Murder Trial Redux

"What strategy should we try with Caradoc?" queried Arvien.  "We should just tell the Lord's the truth, that Soth killed Gladria," stated Baru.  "But what we their response be?" wondered Arvien.  "Can't we get Caradoc to implicate Soth?" asked Ralom.  "But he won't break his oath!" declared Drovic.  The conversation continued with no real plan emerging from the discussion.

Soul Search

As the heroes step through the mirror they are unrecognizable, their faces and bodies are altered.  They wear different clothing,  the armor with a Kingfisher emblem.  The street is narrow and filled with dark smoke. The smoke stung their eyes and choked their lungs.  A nearby building was on fire, and menacing shapes rushed through the gloom.

Murder Trial and Cataclysm

Arvien and Grunyar found themselves in the the throne room looking at the translucent bodies of their fellow adventurers.  After examination they found no injuries on their physical form and Arvien had her prepared spells still at her disposal.  As they looked into the mirror all they saw was the green lush forest that was previously reflected there.

Ogre Attack

On the parapet Grunyar found the medallion that Ticklemop was attempting to deliver to Lord Soth.  He picked it up and figured that the party might be able to present to Lord Soth, if they found him.  The party finished their slumber period and awoke refreshed ready to fully examine the throne room and the mirrors.

Nightmare

Ralom recalled that the southwest corner of the garden gave off some magic aura after the birds flew away.  So Grunyar, Seglun and Baru headed for the area.  Varrid stayed outside the garden watching Ticklemop.  Arvien stood in the southwest doorway with Drovic.  As the group approached the aura, they were attacked by thorns flung from white rose bushes. 

Kender Kindred

Searching for another snake or snakes found nothing, the wicker cage could have housed the snake.  Seglun decided to explore the bedroom to the north, since she was interrupted previously by the incorporeal spirit.  The room was dusty and empty, except when the spirit flitted back into the room, whence Seglun exited quickly. 

Darkness

In possession of three unused keys the party headed back up the outer tower stairway to the top level.  Seglun took the keys and tried to open the eastern side door.  One of the keys opened the lock.  Baru opened the door and peered into --- Darkness --- it was pitch black inside the door.   Low light vision nor darkvision could penetrate the inky blackness.

Into the Keep

Baru led the party in a counterclockwise tour of the curtain wall.  At each tower there were stairs upwards and downwards.  Also a bridge led to a balcony on the main Keep from each tower.  The lone outlier was the southwest tower.   There was no tower, no stairs, merely a covered altar with a statue of a dragon sitting upon it.

A Dark Knight's Tale

Baru explained that the party was from Golarian, which made no sense to Magda,  Ralom and Arvien explained the party had come from Paridon and before that Invidia, Mordent and Markovia.  Magda knew all about those lands and inquired about Markov and his experiments.  "So you are new to Sithicus, perhaps that is why you have your memories" she surmised.

A City in Chaos

Arvien felt a chill as the party found themselves in the Ruined Abbey just at dusk.  A huge spider web stretched across the interior of the abbey.  Caught in the center of the web was Renee.  "Help me," Renee called, struggling against the thick, sticky web.  "Don't fail me again."

A Land Torn Asunder

"We are not in Paridon anymore" declared Ralom as the party found themselves surrounded by a dark forest of gigantic, mossy gray firs.  The whole party was weary as they plodded forward along a narrow path.  The sun was shining brightly high in the sky.  "What terrors are we liable to find here?" wondered Arvien.

The Bloody Blade

Arvien was in a hurry to find the blade, so she entered the foyer, Baru and Drovic followed presently.  There were double doors leading north which Baru threw open.  Arvien moved into the hallway, which had a door on the left halfway to where the hall turned to the west.   The floor of the hall was covered with scarlet carpeting.  Plants, statues and painting lined the corridor.  Arvien and Seglun moved up to the turn in the hall.  Ralom listened at the door to the west while Baru waited at the foyer.

Hunter and Prey

The party was spread out around the coach house looking for a way into the grounds of Bloodhaven estate.  Varrid and Drovic started up the stairs, while Grunyar continued hammering away at the door in the dining room.  Suddenly Arvien screamed as she was attacked from the rear in the stables.

Nightmares and Jackals

As they emerged from the sewers Ralom was still looking around for Peg and Shelly but to no avail.  The poor house was directly across from the entrance/exit they emerged from, quite a ways south of the Bloodhaven Estate.  Grunyar wished to examine the sewers from where the group had last entered them, so they marched northward again.

An Encounter with Evil

With no other leads the party headed back to the Twilight Yawn to await the evening once again.  The evening meal was not up to Peg's expectations, not Arvien's, but they had their fill anyway.  The time passed slowly as the group made plans to once again watch Bloodhaven Estate for anyone possibly heading out of the manor house to find a new victim.

Distraught Husband

While Arvien cowered in terror from the vision of Renee a huge fire monster coalesced from the dripping fire that covered the ceiling of the room.  Renee had disintegrated into ashes on the bed and the party moved to attack.

The Scene of the Crime

The entrance to the alley was dark and foreboding.  A startled dog, gnawing on a tossed away bone, let out a yip and sped away.  Even the animals seemed to be on edge tonight.
The parties lanterns revealed three guards huddled around a body sprawled on the paving stones.

Murder Most Foul

Arvien suggested on and off that the party should go to Bloodhaven Estate and search the area.  Ralom and Angus agreed while Seglun and Drovic were unsure.  Arvien then when and sat in a corner of the Guard Headquarters with her head in her hands.  Grunyar and Ozzie further spurred the party toward heading for Bloodhaven Estate so at last the party headed there, Arvien trailing behind.

The Inspector Is Unmasked

One minute Arvien advised that talking to Inspector Logan was a mistake, the next she said "I don't care, go talk to whomever you wish."  This new indecisive Arvien was grating on Grunyar who merely wanted to check out every name on the list.  Ozzie pointed out that that would take several days, which they didn't have given three victims already.

No Rest for the Weary

Grunyar swore as the coachman turned a corner in the alley and faded into the fog.  Seglun stopped following the escaping creature and returned to the group with the torn piece of the cloak she removed from the fence post.  Inspector Logan was rousting the council members from their meeting.  None had heard any noise from the steps as they were raucously discussing the situation.  Meanwhile Arvien was finding it hard to believe that Baru and Varrid were actually gone.  Were they dead?  Or had the doppelgangers merely replaced them?

A Shred of Evidence

The party was not at all rested after the dreamy night.  Seglun felt mental fatigue, the others just some general tiredness.  Arvien set down to reread Dr. Illhousen's journal and commented, between bites of breakfast, that they might have to go visit the good doctor in Egertus.  Varrid especially was loath to jump to that conclusion.  Nothing of the descriptions from the Doctor were appealing to her.

Burning Dreamscape

The road way was narrow and the trees presses so close together that there were no paths into the forest.  Haran Jamis was driving the cart full of seeds and tools back to the village of Introsia.  Suddenly from the forest three ettercaps leapt into the road.  Two were the normal ettercaps the heroes had fought in the Abbey, but one was twice the size.

False Alarms

"Where should we go today, the historian, seamstress?  Any other ideas?" queried Varrid as the party finished its breakfast of cheese, bread, black pudding and fried tomatoes.  "Let's go see the historian," volunteered Grunyar.  "Also we should see the town in the daylight," added Baru.

Grim News

"Should we take Jamis body back to town for burial?" wondered Baru as they loaded the cart with the seeds and tools.  "Do we have a cloth to wrap the body with?" asked Ralom.  Varrid sped back down the hill to ask Grald if they should take the body with them.

Monster Hunt

Arvien was up bright and early,  "We should make up a will granting us the Cliff House" she proposed.  Varrid looked at her with a sneer, "We have to get out of Invidia, that blackhearted character will be looking for us."  Arvien ignored her and tried to get the rest of the party to buy into her scheme, with no takers.

How the Mighty Has Fallen

Inside the manor house Seglun saw two crossbowmen standing at open windows.  She used Prestidigitation to scatter the bolts of the nearest enemy.  Then she leaped through the smashed window.  Baru advanced to the front door, and just as he arrived Summergale dived bombed him with an enlargement.  Seeing a chance Raul moved up to hide behind Baru's new bulk.

Unwelcome Revelations

"We will have to talk to Matton, that bastard," growled Varrid as the group approached Karina.  "Why not just talk to your contact, maybe Scar can give us the information he sold to Matton," added Arvien.  Baru added, "I'd rather deal with a demon than that Matton character."

Vulpwood Horror

The party headed back to their rooms at Raven's Roost quietly celebrating their luck in surviving the Dog Fights and garnering 100gp reward from the hated Matton Blanchard.   Ralom kept shaking his head as he heard Gypsy violin music softly coming from an alley, and then the back room of a tavern.  The night was warm, though a thick mist had risen from the cobbled streets.  The mist gave the street lanterns a mystical glow.

Bloodsport

At the disappearance of Vincenzo and Lolita Varrid suggested they head for the Raven's Roost to check on Raul and tell him about the Vistani they had just met and his invitation to the Vulpwood.  She was also wanting to get ready to meet with Captain Nathan and attend the Dog Fights.  Arvien continued to question why the group would wish to attend a Dog Fight.

The House of Mists

Seglun hired a cart and Baru helped Raul load it down with his blacksmith tools and supplies and the party headed for an inn somewhere along the waterfront.  Varrid asked Captain Timothy if he wished to meet for dinner.  He agreed to meet at the Black Swan. 

The Tale of the Captain and the Vistana

The Vistani turn up where you least expect them and always want what you can least afford.  They're never to be trusted, always spouting lies and stealing your gold.  There's a good reason why I won't let any gypsy on my ship, and if you listen, I'll tell you why.

Nocturne

Arvien and Seglun ran to the ship, asking for a ride off of the island.  Captain Timothy tied up the Virago and leaped onto the land eyeing up this strange collection of adventurers(?).    "I'm headed for Karina, I can offer you a ride there, providing you don't mind sleeping on the deck of ashore at nights.  The hold is full."  Immediately Arvien agreed to his offer.

Widower Once and For All?

Baru again awakened with a start, grabbing for his sword and scanning the room.  Seeing that none of his fellow adventurers were intent on attacking him, he let his head fall back to the bed.  Ralom awoke in the common room but did not see any of the other patrons staying there react in any way.  What was that dream and why is it recurring?   Meanwhile Varrid opened her eyes and wondered how she had drifted off to sleep again, but she felt very good after the events of the dream.

A Night of Dreams

Our heroes lay prone in the moors, panting and gasping for air.  Ralom looked around hoping not to see any other creatures entering the clearing.  Varrid pulled herself upright and headed for the mound of clothes left where Burton Wescoat had fallen.  She grasped the leaf armor and held it up for size.  "Looks good on me," she mused, "What else is of interest here?"

Live Long and Suffer

"We should just knock Burton over the head and drag him out to the clearing," mused Grunyar, "I'm sure he won't come with us voluntarily."  Grunyar continued, "We need to get all the gems and coins before we leave also."  Arvien disagreed, "I am worried that the servants will fight us in that case, they seem very loyal to the lord."

The Two Faces of Ann Campbell

"I know that Sir Burton is the same Wescoat who was to marry Ann Campbell one hundred years ago, but how to prove it and end the curse," thought Varrid.  Grunyar ever helpful suggested that the party just burn down the manor house, maybe that would end it, at least the hounds wouldn't have a place to attack.  "But that wouldn't necessarily get rid of the hounds, they still could attack the city and the people in the surrounding area.  We really need to find a way to lay Ann Campbell to rest, I believe,"  Baru surmised.

The Hounds Are Forever Yours

Arvien felt her stomach starting to complain about the lack of second breakfast but she ignored it while the party continued to explore the grounds for any signs of help in breaking the Wescoat curse.  Varrid decided to talk to Gabrielle about the master's morning routine and reentered the house to find her.

Bog Take Your Bones!

After 20 to 30 minutes of walking, Wescoat Manor's silhouette could be seen dimly in the fog, its gabled roof rose above the treeline.  From a distance, it seemed more a derelict than an inhabited manor.  As the group drew closer, a low stone wall seemed to hold back the bog, though in places the wall had crumbled under the steady onslaught of the marshy ground.

Hounded!

"How far is it to the Shepherd's farm" queried Arvien.  "Which direction are we going, when will we arrive?"  she continued.  The Sheriff answered, "It is about 5 miles out to the farmstead, which is off to the northeast.  We should bet there in about a half hour.  Further on is the moors and bogs surrounding the Manor of Wescoat."

The Feud

About a hundred years ago, Burton Wescote and Ann Campbell were engaged to be married.  It was an arranged wedding, valuable to both families.  There was no love lost between the Wecsotes of Mordent and the Campbells of Dementlieu, but the groom, at least, was willing to go through with the marriage.

The Beached Mermaid

Our heroes are afloat at sea in the midst of a great fog bank having just escaped from the Island domain of Markovia.  The howls and screams of Broken Ones linger in the minds of the party as they try and see anything at all through the deep and dark pea soup fog.

Fort Markov, The Bronx

As the party headed back to the manor Arvien was full of ideas.  "We should climb over the wall and attack from inside," she opined, "Maybe our group can approach acting like we have the table for Dr. Fran."
"Quiet" countered Akanga, "we will attack head on to the gate.  I have a helper on the inside.  Now let us hurry toward our fate."

A Treachery Revealed

Arvien was seriously intent on exploring the upper floor of the Quarters of the Brethren.  She tip toed down the hall to the closed door at the end of the hall, the only door they saw on the whole floor.  Meanwhile Varrid and Ralom moved across to the low ceiling-ed room across the hall and started examining the chests stored there.

History of Markovia

 Presented herein is the History of Markovia and The Tale of the Table.

Order of the Guardians

While Grunyar recovered his arrows Baru was picking up the Cold Iron Swords.  "I wonder where the broken ones found these swords" he exclaimed "The other group did not seem to have any weapons."  "What was that they yelled, Akanga I, or something like that?" queried Drovic.  The aftermath of the battle was confusing to the party.  Ralom spent the time channeling healing for the injured party members, "I'm glad the others ran away, not sure we would survive a full scale attack" he mused.

Diosamblet

"Doctor Fran's painting skills seem very primitive" said Drovic to Varrid as they made their way back to the guest house.  "His gloved hands are none too nimble, I wonder how he performs the necessary surgeries."

Dr. Fran Paints

"What in the hell was that?" Drovic voiced to Varrid.  Varrid had no answer either as they had heard a primal animalistic scream from the manor house.  The rest of the crew bolted from their sleep and everyone piled out the doors to the courtyard.    No more screams were heard as Seglun headed for the main doorway.