The Windhovers' Call

Arissa opens an unlocked door that leads to two small rooms:

• Storage (C): Among other things this room contains buckets, dustbins, brooms, brushes, solvents, mops, rags, candlesticks, candles, chairs, an old table, linens, draperies, an assortment of tools, an assortment of old hardware (hinges, knobs, latches, nails, short lengths of iron, etc.), three large faded paintings, bottles of ink, lengths of rope, strips of leather, oil flasks, torches, baskets, blankets, lanterns, tinderboxes, empty vials, a wide array of glassware and pottery, and many pieces of silverware.
• Garderobe (E): A small, nondescript room that contains only a privy.

After looking the tiefling searching for clues, (Investigation: 20) Frandal will go to the main hall (? A room)

Xellos says, "It mentioned something about a 'next round' so we definitely haven't seen the last of it." While everyone begins looking around Xellos wipes the sweat off his brow and exhales sharply from the exertion of his intense concentration. Following Arissa into the room, he takes a sip of water from his oilskin flask then eyes the silverware in Storage. (Assuming he sees it)

"No point in leaving the good silver for these undead, wouldn't you say?"

Ozum will head over to the door leading to room D and open it, staff at the ready, adrenaline still clearly pumping through his little body.

Ozum: The door is securely locked. 

Xellos: The silverware items include a few dozen sets of cutlery, five silver platters, and three silver candelabra.

Frandal: Viewing the tiefling up close, you are convinced that he was indeed undead. His skin is paler than normal for one of his race, and it is stretched thinly over his gaunt frame. The pale, thin staff that he wielded appears to be made entirely from one piece of bone. Some very large creature must have provided the raw material for such a staff.

The main hall (room A) is an enormous room with two fireplaces (one in the north wall and one in the south wall), four large stone pillars, and two large banquet tables. On each of the tables a few candles are burning, which explains the faint, flickering light you saw coming from this room.  A set of double doors to the east leads to another room (B). The most notable part of the room, however, is the western wall. This wall looks somewhat like a museum display. A wide variety of items (swords, armor, arcane foci, etc.) are neatly organized and hanging from the wall, and next to each item is a small bronze plate engraved with a few words that explain what each item is. You can tell that there is much to see and learn by looking over the items and information on this wall, but your attention is directed to something else. 

A middle-aged human female body is lying on the floor directly in front of all these items. Clad in finely-crafted chain mail, she is in repose on her back with her arms folded across her chest with her hands gripping the hilt of a shattered longsword (the hilt has roughly 3" of jagged blade, and the remainder of the blade is broken into two equal lengths). Her body has been positioned in such a way as if she were on display for others to come and pay their respects. Her slashing wounds are clearly visible. 

Xellos dumps all the silver in his pack then leaves the room to see what everyone else is doing.

 He says, "Guess I'll investigate the large room." (Room A)

Upon entering the room he grabs one of the candles, puts a finger in the flame, and casts Thaumaturgy to make the flame brighter (repeats this every minute to keep it bright). He initially walks towards the West Wall to see the display pieces, but obviously notices the female body on the floor; the bright candlelight illuminating the surrounding area.

He moves over to her and says, "Why in the world would a body be on display like this? A bit macabre." (Are the slashing wounds open wounds, or old battle scars?)

He holds the bright candle up to her to get a closer look to see if he can gather any additional information, or if there is anything of note on her body.

Xellos: 

 The wounds are fresh, and show no evidence of healing. Upon closer inspection, you wonder if possibly she didn't suffer some sort of necrotic damage as well because her right arm has a slightly perceptible withered appearance to it. Regarding the orderly, dignified display of the body, you can't find any evidence to suggest who might have done it or why. There's nothing else of note about the woman's corpse. No jewelry. No unusual items. Nothing at all. 

The shattered sword she holds, on the other hand, is not only broken, but a part of it has been removed. You can tell that the pommel of the sword once had some object--a decoration perhaps?--attached to it. But whatever it was is no longer there. (Imagine a diamond ring after the diamond has been removed from it.)

Frandal closes his eyes and lows his head for a few seconds in respect. 

“ I am afraid we’ve found Ro Venna. The attack against her was, unfortunately, successful as I was fearing since we found the body at the stables. This must be the Everal’s sword. “ He touches the hilt, almost hoping that the mighty warrior open her eyes and fights him for her sword. He sighs and takes the sword shards and envelope them in his blanket. “ This should be given to the other Windhovers. I’ve noticed that something has been removed from the hilt. “ He uses his cape to cover her body. 

He comes back to the Tiefling’s corpse and search it throughfully in search for a piece of jewelry. “ I think that we are too late and they not only  killed the Windhover but took that piece of the sword that must be important for the attackers somehow. We should come to the others as soon as possible. In haste and in secrecy. What porpouse is under this attacks? Revenge? Or something worse? Is anyone trying to rip this land of its greater defenders?”

He looks at Celebquesse and nods

“Yes of course, we should look if there are more corpses and bury them before we depart.What do you thin friends?” 

Frandal: An investigation of both bodies reveals no new information. You do notice that, a short distance from the woman's body, is a small, thin piece of metal. This piece of bronze, which matches the engraved plates on the wall in this room, looks as if it has been cut or torn in some way. Additionally, it shows signs of being exposed to heat or fire, for there is a thin layer of black stuff on a portion of it that easily smears off with a touch of the finger. 

"This is a great tragedy. We should take her body and her blade to the other Windhovers. First, though, we must ensure there are no other enemies in the keep." Arissa sings a short song of mourning, then walks over to the the East and opens the door.

Frandal shows the piece of metal to the others after finish covering Ro Venna’s corpse.

He looks in the wall for a missing part of it.

Perception: 18

Xellos says to Frandal, "Unfortunately, it does indeed to appear to be her. A shame. Her wounds are fresh and show no signs of healing...probably happened at the moment of death. Her arm looks withered too from necrotic means—I agree, probably done by that foul Tiefling and wights. I'll take a look at this wall to see if there's anything useful to learn from it. Once we're all done we should quickly bury any non-undead people and be on our way."

After Frandal covers the body, he decides to take a quick peek at the western wall to read the plaques and their respective displays.

Arissa: The eastern doors lead to a  large, formal dining room with elaborately carved and decorated chairs and table, the finest draperies, and silverware. This room is tidy and shows no signs of recent use. This room seems devoted to formal occasions.

Frandal: The displays on the wall pay tribute to all the Windhovers, both past and present. To the far left you see a large plague that reads as follows:

THE LINES of WINDHOVER HISTORY

Since the defeat of Rahzzur and the giving of Aeris, these are the Wielders of the Fragments of Aeris, Overseers and Protectors of the Realm of Syndaris, the Windhovers. 

Those who have borne the First Fragment of Aeris, set atop Findric’s Staff:

• Findric the Clever | human wizard | years 1 – 21                 
• Mara Roze  | human wizard | years 21 – 48                              
• Oda Waywocket | gnome wizard | years 48 – 100
• Sindrith Grey | elf wizard | years 100 – 166
• Havilar Kerrhylon | dragonborn sorcerer | years 166 - 181                      
• Nathandam | human warlock | years 181 – 188                     
• Arconius | tiefling sorcerer | years 188 – 191
• Bharash Shestendi | dragonborn wizard | years 191 –

• ---

• Those who have borne the Second Fragment of Aeris, set into Azalor’s yew wand:

• Azalor the Elusive | human druid | years 1 – 11
• Tanamys Green | human druid | years 11 – 24                          
• Ivellios Cyndarin | half-elf druid | years 24 – 78                         
• Ander Broadleaf | halfling druid | years 78 – 133           
• Perri Finch | human druid | years 133 – 145                
• Arlia Stinrock | human druid | years 145 – 193                     
• Sarael Sunshimmer | half elf druid | years 193 –  

  ---

 Those who have borne the Third Fragment of Aeris, set into the handle of Talisten’s mace:

• Talisten the Devout | human cleric | years 1 – 21                 
• Master Po | human cleric | years 21 – 47  
• Haradal the Hardy | dwarf cleric | years 47– 149
• Tobi Trailfinder | halfling cleric | years 149 – 200
• Thoradin Brokenhammer | dwarf cleric | years 200 –

• ---

• Those who have borne the Fourth Fragment of Aeris, set into the pommel of Everal’s sword: 

• Kubrithani the Mighty | human paladin | year 1 (1 day)                          
• Everal | human fighter | year 1 (83 days)                            
• Barret Jax | human fighter | years 1 – 16                   
• Rinn Holimmion | half-elf ranger | years 16 – 54                             
• Ipalamé Swift | half-elf ranger | years 54 – 72                         
• Umari Eldenfrost | elf fighter | years 72 – 101
• Mandrithar Moradnichem | dragonborn paladin | years 101 – 119       
• Kempis the Ironfisted | dwarf fighter | years 119 – 178                          
• Ro Venna | human fighter | years 178 –
•  

NOTE: I will place this historical list in the campaign notes as well. 

"Could that tiefling have been Arconius? It seems likely enough." 

Arissa tries to remember if she has heard anything about the Fragments of Aeris. She then looks at the objects on the wall, examining them, seeing whether she recognizes any of them and trying to determine whether or not any of them are magical.

Frandal and Arissa: Beginning from the plaque that contains the lines of Windhover history, there are dozens of items that once belonged to the Windhovers:

1. Wizard hat of Findric the Clever, First Wielder of the First Fragment of Aeris
2. Scimitar of Azalor the Elusive, First Wielder of the Second Fragment of Aeris
3. Flute of Azalor the Elusive, Played in Victory Song and Celebratory Dance after the Defeat of Rahzzur
4. Helm and Shield of Talisten the Devout, First Wielder of the Third Fragment of Aeris
5. Items are missing and identifying plate is terribly damaged making it completely illegible 
6. Spear of Rahzzur the Cambion, Defeated Foe of the Realm of Syndaris
7. (a small copper container with lid) Ashes from the Fire of the Giver of Aeris
8. Chain Shirt of Everal, Second Wielder of the Fourth Fragment of Aeris
9. Sickle of Tanamys Green, Second Wielder of the Second Fragment of Aeris
10. Holy Symbol of Master Po, Second Wielder of the Third Fragment of Aeris
11. Book of Spells of Mara Roze, Second Wielder of the First Fragment of Aeris
12. Daggers of Barret Jax, Third Wielder of the Fourth Fragment of Aeris
13. Hide of the Nightbear, Bane of Greyloft, Slain by Windhovers Barret Jax and Tanamys Green
14. Owl Feathers from Strix, Avian Friend to Ivellios Cyndarin, Third Wielder of the Second Fragment of Aeris
15. Longbow, Quiver, and Arrows of Rinn Holimmion, Fourth Wielder of the Fourth Fragment of Aeris
16. Longbow, Quiver, and Arrows of Ipalamé Swift, Fifth Wielder of the Fourth Fragment of Aeris
17. Rapier and Daggers of Captain Albatross, Vanquished Pirate Invader of Syndaris
18. Wizard Robes of Oda Waywocket, Third Wielder of the First Fragment of Aeris
19. Shield of Umari Eldenfrost, Sixth Wielder of the Fourth Fragment of Aeris
20. Alder Staff of Ander Broadleaf, Fourth Wielder of the Second Fragment of Aeris
21. Plate Armor of Mandrithar Moradnichem, Seventh Wielder of the Fourth Fragment of Aeris
22. Amulet of Sindrith Grey, Fourth Wielder of the First Fragment of Aeris
23. Cloak of Perri Finch, Fifth Wielder of the Second Fragment of Aeris
24. Studded Leather Armor and Battle Horn of Haradal the Hardy, Third Wielder of the Third Fragment of Aeris
25. Ring Given by Princess Sephri to Kempis the Ironfisted, the Seventh Wielder of the Fourth Fragment of Aeris
26. Bracers of Havilar Kerrhylon, Fifth Wielder of the First Fragment of Aeris
27. Oaken Staff of Arlia Stinrock, Sixth Wielder of the Second Fragment of Aeris
28. Crossbow of Tobi Trailfinder, Fourth Wielder of the Third Fragment of Aeris
29. Boots and Robes of Nathandam, Sixth Wielder of the First Fragment of Aeris
30. Item is missing, but bronze plate reads Staff of Arconius, Seventh Wielder of the First Fragment of Aeris 

 Frandal: You're able to identify quickly the source of the piece of bronze that you found on the floor. Not far from the plaque, you can see a large empty space on the wall. Based on the hooks in the wall, you determine that two items are missing. The small, engraved bronze plate that identified what those items are is badly damaged, however. The part of the engraved plate on the wall shows signs of being both slashed and burned in some way (number 5 on the above list). Whoever, or whatever, damaged this part of the display did so with tremendous force because the stone wall behind the bronze plate is damaged as well. The words and letters on the plate have been destroyed. You can only guess at what those words once said. 

“Are these items magical in any way”

“The Fragment of Aeris... “ says Frandal in low voice. “Could be that? Could be that what the attackeers are going after? Not only to disable the most capable defenders but to collect this fragments. To no good porpouse that’s for sure. We should be fast going back to the others, our enemies seem to had the advantage.” 

Xellos says, " One could say *all* of these are magical in their own right. Anyway, I didn't find anything out of the ordinary, other than the obvious... I'm not much of a historian so I'll look around elsewhere. But first, I wonder if the hooks do anything interesting."

He casts Mage Hand and gives the empty hooks a tug to see if anything happens.

Edit: If nothing happens, he will say "I'll check the next room over." (Room B)

Just to be sure he listens at the door to make sure there isn't any obvious danger before using Mage Hand to open the door before entering.

Perception 12

Xellos: Nothing unusual happens. The hooks seem to be purely functional in nature, allowing the items (now missing) to hang from the wall. You hear nothing in the other room, and you open the door without any incident. This room (B) is a large, ornate dining room. It is very neat and shows no signs of recent use. 

Frandal will take a look to the spellbook, the bows and the quivers, before he asks Kurt for help to transport the body of Ro Venna to the nearby forest and bury it, along with the stable boy and any other corpse his companions find in the search thruogh the keep.