anything before we consult the archives." he suggested.

Father Grimburrow nodded kindly to Shara, clearly swayed by her honeyed words.

"If the situation is as serious as you say I will make our resources available to you. Speak with Enos or Tamara if you have need of any of our equipment." He said.

"I shall certainly call on you if we need assistance, although there is little excitement in as small a town as Ravengro. Although..." He looked troubled and glanced about nervously.

"I couldn't say that there was some definite problem, but things seem...darker in town. Just in the last two weeks or so. People are more hostile and suspicious. People seem on edge. Normal arguments between neighbors escalate into fights. And there was the disturbance at the funeral yesterday. I know those men, none of them are the kind of men who would put an innocent young girl through trouble like that." He shrugged wearily, knobbly shoulders rising and falling.

"Ah well, this too shall pass. Go in peace, my children." He said, waving a blessing over Garland and Shara.

---

The temple of Pharasma sells potions of cure light wounds, potions of lesser restoration, and holy water.

Due to Shara's high diplomacy roll they will also offer their special items for sale, a single dose of incense of meditation, a +1 silver morningstar, a wand of cure moderate wounds (19 charges), and a scroll of restoration.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:13, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

Shara nodded and bowed at Father Grimburrow respectfully.

"Thank you very much for your assistance, Father." she said to the man.

"Shall we?" she added, looking at Garland, and gestured towards the door of the temple.

Garland pays one final look toward the ageing priest and bows his head once again as he would to any senoir member of his order. "Thank you for all your assistance Father. I will be town for at least another month, if you would like to send any messages to the hierachy or friends in Caliphas please prepare them and I will deliver them upon my return. Good day." he said before stepping away.

He followed Shara out the door though paused when they were outside, speaking quietly as he tried to keep the conversation out of earshot. "I think we did a splendid job though what he said about people being darker lately, and the fact Petros was exploring a reportedly haunted prison when he mysteriously died from an "accident". I think theres more going on here then even we thought. For now, I believe we should confer with the others and then decide a new course of action. Unless you have a better idea?"

Shara nods at Garland's evaluation of how their conversation went.

"I agree that there's more going on than we realize, but I couldn't get a good read on Grimburrow to know if he was hiding anything. I agree we should meet back up with the others, I have no desire to go digging into hidden crypts with just the two of us." she replies.

Father Grimburrow bowed respectfully to Garland and Shara and Enos ushered them back out, performing an identical bow as they made their way from the temple to join the others in the town square.

Exeunt to Chapter 1 - link to a message in this game