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"Ladies and gentlemen, please stand back while we investigate"
Blackheath points to a random villager: "You, sir, please control the crowd. This could be dangerous.
To his friends he whispers, "Let's take a look at this..."
A bug flies into Blackheath's eye causing him to miss all the important clues.
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Another bug flies onto Blackheath's nose begging the first bug to come back home. "Think of the larvae, Phil! Do you want them to grow up without a father?" The second bug begins to weep. Rapt by this micro-drama, Blackheath pauses and watches intently. The crowd assumes that the monster slayer has found some vital clue.
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The random villager is a small, scrawny man. He seems pleased to have been placed in charge. He begins to open his mouth. The, the larger woman to his left eyes him with a mixture of anger and familiarity that seems to convey the sentiment: "Go ahead, husband. Try to tell me what to do!" The scrawny man looks down at his navel, and "orders" the woman: "Um. Bessie. Dearest. You're so good at organizing things. Why don't you get everyone in order while these folks check out what happened? Sweetie? Um. Please?"
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The dwarven ranger immediately recognizes that the Memorial and the area around it has been sprinkled with blood. Not a lot--maybe enough to fill a wineskin. Maybe two?
The blood is a deep, rich red. Probably came from a mammal. The amount isn't sufficient to indicate the death of a humanoid, but more than enough to account for, say, a small animal.
He also notices a tuft of fur near the base of the Memorial. Perhaps belonging to a rabbit or a large rat?
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Blackheath confers with his friends.
"It looks like a 'V' for 'Vandalism,'" he whispers. "If this hasn't happened before -- and it looks like a surprise to the locals -- then someone is trying to send us a message. Maybe our trip to the statue earlier wasn't so useless. At least we have a better time-frame for when this was written. The obvious connection would be that it is about 'Vesorianna' the warden's wife, but what do you think, and how would you like to proceed?"
While speaking quitely to his friends, Blackheath tries to scan the crowd to see if anyone looks particularly anxious/interested.
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Blackheath waits for the distraught insects to embrace each other and make up, and then loudly proclaims:
Good People of Ravengro, it seems this is the work of a miscreant, but NOT a murderer. Your heroic monument has been shamefully dishonored with animal blood! This is clearly an attempt by the enemies of this town to throw us off the track.
I'm sure none of you would have fallen for the old rabbit-blood trick, but it is just as well that you have in your midst PROFESSIONAL MONSTER SLAYERS!
Clearly, we are on the right track and must take up the trail before it goes cold! THEREFORE, I urge you all to lock your doors tonight, and let no one be alone until dawn! We, my stalwart companions and I, shall venture forth and check on the ruins of Harrowstone, for if the beasts defile a memorial to the brave guards and warden, what naughtiness might they get up to in the prison itself? We must confirm that everything is as it should be!
And, I know that many of you would wish to accompany us and risk personal destruction in the maws of some diabolical fiend, but I must beg you to curb your natural inclination toward decisive action, and leave it to us. Though I don't mind being torn limb from limb and having my eyes sucked from their sockets, it would weigh heavily on my heart --until foul talons rip it, still-beating, from my chest-- as I say, it would weigh heavily on my heart were any harm to befall the innocent villagers of good Ravengro.
Hence, again I enjoin thee, lock the doors, stay home, snuggle up to your sweetie, while we risk life, limb and sanity on the trail of an unspeakable conspiracy! AND IF YOU DON'T HEAR FROM US WITHIN A WEEK, I beg you to send a message to Prince Aduard and inform him that "Blackheath shall not be able to go hunting with him next month for, alas, the monster slayer is dead."
But let's no more speak dreary words! And if a shortbow or two could be found amongst your small-game hunters, we would be grateful for the use of them.
And now, before we risk death, let us us share a glass together! A ROUND OF DRINKS on me, at the Laughing Demon!!!!
That said, he whispers the following to his friends...
Let's have one drink at the inn, and see if we can't borrow a shortbow or two. Otherwise we are going to look foolish trying to throw silver arrows at spectral monstrosities. Then, we go straight to the prison. Agreed?
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Clearly, we are on the right track and must take up the trail before it goes cold! THEREFORE, I urge you all to lock your doors tonight, and let no one be alone until dawn!
The townsfolk look at each other. "Locks? Shucks, I guess we better git us some locks... After tha free round at tha Demon. One has ta have his priorities."
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You do! ([dice=How many]1d4) You find two of them present. Keep in mind, they're commoners--farmers. Their income is measured in CP per month.
Blackheath begins to shake the hands of villagers in a dramatic and tearful farewell.
"May we meet again with all our limbs and internal organs preserved! And now, for the road, a final toast to Cayden Cailean!"
The clown raises his tankard in salute to his preferred deity.
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"Greetings and good evening to all of you. What a fine evening it is indeed. As we watch the Dawnflower set in the west, let us be welcomed and embraced by her healing light."
"My name is Gravleon De La Sangre, Leon for short, and I am new to talengrade. I bring with me my loyalty, my talents, and my willingness to serve. As part of that service, I will be holding these discipleship meetings here at the inn periodically. These meetings will hopefully lift you up and bring light into the dark corners of our spirits that we all have. Yes, we all have those."
"Me, I used to be terrified of the dark. I hated it. I always wanted more light and to be able to see what horrible monster was going to crawl out from under my bed or was up in the rafters. Somehow, seeing the monsters made it better. There was a comfort in the light. My brother Latrell, whom I shared a room with, always wanted it as dark as possible in the room we sleep in."
"Are you a light person, or do you prefer dark?"
"In Sarenrae’s holy text, The Birth of Light and Truth, there is a parable to help people understand their spiritual lives within the darkness around them. Let’s begin with a little background of the Empire of Kelesh."
"The people of Kelesh have been without a great king for twelve generations. War, famine and pestilence plagued them for the entire time. They have been looking for their prophesied leader for over a hundred years. They are praying and waiting for the one who would deliver them from the darkness in which they live."
opening the book, Gravleon reads
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned."
[b"This is speaking of a crucial time in the history of the nation of Kelesh. They are between the period of the monarchy of Aldaphar and the prosperity of the nation under the Padishah Dynasty. Now the kingdom is crumbling and they are looking for guidance. The text points out that they are being heard by Sarenrae and that they are going to be delivered from this time."[/b]
"Now Adalan Padishah IV has arrived. He is teaching about Sarenrae, healing the weak and sick, and talking throughout the kingdom. Some people are beginning to believe that maybe he could be their promised King. He is in the middle of teaching when he says this:"
“Do you bring in a lamp to hide it under a cask or a bed? No, instead, you put it on its stand? For whatever is in hidden is meant to be revealed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has eyes to see, let him see. But consider carefully what you cast your eyes upon. For, the darkness can be deceiving.”
"Let’s look at this passage for a few observations and then look at how we live this out in our lives. The lamp is King Adalan who represents himself here as light. He is, in a veiled way, acknowledging that he is the king promised by Sarenrae. He is also pointing out that the time for him to be revealed is at hand. Adalan cautions everyone to carefully consider the claims he makes. Over and over again he uses the phrase if anyone has eyes to see, let him see. It means, if you are looking with your heart and your soul, you will understand the claims of Sarenrae."
"So, if we understand the claims of Adalan, and we choose to follow them and be obedient to them, what will that look like in our lives?"
"It is written:
Let your light shine before all people, that they may see your good deeds and praise Sarenrae."
"What does that look like?
If we become exposed to the light of Sarenrae, we will be changed. It means that our thoughts, our actions, our words, our attitudes, our behavior, and everything about us will be different. We are called to be children of light, not of darkness."
Gravleon looks around the room and into the eye of everyone paying attention
"One last verse:
Our lives are to be lights to the dark world around us."
"Are you living in darkness or light? Would anyone know that there is anything different about you based on the actions, attitudes and words that come out of your mouth?"
"We, as followers of Sarenrae, must always strive to shine her light into the world around us. We must be willing to take a stand, to be different and to make a difference."
Gravleon closes the book to indicate that his sermon as concluded.
"If anyone would like to stick around and discuss what I just talked about, I'll be here for a bit longer. Otherwise, have a great day and be safe. "
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--Insert Comedy Set--
After everyone had settled down with their drinks, and before Gravleon's moving sermon, Blackheath tells some of his favorite monster slaying stories and closes with "The tale of the drunken cyclops who fell in love with a streetlight."
As the haul from a small village like Ravengro isn't likely to be much and probably won't pay for a bow, he passes the hat around so that anyone who appreciated the stories might donate to the Church of Pharasma to have the crypt door in the Restlands repaired (or a new lock fitted to it).
"Mostly I did it so that if something goes wrong, at least they can remember me with a laugh or smile," he tells his friends.
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Gravleon's proselytizing appeals to the townsfolk. As farmers, they depend on the sun. He is able to get some amount of money (which he has to give to the church, since he collected it in Sarenrae's name). More importantly, however, one of the townsfolk donates a shortbow!
Blackheath's performance also nets a shortbow. In addition, he's able to scrounge 20 arrows.
Though they're generally successful, they have to work really, really, really hard to get a pittance. They sense that there are a lot of mixed feelings about the party among the townsfolk.
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Edit Holy crap dude you literally just read my mind I was just about to start typing maybe we should do both because the church would handle the graveyard and the council would be the big decisions as to whether or not anybody goes to the prison lol get out of my head get out ^_^ -Posted with Wayfinder
-Posted with Wayfinder
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If all of them can be enticed away from their drinks, Blackheath explains: "Councilperson, acolytes and deputies, as we have previously made known, we intend to set out to the ruins of Harrowgate prison tonight. The damage to the crypt in the Restlands and the vandalism at the memorial lead us to believe that Ravengro may be in danger. Hopefully we have caught these signs soon enough that whatever might be behind them is quickly dealt with. The incident at the monument and Professor Lorrimor's death both point to something being afoot at the prison. We wanted to make clear our intention to investigate the ruins so that no one would get the wrong idea should he see us heading that way."
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The two acolytes look at you blankly. Then they get up and leave. "Why can't he just speak plainly?" you can hear one ask the other. The two deputies defer to the town council member present.
The bard doesn't recognize the councilwoman. "I don't recommend it. The prison is structurally unsound. Why, Professor Lorrimor, rest his soul, perished because a piece of masonry fell and killed him!" the woman says.
At first blush, she seems rather down to earth. Given the simple nature (not unintelligent--simple, plain, pragmatic, straightforward) of this agrarian community, the monster slayer realizes that his flowery prose might be best left for his performances.
"'Sides," one of the deputies chimes in. "Ye ain't got no jurisdiction here. From whut I can tell, ye ain't got no authority anywheres."
The councilwoman puts her hand on the deputy's shoulder, "It's alright, Leromar." She nods at Gravleon. "This one is dedicated to truth, light, healing, and redemption. I have a feeling that we can trust him, at least--despite their horrid manners."
She stands, "I am councilwoman Mirta Straelock. This is Deputy Leromar. This is Deputy Riff." She inclines her head to each party member. She's not being "formal;" she's just being polite--country polite. Genteel, you might say.
"Deputy Leromar, please go inform Sheriff Caeller that I've authorized these folks to investigate the prison, if they wish. Please also let him know that I warned them about the dangerous conditions of the structure and that they go of their own accord; they know the risks. Deputy Riff, please guide them to Harrowstone. Once there, wait outside the gate and keep any curious townsfolk out--we don't need any more tragedies to befall our small community. Call for help if you need it."
Adressing the party, Councilwoman Straelock says: "You may go. Any risks you take are your own. We won't be responsible for any trouble you get yourselves into."
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Responding to Blackheath's question, the deputy says: "No ye haven't, ye judgmental jerk! Ye saw how a small handful o' ruffians treated , stranger! Petros Lorrimor was one o' our own. An' we take care o' our own here in Ravengro! Sure, most folk didn'a unnerstan' his werk. He was smarter 'n most folk. An' folk tend ta fear what they don' unnerstan'. I'll tell ye one thing tho. Tha Perfesser was a brave man. T'weren't nuthin' that scared him! He'd go anywhere ta do his werk. Lepidstadt, tha middle o' the Restlands, or inta tha heart o' Harrowstone." The deputy is sincere. He choose a job serving his community. Riff is a good man. Despite Blackheath's leading, antagonistic question (from his point of view), he's still giving the party information. Good information. Honest information. (Again, from his point of view.)
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On the way to Harrowstone, Riff strikes up a conversation with Vandel. It turns out that he's actually a bit of a chatty Cathy.
"Well, tha weather's been downright awful lately. All fog an' rain. Crops is stunted fer lack o' light! Good thing we can fish fer food outta The Great Blue Dot. Why, I noodled me a big ol' catfish tha other day. Feed me fer a week, that one!"
"Speakin' o' tha animals. They's all skittish an spooked alla tha time. Like they smell somethin' ain't right."
"Then, o' course, Professor Lorrimor died an' y'all came ta town. That's gotta be 'bout tha strangest thing what happened in Ravengro inna long while."
"How 'bout y'all? Ever since ye left tha Laughin' Demon, ye've been tha talk o' tha town."
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Then he chats a bit with Gravleon:
"Ye can speak plain with me, Sarenite--bein' as how I'm law enforcement and all. And the councilwoman said ye was trustworthy. Is it true what they say 'bout ye? That Father Grimburrow asked tha church ta send an outsider ta investigate tha Laughin' Demon?"
Riff looks around to make sure nobody can overhear him: "'Tis no coincidence that Zokar serves more corpse chowder after unpopular merchants "leave town," never to be seen again. If Zokar invites you into the Demon's back room for a complimentary taste of that evening's chowder, watch out!"
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Then Riff turns to the mighty-looking Dolgarth:
"Ye're the strong, silent type, he? Are ye here ta look inta tha complaints 'bout Jominda Fallenbridge? She does more than brew potions—she brews drugs an' poisons as well and sells them through agents in other towns. Why else would tha sheriff be so interested in her business?"
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:-)
Dolgarth posted that he was tied up with real life concerns. He'll return when he can. Vandel has posted, though at a slower rate than you two. If we get through part one with only two or three of you, I'll fold you into the other table.
As a whole, they don't post as much as Blackheath. ;-P But they're all very regular.
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"no friend, I grew up here lived with the professor for a number of year actually but then I left to work for the light and I came back as soon as was told of his passing. My it be as such after this I'll try and start giving regular sermons here and if the light wills it build a temple for all the good fok here to come to"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Responding to Blackheath's question, the deputy says: "No ye haven't, ye judgmental jerk! Ye saw how a small handful o' ruffians treated , stranger!
"Well said, Deputy!" Blackheath smiles sincerely at the Deputy's fiery response. They understand me well enough when an insult hangs in the air, the clown thinks to himself.
"And yet, it was not our burial that was disrupted."
Blackheath looks the Deputy over as they walk. "You are a brave man, Deputy Riff, that much is clear by the way you accompany us even at risk to yourself. And you speak honestly and openly -- I truly admire that. Your pride and protectiveness for your community do you credit. So, forgive me if I pay you back in an honest coin, but...
"In my wanderings as a judgmental jerk, I've learned that the best way to judge a town's worth is by measuring how it treats strangers and those who don't fit in. Kindness to those who need it most, is the rarest thing."
Blackheath walks the rest of the way in silence.
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The fog is back, thicker than ever. The weather seems to occasionally alternate between a chilly fog and a cold, light rain.
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The party, led by Riff, approaches the prison. The deputy advises you all: "Now an' then, if ye visit Harrowstone near sundown, you can hear tha ghost o' tha warden's wife wailin' an' sobbin' from somewheres in tha ruins. She haunts tha prison now, mourning her husband an' scarin' away anyone who intrudes on tha prison"
Riff addresses Monty: "Ye seem like ye unnerstan' tha occult. They say that Harrowstone's executioner still guards tha execution balcony on tha western side o' tha prison, and that on some nights, his scythe can be seen patrolling the balcony on its own, as if carried by an invisible spirit."
The goose bumps all over Riff's skin are clearly visible. He sincerely believes the stories he shares with the party.
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" fear not we will see each other again and if the light guides true we will leave this place cleansed. Now Blackheath I think we should start with the house before we go to the main prison best cover ever ground we don't have any surprises no"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"there is a foul presence in this place be on you gaurd" Gravleon takes his sword and shield out and continues into the area
-Posted with Wayfinder
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(5) +1 arrows
(2) +1 ghost touch arrows
(1) +1 undead bane arrows
1 potion of cure light wounds
1 flask of holy water
two potions of lesser restoration
one scroll of detect undead
two scrolls of hide from undead
one scroll of protection from evil
four iron and glass vials containing tiny, churning clouds of vapor
four sun rods
one thin darkwood case decorated with an image of a scarab with a single eye glaring from its back
one spirit board
one brass spirit planchette