No one recalls seeing anything suspicious last night, but few of them were out late, and the superstitious citizenry makes sure to stay away from the southern side of town after the moon rises, none of them wishing to be caught in the night by Harrowstone's haunts. Several of them exchange with you worried whispers, though, even swearing they knew this was going to happen, on account of 'bad omens' they saw in their dreams last night. Most of them proudly point to their affinity for knowing of trouble before it happens, and a few suggest that it was some evil spirit invading their dreams.
Marta is leaned over the counter whispering to her eldest daughter as he enter the grocery, though she looks up and greets you warmly as you enter. "Oh, good morning, dearie! Have you heard of the what happened to the Harrowstone monument? Emma and I were just talking about it." She looks to her left, and then to here right before beckoning you over. "It seems that someone smeared blood all over it!" she whispers. "They say it was positively splattered with the stuff. The town is all abuzz over it, and the sheriff is stumped as to whodunnit! And it don't surprise me in the least. Emma knew something wicked was coming ever since she want to bed last night."
Marta's daughter nods furiously in agreement. "That's right! We all saw it last night, in our dreams - the whole family has a talent for that sort of thing, you know. Dark images of red splashes, and such an evil presence..." she trails off, a tinge of fear creeping into her excited musings. "I never felt such hate as I felt last night."
"There's something not right happening in this town," Marta concurs. "You make sure you be careful dearie, and come to us if you need anything. But look at me, still chewing your ear off when you come for vittles! Please, don't let me keep you, and let me know if you need anything!" Marta continues whispering to Emma as you pick your way through the shelves, and when you inquire about opening a line of credit, Kendra is most insistent on paying for the food that will be stocking her home.
"And I'd watch out for those what claim to command the future!" comes Marta's hypocritical admonition. "Only folk I know of who've got business with the Harrow and stars are them Sczarni that pass through from time to time, and I'd not be caught dealing with such folk!"
Sheriff Caeller and his deputies are making rounds," Marta explains, "He was in here earlier, and said he ain't found nothing that might indicate a murder yet."
Val will search the alleys and back streets of the town, such as they are. He hasn't been in the city for years, but the instincts of his youth are still strong. If there is anything happening *behind the scenes*, maybe he can stumble upon a clue. He will do his best to stay out of sight and avoid people.
Valachi grimaces, recoiling in horror. After a moment, he uses the old blanket to fan away the flies, then carefully wraps it in the blanket. He is careful not to touch the thing directly, and does his best to keep it intact. That done, he will head back to Lorrimor's and show the find to the others, including Kendra.
Once we're all together. "I found this in an alleyway behind the Demon. Prepare yourselves, this isn't pretty," he says, unwrapping the bundle. Inside, you see a rat corpse, its entrails hanging from its torn belly. Noticably, it has no scabbing and is completely drained of blood.
Looking at the corpse that Valachi showed to the group closely Agnar than says "Well that seems to be where the blood came from. Now this seems very odd to me. Why would someone use a rat when there are other animal blood you can use after you butcher them for food?" Turning to the group he asks "Any of you seen anything like this before?"
"It could have been used for an augery perhaps; the foretelling of futures in entrails. Or it may simply have been the most convenient animal available to our suspect. Barefoot, and scavenging rats: we could be looking for a poor man, or a feral one."
Zhan leans close, examining the wound.
"We should perhaps see if there is any significance to this being placed behind the Laughing Demon. Perhaps our suspect was there late last night; either before or after his vandalism. He may have left the Demon, killed the rat and collected its blood in a vessel; or killed the rat elsewhere, used it to mark the cenotaph, and then dumped it there on his way to get a drink afterwards. It may have been dumped at random, but since that gets us nowhere, we should assume it wasn't. We could go and ask who was there last night. We might let our vandal know he is being followed, or be told off by the proprietor and learn nothing, but then we might also learn who was there and narrow our pool of suspects, if indeed we care enough about this vandalism to use the time. On the whole, the blood on the cenotaph still appears to be a minor mystery, and perhaps one that should not distract us from our original purpose."
"What do you think? Should we check out the Demon, or the Harrowstone. If we choose the Harrowstone, we will still need to decide what to do about the Sheriff's edict."
Kirill wrinkles his nose with disgust upon seeing the rat and swallows some bile trying to creep up his throat. He had seen worse things in musty old tombs, but that didn't mean he particularly had a stomache for such disturbing sights.
"Are we happy now? Nobody is hurt. We found the source of the blood- probably some homeless scamp or backalley amuser having a sick laugh to pass the otherwise drab times in these parts. Just to be thorough we could grab a quick mug at the Demon and loudly boast about how we know who's causing such trouble and are planning to report it to the sheriff to try to scare them into knocking this nonsense off. Who knows, maybe we'll strike some luck and some brat will bolt from the tavern so we can point out exactly whose responsible and get to Harrowstone before our first trail gets any colder."
She heads out of the store, trying to find where the man may have gone.
If she catches sight of him she asks:
"Sheriff, I'm glad I found you. I know this whole thing has the townsfolk in a bit of a scare. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to aid in your head count or investigation?" She thinks, suggesting, "If you have a list of those that live here, I could take part of it to maybe go door to door or such"
"What do you think? Should we check out the Demon, or the Harrowstone. If we choose the Harrowstone, we will still need to decide what to do about the Sheriff's edict."
Valachi thinks for a long moment before speaking. "As little as I care for the 'edict', if we're going to stick to it, we may as well give it a day or so. Perhaps we can stake out the Demon, see if any suspicious characters use that alley on a regular basis. Might lead to nothing, might give us a clue."
To Kirill, he adds, "I don't think threatening alley cats is going to help - maybe befriend them instead with a sweet treat or a silver coin. They'll still give you the information, but thank you for it in the end." He gives a wry, knowing smile. "Delia, Sagaar?"
"If we must solve this simple problem first, then so be it, lets be about it."
Zhan will depart for the Laughing Demon with anyone who chooses to accompany him.
Agnar follows Zhan to the Laughing Demon so they can clear up this problem.
The laughing demon is not difficult to find. It's nearing luncheon, and the clatter of plates and the raucous din of Ravengro's working class sitting down to a meal is more of an indicator than is the poorly painted sign above the door.
You are first greeting by a blast of noise as you open the door, followed immediately by a hearty [b/]Hullo!"[/b] from a squat, broad-chested man running from table to table. You recognize him as one of the mourners from the funeral, though today he is far from somber as he grins at you from cheek to rosy cheek.
"Sorry we haven't had a chance to meet proper yet," he says as he rushing to your side. He grabs Zhan's hand between both fists and begins shaking vigorously. "Name's Zokar Elkarid, cook and proprietor of the Laughing Demon, where you never know which laugh will be your last!" He issues an overly dramatic, and overly practiced, chuckle, reminiscent of the mad laughter of wicked archmages and sadistic villains. "Here for lunch, are you? Well, they say you're good sorts, and your more than welcome under this roof! Good job talking down Gibs the other day, by the way," he adds as he jerks his thumb towards a familiar-looking old man sitting in the corner. "Whadda ya say to a plate of wolfballs, on the house?
Zhan moves into the tavern casually and takes a spot at the bar next to Zokar. He looks the man up and down at a glance without being obvious about it, and positions himself in sight of the man Gibs. He tried to get a read on each.
"Thank you, Zokar, you are too kind. Though I have heard a great deal about your exotic dishes, I am afraid I've just finished breaking fast. Some bread and ale would be welcome though."
"Mr. Gibs is a loyal patron, I take it? I'm sure he meant no harm..." He salutes the aforementioned undertaker with his pint, before turning back to Zokar, "Have you heard anything about this morning's excitement? Seems someone bloodied up the monument." He keeps a weather eye out for any shifts in Mr. Gibs demeanor.
Agnar looks at the man who walked up to Zhan than says "What are wolfballs?" Once he and Zhan are seated his stays silent as to let Zhan gather information better. He is looks all around the tavern as Zhan does this. Thinking to himself "I hope we can finish this quickly."
"Starting early, eh?" Zokar winks as he calls for ale, bread, and a plate of wolfballs for Agnar. "Gibs is in here often enough, sure, and I suppose that he doesn't start as many brawls in his old age. Still, man could stand to cheer up. Best way to deal with life's horrors and hardships is to laugh at 'em, that's what I always say! Speaking of which, I did see that business with the monument this morning. Nasty stuff, though folk do seem to be exaggerating it, and I think it's a might early for jest. Still, sheriff was by earlier, and and he seems do doubt that it was a murder, though I do hope he finds whoever was responsible for such a crude and violent debasement. If you'd like to ask around, it's been the talk of the tavern all morning." One of the serving maids brings by the food - a loaf of fresh bread, a a few mugs of ale, and a series of savory-smelling meatballs served on a tray painted to resemble the full moon. "But first, help yourself to the finest werewolf meatballs this side of Canterwall!"
Agnar thanks the man for the food than starts to eat the meatballs. He listens as the man speaks.
Zhan keeps to the bread and the ale.
"Has such a thing ever happened here before? Can you give me a little history on that monument?"
Zokar gives a thoughtful whistle as he leans on an unoccupied table. "Well, Ravengro sees its share of young mischief, but we're a peaceful town for the most part. We had a man stabbed over a game of dice a few years back, and the bones have been outlawed in bars since. This kind of vandalism, though? Nope, can't say I've seen anything like it. And as for the monument? All I know is that it was built to honor the guards who lost their lives in that tragic fire... That was 50 years ago, remember - even the oldest in Ravengro were only children at the time, and I was still brewing back then, if you know what I mean."
"You must see a lot of what goes on in the town, this being such a popular desination? Any idea who might do such a thing?"
"The sheriff asked my friends and I to help out if we can, and find out who is responsible for the vandalism. Perhaps you could tell me who was here last night? If there were here, we might be able to strike them off the list of possibilities..."
Val waits patiently for a response from Delia or Sagaar, and then, getting none, abruptly leaves to follow Zhan and Agnar.
While at the Demon, Val will wait outside in the alley, in case Zhan's questioning flushes out anyone suspicious.
Zokar's mustache droops sullenly as he here's that his establishment is being implicated. "Well, I'm afraid I'm not much of a sleuth, but I'll help as best I can. Last night we had the usual crowd of regulars - some of 'em are here now, but we don't really get going until around dinner time - or shortly after. To be honest, the who of this matter is the biggest question about town, as none of us can imagine who'd be so depraved. If you want my two cents, I don't think its a local. You don't seem like the type for it - though not everyone feels the same, so I'd be careful. Might be some Sczarni waifs passing nearby, or some foul vagrant who's escaped our notice."
"Thank you, Zokar."
Zhan makes his way over to where Gibs is sitting.
"Mr. Gibs, I think we got off on the wrong foot the other day. I'd like to make it up to you. Can I buy you a drink?"
"Aye, that we did, and so we shall remain," he spits. "You mighta pulled the wool over everyone's eyes, but I'm wise to ye. You keep your coin, stranger, and be about yer business."
She walks hurriedly back to the Lorrimer residence, and enters excitedly. "I just spoke with the sheriff, and he agreed that we may continue our business outside the town. We may still salvage the last half of this day. See, it doesn't hurt to help out." She looks around, "Where is everyone?"
Zhan will take his ale and bread to a table, and settle in to watch the crowd for a bit, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.
Kirill follows Zhan to the Demon and listened quietly as he goes about the investigation, ordering an ale for himself and nibbling on a spot of bread. He sits with the man after he was harshly denied, and leans over to his companion.
"Want me to give it a try? I can be pretty persausive when need be, though seeing us enter together I'm sure he'l probably be plenty hostile to me as well," the Varisian graverobber whispers.
Agnar shakes his head "The people of this town really have no respect." He than turns to Zhan and Kirill saying in a lower voice "Have either of you find out what you wished to know? I am just here in case any of the town folk wish to be a bit more physical with their dislike of us. I could also help if you tell me what I should be looking out for?"
"Feel free to try. Perhaps you will do better."
"I'm not entirely certain what we are looking for. Someone suspicious. Someone going barefoot. However, whatever the trouble, I suspect this Gibs will be involved somehow."
Val remains in the alleyway outside, in case anything happens.
Kendra is struggling with a hefty bag of flour as you step into the house.
"Ah, I think they were going to the Laughing Demon," she grunts as she shoves the sack into the pantry.
Kirill casually wanders over to the man, drink in hand, sipping at is as he goes, and gives an exagerated look about the room as he reaches Gibs' table, as to take careful, albeit obvious, stock of whose paying attention, before leaning in close and lowering his voice.
"Hey there...sorry about my newest companion's demeanor, he can be off putting, eh? Anyways, all that ado back at the Lorrimor procession got us all thinking 'bout what were said- this foul talk of necromancy and whatnot. So we all thought we'd take a look into the professor's private matters to see if he really was who we thought he was. Unfortunately I don't know enough about arcane matters to tell what's bad magic from good, nor do I know this town well enough at all. And the others with me aren't any better off. We'd really like to either lay these rumors, and the nerves of those in town to rest, or confirm these allegations of death magic so the professor need not be buried alongside normal folk like you or I and pollute the souls of the pure or whatever it is that undead worshippers do. We could really use a hand from someone as knowledgable and respected in the area such as your reputation would promote."
Kirill reaches into a pouch at his belt and feels about for his final gold peice. It pains him to fish it out and slide it slowly across the table toward the annoying man, but if it will help speed this process to be able to take a look at Harrowstone and clear the professor's name (along with collecting his portion of the inheritance) then it would be worth the loss.
Gibs gives you a long hard stare, tugging absently at his overgrown sideburns. Nodding, he presses down on the coin with one grubby thumb.
"Yer a piss poor liar, boy, and I've seen some bad liars in my time. I know less than nothin' about book-magic, but the town's another matter."
The chair before him scoots out with dull scrape as he gives it a kick.
"Sit, buy me a drink, and tell me what you want to know. And stow the flattery. Yer in the Palitinates, not some noble's manor."
Kirill forces himself resist sighing with relief as his ploy works. He would've hated for his last gold to be spent uselessly. He takes mental count of what silver and copper coin he has left as he sits and motions for a couple more drinks to be brought over.
"My new friends and I just popped into Ravengro to pay our respects at the funereal. I don't have any personal stake in the minor squabbles and politics in town and, no offense, but would be just as happy to leave as soon as possible, especially since a well paying job has just fell into my lap that requires me elsewhere in the near future. And while I'd like to clear my late friend's name of this necromancy nonsense, that's business that we can deal with another time. Now I don't know what your opinion of the sheriff is, but apparently as inexperienced as he is, my companions and I are not allowed to leave town and go about our business until this instance of graffiti is cleared up. Seeing that we have a varied skill set among us we have decided to lend an eye and an ear, rather than sit on our hands. You seem knowledgeable about this town as a local, and seem to care enough about Ravengro as well- [enough to make an ass of yourself in public at any rate, Kirill silently added to himself-]. I just want to know anything you know about that blood on the statue; rumors, sightings, and so on. If the information proves good I see you kept in drink 'n' coin. And like I said, if foul rumors persist about the professor even in the wake of his death, you and I can deal with that business at a later time."
Agnar nods to Zhan after he speaks. He than watches as Kirill speaks with the man named Gibs.
Zhan returned Agnar's nod, and put his eyes on his loaf of bread, seemingly engrossed in the simple act of tearing small chunks away, and chewing them slowly. Agnar, being close could see that his attention was not on the bread as it appeared, but rather on other senses; peripheral vision and sharp ears, waiting to see how things turned out with the rogue's machinations.
Sagaar goes to Delia and Kendra and offers to help them deal with the groceries.
"Well," he begins slowly, "I know as much as any other man who keeps there eyes open 'round here, which is fewer than it ought to be. Word 'round town is that the Caeller hasn't found anything amiss. No one is missing, so we don't know where the blood came from. And in the town, that only means one thing..." He allows himself a long pause as his drink is served. He takes a hearty gulp and wipes the foam from his mouth with a dirty sleeve before continuing. "When blood comes from nowhere, I guarantee that Harrowstone is involved. There's something bad in that place, and it's set in its ways just like we are. I can't promise to know its purpose with a moral certainty, but I can guess well enough. Whether your intent here is malicious or not, you'd serve all best by clearing out of Ravengro as soon as you're able."
At length, there is a knock at the door, and the young hostess instantly bounds from the room to answer it. The knocking continues even as her footsteps carry her down the hallway, and after several moments, you hear the front door open, and then your hearts stop in your chests as a woman's bloodcurdling scream echos through the house.