Father Lucian smiles apologetically at Sandu,"It does seem particularly odd timing - I am not sure whether it is a coincidence. But do not despair there is always hope, even in the bleakest of times."
The elderly priest stokes his chin as he contemplates the question of potential leads,"I had believed that only I knew the location of the Saint Andral's bones. In truth, I tried to give little thought as to who could have taken them - any malicious enough to rob this church of such a valuable relic." You can clearly tell that the Father is upset at the thought of a potential betrayal.
"That one of the members of mine own congregation should be behind their disappearance?"he mutters to himself, "But then how would they know of the bones existence? And, what about their motivation?" He looks gravely at Sandu,"Only one wrought of pure evil would contemplate stealing an item from its holy resting place."
After hearing Valerie's question Lucian responds, "Saint Andral was a holy paladin of the Morninglord; fighting for His cause, to enforce His justice. A life dedicated to servitude of a God dedicated to the light and goodness in the world. It has long been my theory, Donavich's too, that Andral's righteousness in life had imbued him with a blessing of sorts from the Morninglord. His bones contained his very essence and the protection that the Morninglord had bestowed on him in life continued on after death. Many times has the devil attempted to strike at Vallaki, at this church itself! Yet many times he has not been able to penetrate these walls.
Scratching his chin, he continues, "You have been to the church of the Morninglord in the village of Barovia have you not? You have seen the damage the armies of the evil one has caused to that holy church. Did you not think it odd that this church is not in a similar condition?"Lucian allows himself a little chuckle, "Well... aside from the odd wear and tear over the years..." His hands trace the lines on his own face,"Something I, myself, am suffering from."
"If you will allow me to be blunt - removing those bones, in my summation, will have removed any warding or protection over this church."the Father's eyes begin to glisten as he looks at Ireena,"do you know how many people we have managed to help over the years? Sheltering them from Strahd, ensuring that his foul plans do not come into fruition. It was Donavich's and my goal to see you safe child, within the walls of this church. But it would appear that I have failed. The task of stewardship that was entrusted to me..."
Father Lucian briefly lets the sentence hang before snapping out of his self pity,"The crypt is a good place to start... I have not changed anything since I found the bones had been taken."
"That one of the members of mine own congregation should be behind their disappearance?"he mutters to himself, "But then how would they know of the bones existence? And, what about their motivation?" He looks gravely at Sandu,"Only one wrought of pure evil would contemplate stealing an item from its holy resting place."
Sandu scratched his chin. 'Doubt it.' He said after plucking a stray hair out of his beard. 'Most thieves steal out of pragmatism. Though I will admit that selling bones would be a tad hard.'
He scratched the other side of his chin. 'Though not impossible. Religious relics will always fetch a pretty copper.'
Sandu let his good eye wander over the congregation, already hating the fact that he had to turn his neck to get the full view. 'So the question boils down to: who knows about the bones and who is desperate enough to resort to grave robbing? Any ideas, Father Lucian?'
Sandu switched from scratching to stroking his beard. He once heard it made men look smart.
Baern is completely quiet when Blinsky talks about the toy of the dwarven woman, failing to reply to his questions. After a few moments he asks seriously "what was her name?" "Did she have a big smile?!" "Did she have a tiny scar just under her eye?!!!"
Father Lucian shakes his head,"I'm not sure who could have undertaken such an act; only I knew of the bones existence and location."He thinks long and hard,"In terms of those desperate enough to commit a crime? Most of the people that pass through the Church's doors are lacking material wealth. These are hard times and people are struggling."
The Father buries his face in his hands,"Those that work here... many that help out are based in the Orphanage opposite."he quickly adds, "...but I am not accusing any of them, please understand. Many housed there have experienced the worst of life. I am sure the perpetrator is further afield - the crime committed for nefarious purposes!"At his declaration Father Lucian slumps in his chair, defeated.
Slowly rising to his feet, he walks to the door of the office."I shall clear the church for you... As Valerie mentioned, it could be that more clues as to the thief's, or thieves, identity is able to be found."He proceeds to start ushering a number of the locals out of the church.
The Blinsky's Toys Group - Baern, Dormark & Galqarin
Baern - Gadof looks momentarily confused, "Thees was many, many yeears aygo."You notice him looking off into the middle distance as though recollecting a memory, "Though truth be tyold - I reemember hyer lyke it were the other day. Diesa - Diesa Stonebrok, a truly wondyful woman." Thinking back he attempts to remember her face,"Yes, yes - big smyle, scyar under the eye. Why? Y'know 'er?"
"Father, we have no stake in this land. Our eyes will look fairly on all as we try to restore the bones to their resting place."
As the father clears the building, Ioben will watch the people leaving to see if anyone is acting particularly unusual. [Edit: To explain why he is watching] As The person responsible may not have gone far, or looking for other opportunities to take things around the church. Perception: 15 Insight: 26
As you watch the parishioners leave the church a few people catch your eye;
An old woman, the person Lucian was comforting as you entered the church, walks by barely acknowledging people. Her eyes are still red from tears.
A young lad in a dirty white robe, an altar boy's outfit, tentatively walks out of the church. You notice he keeps checking back at the group over his shoulder as he leaves.
A poorly dressed man, likely a vagabond, walks with a slight limp as he goes passed you. He stares at the ground, making sure not to make eye contact with those around him.
((For the purpose of this I am going to say you remain at the door to the office, which is to the immediate right of the main entrance.))
The Blinsky's Toys Group - Baern, Dormark & Galqarin
Gadof looks a little taken aback from Baern's outburst. "Why nyot come to Vallaki?"he initially says, in a hurt tone, before adding, "Unless..." His eyes narrow slightly, "Diesa meentioned she gyot lost in the Meests - sepeerated from hyer familee. Who are you, syir?"
It was now Baern's time to become the object of Blinksy's scrutiny; he looked over the dwarf with fascination. "Syrely nyot, Syrely nyot." he muttered to himself.
Ioben takes note of the young man, trying to recall as many details as he can about him. When Father Lucien returns from clearing the room, Ioben says,"That young man, the one in the altar boys outfit? Who was he? He seemed on edge."
"Oh Yeska?" The Father responds to Ioben almost absent-mindedly as he ushers people from the church,"Wait, you do not mean to suggest... He's just a boy. Lives in the Orphanage, helps me out here from time to time. He's probably just curious about whats going on."
After a few moments Lucian leads you towards the back of the church behind the altar. He lifts up an old, but well kept, rug revealing a trap-door with a lock. Lucian fiddles around with the small lantern hanging from his neck - a false bottom reveals a tiny key, which he proceeds to place in the lock and turn. A small clicking sound can be heard, after which Lucian lifts the trapdoor to reveal stairs down.
Ioben, Sandu & Valerie - Can those following Lucian to the crypt please make an initial Investigation check ((feel free to use the campaign roller)).
Baern - Blinsky's face darkens a little, "Worry nyot - I geeve the informaytion freely. From what I reemember she travelled weeth a group - much lyke yours. Tywards Krezk I believe - thees was many, many years ago." His mood lightens a little,"I hyave some of hyer creeations hyere... if eets of intyrest?" Smiling he waves you on through to the back of his shop, where you presume a workshop to be located. "Cyome, Cyome."
The Father buries his face in his hands,"Those that work here... many that help out are based in the Orphanage opposite."he quickly adds,"...but I am not accusing any of them, please understand. Many housed there have experienced the worst of life. I am sure the perpetrator is further afield - the crime committed for nefarious purposes!"At his declaration Father Lucian slumps in his chair, defeated.
Sandu rolled his eyes. At least one did but he could feel both making the rounds.
'Experiencing the worst just means you're that much more determined to do whatever it takes to never experience it again.' His words were not admonishing but more a matter of fact. 'I can relate.'Sandu concluded with a shrug.
He watched the good Father go through the motions of opening a trap door with a hidden key. He filed away that curiosity for later questioning. First came the crypt. But before that, there was a small matter he had to attend to.
'Pardon me, Father but are you perchance gifted in the healing arts?' Sandu shifted his gaze from Lucian to the trapdoor and back. 'A... friend of mine keeps getting his gears stuck on this eye of mine.'He pointed at his blind left eye. 'Keeps thinking something supernatural caused it but I'm sure it'll blow over after I have a good wash. But could I bother you to give it a once-over, just so I can put his mind at ease?'
Sandu - "You might well have the truth of the matter." Lucian says simply,"I think, in truth, that I hoped they would not be involved in the items disappearance. Though I do concede that there may well be those that have their reasons to take such an artefact. If someone, or something, was to have paid or coerced them into stealing I might be able to understand it. But then how would they know about the bones, or their location?"
He looks more closely at your eye (Medicine:25). His hands shake a little and he nervously scratches at his forehead. "Would you mind if I ask you how you came by your malady? Your friend might very well be correct in their assumptions. To answer your question - yes I am well versed in the study of medicine and restorative magics. As the Morninglord wills."
Sandu - "You might well have the truth of the matter." Lucian says simply,"I think, in truth, that I hoped they would not be involved in the items disappearance. Though I do concede that there may well be those that have their reasons to take such an artefact. If someone, or something, was to have paid or coerced them into stealing I might be able to understand it. But then how would they know about the bones, or their location?"
He looks more closely at your eye (Medicine:25). His hands shake a little and he nervously scratches at his forehead. "Would you mind if I ask you how you came by your malady? Your friend might very well be correct in their assumptions. To answer your question - yes I am well versed in the study of medicine and restorative magics. As the Morninglord wills."
'I woke up like this.'Sandu replied, which was not untrue. 'We did have a scuffle with a feral man and his merry band of plant men yesterday.'
He raised his eyebrows. 'Probably got a bit of green in my eye.' One corner of his mouth pulled taut. 'I just hope it's not a fungal infection. I- Someone once ate wild mushrooms and was bedridden for days.'
Sandu's mouth twirled into a smirk. 'Are you sure you're the only one who knows about the crypt and the bones?' His eyes wandered through the building. 'Big place, must be easy to hide and eavesdrop.'
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ioben - Investigation: 19
Ioben watches as the Father removes the key from it's hiding place. Ioben and Sandu clearly had similar thoughts about what had happened here. "Does anyone else know where you keep the key? It doesn't look like the mechanism has been damaged in any way, so they either had access to it, or some other means to gain entry. Another entrance, or magic?"
The Church Group - Ioben, Sandu & Valerie
Father Lucian smiles apologetically at Sandu, "It does seem particularly odd timing - I am not sure whether it is a coincidence. But do not despair there is always hope, even in the bleakest of times."
The elderly priest stokes his chin as he contemplates the question of potential leads, "I had believed that only I knew the location of the Saint Andral's bones. In truth, I tried to give little thought as to who could have taken them - any malicious enough to rob this church of such a valuable relic." You can clearly tell that the Father is upset at the thought of a potential betrayal.
"That one of the members of mine own congregation should be behind their disappearance?" he mutters to himself, "But then how would they know of the bones existence? And, what about their motivation?" He looks gravely at Sandu, "Only one wrought of pure evil would contemplate stealing an item from its holy resting place."
After hearing Valerie's question Lucian responds, "Saint Andral was a holy paladin of the Morninglord; fighting for His cause, to enforce His justice. A life dedicated to servitude of a God dedicated to the light and goodness in the world. It has long been my theory, Donavich's too, that Andral's righteousness in life had imbued him with a blessing of sorts from the Morninglord. His bones contained his very essence and the protection that the Morninglord had bestowed on him in life continued on after death. Many times has the devil attempted to strike at Vallaki, at this church itself! Yet many times he has not been able to penetrate these walls.
Scratching his chin, he continues, "You have been to the church of the Morninglord in the village of Barovia have you not? You have seen the damage the armies of the evil one has caused to that holy church. Did you not think it odd that this church is not in a similar condition?" Lucian allows himself a little chuckle, "Well... aside from the odd wear and tear over the years..." His hands trace the lines on his own face, "Something I, myself, am suffering from."
"If you will allow me to be blunt - removing those bones, in my summation, will have removed any warding or protection over this church." the Father's eyes begin to glisten as he looks at Ireena, "do you know how many people we have managed to help over the years? Sheltering them from Strahd, ensuring that his foul plans do not come into fruition. It was Donavich's and my goal to see you safe child, within the walls of this church. But it would appear that I have failed. The task of stewardship that was entrusted to me..."
Father Lucian briefly lets the sentence hang before snapping out of his self pity, "The crypt is a good place to start... I have not changed anything since I found the bones had been taken."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Sandu scratched his chin. 'Doubt it.' He said after plucking a stray hair out of his beard. 'Most thieves steal out of pragmatism. Though I will admit that selling bones would be a tad hard.'
He scratched the other side of his chin. 'Though not impossible. Religious relics will always fetch a pretty copper.'
Sandu let his good eye wander over the congregation, already hating the fact that he had to turn his neck to get the full view. 'So the question boils down to: who knows about the bones and who is desperate enough to resort to grave robbing? Any ideas, Father Lucian?'
Sandu switched from scratching to stroking his beard. He once heard it made men look smart.
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Baern is completely quiet when Blinsky talks about the toy of the dwarven woman, failing to reply to his questions. After a few moments he asks seriously "what was her name?" "Did she have a big smile?!" "Did she have a tiny scar just under her eye?!!!"
"Baern what is wrong? Why the sudden outburst," ask Dormark with what seems to be a worried tone.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
The Church Group - Ioben, Sandu & Valerie
Father Lucian shakes his head, "I'm not sure who could have undertaken such an act; only I knew of the bones existence and location." He thinks long and hard, "In terms of those desperate enough to commit a crime? Most of the people that pass through the Church's doors are lacking material wealth. These are hard times and people are struggling."
The Father buries his face in his hands, "Those that work here... many that help out are based in the Orphanage opposite." he quickly adds, "...but I am not accusing any of them, please understand. Many housed there have experienced the worst of life. I am sure the perpetrator is further afield - the crime committed for nefarious purposes!" At his declaration Father Lucian slumps in his chair, defeated.
Slowly rising to his feet, he walks to the door of the office. "I shall clear the church for you... As Valerie mentioned, it could be that more clues as to the thief's, or thieves, identity is able to be found." He proceeds to start ushering a number of the locals out of the church.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
The Blinsky's Toys Group - Baern, Dormark & Galqarin
Baern - Gadof looks momentarily confused, "Thees was many, many yeears aygo." You notice him looking off into the middle distance as though recollecting a memory, "Though truth be tyold - I reemember hyer lyke it were the other day. Diesa - Diesa Stonebrok, a truly wondyful woman." Thinking back he attempts to remember her face, "Yes, yes - big smyle, scyar under the eye. Why? Y'know 'er?"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"Father, we have no stake in this land. Our eyes will look fairly on all as we try to restore the bones to their resting place."
As the father clears the building, Ioben will watch the people leaving to see if anyone is acting particularly unusual. [Edit: To explain why he is watching] As The person responsible may not have gone far, or looking for other opportunities to take things around the church.
Perception: 15
Insight: 26
Ioben's Perception & Insight checks:
As you watch the parishioners leave the church a few people catch your eye;
((For the purpose of this I am going to say you remain at the door to the office, which is to the immediate right of the main entrance.))
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Baern barely hears Dormark as he demands answers to his question from the toy maker. "Wha...wh...why was she here? Where is she now?!!!"
Dormark puts his hand on the Dwarf's shoulder, "Calm down, tell me who you are talking about. I don't understand your excitement."
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
The Blinsky's Toys Group - Baern, Dormark & Galqarin
Gadof looks a little taken aback from Baern's outburst. "Why nyot come to Vallaki?" he initially says, in a hurt tone, before adding, "Unless..." His eyes narrow slightly, "Diesa meentioned she gyot lost in the Meests - sepeerated from hyer familee. Who are you, syir?"
It was now Baern's time to become the object of Blinksy's scrutiny; he looked over the dwarf with fascination. "Syrely nyot, Syrely nyot." he muttered to himself.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Ioben takes note of the young man, trying to recall as many details as he can about him. When Father Lucien returns from clearing the room, Ioben says, "That young man, the one in the altar boys outfit? Who was he? He seemed on edge."
The Church Group - Ioben, Sandu & Valerie
"Oh Yeska?" The Father responds to Ioben almost absent-mindedly as he ushers people from the church, "Wait, you do not mean to suggest... He's just a boy. Lives in the Orphanage, helps me out here from time to time. He's probably just curious about whats going on."
After a few moments Lucian leads you towards the back of the church behind the altar. He lifts up an old, but well kept, rug revealing a trap-door with a lock. Lucian fiddles around with the small lantern hanging from his neck - a false bottom reveals a tiny key, which he proceeds to place in the lock and turn. A small clicking sound can be heard, after which Lucian lifts the trapdoor to reveal stairs down.
Ioben, Sandu & Valerie - Can those following Lucian to the crypt please make an initial Investigation check ((feel free to use the campaign roller)).
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Baern shoves off Dormark's hand and asks again "where is she, or where did she go?" "Look, I'll buy a toy if you want, just please tell me."
Baern - Blinsky's face darkens a little, "Worry nyot - I geeve the informaytion freely. From what I reemember she travelled weeth a group - much lyke yours. Tywards Krezk I believe - thees was many, many years ago." His mood lightens a little, "I hyave some of hyer creeations hyere... if eets of intyrest?" Smiling he waves you on through to the back of his shop, where you presume a workshop to be located. "Cyome, Cyome."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Sandu rolled his eyes. At least one did but he could feel both making the rounds.
'Experiencing the worst just means you're that much more determined to do whatever it takes to never experience it again.' His words were not admonishing but more a matter of fact. 'I can relate.' Sandu concluded with a shrug.
He watched the good Father go through the motions of opening a trap door with a hidden key. He filed away that curiosity for later questioning. First came the crypt. But before that, there was a small matter he had to attend to.
'Pardon me, Father but are you perchance gifted in the healing arts?' Sandu shifted his gaze from Lucian to the trapdoor and back. 'A... friend of mine keeps getting his gears stuck on this eye of mine.' He pointed at his blind left eye. 'Keeps thinking something supernatural caused it but I'm sure it'll blow over after I have a good wash. But could I bother you to give it a once-over, just so I can put his mind at ease?'
OOC: Investigation (per campaign log) 12
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Sandu - "You might well have the truth of the matter." Lucian says simply, "I think, in truth, that I hoped they would not be involved in the items disappearance. Though I do concede that there may well be those that have their reasons to take such an artefact. If someone, or something, was to have paid or coerced them into stealing I might be able to understand it. But then how would they know about the bones, or their location?"
He looks more closely at your eye (Medicine:25). His hands shake a little and he nervously scratches at his forehead. "Would you mind if I ask you how you came by your malady? Your friend might very well be correct in their assumptions. To answer your question - yes I am well versed in the study of medicine and restorative magics. As the Morninglord wills."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
'I woke up like this.' Sandu replied, which was not untrue. 'We did have a scuffle with a feral man and his merry band of plant men yesterday.'
He raised his eyebrows. 'Probably got a bit of green in my eye.' One corner of his mouth pulled taut. 'I just hope it's not a fungal infection. I- Someone once ate wild mushrooms and was bedridden for days.'
Sandu's mouth twirled into a smirk. 'Are you sure you're the only one who knows about the crypt and the bones?'
His eyes wandered through the building. 'Big place, must be easy to hide and eavesdrop.'
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Ioben - Investigation: 19
Ioben watches as the Father removes the key from it's hiding place. Ioben and Sandu clearly had similar thoughts about what had happened here. "Does anyone else know where you keep the key? It doesn't look like the mechanism has been damaged in any way, so they either had access to it, or some other means to gain entry. Another entrance, or magic?"
Dormark follows behind Baern. Given the Dwarf a respectful distance.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4