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Post by `Nessa on Aug 28, 2011 15:54:07 GMT -4
Chouko abstains from the wine, but nods when the toast is made. She moves in closer as the chest is opened, slowly lowering Ping down on to the floor to free up her own movements. Her brown knits together in concentration as she peers into the chest, looking over Navene's shoulder, and her mouth works silently as she works out the quick scrawl on one of the books.
"The Professor may have had other objectives in mind when he asked us to stay. Was he aware that he was dying?"
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Post by joviality on Aug 29, 2011 10:23:40 GMT -4
To Solaz's request, Navene replies: "Of course friend. How thoughtless of me."
Seeing the book scrawl across itself, she takes it out gingerly and lays it on the table in such a way that the most people can see the text upon the pages.
She begins to read aloud...
(OOC: Sorry for the delay, I didn't see Veritas' post for the longest time for some reason. /facepalm)
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Post by Veritas on Aug 29, 2011 10:33:08 GMT -4
The book opens easily, pages flopping open and showing many entries in a narrow, precise script mirroring the one on the cover, save for the difference in hastiness. Most of the entries are mundane, but immediately you notice that some of them have been quickly circled with red ink. These ones seem more important. Note: information on the calendar can be found here: pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/CalendarIt is currently 18 Pharast, 4711. |
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Post by comicsans12pt on Aug 30, 2011 5:04:46 GMT -4
As Solaz reads along, there is a visible start that shakes her whole body. Without any visible forethought she removes a hank of pure white wool from a secret pocket, transfers it to her other hand, takes the spindle from her belt and begins to spin. The movement is graceful and very obviously, well practiced.
"Oh dear. This is far worse than I had imagined. do any of you know of the Whispering Way?" She waited for an answer and when none came, she continued.
"The Whispering Way is an ancient organization, well, for lack of a better word, of evil-no other word for that- necromancers. They have plagued the Inner Sea area for what must be thousands of years."
She waited for the information to sink in a little while her hands silently spun the wool in her hands.
"Does anyone know how Petros died? And I don't mean to be morbid but did anyone of us see his body after he died? It could answer some questions. "
"In any event, I would tread cautiously through these things. There may be topics here that once learned, cannot be unlearned."
She fell silent, closed her eyes, took a deep breath. She then smiles to herself and while it is barely perceptible, she begins to sing to herself.
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logan
Junior Member
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Post by logan on Aug 30, 2011 11:17:59 GMT -4
"This might have something to do with the upset villagers."
The uneasiness he felt during the ceremony at the grave site returns.
"This place is getting more and more..." Fin stopped what he was saying mid-speak.
"Kendra... do you know anything that isn't in this journal? Any other information so we can figure out what's going on?"
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Post by Juniper on Aug 30, 2011 11:36:31 GMT -4
Calaera places a staying hand on the young man's shoulder, softening his abrupt query. "If you don't mind speaking of it, that is. We all know you've had a hard few weeks."
Diplomacy: [dice=20]+7[rand=110766700273627840879907540926040469575096851113046581376256824152]
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Post by Veritas on Aug 30, 2011 13:00:45 GMT -4
Kendra is quiet as she looks to Fin for a moment. Next, she gazes over to Calaera, and she shakes her head.
"I've never even seen in Father's journal before. He always kept me from his work. I went to Lepidstadt University, but he wouldn't let me take his classes. It was...it was something he said he never wanted to take home. I respect that. I am sad that it seems to have come to pass now.
"I didn't see the body, before you ask," Kendra says as well, her eyes wide, though she is not too fazed by the thought - whatever else has happened, she is still her father's daughter. "They told me it wasn't necessary, and that it wasn't pleasant. All I know is that he was found on the grounds at Harrowstone Prison."
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Post by `Nessa on Aug 30, 2011 13:56:23 GMT -4
Chouko's frown deepened as she tried to read through the journal, but she wasn't familiar enough with the language to read any of the entries completely before the page was turned.
"What would these... nec-ro-man-cers want with a prison?"
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logan
Junior Member
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Post by logan on Aug 30, 2011 14:17:48 GMT -4
Fin realizing his insensitivity, "Sorry for prying, Kendra."
With this he turns attention to Chuoko as she asks her question. Eager to hear the answer, Fin is also very wary of where this might be leading.
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Post by Veritas on Aug 31, 2011 22:50:46 GMT -4
Kendra shakes her head at Chouko's question. "I do not know. I am afraid that I do not know enough about these people to surmise - nor do I know much of the prison itself. Perhaps you would be better off looking through my father's books. There's also records at the Temple and the Town Hall, and the magic shop has a few interesting tomes that might have information you seek. I....I am not the expert my father was.
"I think, for now, I will turn in. You are all welcome to sleep here. There are many rooms upstairs."
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Post by comicsans12pt on Sept 1, 2011 11:47:07 GMT -4
"That sounds like a good idea, dear. It must have been a long and trying day. We'll see ourselves to bed. Please sleep well."
Solaz turns to the others.
"If I might be so bold as to speak out of turn, I think that perhaps we should have a plan. It seems we need to know about Harrowsmith Prison, we need to know about the Whispering Way activities here, and we need to know what has happened to make the people of this town so frightened of Petros."
"We should also find out why Petros thought Kendra might need protection."
"My suggestion would be to divide the reading part of the research up but when it comes to the dangerous stuff, like perhaps a visit to the prison, we go together."
"I certainly don't mean to sound dictatorial. Those are only suggestions and i'm not particularly attached to any of them. I just find it easier to accomplish things when i know my task is clear. I'll stop talking now-sometimes i forget how to do that."
She smiles at the last statement hoping others will find the humor in it too.
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Post by joviality on Sept 1, 2011 13:27:09 GMT -4
Navene turns to Solaz after wishing Kendra goodnight. "All wise ideas. I would recommend we visit this cache that the Professor speaks of as well, for any help against the undead is welcome help."
"Can you elaborate on this 'Whispering Way' for us, Solaz? I'm afraid I haven't come across it in my travels, though it certainly sounds nefarious. I believe that would be a good place to start before we delve into these tomes."
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Post by `Nessa on Sept 1, 2011 14:25:23 GMT -4
"Providing the reading does not need to be done quickly, I'm happy to do my part. It's just been many, many years since I've had to read in this language, and my abilities have lessened with disuse. If it needs to be done quickly, I'm happy to offer my service with any other task that needs doing and I agree that something needs to be done.
"I know of this Whispering Way, a little. Word of them spread as far as my monastery."
Chouko paused to gather Ping back up into her arms, and she stroked him gently to try and quiet her apparent unease. "They spoke of them as though they were ghosts, or possibly demons; they always seemed to want to strike up alliances with unholy and unwholesome things. There was one especially fear, Tar-Baphon. Farmers and peasants feel it is unwise to speak his name because they think it will summon him or one of his minions so they call him the Whispering Tyrant instead. Some of the stories are old, and often used to frighten young children away from dangerous places. Places with ghosts, and other oni."
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Post by joviality on Sept 1, 2011 23:29:46 GMT -4
Navene shudders at the description given to the Whispering Way. They seemed to be the antithesis of everything she had been taught. It would be a most sacred act to oppose them.
"Well then, perhaps we should get reading. If you can read it overnight Chouko, then I believe that would be fast enough. I'd be happy to help if there are any unfamiliar words. Perhaps we should take tomes in areas we are most familiar with? That may aid in understanding."
With that, Navene reads aloud the titles of the other books in the chest, and chooses one for herself.
(Navene grasps for any tome that looks particularly evil, or looks like it may be in a subject area she is familiar with.)
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Post by Veritas on Sept 2, 2011 0:06:43 GMT -4
There are, in the box, four tomes. Each of them has a name that is, at best, ominous.
The first is titled Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye. The rich purple cover contains a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. The book’s covers are rimmed in polished steel and clasped with a small but intricate lock, the keyhole of which appears to be for a key with a strange, triangular shaft. The key is nowhere to be found.
Next is a jet black book named On Verified Madness. After that is a well-notated copy of Serving Your Hunger. Finally, there is a copy of The Umbral Leaves. The first book has a note in it, suggesting that it be delivered to Embreth Darmid of Lepidstadt, instead of the University of Lepidstadt, where the others are to be sent.
Navene's hand finds On Verified Madness. This book is the holy text of Zon Kuthon, and is well familiar to her from a theoretical (if not practical) standpoint.
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