DM Are's "Wild Child" Carrion Crown

Game Master Are


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Narah wrote:
She tries her most winning smile, knowing how delicate her request is in a backwater town like this. It is helpful that her host is a woman, though. Nonchalantly she speaks a forumala in Celestial and sways her hand along with it, as though it was some kind of greeting. Acutally she speaks a spell, enhanced diplomacy. "A wonderful day, good woman. I am Narah an'Aras from Katapesh and I am indeed looking for a room, but not just for a night, it seems I will be busy here in Ravengro for a month; actually as guest of Kendra Lorrimor, but..." Narah smirks and angles her head slightly: "As a priestess of Calistria I should prefer a lodging that would allow me to maintain some discretion over who comes and leaves. Would such a room be available here? I can assure you it will only be to your advantage." Her entire posture is an example of traditional feminine coyness and elegance. Only the somewhat sly half smile and her words relativise it.

The woman's hands momentarily stop moving. "Katapesh?! You're a long way from home, dear!" Overcoming her stunned surprise at the length of Narah's journey, she beckons her toward a nearby counter. "Come, come. I've got plenty of rooms." Shuffling behind the counter, she swiftly picks a key from one of ten small compartments on the wall behind it. "Lorrimor.. Oh, did you come for the funeral? I was sorry to hear of the Professor's passing. I couldn't make it myself," she says, mournfully, while vaguely indicating the inn. "Someone has to look after this place, you know?"

She tilts her head to one side, pondering something. "If you're a guest of Kendra's, why.." She suddenly stops talking, reddening as she realizes the implications of Calistria and discretion. I," she tries, meekly and without conviction. She turns around, replacing the key she just found, then hesitates for a few seconds before picking up another. When she turns back, she seems her confident inn-keeper's self again. "This room should be suitable for your purposes. There's a few rooms between it and the others currently occupied. Please enjoy your stay!"


Bran Grindle wrote:
Bran smiles a toothy smile to the children, all but one of them seem terrified. The lone brave girl smiles back and points to Bran's hair. "I was given that haircut by a Goblin in the wilds of Varisia.. it was the last thing that little bugger ever cut." Bran looks proudly at the little girl. The little girls eyes filled with wonder, she asks to touch his hair. Bran obliges, smiling another toothy grin, and the other children seem to have a more calm attitude toward him.

I'm afraid it will be a DC 15 Diplomacy check to make the hair-touching and such happen; even the one who spoke isn't really any braver than the others, she simply tried not to be rude.

***

Bran Grindle wrote:
Bran smiles and nods, seeing to it that Narah is taken care of before making his way to the local butcher.

Bran easily locates a small butcher's shop, situated near the river and the Laughing Demon tavern. There are no customers inside, and the butcher himself doesn't seem to be in a rush with his current work, quickly laying down his cleaver and wiping bloody hands on his apron once Bran enters.

"What do you need?"


Female Emberkin Asimar (elf parent race) HP:9 AC:13, Fort:+2/ Ref+3/ Will+3 CMB:0 CMD:12 1 wizard

what do I need to roll or such for omfo gathering


Knowledge (history) or knowledge (local), with a +2 bonus for using the town records. For each additional day you can spend with those records, the bonus increases by a further +2.


Female Emberkin Asimar (elf parent race) HP:9 AC:13, Fort:+2/ Ref+3/ Will+3 CMB:0 CMD:12 1 wizard

know.hist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

Narah nodded and smiled friendly. “Thank you.” she said and asks about other guests in the inn at the time being - she had been under the impression that their little group were the only strangers in the little backwater town for the time being.

It takes her a while to figure out what to actually wear, but she does decide for the highly suggestive silk dress eventually. There is no point in hiding the fact that she’s a priestess of Calistria and what that means. Emphasizing both her sexuality and her djinni heritage may be overly defiant, but as a priestess she’s bound to uphold her ideals. This town is gonna learn something about pleasure yet. She voicelessly formulates a challenge to the village as a whole.

It’s probably too late to find out anything about the hidden cache in the restlands from father Grimburrow, let alone the Harrowstone, so she tries the the local tavern. ‘The Laughing Demon’ as it turns out. A shiver runs down her spine at the name - for a people that lives so close to the world wound and is seemingly so superstitious that’s a remarkably unholy motive to toy with. If they aren’t afraid of demons, they probably have no qualms regarding a half naked sylph either. She smiles wide and enters.

Unfortunately it seems the tavern is deserted by the locals. Fortunately however, she finds Bran again. She steps silently by his side, though the motion reminds more on a leaf carried by the wind than walking.

How late is it in-game actually? If it’s not too late to pay another visit to the father I might do just that.


Narah wrote:
Narah nodded and smiled friendly. “Thank you.” she said and asks about other guests in the inn at the time being - she had been under the impression that their little group were the only strangers in the little backwater town for the time being.

"Well, there's Jonah and Babette Kemp, uncle and aunt to one of Ravengro's own Kemps, whose place isn't quite big enough. And Kayn Millencamp, a travelling merchant out of Chastel. He always comes by this time of year."

***

Narah wrote:
Unfortunately it seems the tavern is deserted by the locals. Fortunately however, she finds Bran again. She steps silently by his side, though the motion reminds more on a leaf carried by the wind than walking.

The tavern isn't deserted. The butcher's shop Bran went into is currently lacking in other customers, but the tavern (nearby; not the same building) is thriving :)

I'll assume Narah saw Bran in the butcher's shop on the way to the tavern, and didn't yet reach the tavern itself.

***

Narah wrote:

How late is it in-game actually? If it’s not too late to pay another visit to the father I might do just that.

It's about 5 pm now.


Maia:

With a combination of skill and a bit of luck, you quickly come upon a number of records on the topic of Harrowstone. From the various records you find, you're able to piece together quite a bit of information about the place.

Built in 4594, Harrowstone was one of Ustalav's most infamous prisons. It was constructed to house the worst of the worst criminals from the many smaller jails about the country, often to await death by hanging, but always to live out the rest of their lives as prisoners. In fact, the town of Ravengro itself was founded because of the prison, as a place where guards and their families could live, and to produce food and other supplies for the prison.

Harrowstone has now stood ruined for over 50 years, following a fire in 4661. The fire killed all of the prisoners and most of the guards, as well as the warden and his wife (although none of the records provide a reason for why she was there at the time). A large portion of the prison's underground eastern wing was destroyed in the fire, but most of the stone structure aboveground was left relatively intact. A statue commemorating the warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in the months following the tragedy, and placed by the river.

At the time Harrowstone burned, five particularly notorious criminals had recently arrived at the prison, and the fire itself came about during a prison riot presumably staged by one or more of these five only a few months after their arrival. One record states that "while the commonly held belief - in fact, the story told to the public - is that the tragic fire began accidentally during the riot, in truth the prisoners had already seized control of the dungeon and had been in command of the lower level for several hours before the fire. Warden Hawkran triggered a deadfall to seal the prisoners below, but in so doing trapped himself and nearly two dozen guards. The prisoners were in the process of escaping when the few panicked guards remaining above started the fire in a desperate attempt to end the riot."


Female Emberkin Asimar (elf parent race) HP:9 AC:13, Fort:+2/ Ref+3/ Will+3 CMB:0 CMD:12 1 wizard

knowhist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

to try and discover anything of note about the 5 "notorious" prisoners sent there.

AHHH, look val, I found it! Not sure how useful it is but....

at the mention of his name, the raven gives a caw and ruffles a bit on her shoulder.
Hey, Mr. handsome, would you happen to have any maps of this prison still laying around?

maia asks the older man, giving him a quick wink.

diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 12


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

Narah waves friendly to Bran and continues to the tavern, indicating to him where she's going.


M Dwarf Bolt Ace 2 HP 25/25, AC 18/14/14, F+5, R+6, W+2. Perception +7, speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft

Maia, are you blissfully ignorant of the situation? You're inviting something if you're not careful.


Morthos strode around Kendra's home, worriedly looking over some of the grim texts Lorrimor had left in their possession. "A nessecary evil, but dangerous professor.

Earlier he had secured the trunk in the room that he would be staying in, making sure it was out of sight. Morthos was nothing if not vigilant, and caution went hand in hand.


Maia Silndra Rose wrote:

Hey, Mr. handsome, would you happen to have any maps of this prison still laying around?

maia asks the older man, giving him a quick wink.

The man bristles, despite the wink. "A map? Of Harrowstone? Why would there be such a thing? Who would ever wish to enter that place?"

***

DM Rolls:

Knowledge (history) #2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Knowledge (history) #3: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Knowledge (history) #4: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Knowledge (history) #5: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

***

Maia:

With some digging, you're able to uncover the monikers of all five of the prisoners in question; Father Charlatan, The Lopper, The Mosswater Marauder, The Piper of Illmarsh, and The Splatter Man.

You're also able to uncover more detailed knowledge regarding two of the five, but similar information about the remaining three seems to be harder to locate, and would likely require at least another day of study to find.

- Father Charlatan (real name Sefick Corvin) was the only one of the five who wasn't technically a murderer, yet his crimes were so blasphemous that several churches demanded he be punished to the full extent of Ustalavic law. Although he claimed to be an ordained priest of any number of faiths, Father Corvin was in fact a traveling con artist who used faith as a mask and a means to bilk the faithful out of money in payment for false miracles or cures. He became known as Father Charlatan after his scheme was exposed and his Sczarni accomplices murdered a half-dozen city guards in an attempt to make good the group's escape.

- The Mosswater Marauder (real name Ispin Onyxcudgel) was originally a well-liked artisan and a doting husband. When he discovered his wife's infidelity, he flew into a jealous rage and struck her dead with his hammer, shattering her skull and his sanity with one murderous blow. Wracked with shame and guilt, Ispin became convinced that if he could rebuild his wife's skull, she would come back to life - but unfortunately, he could not find the last blade-shaped fragment from the murder site. So instead, Ispin became the Mosswater Marauder. Over the course of several weeks, the cunning dwarf stalked and murdered nearly 20 people while searching for just the right skull fragment. He was captured just before murdering the daughter of a visiting nobleman from Varno, and was carted off to Harrowstone that same night.


Narah wrote:
Narah waves friendly to Bran and continues to the tavern, indicating to him where she's going.

The tavern is warm and full of life when Narah enters, although much of the ongoing conversation gradually dies away as the locals turn to get a good look at the newcomer. The way her dress flows as she moves, it doesn't take long for the occasional whistle to accompany her movement, or indeed the occasional wife berating her husband for having the nerve to even look in that direction.

Tavern-keeper Zokar Elkarid, the youngest of the men present at the Professor's burial, quickly comes to the rescue he assumes Narah requires, jovially waving her forward. "Narah an'Aras, wasn't it? Do come in! Don't mind them," he adds, indicating the people watching her every move. "Can I interest you in a bite to eat, or something to drink?"

The menu above Zokar features dishes with rather peculiar names, such as "vampire steaks", "wolfballs", "corpse chowder", and "liquid ghosts".


Female Emberkin Asimar (elf parent race) HP:9 AC:13, Fort:+2/ Ref+3/ Will+3 CMB:0 CMD:12 1 wizard

oh no. I don't particularly want to enter it. I was just interested in where exactly the horrible accident happened to the late prof. Also, I am somewhat interested in architecture and am intrigued by a building that could withstand so great a fire. Ah well. Its late. Best be on my way back to my lodging. Thanks again and I can come by tomorrow as well? Thanks!

Maia happily skips out of the town hall with Daniel in tow.


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

Narah steps lightly in with an aura of a warm breeze surrounding her and gives everyone a brief smile. She doesn't approach the bar all too fast and seeks eye contact with every single one in the room and her features seem to brighten up each time as though she was happy to see everyone in the room.

"Calistria's blessings over all of you - she may not be a light in the darkness but she is the heat within." she announces with a husky, breathed voice to the room. She's not speaking loud but rather uses the silence and the air resonates to her voice in a small wind that isn't really there.

Her entry took more than a couple of heartbeats but she seems to take delight in the audience, even though she is fully aware of the reservations regarding her person. Her steps seem even a bit lighter as she turns to the bartender, her light dress floats around as if driven by a storm.

"Just a drink, Master Elkarid, I think I've fed well enough today." She smirks as she realizes the names of the offered food. "You seem to be laughing evil in the face. I like that - hiding is not my thing, as you will probably believe. I'll try a liquid ghost... that's a drink isn't it? I should be very interested whether anyone has some stories to tell about this town and the secrets of that old prison to the south..."

She looks to a random guest next to her at the bar in curiousity and gives him a well measured half smile.


M Dwarf Bolt Ace 2 HP 25/25, AC 18/14/14, F+5, R+6, W+2. Perception +7, speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft

As Daniel takes his leave he gestures the old man.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
"Thank you for your aid sir, it is much appreciated. Good day to you."

"Mia, you did notice the old man being all over you at first right? I'm sure Val even saw it. The social academics i entirely up to you, but that lecherous attitude is disgusting.
And the story i told back then...actually happened, the guy still has 190 years of "service" to go. Hopefully the old man keeps it in mind, lest he end up that way too."


Female Emberkin Asimar (elf parent race) HP:9 AC:13, Fort:+2/ Ref+3/ Will+3 CMB:0 CMD:12 1 wizard

Maia turns to Daniel curiously

Val-
stuck to her like a fly to honey [/ b]

[B]hm? Well yes, but. We did get to use their records and I figure the best way to keep I'm his graces and keep the books open to me are to give him reasons to let me back in. His fantasies are his own.

As an after thought.

and should he try anything foolish, I've got you to protect me right? Though I believe I could handle one old man with wandering fingers

She gives you a sheepish smile and pulls you on your way.

Grand Lodge

Male Human (Giant-blooded) Barbarian 1

For the hair touch.. not quite enough..

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

Bran waves as Narah gestures toward the tavern. Having his attention stolen away from the butcher by Narah's momentary appearance, Bran is apologetic as he reengages him.

"Well met good sir, my name's Bran. How are you this fine evening? I'm looking for some quality cuts of jerky. What meats might you have available?"


M Dwarf Bolt Ace 2 HP 25/25, AC 18/14/14, F+5, R+6, W+2. Perception +7, speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft

Daniel's caught off guard by the latter sheepish response.
.......

"Sure, though i wouldn't want Tal to miss on anything either."


Narah wrote:

"Just a drink, Master Elkarid, I think I've fed well enough today." She smirks as she realizes the names of the offered food. "You seem to be laughing evil in the face. I like that - hiding is not my thing, as you will probably believe. I'll try a liquid ghost... that's a drink isn't it? I should be very interested whether anyone has some stories to tell about this town and the secrets of that old prison to the south..."

She looks to a random guest next to her at the bar in curiousity and gives him a well measured half smile.

The tavern-keeper nods as he turns to a nearby tap to fill Narah's order. "Life's too short to wander it afraid of all things dark and evil. Most like, any man or woman would find themselves at the end of it and having faced none of the horrors from the stories.. What good then, all the time spent worrying? No, enjoy it while it lasts, that's what I always say!"

He puts down in front of her a tankard filled to the brim with a pale fluid, glowing faintly with a greenish tint, then hastens to another customer waving at him from the other end of the bar. Once Narah tastes the drink, she finds it similar to a sweet ale.

With the barkeep out of earshot, the guest to which she awarded a half-smile edges closer, softly whispering "Good thing you didn't go for the chowder! It's no coincidence that Zokar always has a fresh batch after some unpopular merchant leaves town, never to be seen again!" He grins broadly, ruining the ruse even before she has a chance to consider it. [b]"The prison, pffh. Everybody says it's haunted, but take it from me - it's all nothing but the wind whistling through, and vermin crawling in the walls!"


Bran Grindle wrote:
For the hair touch.. not quite enough..

That's actually good enough! I forgot to say the group currently has a +2 bonus to diplomacy attempts within town.

Bran Grindle wrote:

Bran waves as Narah gestures toward the tavern. Having his attention stolen away from the butcher by Narah's momentary appearance, Bran is apologetic as he reengages him.

"Well met good sir, my name's Bran. How are you this fine evening? I'm looking for some quality cuts of jerky. What meats might you have available?"

The butcher spreads his arms wide. "What you see is what I've got. Pork, beef, and lamb. You won't find better quality meats anywhere within a few day's ride, that's for sure." His tone is oddly defensive.


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

Naraj sips from her "ghost" as she listens to the tavern guest. It takes her a moment to realize that this was likely a joke and she laughs politely, even though her resonates in a somewhat unreal fashion to it. As the smoky streaks give her face away again she returns: "Were there any sudden disappearances of merchants in this town then?"

She's pretty sure that there is something in the old prison, but she won't speak of Lorrimor's journal or the circumstances under which he died.

Narah runs her fingertips softly down her neck as she thinks and adds: "I am Narah. And you are?"

Grand Lodge

Male Human (Giant-blooded) Barbarian 1
DM Are wrote:
Bran Grindle wrote:
For the hair touch.. not quite enough..

That's actually good enough! I forgot to say the group currently has a +2 bonus to diplomacy attempts within town.

Awesome, then it played out the way I had originally said..

Bran Grindle wrote:

Bran waves as Narah gestures toward the tavern. Having his attention stolen away from the butcher by Narah's momentary appearance, Bran is apologetic as he reengages him.

"Well met good sir, my name's Bran. How are you this fine evening? I'm looking for some quality cuts of jerky. What meats might you have available?"

The butcher spreads his arms wide. "What you see is what I've got. Pork, beef, and lamb. You won't find better quality meats anywhere within a few day's ride, that's for sure." His tone is oddly defensive.

Bran studies the offerings and rubs his chin. "I'll take a few pieces of the beef. Say, did you know the late professor Lorrimaor?" Bran inquires, half-interested, as he reaches for his coin pouch.

Bluff: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14 To not seem too interested.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 To gather information. (+2 is DM circumstance bonus)


Bran Grindle wrote:
Bran studies the offerings and rubs his chin. "I'll take a few pieces of the beef. Say, did you know the late professor Lorrimaor?" Bran inquires, half-interested, as he reaches for his coin pouch.

The butcher selects and wraps up two chunks of beef, answering as he works. "Sure I knew him. It's a small town. Once you've been here a while, you know everyone. Don't know why he'd go up to Harrowstone like that - what with the warden's wife haunting the place and all." He places the finished bundle on the table in front of Bran. "That'll be 6 silver."


Narah wrote:

Naraj sips from her "ghost" as she listens to the tavern guest. It takes her a moment to realize that this was likely a joke and she laughs politely, even though her resonates in a somewhat unreal fashion to it. As the smoky streaks give her face away again she returns: "Were there any sudden disappearances of merchants in this town then?"

She's pretty sure that there is something in the old prison, but she won't speak of Lorrimor's journal or the circumstances under which he died.

Narah runs her fingertips softly down her neck as she thinks and adds: "I am Narah. And you are?"

"Sudden and sudden.. Many a travelling merchant has never come back a second time." He flashes a smile. "Bayn's the name. Nice to meet ya, Narah. There aren't many like you around these parts."


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

"I can't say I know this place very well yet, but it's unfortunate that many don't come back. It seems to me that this place is somehow old and people are strong in tradition and their believes, but it has a certain, honest charm to it and the land is lush and somehow... intense." She grins as he says that not many like her come to these parts. "So, what do you think I am then? I give you a hint: I am mostly human, but there is a spark of something else, isn't there? What would it be?"

Narah spends the evening in the tavern, trying to learn to know the people of the town, introduce herself and explain what she is so people won't be afraid of her, encourage people to live their passions, but above all, try to find out anything worth knowing about the prison and the stories around it.

Gather Information - Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
+1 rank +3 class +3 charisma +2 bonus previously announced here


M Dwarf Bolt Ace 2 HP 25/25, AC 18/14/14, F+5, R+6, W+2. Perception +7, speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft

"So Maia, did you find anything that could help us?"


"Mostly human? That's not entirely.." The man takes a swift gulp of his tankard, swallowing awkwardly. "Well, your hair.. the light hits it kinda strange." Furrowing his brow in thought, he finally comes upon an answer. "Are you a faerie? A fae of the forest?"

Gather information results:

As the evening passes, drinks seem to loosen the tongues of several of the tavern's patrons. From the various accounts you hear, you're able to piece together a number of tidbits about Harrowstone:

The place was built in 4594, but has been unused since a devastating fire in 4661. It was constructed to house the worst criminals from the many smaller jails about the country, usually sentenced to death by hanging, or to live the rest of their lives as prisoners. In fact, the town of Ravengro itself was originally founded because of the prison, as a place where guards and their families could live, and to produce food and other supplies for the prison.

The fire was started during a riot, and eventually killed all of the prisoners within at the time, as well as the warden and many of his guards who sacrificed themselves to prevent the dangerous criminals from escaping into the town. Tragically, the warden's wife also died in the fire, although noone knows why she was in the building. A statue commemorating the warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in the months following the tragedy, and placed by the river.

Beyond this information, you also hear stories about more recent happenings. The most frequent ones either involve the ghost of the warden's wife haunting the place, wailing and sobbing while mourning her husband and attempting to frighten intruders away, or Harrowstone's executioner still guarding the balcony on the western side of the prison, where executions were carried out, with his scythe (despite executions in the prison typically being hangings) sometimes being seen patrolling on its own.


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

"No, as I told you, I am human just like you. And the hint of something else that there is, is not faerie.

Fairy are a strange lot. Some of them are benevolent, others malevolent. However, they are all easily offended and have a tendency to be unforgiving; but I did spent a lot time with nymphs, learning their art and view to seduction and desire. Some of which would scratch my eyes out if they ever saw me again, others who are still among my best friends.

No, you see, I come from Katapesh. In that realm air elementals and djinni are a relatively common sight. I think Katapesh is simply closer to the plane of air. While it is all at least a few generations back, several of my ancestors have been djinni. Therefore I have a stronger affiliation with air than usual, with birds, winds, vast open spaces."


Female Emberkin Asimar (elf parent race) HP:9 AC:13, Fort:+2/ Ref+3/ Will+3 CMB:0 CMD:12 1 wizard

hmmm. Not a whole lot about our situation. I kinda got a bit side tracked in the prisons history, I did manage to find out about the 5 prisoners that were transferred, though only about 2 in detail. I will be going back tomorrow to finish up, I think they have a blueprint of the place but I didn't manage to get it... Also something about that children's song strikes me as a tad... Morbid..

If any children are out she will attempt to speak to one.

charisma: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Unfortunately her viel slips and the child sees the silverly marking on her face and flees.

After that maia bows her heas and sniffs then runs off towards kendra's


M Dwarf Bolt Ace 2 HP 25/25, AC 18/14/14, F+5, R+6, W+2. Perception +7, speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft

"Prisoners?
I won't argue with the children's song thing."


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

During her night at the tavern Narah tries to get in touch with people. She doesn't try to hide the fact that she's different, but quite contrary explains all the tiny differences in detail, even though she will speak of her age of 76 years and the fact that she ages slower than humans only when directly asked. Her apparent age is 20 - 21. She doesn't take offence in prejudices but instead tries to set them right.

Beyond that she tries to learn the ways of the people here, learn their songs and sing them with them, dance a bit as the night progresses and share a few stories.

During the entire night Narah seems to be always having a mug in her hand and to drink quite often from it, but she only takes tiny sips, sometimes not even that. A handful of times she simply drinks water.

She will try to pick up a bit more information, but she won't push it. Once people are drunk she will encourage them to repeat and maybe explain the nursery rhyme she heard earlier on the street. What's the name of 'her', which is spelled just right? Are the in the later part and 'she' in the first part the same person? Are there any former prison wardens who survived the fire still alive? What was the name of the Warden and his wife and where did they live? Did they have a mansion in town? What kind of man had the warden been?

On the next occasion the group meets she presents her findings:

The story retold:
"Almost 120 years the prison has been built to not only hold criminals of the area, but the worst of the worst from all over Ustalav. The inmates were all sentenced to death or a life in prison, small time criminals were not kept there. The town of Ravengro was created around the prison, originally a settlement of the people running the prison. Consequently, the story of the prison is the story of the town.

Fifty years ago there was a riot during which the prison caught fire. The prison - the Harrowstone - was utterly destroyed, the Warden, which seems to be the title of the head warden, all others were referred to as guardsmen, died along with his wife who had been there for unknown reasons. All of the prisoners and many of the guardsmen, who were trying to prevent the prisoners from escaping, died as well. I find it think able that a young guard from that time might be still alive, but it would have to be an old man now.

It is said that the wife of the Warden still haunts the place as a ghost. And that the executioner still guards the balcony on which hangings took place. Curiously with a scythe, even though he didn't use one in life.

Walking the street earlier I heard a nursery rhyme ... first it suggests to decapitate an either sleeping or already dead woman with a knife, then it speaks of a woman being killed by a hammer by her husband. The man seems to be a figure to instil fear and thrill into children, suggesting that he will come for 'you' if you don't 'listen close'. Given how catastrophic the event of the prison burning down must have been, I find it plausible that the rhyme refers to events surrounding the fire.

A husband and a wife who died in the fire were the Warden and his wife. But the 'ghost' of the wife who supposedly still haunts the place is said to mourn her husband... which she likely wouldn't if he was her murderer. I believe the first woman may be someone different, but I am not sure... anyway, it's curious that the first woman's 'name', which the rhyme doesn't give away, seems to be of some consequence."

She curls her lower lip and thinks for a moment. "Well, the rhyme doesn't even mention a fire, so it might have nothing to do with it after all, but I just have the feeling, that it may be inspired by the events back then, at least from the limited view and superstitions of those left behind."


Following the various avenues of information gathering, I'm assuming everyone will be converging (likely at Kendra's place or in Narah's inn) to share their discoveries, either in the evening or the next morning. So feel free to meet up :)

***

Narah:

Narah wrote:
She will try to pick up a bit more information, but she won't push it. Once people are drunk she will encourage them to repeat and maybe explain the nursery rhyme she heard earlier on the street. What's the name of 'her', which is spelled just right? Are the in the later part and 'she' in the first part the same person? Are there any former prison wardens who survived the fire still alive? What was the name of the Warden and his wife and where did they live? Did they have a mansion in town? What kind of man had the warden been?

It seems like most of the adults have forgotten the rhyme, or can only remember bits and pieces of it. None can provide any information about what inspired it, or what it means, other than it seemingly having been around "forever". One older man, however, claims it has only been sung for a few decades, but even he doesn't remember anything more specific.

If any former prison guards are still alive, they no longer live in Ravengro. By all accounts, even those who had grown up in town left within a few years of the fire.

The Warden's name was Hawkran. Those at the tavern can't quite recall his or his wife's first names, but "You'll find both their names, and those of the other guards who died, on the memorial statue by the river".

The Warden and his wife lived in a smaller house on the prison grounds, untouched by the fire.

Nobody can tell you much of the kind of man he had been. "I wasn't around back then, y'know? But I reckon only a good man would have sacrificed himself for the town, right?"


Female Emberkin Asimar (elf parent race) HP:9 AC:13, Fort:+2/ Ref+3/ Will+3 CMB:0 CMD:12 1 wizard

Maia will stay shut in her half of the room moping. But will be over it by morning.


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

Narah goes to bed relatively late that night, spending a lot of time in the tavern to get a feeling for the natives and vice versa. She indicates her profession only here and there between the lines - she doesn't want to alienate the people by becoming too obtrusive with what the superstitious people around might well consider to be immoral which might easily brand her as a witch. And the people here really didn't like witches.

Her heart is light as she finally comes back into the room in the inn, the somewhere back in her mind she still tries to figure out what happened in this town, fifty years ago. Her last thought before she finally falls asleep (not counting those aimed at the more handsome looking young men in town) is 'Why a scythe?'

She doesn't sleep for very long, the sun is well up on the sky when she asks for the next well to wash herself. She only takes a few bits of breakfast and leaves quickly for Kendra's place to meet up with the others and share her findings.

----

"So what do you think? I suggest we try finding that hidden cache on the graveyard - hopefully Father Grimburrow can help a little - check out that statue of the incident and then have a look at the Harrowstone..." She carries her full armour again, even though she left the backpack behind, she seems ready to face whatever dark secrets might await them.


Female Emberkin Asimar (elf parent race) HP:9 AC:13, Fort:+2/ Ref+3/ Will+3 CMB:0 CMD:12 1 wizard

hmmm. As much as I looking in tombs, for much lost knowledge can be found from time to time. Me and Val have an appointment with a somewhat lecherous old man to find out more about this rhyeme and the 5 prisoners.

only have post access via phone. Just assume maia told you all what she discovered please . also GM maia will take 20 to find out about the prisoners and to find any maps of the place, any old reports from the warden or like as well. As many as it takes up to about 8PM. Or whenever she is forces to leave.


M Dwarf Bolt Ace 2 HP 25/25, AC 18/14/14, F+5, R+6, W+2. Perception +7, speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft

"Somewhat is an understatement.."
He waits until Maia is done talking.
"I'd go with her, unless Maia wishes otherwise. If so, and he looks straight at Val, (turning his head, since his eyes are just one color) "..i can expect you to be vigilant."

Unsure if Val understood common or only elven. Either way, i'd guess Val would understand from Daniel's tone.


Listening to the others tales as they return to Kendra's house, the paladin shakes his head in thought and determination. "Narah's news of the story doesn't bode well, that sort of thing almost always causes an abomination or an undead presence. We shall have to look into it, I'll not suffer the undead to unlive."


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

Narah smirked. "Lecherous, hm? Will you tell me what leads you that conclusion - you know I am too much Calistrian to let go of it now." She rested her fingertips lightly on her holy symbol for a few moments, almost as if to caress it, and an open smile illuminated her face.

A bit more thoughtful and serious she added: "He didn't paw on you or anything, did he? If you feel uncomfortable with him I will gladly handle it." This man just couldn't be more lecherous than she was herself. After all it wasn't just carnal desire but also a religious principle for her. "And... why five prisoners? Where only five prisoners in the Harrowstone at that time?"


M Dwarf Bolt Ace 2 HP 25/25, AC 18/14/14, F+5, R+6, W+2. Perception +7, speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft

Daniel's eyes shimmer again, he's getting angry thinking about the behavior of the old man.

"Oh, that's quite simple. The old man, i'm guessing in his late 60, early 70, wasn't looking Mia in the eyes much and was very close when they walked. I'd almost think i saw a drip of drool he wiped when she wasn't looking. Trust me when i say i've seen that kind of behavior."
He smiles briefly.
"I did share a story which caused him to correct his behavior. I might share it if you wish, but it's about the punishment for lecherous carnal desire and acting according to it."


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

Narah nodded to Morthos. Yes, that was the serious part of it. "Well, it's just folklore of a superstitious people, but it's everything we have to work with for now. And I would prefer to have some idea what we're facing if it cost..." she interrupted herself when her thoughts drifted to Lorrimor. "The image I don't get around is that scythe. Why a scythe? A scythe is the symbolic weapon of 'the reaper' sure, but it isn't useful to an actual executioner, because it is designed to cut things close to the ground. Actually the prisoners were hanged back then. I..." She took a deep breath. The loss of the professor, the strange, intense land and the indication of undead and cultists were seriously troubling her mind.


"The scythe is the weapon of Urgathoa, the Lady of Despair, Goddess of the undead. I suspect we may have, or at one time had, a necromancer on our hands here."


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

Narah shook her head to clear it, temporarily clouding it in the mist of her hair. "Yes, of course. You're right... I should have thought about it. Fits into the scheme... So this whispering way is probably affiliated with Urgathoa."

After she gathered herself she casts a glance to Daniel. He didn't just imply that he intended to lecture her behaviour regarding desire by repeating the lecture he told the old man? Her? A priestess of Calistria? She fought her anger down - she was shaken given the circumstances, she shouldn't let it out on her friends, and Daniel was a friend. It wasn't very Calistrian to let go of ones anger and calm down, but it was Narahish. "I would very much like to hear it Daniel, in private." That he felt protective regarding Maia was a good sign, though. "Oh, and it's 76. My age I mean. I didn't tell you that night we met in the tavern, but I am actually 76 years old."


M Dwarf Bolt Ace 2 HP 25/25, AC 18/14/14, F+5, R+6, W+2. Perception +7, speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft

Daniel himself calmed down.
"Then you look pretty for your age. But..does this have anything to do with.....,...ah....damn.
He'd been raised with etiquette, but never had the opportunity for any long conversations with women, as such, subtlety sometimes eluded him.

"Look, pardon if you feel offended with me talking about the age thing. If you have lived for 76 years and look around my age, imagine someone of your people who is thrice your age, who's looking past his own age category, practically lusting after someone the age of his grandchildren. He might be a decent man in general, but i find that behavior distasteful.

I will share the story at your convenience.", he ends with a polite nod.


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

Narah cleared her throat, she burns to respond to that comment, but it just isn't the moment.. "Alright, then. We have 'the old man' to deal with and a statue to check. I can take care of the old man in your stead..." she nods to Maia "but only if you like to. Afterwards, there is still the matter of false crypt with helpful items which the professor mentioned in his journal and finally those symbols etched into the basement of the Harrowstone - hopefully it's relatively save to investigate the Harrowstone in broad daylight."

She looks around the group, fixating everyone with her eyes for a heartbeat. Or two in Morthos case. "Did I miss anything? I hope the items in that cache are good, because... well, if the area has been desecrated, even if I had the materials I needed, namely a lot of silverdust, I am unfortunately not powerful enough to counter it by consecrating it in the name of Calistria."


M Dwarf Bolt Ace 2 HP 25/25, AC 18/14/14, F+5, R+6, W+2. Perception +7, speed 30ft, Darkvision 60ft

Haha......i didn't expect for Narah to feel offended by Daniel being offended by the old lecher. All while the hothead doesn't mean bad.


Since Maia stated that she'd recount everything she had learned, I'll just put those two spoilers in this post for convenience:

Maia #1:

With a combination of skill and a bit of luck, you quickly come upon a number of records on the topic of Harrowstone. From the various records you find, you're able to piece together quite a bit of information about the place.

Built in 4594, Harrowstone was one of Ustalav's most infamous prisons. It was constructed to house the worst of the worst criminals from the many smaller jails about the country, often to await death by hanging, but always to live out the rest of their lives as prisoners. In fact, the town of Ravengro itself was founded because of the prison, as a place where guards and their families could live, and to produce food and other supplies for the prison.

Harrowstone has now stood ruined for over 50 years, following a fire in 4661. The fire killed all of the prisoners and most of the guards, as well as the warden and his wife (although none of the records provide a reason for why she was there at the time). A large portion of the prison's underground eastern wing was destroyed in the fire, but most of the stone structure aboveground was left relatively intact. A statue commemorating the warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in the months following the tragedy, and placed by the river.

At the time Harrowstone burned, five particularly notorious criminals had recently arrived at the prison, and the fire itself came about during a prison riot presumably staged by one or more of these five only a few months after their arrival. One record states that "while the commonly held belief - in fact, the story told to the public - is that the tragic fire began accidentally during the riot, in truth the prisoners had already seized control of the dungeon and had been in command of the lower level for several hours before the fire. Warden Hawkran triggered a deadfall to seal the prisoners below, but in so doing trapped himself and nearly two dozen guards. The prisoners were in the process of escaping when the few panicked guards remaining above started the fire in a desperate attempt to end the riot."

Maia #2:

With some digging, you're able to uncover the monikers of all five of the prisoners in question; Father Charlatan, The Lopper, The Mosswater Marauder, The Piper of Illmarsh, and The Splatter Man.

You're also able to uncover more detailed knowledge regarding two of the five, but similar information about the remaining three seems to be harder to locate, and would likely require at least another day of study to find.

- Father Charlatan (real name Sefick Corvin) was the only one of the five who wasn't technically a murderer, yet his crimes were so blasphemous that several churches demanded he be punished to the full extent of Ustalavic law. Although he claimed to be an ordained priest of any number of faiths, Father Corvin was in fact a traveling con artist who used faith as a mask and a means to bilk the faithful out of money in payment for false miracles or cures. He became known as Father Charlatan after his scheme was exposed and his Sczarni accomplices murdered a half-dozen city guards in an attempt to make good the group's escape.

- The Mosswater Marauder (real name Ispin Onyxcudgel) was originally a well-liked artisan and a doting husband. When he discovered his wife's infidelity, he flew into a jealous rage and struck her dead with his hammer, shattering her skull and his sanity with one murderous blow. Wracked with shame and guilt, Ispin became convinced that if he could rebuild his wife's skull, she would come back to life - but unfortunately, he could not find the last blade-shaped fragment from the murder site. So instead, Ispin became the Mosswater Marauder. Over the course of several weeks, the cunning dwarf stalked and murdered nearly 20 people while searching for just the right skull fragment. He was captured just before murdering the daughter of a visiting nobleman from Varno, and was carted off to Harrowstone that same night.

And to directly ward off a possible misunderstanding: There were a lot more than five prisoners within at the time.


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1

"Sounds like the nursery rhyme references those five then. The Lopper lops a head, Father Charlatan tells a lie, the Mosswater Marauder kills his wife with a hammer, the piper feeds stirges and the splatterer has habit of using his victims blood to write their names. Or - if it was a she - one victim spelled her own name with blood."

That was an earlier comment on Maia's discoveries.


Female Sylph Cleric of Calistria 1
Daniel Chelas wrote:
Haha......i didn't expect for Narah to feel offended by Daniel being offended by the old lecher. All while the hothead doesn't mean bad.

Certainly not; you will just find it difficult to convince a priestess of Calistria that desire, as such, is ever a bad thing. ;) And Calistrians have a habit of being impulsive and unpredictable at times - even the good ones.

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