Post by hubertbartels on Jun 2, 2018 15:03:45 GMT -5
Aerwyn's fellow travellers in her party are:
Wolfram, a halfling rogue- scout
Sir Tharbo, a human paladin of Flanish descent, sworn to the Oath of Vengeance - knight
Duncan - a human cleric of Pholtus, supporter of the Light -
Saphie - a half-elf warlock, having made a pact with the Fey - pact of the tome
Gideon - a human druid, following the Circle of the Moon -
and
Aerwyn - a high elf, studying Abjuration magic - sage
We found ourselves at Motte Severan that morning, heading back to Severan's Mill. Aerwyn was eager to start digging into Deathron Silverstar's 5 volume set of spellbooks. But discussing the events at the campfire, we decided that there were too many questions left to be answered - including the important one - how involved is Lord Severan? And what were we going to do with the herd of cattle in the bailey that we freed from the rustlers?
So, instead of a day's journey back to home, we found ourselves herding cattle back to Trembly where Dame Bronwyn, the reeve, could be found. Aerwyn spent the long walk walking behind the herd, avoiding cowpatties.
In Trembly, our arrival with the cattle was noticed by everyone. Dame Bronwyn was surprised to see the herd but invited us to her house for dinner. That evening, over a pleasant meal, we told her of our fight with the rustlers and hidden cult of Iuz beneath Motte Severan. The reeve listened carefully before warning us that we would need serious evidence against Lord Severan and his family before she and the other reeves could move against them. Furthermore, she warned us to be careful if we found any evidence that Dame Griselda of Cottswold's name came up associated with the Iuz worshippers - Dame Griselda was the reeves' superior in Midmeadow.
The next day, we began our return to Severan's Mill. We were accompanied by two riders from the reeve who stopped at Motte Severan to investigate the hidden temple and clean up. We continued on to Severan's Mill, arriving near dusk. Near the gates of Severan's Mill, there was another incident - apprentices from the turkey farm, claiming that the cobbler had put boot blacking into the turkeys' feed, had fought with the cobbler and her boys and set the cobbler's shop on fire. Gideon reported that the shop's remains smelled strongly of turpentine. This incident of random violence followed others over the year.
Aerwyn returns to her home, finding it full of undone housework and her great-uncle Kereslar off on one of his wanderings. Sighing, she began to clean the place. Gideon showed up a bit later to crash on the sofa.
The next morning, we gathered to lay plans. It was decided to start by gathering information on the Severan family. There was Lord Severan, Lady Severan, a fourteen year-old boy named Dominic and a two year-old girl named Carla. Lady Severan had had several children between Dominic and Carla - but they all died in their third or fourth year of 'Summer Disease'. Several were buried at Motte Severan before the war and one buried here in Severan's Mill.
The war was five years ago during which Motte Severan was sacked and burnt. Lord Severan and his family moved then to Severan's Mill which avoided most of the damage from the war.
When we broke up, Duncan went to the local temple of Hiereonous. Father Damian was very helpful - especially after Duncan mentioned that he was making a illuminated scroll of the Severan family tree. Father Damian guided him to the church records and happened to mention that the church has the surviving Motte Severan records as well. These records were kept by Father Guenther, Father Damian's predecessor. They are still packed as retrieved from the ruins of the castle and in a terrible state. Father Duncan knows that Aerwyn would enjoy organizing paper and called her in to help.
In the meanwhile, Saphie has found a servant of the manor house in town and began to talk to her. The servant mentioned that Lord Severan was recovering from his injuries but he seemed distracted. When asked about the other members of the family - the servant doesn't like Lady Severan very much and she is worried about Carla. So many of the Severan children have died young around this age.
Over near the grounds of the Severan house, Gideon has persuaded several moles to investigate the basement of the manor house. After a while, they come back and say it is oversized and sealed so they could not get into it. Struck by a thought, Gideon next seeks out semi-feral cats living in the area. They all tell Gideon that the house and its area are dangerous and cats avoid the place.
Back at the church, Aerwyn found something interesting in the Motte Severan records. Lord Severan was the second son to Lord Bertold - Lord Gerhardt was the heir to the estate. Gerhardt later died in a battle. Lord Severan expressed an interest in becoming a priest of Hieroneous but the priest at Motte Severan, Father Guenther, rejected him three times, expressing that the priesthood was not his true calling. Aerwyn also found a reference to a "Sister Selma" - although there is no other mention of her or what her church was. In another record, Aerwyn found that when Lord Bertold's valet was killed in battle, he was replaced by a "Thomas, son of William" by the Housekeeper, a woman named "Mina". This was done over the objections of the priest of Hieroneous, Father Guenther, who found him unsuitable. Furthermore, the priest mentions at one point, the "Other Chapel".
Father Duncan, in reviewing his records on the family tree, noted that in none of the previous generations of the Severan family have had children dying from 'Summer Disease'. When Aerwyn mentioned "Sister Selma", Father Duncan remembers that in the temple of Iuz, they found evidence that the priest before Lozary the Beautiful was also named "Selma". In fact, Lozary was the son of Sister Selma and this Sister Selma gave orders to the other priest.
Finishing up his notes, Father Duncan was unable to find any information on where Lady Severan came from - this was unusual in a country where every baronet and knight had his family background recorded. There was the marriage 16 years ago where suddenly Lady Severan appeared out of nowhere.
Back at the manor house, Sir Tharbo had been working with the men-at-arms of the Severan estate. The knight used this opportunity to make inquires about the Severan family. The young lord Dominic brought up strong feelings among the men - some tried to curry favor with the young master while others despised him. It was said that Dominic enjoyed the pain of others. Lord Dominic was often in the presence of Melanthus - a handsome and gifted man more noted for his skill at fencing and his music than his use of the shortsword, spear and shield. Another that enjoyed the company of Melanthus was the Lady Severan - and there was a rumor that Melanthus was the true father of Carla.
Returning home to another evening of cleaning and organizing, Aerwyn found that great-uncle Kereslar was at home. He had lived in Severan's Mill for many generations. Aerwyn asked about her great-uncle's memories of the Severan family. Kereslar surprised her by saying that he was at their wedding at Motte Severan.
It was a beautiful wedding - and Kereslar didn't know anything about Lady Severan, he does mention that her mother, Selma Ironhand gave away the bride. Aerwyn was shocked. That meant that when we killed Lozary the Beautiful - we killed Lady Severan's brother! When asked about what had happened to Selma, Aerwyn learned that she had been promoted to the "Big Temple". Kereslar doesn't remember Father Guenther very well - at this time, he was a old man in his 70's.
The next morning over breakfast, Aerwyn told the others what she learned. Saphie went out to make further inquiries as to the fate of Thomas, the son of William. Wolfram and Gideon decided to break into the parsonage when Father Damian was out to find the official diary of Father Guenther.
Saphie learned that after Bertold's death, Thomas took vows and became a priest of Pholtus. He was supposed to be near Willowstrand. Talking to more servants, she learned that Mina, the former Housekeeper of Motte Severan, had moved to Midmeadow.
Gideon and Wolfram do not find Father Guenther's diary. Instead they find Father Damian's official diary. Reading from it - the father expressed his worry and frustration that they could not find his predecessor's diary. In a hidden compartment underneath the stairs, the two found a long neglected shrine to Iuz. Apparently, the predecessor had been a follower of the demon god. The two carefully covered up the shrine again before leaving the parsonage.
That evening, we made plans to travel to Willowstrand to find Thomas. Our cover story, one we have been using ever since Trembly, is that we're following up on missing cattle herds.
Wolfram, a halfling rogue- scout
Sir Tharbo, a human paladin of Flanish descent, sworn to the Oath of Vengeance - knight
Duncan - a human cleric of Pholtus, supporter of the Light -
Saphie - a half-elf warlock, having made a pact with the Fey - pact of the tome
Gideon - a human druid, following the Circle of the Moon -
and
Aerwyn - a high elf, studying Abjuration magic - sage
We found ourselves at Motte Severan that morning, heading back to Severan's Mill. Aerwyn was eager to start digging into Deathron Silverstar's 5 volume set of spellbooks. But discussing the events at the campfire, we decided that there were too many questions left to be answered - including the important one - how involved is Lord Severan? And what were we going to do with the herd of cattle in the bailey that we freed from the rustlers?
So, instead of a day's journey back to home, we found ourselves herding cattle back to Trembly where Dame Bronwyn, the reeve, could be found. Aerwyn spent the long walk walking behind the herd, avoiding cowpatties.
In Trembly, our arrival with the cattle was noticed by everyone. Dame Bronwyn was surprised to see the herd but invited us to her house for dinner. That evening, over a pleasant meal, we told her of our fight with the rustlers and hidden cult of Iuz beneath Motte Severan. The reeve listened carefully before warning us that we would need serious evidence against Lord Severan and his family before she and the other reeves could move against them. Furthermore, she warned us to be careful if we found any evidence that Dame Griselda of Cottswold's name came up associated with the Iuz worshippers - Dame Griselda was the reeves' superior in Midmeadow.
The next day, we began our return to Severan's Mill. We were accompanied by two riders from the reeve who stopped at Motte Severan to investigate the hidden temple and clean up. We continued on to Severan's Mill, arriving near dusk. Near the gates of Severan's Mill, there was another incident - apprentices from the turkey farm, claiming that the cobbler had put boot blacking into the turkeys' feed, had fought with the cobbler and her boys and set the cobbler's shop on fire. Gideon reported that the shop's remains smelled strongly of turpentine. This incident of random violence followed others over the year.
Aerwyn returns to her home, finding it full of undone housework and her great-uncle Kereslar off on one of his wanderings. Sighing, she began to clean the place. Gideon showed up a bit later to crash on the sofa.
The next morning, we gathered to lay plans. It was decided to start by gathering information on the Severan family. There was Lord Severan, Lady Severan, a fourteen year-old boy named Dominic and a two year-old girl named Carla. Lady Severan had had several children between Dominic and Carla - but they all died in their third or fourth year of 'Summer Disease'. Several were buried at Motte Severan before the war and one buried here in Severan's Mill.
The war was five years ago during which Motte Severan was sacked and burnt. Lord Severan and his family moved then to Severan's Mill which avoided most of the damage from the war.
When we broke up, Duncan went to the local temple of Hiereonous. Father Damian was very helpful - especially after Duncan mentioned that he was making a illuminated scroll of the Severan family tree. Father Damian guided him to the church records and happened to mention that the church has the surviving Motte Severan records as well. These records were kept by Father Guenther, Father Damian's predecessor. They are still packed as retrieved from the ruins of the castle and in a terrible state. Father Duncan knows that Aerwyn would enjoy organizing paper and called her in to help.
In the meanwhile, Saphie has found a servant of the manor house in town and began to talk to her. The servant mentioned that Lord Severan was recovering from his injuries but he seemed distracted. When asked about the other members of the family - the servant doesn't like Lady Severan very much and she is worried about Carla. So many of the Severan children have died young around this age.
Over near the grounds of the Severan house, Gideon has persuaded several moles to investigate the basement of the manor house. After a while, they come back and say it is oversized and sealed so they could not get into it. Struck by a thought, Gideon next seeks out semi-feral cats living in the area. They all tell Gideon that the house and its area are dangerous and cats avoid the place.
Back at the church, Aerwyn found something interesting in the Motte Severan records. Lord Severan was the second son to Lord Bertold - Lord Gerhardt was the heir to the estate. Gerhardt later died in a battle. Lord Severan expressed an interest in becoming a priest of Hieroneous but the priest at Motte Severan, Father Guenther, rejected him three times, expressing that the priesthood was not his true calling. Aerwyn also found a reference to a "Sister Selma" - although there is no other mention of her or what her church was. In another record, Aerwyn found that when Lord Bertold's valet was killed in battle, he was replaced by a "Thomas, son of William" by the Housekeeper, a woman named "Mina". This was done over the objections of the priest of Hieroneous, Father Guenther, who found him unsuitable. Furthermore, the priest mentions at one point, the "Other Chapel".
Father Duncan, in reviewing his records on the family tree, noted that in none of the previous generations of the Severan family have had children dying from 'Summer Disease'. When Aerwyn mentioned "Sister Selma", Father Duncan remembers that in the temple of Iuz, they found evidence that the priest before Lozary the Beautiful was also named "Selma". In fact, Lozary was the son of Sister Selma and this Sister Selma gave orders to the other priest.
Finishing up his notes, Father Duncan was unable to find any information on where Lady Severan came from - this was unusual in a country where every baronet and knight had his family background recorded. There was the marriage 16 years ago where suddenly Lady Severan appeared out of nowhere.
Back at the manor house, Sir Tharbo had been working with the men-at-arms of the Severan estate. The knight used this opportunity to make inquires about the Severan family. The young lord Dominic brought up strong feelings among the men - some tried to curry favor with the young master while others despised him. It was said that Dominic enjoyed the pain of others. Lord Dominic was often in the presence of Melanthus - a handsome and gifted man more noted for his skill at fencing and his music than his use of the shortsword, spear and shield. Another that enjoyed the company of Melanthus was the Lady Severan - and there was a rumor that Melanthus was the true father of Carla.
Returning home to another evening of cleaning and organizing, Aerwyn found that great-uncle Kereslar was at home. He had lived in Severan's Mill for many generations. Aerwyn asked about her great-uncle's memories of the Severan family. Kereslar surprised her by saying that he was at their wedding at Motte Severan.
It was a beautiful wedding - and Kereslar didn't know anything about Lady Severan, he does mention that her mother, Selma Ironhand gave away the bride. Aerwyn was shocked. That meant that when we killed Lozary the Beautiful - we killed Lady Severan's brother! When asked about what had happened to Selma, Aerwyn learned that she had been promoted to the "Big Temple". Kereslar doesn't remember Father Guenther very well - at this time, he was a old man in his 70's.
The next morning over breakfast, Aerwyn told the others what she learned. Saphie went out to make further inquiries as to the fate of Thomas, the son of William. Wolfram and Gideon decided to break into the parsonage when Father Damian was out to find the official diary of Father Guenther.
Saphie learned that after Bertold's death, Thomas took vows and became a priest of Pholtus. He was supposed to be near Willowstrand. Talking to more servants, she learned that Mina, the former Housekeeper of Motte Severan, had moved to Midmeadow.
Gideon and Wolfram do not find Father Guenther's diary. Instead they find Father Damian's official diary. Reading from it - the father expressed his worry and frustration that they could not find his predecessor's diary. In a hidden compartment underneath the stairs, the two found a long neglected shrine to Iuz. Apparently, the predecessor had been a follower of the demon god. The two carefully covered up the shrine again before leaving the parsonage.
That evening, we made plans to travel to Willowstrand to find Thomas. Our cover story, one we have been using ever since Trembly, is that we're following up on missing cattle herds.