Hearthmount nods as the letter finishes its circuit and comes back to his hand.  "This document will be transcribed into the town's records in the morning, afterwards Ms. Lorrimor you are welcome to the original.  I will have someone bring it round for you.  Well, unless there is anything else I should head home"

"Well councilor, you might recall there is still the matter of the attack this evening to discuss.  I believe you said we could talk about it after the reading?  So, can I expect the sheriff to be headed out to Gibs Hephenus's farm tomorrow morning?"

"Kendra, do you really think it wise to press the matter?  I am sure the trouncing they received this evening was enough to set those boys heads straight.  Your father did often allude  to the fact that many common people could easily misunderstand the reasoning for the dark nature of his research.  This was just one of those misunderstandings."

"I was assaulted Vashian!  A man cut me with a pitchfork.  Had it not been for these kind friends of my father the entire memorial could have been ruined and who knows what would have happened.  They called him a necromancer; they wanted to steal his body and bury it in some unmarked grave!"  While having only spent a short time with Kendra, a common initial impression would be that she is a genteel woman with kind and somewhat demure manners.  While their are tears brimming in her eyes, there is also a new venom and fire accompanying her words; one that might require some to adjust initial impressions.

*I will pause here in the event anyone else wants to participate in this conversation as it isn't a JRPG cutscene.*

"Mister Hearthmount," Dragutin interjects.  "There are strangers in the midst of this town.  Wouldn't it be wise to make a show of the sheriff maintaining control and authority as a mediator at this time?  Without the sheriff's involvement, these thugs will fear some strangers nearly killed them and the good folk have no protection.  If the sheriff assures them he is still in control, while reminding them that he is in control, that seems the best option for everyone's safety and health.  I cannot speak for these other fine. . . people. . . but if your locals draw weapons in my presence, I will defend myself.  I didn't have to shed blood in the Restlands.  You don't want me to shed blood in town."

He looks to the other travelers for input or enforcement.  He already knew they did not shirk from combat.  Applebough seemed the gentlest of them - he would have to thank him (it?) for the offer of shelter later . . . .

"Isn't that the sheriff's job?"  Telantha asks with a glance to the counciler.  "What is the law about attacking someone with intent to harm?  Do you usually not do anything about that sort of thing?  How long has he been the sheriff?  Do you have a jail?  I thought the jail burned down?  Hey, is your sheriff a ghost?  Isn't that what happened to those in the jail after all?"

Yam catches Dragutin's eye and says, "Dragutin, old chum. We've only just met. Perhaps you and I will find time tonight to take a walk and get to know each other. Blow off some steam and whatnot. There's much I don't know about you and I'd love to hear about your experiences with The Professor. And who knows? Perhaps we'll bump into this Gibs fellow along the way and have a friendly chat on a dark road somewhere. If not, this is a small town and we're industrious sorts. I'm sure we can figure out which home is his. If the good Councilman thinks this is a matter best left to the devices of human nature rather than involving frivolous things like "law" and "order," maybe it's for the best that we let the matter drop and stop wasting the council's time."

Bowser curses as he realizes the gold will come later. "No matter, I'll still take a room here and pay as we go along. But Yam is right, we should let this go for now ... until it escalates." He cracks his knuckles.

Hearthmount looks taken aback by the fire in Kendra's voice, and even more flustered by the not so discreet threats of violence from several of the gathered.

"Well yes, of...of course.  If you think it is best that the Sheriff go speak with Hephenus that is just what will happen.  He and I are both public servants after all, we serve the public.  Please gentle people, do not trouble yourself with it.  You have my word that Hephenus Gibs and the rest of the lot from this afternoon will trouble you no more.  Now, if you will excuse me...it seems I must find the sheriff to inform him of an appointment he has in the morning.  I will be off."

The councilman and his two colleagues see themselves out, leaving a little bit more breathing room in the sitting area.

"Officious man...whatever way the wind blows, you can be sure his sail will be set.  Impressive that the wind can move him at all really."  Kendra sits and fumes for a moment before coming back to the present.  "Please excuse my behavior.  Sometimes you have to push some steel to get anything done, but it really isn't in my nature...at least I would rather it not be.  Well, why don't we step outside to the back.  There is more space for sitting out there and a few of our number will be more comfortable.  I can bring down father's trunk and you can see this apparently awful books he has entrusted to your care."

Kendra guides you all through a kitchen and out the back door where there is a garden with an array of stone and wooden benches for sitting and contemplating.  The sun has gone down now, but with a wave of her hand 4 pale yellow lights float into existence, providing some minor illumination for the group as they relax in a more natural setting.  The fall evening has a brisk chill too it, but the rain has continued to hold off.  Taken as a whole it is a fairly pleasant night for sitting outside.

"Give me a moment to bring the chest down.  It shouldn't be too long."

She leaves the group of you in the backyard as she heads back into the house.  Through an open window you can hear her heading upstairs.

*deleted*

As they wait in the back of the estate, Dragutin takes the opportunity to finally speak openly with the others, leaning against the side of the house.  The rain had stopped but the wall was still a little damp to the touch.

"Thanks for helping convince Hearthmount in there.  We were a little heavy-handed, I think, but I was being truthful.  If this 'Hephenus' idiot rallies a mob, things will get a lot more . . . complicated.  There is, after all, enough of a threat that the Professor's last wish was that a group of heavily-armed vagrants protect his daughter.  While we're here, if anyone finds work that requires an extra set of hands, I'm available.  Being idle in a hostile environment is not ideal."

"I don't know that I'd describe our approach as 'heavy-handed'...the Councilman seemed to need to be convinced to perform his duties. I think a sufficient job was done." Yam pops another sardine into his mouth.

As you discuss the varying degrees of verbal force you employed against the councilman, Kendra comes back outside carrying a dark oak chest. While only about 2' across, it looks like if it were fully loaded it would be quite heavy.

"Here we are.  I think these are the books father was talking about in the will.  At least this is the one chest I was not allowed access to while doing research in the library while he was alive, so it is a good guess."

Setting the chest on the ground, she looks nervous about opening it...as if her father's admonishment still holds sway even in his passing.  Taking the heavy brass key from the top of the chest, she holds it out to the group with a sheepish smile.  

"I know it is a silly thing, but I don't think I can bring myself to open it even now.  Would one of you do the honors?  It is after all in your charge at this point."

Once/If the chest is opened.

Eks

Without hesitation, Eks takes the key from Kendra. "If no one else wants the honours." Pausing for a moment out of courtesy, Eks waits for anyone to step forward.

(If no one objects)

He inserts the key, turns and lifts the lid. Slowly.

(If someone else steps up)

He hands the key over and returns to Appleboughs side.

Bowser shakes his head and motions to the chest. "Feel free my friend."

As soon as the chest is open Telantha would step up, her curiosity of what it might hold too much to hold back for any sort of manners. She would immediately hand the journal over to the daughter, then start looking to see what else was in the chest.

Yam waves off the offered key with a, "By all means..."

Once the chest is opened, he'll read the note out loud to the party as the journal is passed to Kendra.

Once handed to her Kendra immediately opens the journal to the last page and begins to read.  After a few moments there is a confused look on her face and she begins to flip through other pages of the journal, first just a few pages back and then further and further.  Each time she pauses to read she shakes her head slightly in dismay.

As she studies her father's thoughts, the rest of you examine the other books, the ones apparently left to your care as couriers.  The chest contains four other tomes.

• A rich purple cover containing a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center.  The spine reads "Manual of the Order of the Palantine Eye" The scarab's wings seperate on fine pivots to revel a small but intricate lock, the keyhole of which appears to be for a key with a strange triangular shaft.  There is no key enclosed with the book. (One player may make a Arcana or History Check with advantage to identify the topic of discussion of the book).
• A jet-black book that light seems to fall into, the corners of the binding are sealed with copper that has tarnished to an unnatural deep red, reminiscent of blood.  There is no lock, as you pick up the book it falls open to a title page which reads "On Verified Maddness" (One player may make an Arcana or Religion Check with advantage to identify the topic of discussion of this book).
• The next is a heavy book with dangerous looking rusted metal plates for covering.  It is bound by a tarnished silver wire, and the words "Serving Your Hunger" are embossed on the metal.  The book can be removed carefully from the trunk without danger, but opening it runs the risk of cutting yourself on the metal cover. (One player may make a Religion Check with advantage to identify the topic of discussion of this book.  If you choose to open it please let me know and we will run forward from there)
• The final book is bound with a strange light colored leather, stitched together in places across the cover.  The dark stitching also letters out the title in a strange embroidery that is unsettling to say the least.  This is "The Umbral Leaves" (One player may make a Religion Check with advantage to identify the topic or discussion of this book).  On the back cover of the book is a dark ink tatoo, and seeing that suddenly brings the recognition that the strange leather binding is human skin.

At the bottom of the chest is another handwritten note providing instructions for the books.  

My Friends,

Please deliver The Manual of the Order of the Palantine Eye to the Honorable Embreth Daramid of the Lepidstadt Judiciary.  Delivery should be handled discreetly as the tome is strictly restricted and possession of it is considered illegal within Ustalav.  I would recommend finding his judgeship at home for the delivery.

The other three can be delivered to Doctor Montagnie Crowl, professor of antiquities at Lepidstadt University.  While these books are not technically illegal, possession of them could raise some uncomfortable questions.  I would recommend they not be left in plain sight in public for any amount of time.

You have my gratitude,

Professor Lorrimor

*A beat for everyone to roll whatever checks they want and look at the books longer if they choose.  If you decide to open or read any of them let me know and I will reply with what you find inside.*  

Dragutin's red eyes are first drawn to the metal-bound book.  Something about hunger and danger called to him.  Still, he didn't fancy the idea of trying to open it, and there was always a risk when his blood was drawn.  Then his gaze drifts past the purple tome, but noticing the lock, he huffs and grabs the black one.

Cradling the spine in his palm, he gently lifts the book out.  He spares a glance to Kendra, taking note of her uncomfortable response to the journal's contents.  When he looks back, the cover of the book falls open, revealing the title page. Dragutin cracks a wry smile.  Maddness, eh?

"Miss Kendra," he asks, somewhat distracted.  "Are you unwell?"

Dragutin: The book's title tingles something in the back of your memory.  You are pretty sure you have heard a passing reference to it before, but the information you know is just out of reach.  You experience a feeling of lethologica.

Boom!  Used my word of the day calendar.  Lol, j/k.

Telantha glances over the books, but does not pick one up, instead picking up the note at the bottom. She moves over to the daughter and nods to the journal.  "What does he have to say in there?" She asks.

Ignoring his own curosity at the contents of the letter for the time being, Applebough's attention is drawn to the brass scarab. A faint memory of a story the Elder used to tell flits through his mind.

History: 22

Yam horks another sardine before picking up the book labeled Serving Your Hunger thinking about how he knows a thing or two about that subject. He carefully turns it over in his hands, looking for anything more dangerous than tetanus.

Investigation: 5

Religion: 10