Zazaria favours Leeoli with something akin to amused admiration. She eyes Hearthmount with somewhat less approval, but also manages a mild smile.
Councilman, I have a holy duty, and a wish to honour the memory of a dear friend. For myself, I require little more than your assistance in this matter. But any monies you wish to bestow may instead be paid on my behalf to the poor of this village. I am sure Father Grimburrow would be an appropriate agent in such matters...
And she gives the Councilman a dimpled grin, eyes suddenly dancing with mischief.
Hearthmount's face turns to a hard mask during Leeoli's words, his steely gaze set in grim determination. Zazaria's words temper his attotude a bit, though, and he nods to her graciously.
Of course, my lady. I shall ensure that the donations are doled out appropriately, with the father's help of course. He then turns to Leeoli. You will of course be compentsated for your time, sir.
With a look at Caeller, he turns. Sheriff, please put our newfound friends on the town's payroll, if you would, and deploy them at will. We must know how to end this threat.
Sheriff Caeller clears his throat as the councilman walks away, and even goes so far as to roll his eyes after the plump man departs. Caeller turns to the group and sighs. Afraid it doesn't pay much...but I'm betting that you won't get bored anytime soon. I'm guessing one of you may want to go and check on the Lorrimor house. The others, I'd like to send one to check the businesses here in the circle, one north and across the bridge to check the farmland, another across the south bridge, and the last to the Restlands. These things had to come from somewhere, after all.
Leeoli favors Caeller with a smile.
If these are related to that haunted looking prison, it may be of use to investigate records kept at the Town Hall and the the Temple of Pharasma, and maybe also Unfurling Scroll. Can you help make those resource available to us Sheriff?
Zazaria, did these zombies come from the direction of the prison?
"The dead have something to say," Asenath says conspiratorially, "We are too busy fighting them to understand." She favours her companions with a wry smile, "Maybe there is someone in town who is listening?"
"I wonder what mysteries lie unearthed in the halls of the old prison?" Asenath says to Leeoli, staring at him, "Do you feel drawn to it as well?"
The amulet about her throbs sententiously as she speaks.
Sheriff Caeller eyes Asenath with uncertainty, and he doesn’t address the initial comments. However, he peers into the distance to the west, and the distant prison. No, my lady, never that…drawn away from it, perhaps, but not towards.
He nods to Leeoli. Of course; I will speak personally with each of them and you can start researching tomorrow. As for where they came from…it may be that they came from the Prison, yes, but they’d have to have passed by quite a few farmhouses on the way here. It seems unlikely that they’d have done so without attacking any of them…I’ll send my deputies to the outlying homes to see if anyone saw anything. Otherwise, if they pulled themselves from the river…well, the river is quite close to the Restlands if you follow it upstream.
Thank you sheriff. Indeed, I suppose they may have traveled down the river....but zombies are mindless, more or less. It would seem strange that they'd travel so far in the water just to exit in town...that is unless there was a force directing their actions.
Leeoli looked out at horizon. Do you perchance have a local map we may borrow, or copy, of the town, but also of the surrounding countryside?
Of course, of the town at least. The countryside around us hasn't been really mapped to date; the local historians always run into problems with the local farmers, who want to be left alone. I'm sure they have something in Caliphas, but we don't keep maps of the farmlands here. I've a Map of the town which I've marked with places of interest that I'll give you, as well as a Map of Ustalav itself. I fear that you may not find a map of Harrowstone, or even if you do, it may have entirely changed after the fire and collapse.
Thank you. Well. I will go to check on the Lorrimor's daughter..and contemplate our future course of action as I recover from my wounds.
Curious that Father Grimburrow was not present. Curious indeed.
Very well, then I'd ask that you ladies... He nods to indicate Zazaria and Asenath ...please check this circle for any further disturbances. You sir, please check the south and you sir, the Restlands, if you will. He indicates Vrilli and Crag next, in turn.
Off I go. If nothing is amiss, I will return here. Leeoli turns to walk to Lorrimor's house. As he approaches he listens for unusual sounds, signs of disturbance, or zombie foot prints.
Vrilli nods, collects his equipment and strides off to check the South to see if anything is amiss.
Both Leeoli and Vrilli break away to rush to the south, and Leeoli breaks off of the pair to go to the Lorrimor House. The tense run is uneventful though, as no more of the zombies or the carnage they leave in their wake, is found.
Kendra, wisely, has the door locked, but opens it immediately at Leeoli’s approach. It’s obvious that she was awaiting someone’s arrival. She appears relieved at your arrival. Mr. Maleye, I’m glad you’re alright! Is everyone else okay as well?
Vrilli’s trip to the south is mostly uneventful; it doesn’t seem as if even the sounds of the commotion in the town circle had spread down this far yet. Beyond the posting pole and the Western road across the river, the land is mostly quiet farms.
All more than half-alive. Keep alert.
Leeoli then checks on mule, saddles and mounts his horse. Then Leeoli heads go the river and follows it.north into this center of town.
Vrilli makes a note of the names on a piece of parchment and heads back to report back to the sheriff. Once back at the manor, he shares his findings with the group. A monument to the south had all the names of those who died in the fire. It also had the letter V written, in blood to all appearances
Zazaria and Asenath scour the businesses of the circle for any more signs of attacks, but none are found. The citizens seem to be a bit shaken up, but they're a hardy lot, and now just want answers. The two ladies return to the manor to share that information.
Later in the evening, Crag returns, but doesn't enter. He speaks with Kendra at the door, and then leaves. Kendra says that he has decided to forego the obligation placed upon the group by the her late father, and now is headed back to his monastery for further training.
There have been no further signs of Gerion, so it can be assumed that he found a similar path.
Leeoli cares for his horse and mule before.retiring for the night...choosing a likely spot on the floor.
The night passes without incident.
Sounds like a good plan. Let's peruse the item first.
Leeoli helps Zazaria spread the items out onto a table.
Vrilli peruses the items:
Green Potion 1
Green Potion 2
Green Potion 3
Green Potion 4
Green Potion 5
Yellow Potion 1
Yellow Potion 2
Scroll 1
Scroll 2
Scroll 3
Scroll 4
Vrilli is able to identify the attributes of the remaining items.
Returning to the Lorrimor House is she appears keen to continue reading in the library. She speaks for a few moments with Kendra, enjoying her friends company, before disappearing to immerse herself amongst the scrolls and tomes collected by the late professor.
Though the professor's library has been mostly exhausted for research regarding the prison or Whispering Way, you are able to find some of the names from the monument in early town registers - the guards that died in the fire were also residents of course. There's the name of the warden's wife as well - Vesorianna...she also died in the fire, though none of the history on the subject explains why she was there at the time.
Sighing in boredom, leafing absently through the scrolls and tomes, Asenath begins doodling on a piece of paper. "Vesorianna," she writes the name down, spending a moment to make the "V" more pronounced.
"A monument to the south had all the names of those who died in the fire. It also had the letter V written, in blood to all appearances"
She leaves the library and approaches Vrilli, "You said there was a V painted on the monument? I have found a reference to Verorianna, the warden's wife, she also perished in the fire. I cannot find any reason for her being present at the prison, though this might be a possible lead to follow?"
Well, we have our work cut out for us. I will perhaps try my luck at the Temple...again. if Grimburrow will not hear us after this - after a coterie of Zombies have raided his own town, then I know not what will move him. And I would like to see the records in the Town Hall. Asenath, perhaps you and Vrilli would be the likeliest to prosper from a visit to the Unfurled Scroll? Or should we perhaps travel as one, to lend our inquiries greater weight?
Asenath nods, though she pauses for moment as if listening to a far away voice, and then her eyes focus on Zazaria once more. The amulet about her neck glows with a pale, consistent light. "If we travel as a group our ability to tackle more than one of our objectives will be limited, though if there is another attack we will be more able to repulse it together. Why not make the connection between the monument and the warden's wife's name? He maybe suspicious of outsiders making the connection, even though there have been stranger things occurring in Ravengro around, and since, the professor's death," she pauses for a moment, though she begins again following a flash from the amulet, "H... He should be wise enough to see that this is worth more investigation, and we're... expendable. If we succeed, the Church looks good, if we fail... we're the outsiders who brought the trouble with us!"
I will attend you Zazaria. The sheriff said we would have access.
Zazaria smiles, a little shyly. That would be a kindness, Mr. Maleye. She then grimaces. Sheriff or no, Father Grimburrow and his acolytes have heads of stone.
Anyi knocks on the door of Lorrimor House Hello? she calls out uncertainly. She is acutely aware that she has missed the funeral and tries to make herself appear smaller, no mean feat for someone of her stature.
The path to the Lorrimor estate is bordered on both sides by trees, affording it a somewhat private, exclusive appearance. A round about at the end of the path allows carriages and such to swing about without damaging the lawn. The estate is large and old, from its exterior appearance, but doesn’t seem dilapidated in any way. If anything, it has an aged charm.
It’s only a minute or less after the heavy brass ring taps out a cadence on the front door that the sound of several bolts on the inside being turned can be heard. The door opens, and a well dressed and attractive young woman recognizable as Kendra Lorrimor, leans out. She beings to say May I help…. Then the light of recognition dawns in her features. Anyi! My apologies; please come in. She opens the door wide for you to enter. Within, you can see that even the vestibule is lined with bookshelves in various states of duress under the weight of tome after massive tome.
Kendra smiles warmly. I hope your travels were safe and swift. I’m sorry you couldn’t make it for my father’s service, but your being here at all is a great gesture to both of us. And…your appearance may be more timely than you think. A brief cloud passes over her features at that, and she ushers you in, then shuts the door and motions for you to follow. Entering into a large study, you see two women and two men, seemingly in the middle of a discussion. Kendra motions you in.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Anyi, a good friend of my father’s. She couldn’t be in attendance, but has come to pay her respects. Her name is also in my father’s will, but I wasn’t sure if she’d be able to make it.
Zazaria looks the newcomer up and down, her face unreadable, then smiles. Anyi, is it? Well met indeed. You come upon us at a bad time - her face hardens as she thinks of Crag and Gerion - where stout hearts and bold spirits are being sorely tested. But of that, we will say more later. For now, let us introduce ourselve for we are all friends of Porfessor Lorrimor here: I am Zazaria Rooke.
and I am Leeoli of the Maleye family. Lorimor's friends are always a pleasure to meet
I am known as Vrilli. Well met.
Anyi smiles at those assembled before her. It is a pleasure to meet you all. Her face turning solemn, Anyi looks around at the group stopping when her eyes meet Kendra's. I was truely sorry to hear of the death of your father, he was a good man. I wish I could have been able to pay my respects at his funeral, but alas my journey took longer than anticipated. Please forgive my lateness, it was not due to any lack of respect for your father. Turning towards Zazaria, Anyi's brow furrows quizzically. You make mention of a bad time and being sorely tested. You must tell me all about your problems. I would be grateful to be able to help in any small way that I may. I would consider it the least I can do to honour Professor Lorrimor's memory.
Kendra bows her head in acceptance, though her eyes are moist with her grief. It's obvious that her father's death has taken a toll on her and continues to do so. Still, she maintains her welcoming grin.
Of course, Anyi, I understand completely...I'm merely thankful that you've come. Please, make yourself comfortable.
At mention of the troubles, Kendra's face darkens. I'll let you speak of these troubles; so you know Anyi, my Father requested in his will that you remain here for a month to assist me. While I appreciate his thoughts, I'm sure I'll be fine. But, he also asked that you take some of his more dangerous tomes to the University of Lepistat. He set aside 100 platinum pieces for such a service...quite a sum.
Leeoli grabs the professor's diary and turns to the marked pages,
See here pointing to excerpts
Ten Years Ago:
The Whispering Way is more than just a cabal of necromancers. I see that now. Undeath is their fountain of youth. Uncovering their motivation does not place me at ease as I thought it might. Their desire to be eternal simply makes them more dangerous.
Two Months Ago:
It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be?
One Month Ago:
Whatever the Way seeks, I am now convinced their goal is connected to Harrowstone. In retrospect, I suppose it all makes sense—the stories they tell about the ruins in town are certainly chilling enough. It may be time to investigate the ruins, but with everyone in town already being so worked up about them, I’d rather not let the others know about my curiosity—there’s plenty of folks hereabouts who already think I’m a demonologist or a witch or something. Ignorant fools.
Twenty Days Ago:
It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list.
Eighteen Days Ago:
I see now just how ill prepared I was when I last set out for the Harrowstone. I am lucky
to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not find it prudent to investigate further) prevented me from transcribing the strange symbols I found etched along the foundation—hopefully on my next visit I will be more prepared. Thankfully, the necessary tools to defend against spirits are already here in Ravengro. I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down
below. If my luck holds, I should be able to slip in and out with a few borrowed items.
Seventeen Days Ago:
Tomorrow evening I return to the prison. It is imperative the Way does not finish. My caution has already cost me too much time. I am not sure what will happen if I am too late, but if my theory is right, the entire town could be at risk. I don’t have time to update my will, so I’ll leave this in the chest where it’ll be sure to be found, should the worst come to pass.
Lorrimor died while investigating. He did not die of natural causes, we fear.
Leeoli sighed.
Further, this town was attacked by zombies last evening.
The amulet flashes angrily at the arrival of the newcomer, and for once Asenath acknowledges its presence and covers it with her hand. A genuine look of fear passes over her face as she gazes at Anyi. "Watch the blood come out the pipe. Drops of red so sparkly bright," she says quietly.
This new one is to be watched!
"Vrilli, do you wish to accompany me to the Unfurled Scroll?" Asenath addresses the elf, though she continues to stare at Anyi.
Zazaria frowns slightly at Asenath, then looks over at Anyi, attempting to gauge her reaction.
Yes, that is one of the locations we should investigate. Vrilli casts a curious glance at Asenath amulet.
Kendra nods. The Unfurling Scroll is a good place for research, indeed. Alendru was once my teacher in the arcane. While at the time I'd thought him strict, I thank him every time I see him today. Let me know if you'd like me to accompany you.
I will go with Zazaria
Would you like to join us, Anyi? We are going to try to reason with a very stubborn priest and gain access to his records.
Anyi stares back at Asenath warily. Without breaking eye contact she answers Zazaria Yes thank-you Zazaria, I think that may be best.