”uh well... I see an alter of some sort in here. It looks like a really nice shrine to something. Does anyone know who a blind god would be?” Praxx whispers back through the hole.
Praxx moves across the room and jumps up on the chair to see what book is open and if he can read it.
Praxx answers Graxx and goes to look over the desk. Luckily, these books are written in Common.
The first book he skims over is a handwritten tome that retells the history of Thorn Island and Sokol Keep. It is open on a page describing the very tower you find yourselves in. The passage recounts the events surrounding the destruction of the Keep in 1306 DR during the Dragon Run (over 180 years ago), and the passages are exaggerated and full of flourish. Nonetheless, it explains the original use of this tower as something other than furniture storage. The whole of the East Tower was apparently filled by a vast library, though Praxx suspects that this hidden study room is probably all that remains from those times.
The second book is much smaller, and seems to be a collection of brief stories about Tyr, the Lord of Justice. Skimming the page it is currently open on, Praxx realizes that the blind god depicted on the altar next to the desk is none other than Tyr himself.
The third and last book is actually a journal. It is closed but it has no locking mechanisms like many other journals do. Its leather cover is stamped with the same initials as the coin purse the bard found back in the Manor: "IS".
At this point, Neya finishes prying off all the boards with her crowbar, and everyone can make their way inside the hidden study room. It is a tight fit. Rorin stays outside, but still within the tower.
After quickly apologising to the boy and thanking him for his help, Utar turns to Graxx.
"A crusade? Aye, this Nalek needs to be dealt with. But is he alone? Silver hurt the boy, maybe we can use that when we meet with this Grim."
Utar moves away towards the hidden study but turns back to Graxx, "I don't know why Torm brought me here, but I'm getting that boy the help he needs, I think that's reason enough for me."
Calling through the gap into to the study to Praxx "Describe the statue. Gruumsh has one eye, is it an orc?"
Graxx steps forward, "Indeed, Nalek needs to be dealt with. But by Crusade I mean not a crusade against Nalek alone. We will discuss more once we do not have additional ears." Graxx nods his head at the rat boy then says "Something I believe Neya's skills may be very handy in."
Graxx sees the books and would like to examine the Destruction of the Keep book for pictures:
Given what the group has learned in Igan's quarters and the brief but accurate description of the shrine provided by Praxx, Utar would be almost certain that the place of worship within the secret study room was dedicated to none other but Tyr. Upon entering, his suspicions are confirmed.
Praxx recalls he had found a sketch of what appeared to be a shrine of sorts while in Igan quarters. This must be the same shrine.
Neya picks up the journal and notices it lacks easy reference points. There are no dates, just random notes all over the page including sentences in the margins. It seems more like a collection of thoughts and notes than an actual journal. Even though the handwriting is decent, its lack of organization makes the journal difficult to read. The entries ramble at length and Neya suspects that consuming all of it may take at least two hours.
Nonetheless, over the next few minutes, Neya reads a few passages regarding Igan's "abandonment" here in the island. Neya learns that upon leaving Phlan for good, the Sokol family left a token few retainers to maintain the fortress and ensure that the beacon was operational. Leading this small group was the young Igan Sokol, a junior member of the family. Although he does not know the exact reason, Igan shows in the journal that he is well aware that his job was a kind of banishment. Igan thought that finding the fabled, ghostly treasure hidden in the depths of the keep somewhere would bring him back into good graces with his demanding parents. Nonetheless, Igan admits in his own writings that he began the search on nothing but a whim. This is all that Neya has the time to read over at the moment. A more thorough reading will require dedicated time to the task.
Graxx picks up the history tome and flips the pages somewhat carelessly. He lingers only on the pages that have drawings on them. These mostly depict epic historical battles, including some with a healthy dose of divine intervention (clear exaggerations). There are also a couple of drawings showing the keep in its more splendorous days.
In the background, Rorin speaks up: "It doesn't feel like the ratman will be coming back out again tonight, so I'm going to bed now. I'll come and find you in the morrow, sirs and ma'am."Unless prevented from doing so, Rorin then leaves thanking Utar for the offered help.
After seeing Rorin leave Graxx says seriously says, "I don't mean Nalek. I mean a crusade against this Bane god! We can't take these corrupt members of the Blackfist head on but we can hit them if catch them alone. Wipe them from the realm! We have seen their evil in the temple and it continues to plague this town."
(OOC: No more than 40 minutes have passed since you left the manor. It is pretty dark outside, but you estimate that it'd still be a bit over three hours before midnight struck.)
A breeze is felt, unnaturally hitting you in the tight space of this secret study room. A candle is suddenly lit on Tyr's altar, then a second. Some incense begins smoking. None of these events happen abruptly, and they do make this room a tiny bit more welcoming.
(OOC: It looks like you guys are leaning towards a rest. Let me know in the OOC chat if that is not the case.)
"Ah!" Graxx shrieks out at the sudden lighting. "Could this be the ghost? Maybe it's a kind ghost and wants to have a sleepover here."
Graxx then says very loudly and slowly like something from the movies where someone doesn't speak the main characters language. "HELLO. MY. NAME. IS. GRAXX. ARE. YOU. A. GHOST?"
Utar takes a step backwards and reaches out a hand for his amulet. Gripping it tight he braces for...something. Something bad. Sinister. But it never comes.
Something is odd here, granted. But it feels...almost benign. Caring. Taking a deep breath, he closes his eyes and centres himself.
Neya starts thinking out loud, "Hmm, could whatever is with us be the source of the strange activity? We are in one of the areas those occurrences are reported to be more prominent."
Utar's insight tells him that Neya and him have struck the nail on the head. There is a strange presence here and it behaves in a similar fashion to the presence the group felt warn them about the Wererat. It is not threatening, and it seems to be trying to reveal itself and communicate, but it has only a limited ability to do so. Utar also suspects that whatever this spirit is, it has been watching the party for some time now.
As the group deliberates, the book containing a collection of brief stories about Tyr is knocked off Praxx's hand mysteriously. It falls back on top of the purple wood desk, its pages flipping with purpose. The breeze intensifies in this tiny room until the book's pages stop flipping. It lands on a page describing one of the oldest orders of clerics of Tyr, called The Right Hand of Justice. Their symbol is very reminiscent of the right hand that is now associated with Torm, and Utar would recognize this right away. This order is described as blindly faithful to the ideals of justice, order, and law, and fervent in their delivery in the name of Tyr, or his right hand, Torm.
(OOC: Like the journal, reading more on this topic, at this point, would also require some dedicated time to this book).
As the unnatural breeze wisps once again, it seems to say "Harae." Graxx interprets this as a direct response to his slow talking.
Graxx calls out, "You see anything in there gnome?"
Graxx then walks over to Utar and continues his questioning, "So... You feelin' like a Crusade?" Graxx gives a wink.
Praxx coughes as he fans the dust from his face.
”uh well... I see an alter of some sort in here. It looks like a really nice shrine to something. Does anyone know who a blind god would be?” Praxx whispers back through the hole.
Praxx moves across the room and jumps up on the chair to see what book is open and if he can read it.
Praxx answers Graxx and goes to look over the desk. Luckily, these books are written in Common.
The first book he skims over is a handwritten tome that retells the history of Thorn Island and Sokol Keep. It is open on a page describing the very tower you find yourselves in. The passage recounts the events surrounding the destruction of the Keep in 1306 DR during the Dragon Run (over 180 years ago), and the passages are exaggerated and full of flourish. Nonetheless, it explains the original use of this tower as something other than furniture storage. The whole of the East Tower was apparently filled by a vast library, though Praxx suspects that this hidden study room is probably all that remains from those times.
The second book is much smaller, and seems to be a collection of brief stories about Tyr, the Lord of Justice. Skimming the page it is currently open on, Praxx realizes that the blind god depicted on the altar next to the desk is none other than Tyr himself.
The third and last book is actually a journal. It is closed but it has no locking mechanisms like many other journals do. Its leather cover is stamped with the same initials as the coin purse the bard found back in the Manor: "IS".
At this point, Neya finishes prying off all the boards with her crowbar, and everyone can make their way inside the hidden study room. It is a tight fit. Rorin stays outside, but still within the tower.
After quickly apologising to the boy and thanking him for his help, Utar turns to Graxx.
"A crusade? Aye, this Nalek needs to be dealt with. But is he alone? Silver hurt the boy, maybe we can use that when we meet with this Grim."
Utar moves away towards the hidden study but turns back to Graxx, "I don't know why Torm brought me here, but I'm getting that boy the help he needs, I think that's reason enough for me."
Calling through the gap into to the study to Praxx "Describe the statue. Gruumsh has one eye, is it an orc?"
Religion - 23 to remember about blind gods.
OOC - ignore that check, think we posted at close to the same time!
Neya enters the room and sees the "IS" journal.
"Not exactly a hard guess who the owner of that book is..."
Extended Signature
Graxx steps forward, "Indeed, Nalek needs to be dealt with. But by Crusade I mean not a crusade against Nalek alone. We will discuss more once we do not have additional ears." Graxx nods his head at the rat boy then says "Something I believe Neya's skills may be very handy in."
Graxx sees the books and would like to examine the Destruction of the Keep book for pictures:
Investigation: 7
Given what the group has learned in Igan's quarters and the brief but accurate description of the shrine provided by Praxx, Utar would be almost certain that the place of worship within the secret study room was dedicated to none other but Tyr. Upon entering, his suspicions are confirmed.
Praxx recalls he had found a sketch of what appeared to be a shrine of sorts while in Igan quarters. This must be the same shrine.
Neya picks up the journal and notices it lacks easy reference points. There are no dates, just random notes all over the page including sentences in the margins. It seems more like a collection of thoughts and notes than an actual journal. Even though the handwriting is decent, its lack of organization makes the journal difficult to read. The entries ramble at length and Neya suspects that consuming all of it may take at least two hours.
Nonetheless, over the next few minutes, Neya reads a few passages regarding Igan's "abandonment" here in the island. Neya learns that upon leaving Phlan for good, the Sokol family left a token few retainers to maintain the fortress and ensure that the beacon was operational. Leading this small group was the young Igan Sokol, a junior member of the family. Although he does not know the exact reason, Igan shows in the journal that he is well aware that his job was a kind of banishment. Igan thought that finding the fabled, ghostly treasure hidden in the depths of the keep somewhere would bring him back into good graces with his demanding parents. Nonetheless, Igan admits in his own writings that he began the search on nothing but a whim. This is all that Neya has the time to read over at the moment. A more thorough reading will require dedicated time to the task.
Graxx picks up the history tome and flips the pages somewhat carelessly. He lingers only on the pages that have drawings on them. These mostly depict epic historical battles, including some with a healthy dose of divine intervention (clear exaggerations). There are also a couple of drawings showing the keep in its more splendorous days.
In the background, Rorin speaks up: "It doesn't feel like the ratman will be coming back out again tonight, so I'm going to bed now. I'll come and find you in the morrow, sirs and ma'am." Unless prevented from doing so, Rorin then leaves thanking Utar for the offered help.
OOC How much timt has passed since we entered the tower? Is there time to check out other places or should we be heading to bed too?
After seeing Rorin leave Graxx says seriously says, "I don't mean Nalek. I mean a crusade against this Bane god! We can't take these corrupt members of the Blackfist head on but we can hit them if catch them alone. Wipe them from the realm! We have seen their evil in the temple and it continues to plague this town."
"Possible secret wars against tyrannical gods aside, what should we do next? It was already dark when we got here. Shall we turn in for the night?"
Extended Signature
(OOC: No more than 40 minutes have passed since you left the manor. It is pretty dark outside, but you estimate that it'd still be a bit over three hours before midnight struck.)
A breeze is felt, unnaturally hitting you in the tight space of this secret study room. A candle is suddenly lit on Tyr's altar, then a second. Some incense begins smoking. None of these events happen abruptly, and they do make this room a tiny bit more welcoming.
(OOC: It looks like you guys are leaning towards a rest. Let me know in the OOC chat if that is not the case.)
"Ah!" Graxx shrieks out at the sudden lighting. "Could this be the ghost? Maybe it's a kind ghost and wants to have a sleepover here."
Graxx then says very loudly and slowly like something from the movies where someone doesn't speak the main characters language. "HELLO. MY. NAME. IS. GRAXX. ARE. YOU. A. GHOST?"
Utar takes a step backwards and reaches out a hand for his amulet. Gripping it tight he braces for...something. Something bad. Sinister. But it never comes.
Something is odd here, granted. But it feels...almost benign. Caring. Taking a deep breath, he closes his eyes and centres himself.
Insight - 8
Neya starts thinking out loud, "Hmm, could whatever is with us be the source of the strange activity? We are in one of the areas those occurrences are reported to be more prominent."
Extended Signature
"And the lighting of candles and incense are hardly violent or destructive acts. They feel more welcoming..."
"Wait... Was the purpose of the activity to call attention to itself? Do you suppose it wants to communicate?"
Extended Signature
Utar raises an eyebrow, "Perhaps. Candles and incense lighting on their own."
Utar casts a look at Graxx at this point. "What if it can't communicate through speech?"
Utar's insight tells him that Neya and him have struck the nail on the head. There is a strange presence here and it behaves in a similar fashion to the presence the group felt warn them about the Wererat. It is not threatening, and it seems to be trying to reveal itself and communicate, but it has only a limited ability to do so. Utar also suspects that whatever this spirit is, it has been watching the party for some time now.
As the group deliberates, the book containing a collection of brief stories about Tyr is knocked off Praxx's hand mysteriously. It falls back on top of the purple wood desk, its pages flipping with purpose. The breeze intensifies in this tiny room until the book's pages stop flipping. It lands on a page describing one of the oldest orders of clerics of Tyr, called The Right Hand of Justice. Their symbol is very reminiscent of the right hand that is now associated with Torm, and Utar would recognize this right away. This order is described as blindly faithful to the ideals of justice, order, and law, and fervent in their delivery in the name of Tyr, or his right hand, Torm.
(OOC: Like the journal, reading more on this topic, at this point, would also require some dedicated time to this book).
As the unnatural breeze wisps once again, it seems to say "Harae." Graxx interprets this as a direct response to his slow talking.
"HARAE! HARAE! I! HEAR YOU! THANK! YOU! FOR! WARNING!"
Graxx turns to the others smiling feeling accomplished, "The ghosts name is Harae!"
Graxx then says to the others, "Does that name mean anything to someone?"
Graxx then points to the book with a raised eyebrow, "Or maybe the fallen book will mention Harae?"
Praxx picks up the book and begins reading the book where the pages stopped turning.
"I'm not sure let me take a look because there has to be something about this book about that name." Praxx says.
(OOC- About how long do you think it would take to find what I am looking for?)