The PC examines the Caul, either through physical inspection or by attempting to sense its magical properties; Maximum RP 3
Research Checks: DC 19 Ghost (or similar) Lore (Recall Knowledge), DC 21 Occultism or Religion (10 minutes), DC 24 Arcana or Nature (10 minutes); these checks take a –4 circumstance penalty if attempted after the Caul has already burst.
The PC speaks with the nosoi psychopomp Ezramalkun, gathering what insights she has acquired over the years; Maximum RP 3
Research Checks: DC 20 Diplomacy (10 minutes)
The PC focuses on the Valthrus Caul during their sleep; Maximum RP 4
Research Checks: DC 19 Intimidation (to resonate with and empathize with the anger that helped create the Caul), DC 21 Perception (to perceive elements of the Caul’s supernatural formation), DC 24 Psychopomp Lore (to interpret the whispers of whippoorwills in the dream)
2 RP: The Caul is an ectoplasmic manifestation of a potent force of will bound to the manor. As long as this haunting presence persists within the manor, the Caul cannot be permanently destroyed.
4 RP: The Caul represents a twisted fusion of the malevolent will’s hatred of birds, particularly psychopomps, and a consuming thirst for knowledge. However, it remains unclear why these two drives specifically caused the Caul to form. Its influence extends across the entirety of Valthrus Manor and the fenced-in grounds surrounding it.
6 RP: The Caul drains knowledge and memories from sentient beings who sleep within its influence, feeding these absorbed thoughts into the malevolent entity that haunts the manor. The PC doesn’t gain specific insights into the malevolence’s true nature but confirms that even disabling the Caul does not prevent it from feeding. The PC also understands the mechanics of the Caul’s Burst of Hatred, its aura that repels psychopomps, and learns that it requires a full week to reset. This research unlocks the Psychopomps topic.
8 RP: The PC experiences a dream that reveals the true source of the malevolent force saturating the manor and senses a name etched into their mind: Zyrathax. This research unlocks the Zyrathax topic.