"That is it, can you just point me to Tavern and I can take it from there.'
"This cursed you were talking about and The Harrowstone, I assume it is a place around there? This gentlemen who brought here are all tied to something going on?
"But you are from Ustalav right? The Harrowstone is this large looming building on that hill." she says pointing out of the soot caked window. "And the last time this gentleman came back from this cursed prison he had a set of manacles that were alive and catched him. And I had to remove them from his arm. And all of the town is going crazy with undead walking and flying through the streets. And the citizens started to kill each other. But besides that it's all fun and sunshine." Jorfa tells. One might feel that there is a bit of sarcasm in her words with which she tries to cover up that she is also afraid of what is happening.
"I am actually from Cheliax, although I am not like most from there. manacles that were alive you say? Do you have them still, I would very much like to study those. I used to extract the truth from people back in Cheliax" He stops Jorfa before she can say anything "again not like you are thinking."
"Somewhere between study manacles and extracting the truth you lost me. You can ask him, where he got rid of the manacles. But as I was done with them they were not moving any more." Jorfa tells nodding towards Grergof.
Spugnoir greets Kendra. Oh we had quite the..ahem, harrowing time there. Many other ghosts and other creatures and Darius got cursed but it was cured by Father Grimsburrow. We did get routed by a very nasty ghost and came back to recover and get a quick nap. Hopefully we will be able to defeat it and Harrowstone, while not being absolutely safe, will not bother the town anymore.
Spugnoir settles in for some tea to soothe his nerves.
Stam thinks back to what he said, "Sorry, I was just rambling, if you point me to the Tavern I will leave you to help this other man."
Stam then turns to Grergor, "I would like to speak with you after you have completed your business here, I would like to see these cursed manacles."
Mistriss Jorfa, If you like the armor, I have a suit or two extra as well as a few long swords of equal quality. Do you have any composition longbows here with a heavy draw? If you are interested, I would be willing to trade some of those extra items for such a bow.
Addressing Stam Grergof says:
If you can tell me more about the manticles I would be interested in hearing it. Why don't you head over to the tavern and I will join you in a bit when my business in town is done.
Spugnoir will take a nap after his tea so he can revitalize his energies for the next expedition.
Jorfa starts laughing at Grergof's request. "You're quite the ignorant lot. You stand here in my FORGE and ask me to get a bow. And in exchange you offer me some suits of armor and weapons you dragged out of the Harrowstone. That I made myself and sold them about 55 years ago."
"But fortune favours fools. I know the weapons and armor are good quality and if I can sell them twice it shouldn't be your loss. I'll buy them at half price. And if you bring them in now, I'll have that bow for you in an hour." Jorfa offers.
Halfway through walking around, Darius quietly left the group and went to Kendra's to rest up. Berating himself for not being more effective and for, as he see's it, failing to bring Iomedae's swift justice to the Harrowstone.
With a nod to Kendra and a weak smile he retired to his room to gather his strength and ready himself again. He will sleep then do his Diefic Obedience and ready some new spells for the task ahead.
I wondered if this was your work... As for the bow, I didn't see a fletcher in town so I assumed you handled all of these type of requests...
Let me go gather the items and I'll bring them to you.
Grergof will return to the house and let the others know he has a buyer for all the extra armor/weapons and that he is trading his share for a bow that will help against the Splatterman.
He will also talk about the fellow at the inn who was interested in the cursed maniples.
Then he gathers up the items and brings them to the forge to cash them out.
Then he will trade his share for the 800gp Masterwork longbow...
"I'm the only one trading in weapons in town. But as I don't make them I don't have them in stock. Even the weapons I make are seldom bought here in town." Jorfa explains.
As Grergof comes back with the goods she inspects them and pays him the coins, keeping the sum for the bow.
"You're with Kendra, right? I'll bring you the bow there." Jorfa states.
Thank you Ma'am. May Abadar shower blessings on all you endeavors.
With that he takes his leave from the forge and heads over to check on Miss Fallenbridge. He will not disturb her if she is sleeping.
As Grergof comes to the apothecary he is greeted by Mrs. Marta Avanaki. "What do you want here. Mrs. Fallenbridge needs rest. The apothecary is closed today." Martha throws herself between Grergof and his visit.
"That's not true. I'm fine. Please come and rescue me from death by boredom!" Jominda calls from the next room.
Jorfa Throws Stam and his Ox out and locks her forge. "I'm going to the inn now. That's the one where you get a room if you decide to stay in this cursed town." She then walks over and into the Outward Inn.
Stam will follow Jorfa over to the tavern, tying up Ned he will then go in and await Grergof.
Ma'am, I just want to check and see how Miss Fallenbridge is doing. I promise not to do anything that riles up your patent. In my experience a friendly face and some pleasant conversation does as much for healing the mind as herbs do for the body.
"If you have to. Maybe she at least will stop trying to get out of bed while you're there." Martha rants and moves out of they way so Grergof can enter the apothecary.
The room where Jominda is held against her will is through a door on the right side of the show room which leads into the living room and then on to her bed room.
"Come here to me." Jominda calls to give Grergof an idea where to go. "I'm treated here like I'm dying as soon as I move or have any kind of fun. And I should know. I'm the apothecary here."
Jominda is back to her joyous self but she still looks rather pale and is far from fine. And she is for sure not strong enough yet to fight off the overprotective Martha.
Well I am very glad to see your spirit is back Miss Fallenbridge. We were all quite worried about you this morning. Speaking of which, I'm not sure if you were told but Gibbs is safely in jail. The sheriff apprehanded him almost as soon as he heard who did this to you.
Your testimony plus the fact that Gibbs bedclothes were stained in blood was the evidence he needed to be able to take action.
So you can sleep safer tonight knowing your attacker is safely locked up.
"It would have been enough to keep my door locked. But who would have thought that Gibs is totally insane now? I thought he needed some remedy as he stood in his night gown in front of my door." Jominda replies. "But how is it going at the Harrowstone?"
Zzzzzoreeeeeee..Oh yes, just a bit lower Jezzebel..Zzzznoreee
I don't know that it is completely Gibb's fault. One of those items we found in the Harrowstone tried to make me commit one of the crimes of a former prisoner. We strongly suspect that Gibbs has a similar item tied to another one of the former prisoners. Given that he seems to be repeating the crimes of the infamous Splatterman, I think that would make sense. Don't worry we have the suspected item in custody do it can't do any more harm.
But you asked about the Harrowstone.
We have a way to put the place to sleep forever, and have almost completed everything required to do so. The only thing left is to destroy the spirit of the Splatterman. He is the hardest spirit yet but we know where he is and plan on tackling it tomorrow.
After that point at least some of the towns problems should go away.
Jominda shrinks into her blanket. "If you're trying to encourage me, you're not helping. Gibs has made an ass of himself before. But if even you are in danger of committing such a crime?"
Oh you have nothing to worry about. I said TRIED, not succeeded in making me repeat the crime.
Once we understood the risks, we collected all the items and safely contained them. They will not be affecting anyone as long as I have something to say about it.
As for what is behind those items. Four of the five major evil spirits that were active in the Harrowstone have already been put to rest.
So rest easy, we are in far better control of the jail then when you were there. By the time you are fully recovered, the biggest danger that will be left at the Harrowstone will be the danger of the building falling down.
That said once you are better, we are going to need your help making the town feel safe again. Everyone here has been through a lot. As outsiders we can deal with the Harrowstone, but I doubt the townsfolk really will trust us enough to let us help with the scars these events leave. It's going to fall on good people like you to help make sure everyone is getting the care they need.
Can you help us with that?
"How should I know? Isn't that the job of Father Grimburrow? He is the one with the direct connection to Pharasma. I don't make potions to heal scars of the soul." Jominda replies her security blanket up to her chin.
Looking at her arm she adds "But I for sure will start researching potions for scars of the body."
Thank you, that will help.
Now enough about that. what can I do to make the next few days more comfortable for you?
Do you have a favorate book I can get you or anything? I would imagine even your nursemaid wouldn't object to you reading. And that would probably help the time pass much more enjoyably.
"What I really would like to read is the formula to these spells Father Grimburrow used to get me at least back to this state. If I could make these into potions..." Jominda tells her mind wandering. It's not entirely clear from her expression if she has gold coins in her eyes or is dreaming of a better world.
Jorfa moves through the common room of the inn and up the stairs.
"And I need one of the bows you buy from that elf whose name I never can remember. A strong one."
The deal is sealed with a handshake.
As Jorfa comes back down into the common room she carries a bow of superior quality with intricate carving of hunting scenes around the grip and the sight window. "Where is that friend of yours?" she asks Stam as she sees him but not Grergof.
"I just met him today actually, I was coming into town. I think he went to visit someone but again I don't know anyone in this town. I am intrigued by this Harrow Stone building though."
That I can't help you with... The Dawnbringer has never seen fit to gift me with the power of casting magics.
He looks wistfully at nothing for a moment then looks back at Jominda with just the hint of a smile.
But I'm sure a lady as capable as you will be able to figure it out.
Why don't I let you puzzle on that for a while as you rest. Me being here will do nothing but distract you from solving so impressive a problem.
After an hour or two, Darius wakes, feeling a little more refreshed to tackle the day. He rises from his bed and gathers his gear.
I low grumble from his stomach giving him pause.
"I guess that answers that question."
He heads downstairs and looks around for Kendra "Kendra...?"
"This figuring out has some more time. I can't do much about that from my bed. But I guess you have better things to do than to entertain me all day. But please visit me again and tell me about your progress. And give my warm greetings to Darius." Jominda replies.
"I guess I have a solution to your problem." Kendra replies as she hears Darius' bowels talking. "I have some bread with roast beef and fried vegetables if you want."
"That sounds delicious. Add me to that meal list thank you." Darius acknowledges as he takes up a seat at the table.
Kendra cuts some thin slices of roast beef. She puts them on the bread on two plates and adds the vegetables. She serves one plate to Darius and takes a seat at the opposite side of the table. "Enjoy your meal!"
of course I will. Take care of yourself.
Grergof heads to the inn and sees Stam and Jorfa.
Hello you two. Can I get you a drink?
"A glass of wine please, nothing special just the regular stock you have." Stam says to the bartender, turning back to Grergof "The black smith has your bow, she was just looking for you."
It's a small enough town, I'm sure she will find me soon.
But you mentioned wanting to see the manticles... I have a piece or two here.
He pulls out a couple of the pieces of the smashed manticles and lays them on the bar.
If you dont mind me asking, why do you want to see them?
Jorfa comes over and hands Grergof the bow. "Here. I hope it's to your liking."
"Thanks for the offered drink but I have other things to do now. Bye." she says. Which is not really true. Usually she would take the time for a free drink. But with the topic Stam and Grergof are going to talk the drink wouldn't be fun anymore. She leaves the inn and goes back to her forge.
As Grergof is gone Jominda uses the chance as Martha is still busy in the kitchen and gets up from the bed. For a moment she becomes dizzy and sees stars. She braces herself and sneaks to the door and out of the apothecary.
Luckily it is only two houses from here. She walks over to the Ravengro Forge, always staying close to a wall in case the dizzyness comes back.
She enters and greets the smith. "Hello Jorfa. I need your help."
Spugnoir turns over.
"Many thanks Kendra dear."
After a few bites he asks "This meal is perfect hun. Just what I needed. This morning at the Harrowstone took quite a toll. But after this I'm almost ready to go back in with the others. I think we're close to solving this problem for the town. Possibly it's just some haunted prison where a tragedy happened. I suspected it might have been something more but maybe I was wrong. Anyways. So anything else happened while I was out? And how are you holding up in all this commotion dear?"
"I do cooking. If you want cake later?"
"It distracts me. Usually I would use most of my time studying. But I can't concentrate. It is all too much and my mind is racing." Kendra explains.
"Hello Jominda. You sure look like you need help. But not mine. Either help of Father Grimburrow or yourself. What could I help you with." Jorfa asks.
"That kind of help I have enough. I need some armor and a weapon!" Jominda tells.
"I thought you were to keep to your bed? What would you need a weapon for there?" Jorfa inquires.