JJJ's Haunting of Harrowstone

[SanguinePenguin]

Tamara listens carefully, with no other noises her mirth subsides to a more mundane level. She lowers her guard and yawns sleepily. Still, even in her subdued state, she talks really quickly, "wow! I'm really tired! Are you guys tired?" Not waiting for answer she continues, "that was so much fun! Yes, it's safe in here! Hah, I'm covered in bug goo! Looks like you got covered too, Ulric!" Rather suddenly her energy returns with an excitable fervor, "whoa! Did you get bitten, Ulric!? I'm so jealous!!! Those twin puncture wounds are great!!!"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

Morcaine is trying her hardest not to retch at both the terifying arthropods and Tamara's sick enthusiasm.

"Yes, it's safe. Giant centipedes. Come on down."

Her distress is apparent to everyone.

[SanguinePenguin]

Tamara's enthusiasm turns to concern as she sees and hears Morcaine. She rushes to her side, "oh no, Morcaine! Where'd they get you? Did you get poisoned?" The eager halfling circles her before she can even respond. "I don't see any bite marks... are you sure you're poisoned? Do you need to lie down?"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" she shrieks as the halfling comes dangerously close to touching her.

She takes a deep breath and regains her composure.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted. It's just that...I have this terrible fear of...things like that. Spiders especially, but any skittering or crawly thing that even remotely resembles an insect makes me feel ill. I sort of...flash back to that horrific execution in Barstoi. The body dissolved into a swarm of spiders as it burned."

[SanguinePenguin]

In several seconds, Tamara's face runs the gamut of expressions from concern to confusion to pity right back to excitement again. Her eyes go wide as Morcaine relates the melting into swarms of spiders, "whoa! The body dissolved... into spiders?!? That's... that's... so AWESOME!!! What kind of spiders were they? Where did they go? Or did they burn too? Have other bodies done that? Or just that one? What made it happen?" The raw power of Tamara's curiosity drowns out any empathy another sentient might have had to realize that the subject was uncomfortable for Morcaine.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"IF you MUST know, it happened because she was a hag and probably used a magic spell or something, all while shouting promises of revenge at me for betraying my flesh and blood, something I still have nightmares about after all these years!"

She glares at Tamara.

[SanguinePenguin]

"Wow! Were the spiders still shouting after she dissolved? Are the nightmares part of the spell? Do you... why are you looking at me like that?" Tamara looks around for a moment, finally sheathes her sword over her back, then says, "I know! Let's keep exploring!!!" She then runs further into the tomb leaving Morcaine with whatever emotions she unintentionally stirred up.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"I could smack that halfling," she mutters.

Nevertheless, she follows Tamara deeper into the crypt and observes the surroundings.

Spoiler

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Perception check: (1d20+7)[26]

[Gwynfrid]

Ulric scrapes the worst of the vermin remains off his scimitar while he answers to the halfling, a faint trace of amusement in his voice: "Thanks for your concern, Tamara, but it's just a scratch. I don't think it will leave a scar that you'd consider interesting."

As the over-enthusiastic diminutive barbarian scurries off, he turns to Morcaine, his tone now sober.

"Do not beat yourself up over this, Morcaine, please. We all have our weaknesses, I'm sure this is true even of young halflings who don't seem to have horrors in their past. What matters is you didn't run. Confronting your fears head on, that is true courage. We were right to count on you today. I know we can count on you when harder fights come to us."

He makes a move to put a friendly arm around the shaking inquisitor's shoulders, but thinks better of it and just stands in front of her with a hesitant look.

[jjj54]

Benjan offers a curt, but appreciative nod before going back to the crowd to reestablish some sense of order. In the meantime, Grimburrow and his helpers are starting to come around again. Hearing Augustin's orders, Grimburrow waves off the oracle's help and rises to his feet.

"I think we will be fine. All we'll need is a good night's rest... You should go check on the progress of your fellows at the crypt. Hopefully their progress has been a little more uneventful than ours."

Spoiler

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The holy magics swirling about the statue tell you nothing new. But at it's base, the "V" barely flickers, angry an patient.

****

As you travel further in, it becomes obvious that these centipedes must have made it in through small cracks in the walls that they squeezed though. If this was their nesting ground, it's a small wonder that they didn't catch the professor off guard.

Speaking of the professor, his trail ends in a final, barren room save for a copper coated brazier in the corner and a large sarcophagus in it's center. Following the footprints leads to the sarcophagus; it's stone lid slightly ajar and most likely the place where the cache was located.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

Morcaine nods.

"Thank you, Ulric."

After that, she examines the sarcophagus, and looks to the initiates they brought along.

"Celeste? Hadrin? If you would? It only seems appropriate that as the representatives of Our Lady of Graves presiding, you should be the ones to ensure we don't desecrate this place by mistakenly opening occupied sarcophagi."

[Sarone]

Kaythek looks around at the carnage of the bugs, taking in the grayed view of surroundings. I wonder what it looks like in color?, thought Kaythek as he moved with the group deeper into the crypt. "Bah, they just be pests. Dangerous pests, but pests nonetheless. Still, it was a good fight."

Hearing Ulric's statement, Kaythek nodded. "Aye, that be true. But the true question is what do you do when you face the fear." With that, kaythek goes back to the front of the crypt and waits for Hadrin and Celeste, escorting them to the crypts, keeping his head on a swivel, eyes and ears open as much as he can.

Spoiler

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Perception roll for surprises (1d20+4)[24]

[Leviathan]

Briar

The gnome snorts derisively at Morcaine's comment. "Desecration occurs when a sarcophagus is tampered with, should a cadaver be contained within. But not when - hypothetically of course - when it is infested by a considerable number of ludicrously sized insects. Which are, I might add, carnivorous; the tomb has thus been accumulating centipede feces, indigestible material, and the organic matter accompanying excremental waste at what I would estimate to be an alarming rate. But it is the removal of a lid which will induce the spirits of the dead to cease their rest."

She shakes her head, and mutters: "Evidently supreme irrationality is more widespread that I had been led to believe in Lepidstadt."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

Morcaine goes over to Briar and speaks to her in a lowered voice.

"It is not the spirits of the dead we're trying to avoid angering, Doctor. It's Pharasma's church. We must show that we respect the sanctity of the dead to avoid drawing suspicion to ourselves. We are strangers here, and until we have the trust of the town, we must tread carefully in our investigations."

[stack]

Augustin nods to the sheriff and priest. "Very well, my best wishes for quick recovery to you all. If have any need of me, do not hesitate to ask."

He returns to Kendra. "Shall we see how the others are fairing? I would guess matters are nearly settled, but my mind would be set at ease knowing sooner. If you would kindly lead the way? I know not how I would fair without your aid." He smiles again as they exit, though slightly paler than normal.

[jjj54]

"They should be done by now," Kendra answered, "I thought they would have been back already... I hope nothing happened... ...and I'm glad nothing happened to you too."

The rest of the trip went off without a hitch as the two made their way to the graveyard. Still, the setting sun and the chill wind that followed in it's passing did nothing to lighten the mood.

****

Kaythek's fears seem to be unfounded as he leads the two acolytes within. Once they reach the sarcophagus, Celeste and Hadrin both trace the spiraling pattern over their chests before removing the lid.

Spoiler

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Inside are a dozen, silver-tipped, arrows, mixed with over a dozen non-silver ones. All are branded with the holy symbol of Pharasma at their tip. Nearby four sunrods and six vials of holy water rest followed by seven potions, four scrolls, and a slim darkwood case with the same scarab and eye symbol as the book that Petros first entrusted you with. Within the velvet-lined case itself is a spirit board with a brass planchette.

To the left of the board four iron and glass vials sit in special indentations. within the vials strange vapors swirl silently, but do nothing more. There are ten indentations total, so the six missing vials must have been what the professor made off with.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"It looks like Petros was telling the truth after all. If this had been a real crypt, there'd be a body in here. Do we have permission to utilize these items in our investigation of Harrowstone?"

[Sarone]

Seeing the cache of arrows and such, Kaythek smiled a wide, toothy grin. "Morc, I wouldn't believe the Menotr to desecrate this place without good reason. After all, considering the prison, I wouldn't doubt it if the church had this cache made. But if we still need permission, that would be Father Grimburrow's decision. And I if I hazard a guess, then he will be wiling to give us his blessing, I reckon."

Bending over, Kaythek picks up on of the arrows, holding it up so every one else can see. "When the Seer was stil around, I was being trained to forge and create weapons and items of power for warriors to use. Though I have not been properly trained in the identifying the specifics of various items, I can sense which ones have been made as such."

Torag, Master of the Forge, grant me your insight into these items, Kaythek prayed as he closes his eyes, letting the Master of the Forge guide his hand in identifying the items.

Spoiler

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Unless any one ahve objections, I will be using Detect Magic on the items here. Over three rounds I can detect if there are magic items in the area, how many, and the types (unfortunately, I don't have Knowlledge Arcane to detectthe school).

Silver arrows (1d20+2)[17]
Non Silver arrows (1d20+2)[18]

Potion #1 (1d20+2)[17]
Potion #2 (1d20+2)[17]
Potion #3 (1d20+2)[12]
Potion #4 (1d20+2)[4]
Potion #5 (1d20+2)[22]
Potion #6 (1d20+2)[5]
Potion #7 (1d20+2)[8]

Scroll #1 (1d20+2)[5]
Scroll #2 (1d20+2)[20]
Scroll #3 (1d20+2)[4]
Scroll #4 (1d20+2)[4]

Spirit Board and Brass Planchete (1d20+2)[17]

The Four vials (1d20+2)[13]

[stack]

Augustin replies to Kendra, "Your aid was most timely. Those creatures where proving troublesome. And I thank you for your concern. Regarding our friends, they are probably just slowed trying to hold Tamara back from sticking her hands in everything. We will be there soon enough."

Spoiler

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Augustin will be a gentleman and offer his cloak if Kendra looks cold.

[jjj54]

Kendra does look a little cold and accepts the cloak graciously. "She does get overexcited sometimes. I just hope she isn't covered in some gods forsaken filth again."

The crypt is easy to find with it's gate open for all the world to enter. Peering down the darkened steps, Kendra cautiously calls into the darkness, "Hello?"

Meanwhile, down in the sarcophagus room, Celeste nods emphatically to Morcaine's question. "I'm sure Father Grimburrow will have no problem with it."

Surprisingly Hadrin, while betraying no enthusiasm of his own, completely agrees with the younger girl. "You all do seem capable and deserving of the church's trust in this matter. Once you have uncatalogued what you have found then there should be no problem with using these items as you see fit."

Spoiler

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Kaythk can tell that all the non-silver arrows, the potions, the scrolls, and all the items in the darkwood case are magical. Most of the spells bound into these items elude him, but his time with the Mentor is enough to tell him that 10 of the arrows are +1 arrows, 3 of the potions can cure light wounds, and one of the scrolls can cast hide from dead.

[Leviathan]

Briar

Hearing Kendra's voice at the entrance, Briar responds in kind. "Salutations, Ms. Lorrimor! 'Come on down,' as they say; 'the tomb is fine.'" A second later, a second call echoes across the walls. "Well, misleading: tomb is not 'fine.' Tomb is thoroughly unpleasant: damp, cold, likely several interesting diseases present, but nonetheless, fascinating objects to be had within!"

[stack]

Augustin escorts Kendra into the crypt. He takes a look at the remains of the centipedes as he goes. Looks like there was some trouble after all.

Spotting the others, he calls out, "Hello there. Does anyone need my assistance? It looks like the crypt was not entirely empty."

He joins the others examining the items in the sarcophagus, leaning slightly on its edge, still not entirely recovered from his own skirmish.

Spoiler

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he will try to identify the ones Kaythek missed.
Potion #4 (1d20+4)[9]
Potion #5 (1d20+4)[24]
Potion #6 (1d20+4)[8]
Potion #7 (1d20+4)[7]

Scroll #2 (1d20+4)[15]
Scroll #3 (1d20+4)[17]
Scroll #4 (1d20+4)[18]

Spirit Board and Brass Planchete (1d20+4)[23]

The Four vials (1d20+4)[24]

"Kendra, you know more than I about enchantments and such, can you discern anything about these items?"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"Don't worry, Augustin. We were correct that no one was buried in here. We encountered a few squatters of the...hundred-legged type *shudder*."

[Gwynfrid]

"We have had a bit of a surprise here, yes. An opportunity for Tamara to demonstrate her prowess," says Ulric. "But you? You look like you have been in a fight too... And this blood? Are you all right? Miss Kendra?", he asks, in a worried tone.

[stack]

Augustin smiles ruefully. "The ceremony took more out of me than I thought. More accurately, the blood sucking...creatures...that assaulted the sheriff and I were...troublesome. Everyone is alive and should be in fine shape after a good rest, thanks in no small part to Kendra's aid. As for Tamara, I thought I spied her handiwork on the way in. May take a bit of cleaning to set this place right. Regardless, I believe our presence and actions at the ceremony will not go unnoticed by the villagers. They may even put away the pitchforks."

[SanguinePenguin]

"Thanks Ulric!" Tamara smiles at his compliment.

Tamara listens to Augustin curiously. She then asks, leaving no opportunities to answer in typical fashion, "blood sucking... creatures...? What did they look like? Were they vampires? Vampires might have desecrated the monument. Do you think they framed Gibbs?"

[jjj54]

Spoiler

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Augustin manages to identify another potion of cure light wounds, another scroll of hide from dead and a scroll of protection from evil. He also manages to determine that the four vials are items known as haunt siphons.

Haunt Siphon
Aura faint necromancy; CL 3rd
Slot none; Price 400 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description
These glass vials are held within stylized cold-iron casings
etched with strange runes, necromantic designs, or other
eldritch markings. Within the vial roils a small wisp of white
vapor, churning as if caught in a miniature vortex of air.

To capture a haunt’s energies within a haunt siphon, you need
only twist the metal casing to open the vial in the same round that
the haunt manifests (a standard action)—this can be before or
after the haunt has acted. You must be within the haunt’s area of
influence to use a haunt siphon. When you activate a haunt siphon,
it deals 3d6 points of positive energy damage to a single haunt.
If it deals enough damage to the haunt to reduce the haunt’s hit
points to 0, the mist inside the haunt siphon glows green—if it
does not reduce the haunt to 0 hit points, the haunt siphon is still
expended and becomes nonmagical. It may take multiple haunt
siphons to destroy powerful haunts. A haunt that is neutralized
by a haunt siphon takes a –5 penalty on its caster level check to
manifest again after its reset time passes.

A haunt siphon that neutralizes a haunt can no longer be used
to harm haunts, but it can be used as a grenadelike splash
weapon that deals 1d6 points of negative energy damage
with a direct hit. Every creature within 5 feet of the point
where the haunt siphon hits takes 1 point of negative
energy damage from the splash.

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, cure moderate
wounds, gentle repose; Cost 200 gp

"With an introduction so grand, how could we refuse Briar?" Kendra laughs while skirting gingerly around the bug corpses littering the portals further in.

At the mention of the blood sucking creatures at the ceremony, both Celeste and Hadrin go pale. But as Augustin talks the relief washes over them. Meanwhile Kendra took a cursory glance at the arrayed items.

"I think I can identify these, but I'd feel safer doing so back at the house."

[stack]

Augustin sets the items down. "Here is another restorative draught. These scrolls provide concealment from the undead and defense against evil creatures. These four vials...I've heard of things such as this. Sometimes a hostile spirit becomes bound to a location, troubling any who pass. These provide a way to attack them, draining their energy. As a strange side effect, they store this energy, which can be released by breaking the vial, preferably not anywhere near yourself. With our friends blessing, I suggest me take these items back to the estate for further study, then prepare ourselves for tomorrows meeting."

And tonight's nightmares.

Looking over the items, he thinks briefly. "The vials someone else should carry. I have other means of dealing with such things. The same for the potions and the defensive scrolls. The arrows...yes those would be very helpful to me." He pauses before smiling and looking to see if anyone caught his jest.

To Tamara: "Not vampires, unless the look more like over-grown mosquitoes than I have been led to believe. You may poke and prod them to your hearts content if they have not yet been disposed of."

[Leviathan]

Briar

"Hm, in one sense, mosquito creatures bear relationship to vampires - consumption of blood for fuel. Doubtful that oversized insects or similar organisms capable of defacing a monument, however." The alchemist thinks for a moment. "I would very much like to 'poke and prod' at their corpses, if possible."

Spoiler

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Briar will try to identify the creatures Augustin fought based on his description, if possible. If not, she'll find one of the corpses and then try to discern what it was.

Knowledge (nature): (1d20+8)[26]
Knowledge (arcana): (1d20+11)[14]

[Gwynfrid]

Ulric curtly interrupts the scholarly discussion of bugs.

"I think we are done here, let's go back to Kendra's. A rest will be most welcome. We also need to think about our next move."

A monster attack on a consecration ceremony... What's wrong with this place ? A discussion that needs to happen in private.