The Carrion Crown, Chapter 1: The Haunting of Harrowstone

[Jeramiahh]

The small town of Ravengro is similar in many ways, to the countless small towns that dot Ustalav; a tight-knit, insular community of just a few hundred, mostly farmers and almost entirely humans. Two things, however, set this little town apart from others; the first is the prison of Harrowstone, a large, and now abandoned prison, and an older gentleman, a wizard of some esteem, by the name of Professor Petros Lorrimor. The Professor is an odd figure, a student of the occult and the arcane, well-known throughout much of Ustalav, and much liked, for his kindness and quirky habits. Or, rather, was.

A few weeks before, letters were delivered to both a young armswoman, named Lilial Ambersight, and to an elven cleric of Calistria, named Celeste Devonshire, both of whom were good friends of the Professor. The letters informed them of his recent, and tragic death, and requested that both of the women come to Ravengro, immediately, for his funeral, particularly because both of them were named in his will.

The journey across the countryside is fairly uneventful, and the two, while coming along different routes, spend the last day or so of the trip in the same, small caravan, heading towards the small town. As they approach the city gates, they come across a most unusual sight; a half-dozen men, armed with various farming implements and improvised weapons, surrounding what looks like, at first glance, to be a humanoid creature, in full plate armor. As they get closer, though, they notice the creature is definitely not humanoid; a single, glowing red eye sits in the middle of its elongated head, with several short stubs sticking from the top. A large pack is on its back, with several longer metal stubs sticking out of the pack,  and its pale gray armor with gold trim and black highlights further testify to its unnatural construction.

The humans don't seem to be attacking the creature, but they are threatening and yelling at it, 'weapons' brandished, distrust and more than a little fear apparent.

[BK Geno]

Entry, log 001a:
Upon entry of Interface Unit 256 into town, unit began search for 'quests' as per standing orders from Oversoul. Unable to approach 'tavern', informed by owner that building matching specifications of 'tavern' is actually 'brothel.' No data found on 'brothel,' received directions to nearby 'tavern,' along with several suggestions about anatomically incorrect reproductive positions and noncompatible reproductive partners.

Left to find 'tavern.' Accosted in route to tavern by six organic units, wielding farming implements and improvised weapons. Explore drone retreated behind interface unit as one organic used glass bottle as ballistic weapon, missing both interface unit and explorer drone. Unit verbally attacked by group, however no further attempts at physical damage yet made by organic group (possible mob in progress, determining). Unit attempted verbal consoling of group, citing non-hostile goals of exploration and research. Crowd appeared to not understand/believe unit, numbers swelling. Attempt to locate local law enforcement units: No pre-identified law enforcement groups in database, no apparent groups noted in vicinity. Two nearby local organic lifeforms at edge of crowd, watching, not moving yet either toward or away. Attempting verbal request for assistance. "Assist please. Locals attempting to initiate combat. Unit wishes to avoid conflict inside residential location."

Recommendations, log 001a:
1) Interface Unit communication training protocols require further review before next batch released into field.
2) Removal of emotion circuits from basic explorer drone models.
3) Simulation testing of interfacing with organic units before release of interface unit into field

Alerts: Unable to contact Oversoul or communication net, report filed until next scheduled uplink with communication net, in approximately 671.2hrs

Objective review:
1) [primary]Determine overall reaction of organics to a mechanical lifeform (in progress)
2) [primary] Begin presurvey of plane for follow on survey teams (in progress)
3) [secondary] Determine efficiency of flash training protocols (in progress)
4) [secondary] Investigate report of mechanical lifeforms already on plane, not affiliated with known allies, Maker, or Oversoul (in progress)

[Myrleena]

Lilial Ambersight

Looking up from the road, Lilial sighed slightly, playing with the rope by which she was leading her mule for a moment.  Pupil-less eyes of burnished gold looked on the scene before her, and she shook her head, clicking her tongue loud enough for the locals to hear her. "Hmm...please tell me that you've at least heard of Numeria, neighbors?  You know...the eastern neighbor of Ustalav and the land inhabited by both humans and the gearmen, the strange inhabitants that fell from the sky with the Starmount?  I might recommend not attacking one who hasn't given you any reason to fear them first...unless, of course, it has given offense?  Please, it's bad enough that I am to visit a funeral...I don't wish to see additional bloodshed in the Professor's beloved home as well."

Lilial was an impressive sight when the people turned to look at her.  Standing a bit under six feet in height, the elf had a lush but well-toned frame, and her skin gleamed with an almost bronze tan.  She wore supple leather armor that clung to her skin and dyed the same shade as her skin, and an elaborate and flattering bronze breastplate shone in the dim sunlight.  A quiver rested at her hip, whilst the gold-washed hilt of a falchion peeked over her shoulder, matching the longbow that peeked over the other shoulder.  Her copper ringlets fell to mind back and were gathered by a simple leather tie.  Lilial smiled at them, brushing an errant hair back and sending one of the elegant golden hoops that she wore swinging from her long ears, and then added. "Might you be willing to give it the benefit of the doubt for the moment, at least?"

((Knowledge(local) 22 for Gearmen, Diplomacy 22))

[ShamshielDF]

Celeste Devonshire

The rather pale elf, likewise escorted her mule with the caravan.  By and large she had kept to herself throughout the trip thus far, speaking as little as possible.  Noticing what was happening on the fringes of the city she sighs slightly to herself and nudges one of the drovers for the wagons, handing him the lead for her animal before moving closer to see what was going on.

Celeste has something of an eerie presence when taken overall.  Her frame is slight, even by the standards of elves, yet she is still what many consider to be beautiful.  Tall, delicate and slender, she carries herself with a dancers elegance.  She is amply curved and reasonably endowed without being overly so, her skin is without the usual tone associated with elves.  Rather, her skin approaches more closely what some might call a deathly pallor. 

Her long, silky soft, white hair delicately frames her soft face, hanging nearly to her waist.  The only two points of significant  color to her appearance are her succulent, pouty red lips and the delicate turquoise of her eyes.  The color of her lips is very nearly the red color of fresh blood, while the subtle blue-green color of her eyes is such that it would be easy for one to become distracted by them.

At the moment, in her travels, she wears nearly black colored, supple studded leather with a black swordsmans belt about the waist.  Where normally a sword would hang instead rests a rather wicked looking whip.  Rather than a bare length of braided leather with a wooden handle, hers ends with the flash of metal, almost giving the appearance of a dagger braided into the the tip with a number of sharp barbs entwined through the leather below that.  The armor itself is cut so as to be rather flattering to her figure while still protecting the wearer, revealing, for instance, her pale, delicate flesh in a low cut V to where the holy symbol of Calistria rests atop a tasteful display of decolletage, and the bottom dagger disappearing into the shadowy cleft.

She looks quietly to the other member of the caravan that appears to have taken an interest in things.  She had noticed the woman in the caravan, but had not thought much in her regards.  Yet now it appears that they have at least something in common in the old professor.  Perhaps there was more to this woman than she had thought on the journey to the town...such would bear keeping in mind.

She ponders a moment as to whether to reply, but decides instead to allow the fellow traveler to speak.  She seemed well spoken thus far.  In the mean time, she simply stood nearby in silent support, adding the weight of her gaze to that of Lilial's in the hope that perhaps the appearance of a countervailing group to the developing mob might help resist the madness.  She had seen enough angry mobs in the brief span of her life.  She did not need another.  Particularly not when she was already coming to pay her respects at a funeral.

[Jeramiahh]

"We don' like strangers," one of the men says, tentatively, before another smacks him on the back of the head, for being an idiot. "A Gearman, you say?" the one who looks most in charge asks, peering suspiciously at the strange construct. "Is that what you are, then? A Gearman?" "'Ey, boss, we prolly don't want to be messing wit' one o' them... they're supposed to be real nasty." "Alright, fine. But don't you go causing trouble, you hear?" The six men continue to shoot suspicious glances, at both the construct and the two women who came to his aid, but slowly disperse, leaving them alone, as the caravan moves onward, into the city.

[BK Geno]

Entry, log 001b:
Local organics make vague, non-substantial threats, refer to unit as 'Gearman.' No data in local files about 'Gearman' or similar terms. Possible designation for local constructs. Assisting local organic made reference to 'Gearman' as well as 'falling from the sky' and 'Starmount.' No terms or similar located in local files. Opening new inquiry line, tertiary priority, determine location, composition, and other relevant facts about 'Gearnman (Gearmen plural?)' and 'Starmount' at later opportunity, to avoid riling up local mob organics (mob status confirm, hostile actions authorized to protect unit and drone. Mob dispersed, returning to normal exploration operations).

Unit observes local mob organics disperse, before turning to assisting local organics, and vocalizing. "Our thanks for assistance. Threat level of local mob organics minimal, but protocols dictated hostile action to protect unit and drone. Front lined organic mentioned 'Starmount' and 'Gearman.' Inquiry: designation about 'Gearman' and 'Starmount,' clarify reference?"

Unit rotates optical sensor to observe other organics assisting organics where accompanying, noting they had not stopped for the assisting organics. "Alert: accompanying organics leaving vicinity of assisting organics. Advise catching up, and reacquiring inquiries at later temporal designation. Appendium: Unit will accompany assisting organics."

Unit waited for assisting organics to continue, before falling in behind them, exactly one point five lengths behind, scanning for further local mob organics.

Alert: New objective defined

Objectives:
1) Unchanged
2) Unchanged
3) Unchanged
4) Unchanged
5) (tertiary) [new objective] Determine status, composition, disposition, makeup, and power levels, including individual, small and large group, and civilization (if applicable). All information on 'Gearman' and 'Starmount' to be flagged for immediate review by Oversoul upon next uplink with communication network. New possible power on plane, advising caution for follow-on survey teams until further clarification of 'Gearman' is determined.

[Myrleena]

Lilial Ambersight

"Good day then, neighbors." Lilial told the men with a slight smile, and then shook her head, glancing at the construct for a moment.  She considered what to say for a moment when it spoke and sighed.  She glanced behind her at the caravan moving once more, and spoke again, her tone relatively indifferent. "Well, the danger of such individual varies, so it could have been more dangerous than you estimated.  But it wasn't any trouble...I only spoke the truth.  But I'm afraid I don't know much about Gearmen or the Starmount.  They both are in Numeria, and are rather insular.  I know of the Gearmen, who are mechanical constructs much like you, and they came from the Starmount, a mountain of metal that fell from the sky and is now the capital of Numeria.  I hope that suffices for an explanation?  I'm afraid I need to reach the Professor's family soon."

[ShamshielDF]

Celeste Devonshire

Hearing the comments from the crowd, Celeste gives what could be politely described as a smile.  Realistically, it amounts to little more than a slight twitch of her lips and a touch of amusement as the group sees themselves off.

As the caravan passes by, she quietly takes the lead for her mule once more, holding the line loosely.  It appeared that the...device intended to follow along with them, something she was uncertain about.  As it was, she was certain she would not receive the warmest of receptions.  The elven woman might help prevent the worst of such, but the device would more than offset that, most likely.

Her cool glaze slid quietly to the elf in question and she raised a brow quietly.  Shaking her head just a touch, she finally speaks, her voice extremely light, almost like a whispered mezzo-soprano.  "You knew him as well?" 

[Jeramiahh]

The town of Ravengro is quite small, little more than a few dozen buildings, spread out over a large area, including more than a few acres of farmland, a wide, lazily-moving river flowing along the edge of the city proper, separating it from the nearby farmlands. To the south, the ruins of the old prison, Harrowstone, can be seen, a fortress-like structure, huddled against the chill air.

The directions on the letter said that the Professor's funeral would be this afternoon, likely in just a few hours, and gave directions to the house of the late Professor, where his daughter, Kendra, still resides. The house resides on the southern side of the city, close to a tributary of the river, and less than a couple hundred feet from the entrance to the city.

The house is, for the area, fairly large, and still bears several wreaths of flowers, signs of mourning, now wilting, as it's been several weeks since the Professor's death. Kendra meets them at the door, when they arrive, her eyes red and puffy, dressed in dark, conservative clothing. She's an attractive woman, about twenty-five, though with her hair drawn up in a bun, it gives her a severe, matronly look, that seems to add years to her age. "Ah, good, you've both arrived at last. Father told me so much about you... oh, the adventures you must have had," she says, smiling, but sadly. "I was worried you weren't going to make it for the funeral. And... oh, dear, what is that, behind you?" she asks, pointing out the unusual construct, who followed them into the city.

[BK Geno]

Entry, log 001c:

Unit continues to follow assisting organics, designating them AO1 and AO2 for lack of better unique terms. Explorer drone 1 continues to hide behind unit for the first five minutes of the trek, before the foot wide disk shaped construct slid out, and began moving in a spiral pattern around the unit, at a height of forty feet, mapping the immediate area and keeping alert for any items on a ballistic trajectory and an intercept vector. Unit continued behind assisting organics, continuing to filter out any useful information overheard.

Unit noticed multiple males pausing to watch escort group, assisting organics in particular, though unit was secondary concern once gender male local organics stopped observing assisting organics. Gender female local organics begin verbal exchange with gender male local organics once escort group has passed. Unit detached from caravan as assisting organics broke off, and continued to follow, observations about locale from both main unit and drone continuing. Unit recalled drone as assisting organics paused to converse with female gender local organic. Unit directed drone to move from behind unit to rest above front entry to house, giving commanding view of surroundings. Unit responded to verbal inquiry with publicly cleared data. "Interface Unit 256, batch 003, deploy for exploration purposes. Accompanying assisting organics to further inquiries about 'Gearman.' Exploration drone 01, attached to unit to assist exploration, current location, 0, 45, 0  mark 14.14 from unit."

[Myrleena]

Lilial Ambersight

"Hmm?  Know...ah, you mean the Professor, of course...I must assume you're going to the funeral as well." A flicker of pain went through Lilial's eyes as she spoke, and then she nodded as she continued toward the Lorrimor house.  She considered a moment and her voice went a bit lower. "But yes, I knew Petros.  He...saved my life.  More than that, really.  He was a mentor and father figure...which was vital at the time."

When she saw the house, Lilial put a smile on her face as she approached, bowing slightly as she saw Kendra, speaking up a bit louder. "Ah, so you were expecting the two of us?  I heard much about you from the Professor in our travels...you have my most sincere sympathies for your loss.  As for the...construct, I'm not entirely certain.  If you will excuse me for a moment?"

Turning, Lilial looked toward the construct with a slight frown.  She thought a moment before speaking. "I apologize, but please stop following me.  Your presence will cause me a number of problems primarily due to prejudice, and I really don't wish to be run out of town.  It isn't pleasant.  I chose to help you because they were being...foolish.  Not due to any other reason.  But if you wish to know more about Gearmen, Numeria is to the East.  On the far side of Ustalav, in fact.  I suggest looking there.  Good eve."

And with that she turned back to Kendra.

[ShamshielDF]

Celeste Devonshire

The pale elf listens quietly to Lilial's tale and nods slightly, pondering for a moment once she has finished.  She speaks softly once more, "he was a...teacher of many things."  She looks in the direction of the house she was told to go to and continues, "including self acceptance."  Her gaze drifts back to the shining and noble elf once more, lingering for a moment and then shrugging slightly.  As Lilial began towards the house, she followed, gently leading the mule with her to the door.

The shining and noble elf took care of the greeting again.  Likely for the best as most tended to look askance when Celeste made introductions.  She simply nods slightly to the lady of the house, looking about at the estate and listening.  The professor had seemed such a...worldly man.  It was strange to think of him coming from this rather plain and pedestrian place.  That had always seemed the way of the professor, though.  Surprising in unsuspecting ways.

She paused, though, at the shining and noble elf's turn on the device.  She, herself, was of two minds in such regard.  Obviously the device was somewhat sentient, which tended to lead her to pondering the nature of the thing.  Golems and other items of manufacture were hardly sentient, nor did they possess souls.  Undead, at least the more civilized ones, are sentient and do have souls, however...tenuous their attachment to the mortal shell.  Celeste was sentient and still uncertain about the state of her soul, though obviously, her ladyship believed she had a soul, as did her mother and father.  She still had moments of doubt, personally, but she simply took it as a matter of faith that Calistria wouldn't answer the prayers of a soulless being.

Which, of course, still left the device.  She considered to herself at length while the elf pointed out to it the way to go, how one would go about answering such a question.  Considering it for oneself was one thing...considering it for another, though, caused her significantly more thought and more allowance for ideas and concepts that she would be loathe to apply to herself.

At the end, though, it appeared that the shining and noble elf had had enough with the machine and returned to their host.  At length, Celeste bows deeply to the lady of the house and slowly rises once more.  "I am Celeste, of the house of Devonshire.  My family sends their condolences.  He shall be missed."

[Jeramiahh]

Kendra smiles sadly. "Yes, he never told me too much, always telling tall tales, but he made certain to mention the two of you. I suspect that's also why he named you in his will, which is why we asked you out here. But, please, come in... we have a few minutes to speak, before we need to head over to the temple, for the funeral." She peers out at the construct, curious, looking about ready to invite it in, but shaking her head, since Lilial seemed to not want it around, and, apparently, the two of them weren't associated with it.

[BK Geno]

Entry, log 001d:

Unit listened for a moment after dismissal, head tilting slightly to the side, its optical sensor rapidly flashing, before abruptly straightening again. "Understood. Information retrieved."

Another few seconds passed, as the construct ran several logic and response algorithms, before turning and heading back to town. Explorer drone responds to new, subsonic issued orders to continue patrol route around unit. Heading back to town, unit resumes search for 'tavern,' however, search is interrupted to assist smaller local organics with minor difficulties. After the second one, explorer drone reports posting location, initiating unit to divert to posting location to investigate. Upon arrival, unit scans flat, dead organic surface, noting several roughly written requests for aid. Unit reads through them, lacking overall, immediate guidance.

[Myrleena]

Lilial Ambersight

"Hmm...ah.  Interesting, that.  Though I imagine that 'tall tales' involving me had far too much truth, if I were perfectly honest." Lilial replied, then shook her head. "But my apologies.  I am Lilial, Lilial Ambersight.  But if you wish to speak..."

She gestured at the house sightly, quirking an eyebrow and quieting slightly. "Would you prefer to speak inside, then?"

[ShamshielDF]

Celeste Devonshire

Celeste listens quietly to the daughter of the professor and then to the shining and noble elf once more, learning her name at last.  It was somewhat curious what she meant by tall tales, but she didn't really give such much thought, simply mentally shrugging to herself.  "Inside would be...preferable."  She added simply, looking at the other buildings and persons in town.  As long as she stayed close to others that were on decent terms it was unlikely that things would turn ugly...but she still would prefer not to be standing in the street until people got used to her being there.  The backwards peasantry this far from the capital were somewhat notorious for reacting badly and with great superstition towards she and her kind, however much she might try to avoid anything that might be misconstrued.

[Jeramiahh]

"Yes, it is more comfortable in there, after all, than simply standing out here on the street," Kendra replies, stepping aside to let the two women in. The home is a modest townhouse, though the conditions are a little cramped, due to the crowded bookshelves, lining every wall. Kendra moves aside a stack of books, from one of the chairs in the main room, to give them enough space to all be seated.

Unless they have any specific comments, Kendra merely exchanges pleasantries, until it's time to depart for the funeral service at the local church.

The small pole that the construct has found is covered in about a dozen different pieces of paper, all in the same handwriting, for a number of different things. One is a wedding announcement, two are for births. Two more offer small rewards for lost pets, and three are offering jobs for farmhands. One announces the death of Professor Petros Lorrimor, and one appears to be a short summary of news in the city and surrounding area, a number of minor, and inconsequential events.

[Myrleena]

Lilial Ambersight

"I apologize for the...nature of my words, but I was wondering if you could tell me how Pe-the professor died?  He didn't seem that old to me, I'm afraid." Lilial asked after a moment, closing her eyes as she did, pain evident in her expression as she asked, her voice heavy.  It was as if she had lost something very important to her.

[ShamshielDF]

Celeste Devonshire

Celeste takes a few moments to quietly look over the books that rest on the old professors shelves, following Lilial and Kendra deeper into the structure without a word.  She had to admit that she was at least as curious as Lilial on the particulars of what happened to shuffle the professor off of the mortal coil, it simply was not the way she was raised to ask such questions.  Given that she hadn't heard anything regarding a new member of the courts, though, she could hope that it didn't involve any of her father's...peers.  Word usually passed quickly about such things, and the professor had too much promise to simply slay and leave.

The noble elf let slip more emotion than was probably in her best interest, really, but there were no other details to tie it to, really.  Not as of yet.  Beyond that, it was likely that the only time she would see the elf was here for this funeral, meaning such observations were probably useless in the end.  She certainly seemed to have some...quirks, though.  Celeste had learned from her father long ago, the best way to keep others from discerning your weakness was to remain quiet, observe everything, and give nothing away.  Her mother...well, ever since her death had become more and more obsessed with keeping her safe, which meant more and more refinements to those lessons.  This trip out of town was proving something of a blessing in getting her away from the house for an extended period.  She loved her mother, but she could be exceedingly cautious with her daughter's well being.

[Jeramiahh]

Kendra nods. "It's no trouble, dear. I imagine you'd discover, soon enough. It's why the funeral will be... closed casket. No, I'm afraid it wasn't natural causes... well, natural for an ordinary man, anyway. As he was exploring the old Harrowstone, one of the pieces of stonework, a statue of a gargoyle, slipped free and struck him in the head, causing... quite a bit of damage. He often spent quite a bit of time, at the ruins, since it's said to be haunted, and, well, you know how his interests went," she says, smiling sadly, thinking back to her father.

[Myrleena]

Lilial Ambersight

The elf winced at the description of how the professor had died and then nodded, her tone speaking of sympathy. "I...see.  Such is horrible luck, of course, but I suppose that if a gust of wind can drop an old rotten tree on one of the guards we were traveling with, such could happen with a gargoyle as well.  But...well, unless Ms. Devonshire has questions of her own, may I ask your permission to leave my things here for the duration of the funeral?  I promise that I won't leave them for more than the evening.  I just don't wish to take the mule to a funeral.  Such would be disrespectful to his memory."

Pausing, Lilial glanced at Celeste to see how the...unusual other was going to react.  Not that she really was too concerned.  She was mostly curious how the other woman had known the Professor.  And she firmly sat on the impulse to examine both of the women more thoroughly.  She knew better, given the situation.

[ShamshielDF]

Celeste Devonshire

Celeste nods slightly at the explanation of the professors...untimely demise.  After Lilial's commentary, she nods again, "my mule, as well, if you mind?"  Her voice retains the almost breathy, whispery quality, even as she speaks up slightly.  Without any sort of feeling to it, she returns the glance of the elf, raising one brow ever so slightly.  After a moment she simply says, "yes?"

[Jeramiahh]

"Oh, yes, of course. Father often had visitors, so we have a small stable, just behind the house, where you can store your animals. And don't worry about being an inconvenience, it's a large house, and I don't take up much of it." Kendra seems oblivious of Lilial's interest in the other two and looks a little surprised at Celeste's response, especially given how quiet the woman had been, so far.

[Myrleena]

Lilial Ambersight

"Ah, it's nothing...I was just wondering how you knew the professor." Lilial replied with a shrug, then she got to her feet, bowing her head slightly to Kendra. "My thanks for your hospitality, Ms. Lorrimor.  If there is anything I can do for you, you have but to ask.  In the meantime, I'll stable my mule."

And with that she moved back outside, barely glancing at a young man who was looking in her direction before leading her pack animal around the back of the house.  She quickly settled the beast into the stable, murmuring to it to soothe the creature, and then set the pack aside for the moment before pausing and heading back around and knocking before entering once more. "My pardon, Ms. Lorrimor...but would it be more suitable if I changed into something more...formal?  I don't wish to disconcert people if my garb might cause problems."

[ShamshielDF]

Celeste Devonshire

The pale elf quirks a brow ever so slightly at Lilial's comment, pondering for a time before responding in her whispery voice.  "He was a teacher...he taught me to live with myself."  She seems to contemplate a moment more before smiling a touch more, giving Lilial a brief glimpse of a rather sharp canine, "or perhaps, half live with myself."

With that, she followed Lilial out to stable her mule as well, and returning to her usual, taciturn silence.