The clergy seems unmoved by Iagon's pleas to use the church's resources, adding:
We think it best if you conclude your business and leave our peaceful town. Our library is not open to strangers. Is there anything else I can do for you?
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Razvan slips comfortably into the role of a servant as he had done so many times before. He steps forward silently and speaks respectfully to the attending cleric. Clearing his voice, Razvan begins a carefully rehearsed speech.
Sir, I bring a request from Swordmaster Galin, a dueling master of the Malkenclaw dueling fraternity of Lepidstadt University. Swordmaster Galin wishes me to bring word of the condition of a fraternal member's tomb. I have been instructed to give a donation to your church in the amount of 50 pieces of gold for past and future care of the tomb that is located at the intersection of Eversleep and The Black Path. I would like to visit the tomb today so that I may return to and report to Swordmaster Galin with all haste.
Razvan counts out 50 pieces of gold and extends them to the attending cleric.
Iagon grunts in surprise at the priest's frigid nature, moved to respond...only Razvan moved even faster. Though he douldn't approve of the farce, Iagon saw the necessity for the half orc's ploy, and he silently awaits the result.
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Anselm clenches his jaw and fists at Razvan lying right in front of him.
I cannot believe he is lying to a priest... I am going to have to talk to him about basic integrity, it seems. Does he have no faith, no direction in his life? Sigh... I cannot abide a liar. Come what may for him, the truth must be told.
Clearing his throat, Anselm speaks with the measured and careful tones of a man of the church. Of course, if this lawless liar didn't just make things more difficult for me...
I'm afraid this story about a swordmaster is a fabrication... one I did not authorize. Please return the gold. As for why I am traveling with someone so willing to sully his reputation with lies... I do not know this man. We were merely brought here for Professor Lorrimor's funeral. I apologize for his befouling of the truth. But we have more important things to do than chastise liars. We are here to seek your aid in possibly linking the Whispering Way to the strange events that have been happening in the town. If you could grant me and my companion he says, clearly indicating Iagon, access to the library, I would be delighted to keep you apprised of what's going on that we may all more ably serve the townspeople.
The clergy seems confused and slightly irritated at what he perceives to be your party's antics. Studying Anselm for a very long time, he finally speaks:
You may use the library. For a short while, today, and today only. I do not know what is going on, and I am not sure that I can trust you, but there is something about that one he nods towards Anselm that is reassuring. Please conduct your business discretely and quickly.
With that, he has someone usher your entire group to the library.
Iagon offers his thanks to the man, but is short and to the point as he sets down to look through the offered tomes. Thank you; we will be quick. When left alone, he casts a dark look in the direction in which the man had retreated. It seems that professional courtesies don't extend to strangers. Let's be done with this quickly, then. I'll search for some information about the Prison and its inmates.
partially destroyed by a fire in 4661, the building has
stood vacant ever since. The locals suspect that it’s
haunted, and don’t enjoy speaking of the place.
Harrowstone was built in 4594. Ravengro
was founded at the same time as a place where guards and
their families could live and that would produce food and
other supplies used by the prison. The fire that killed all
of the prisoners and most of the guards destroyed a large
portion of the prison’s underground eastern wing, but
left most of the stone structure above relatively intact.
The prison’s warden perished in the fire, along with his
wife, although no one knows why she was in the prison
when the fire occurred. A statue commemorating the
warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in
the months after the tragedy—that statue still stands on
the riverbank just outside of town.
Most of the hardened criminals sent
to Harrowstone spent only a few months imprisoned, for
it was here that most of Ustalav’s executions during that
era were carried out. The fire that caused the tragedy was,
in fact, a blessing in disguise, for the prisoners had rioted
and gained control of the prison’s dungeons immediately
prior to the conf lagration. It was only through the selfsacrifice
of Warden Hawkran and 23 of his guards that
the prisoners were prevented from escaping—the guards
gave their lives to save the town of Ravengro.
Originally, Harrowstone housed only
local criminals, but as the prison’s fame spread, other
counties and distant lands began paying to have more
dangerous criminals housed within this prison’s walls.
At the time of the great Harrowstone Fire, the number of
particularly violent or dangerous criminals imprisoned
within the dungeons below was at an all-time high.
The five most notorious prisoners
in Harrowstone at the time of the great fire were Father
Charlatan, the Lopper, the Mosswater Marauder, the
Piper of Illlmarsh, and the Splatter Man.
Iagon shares his findings with his newfound companions.
Odd names for murderers, no? Except the Lopper; that leaves little to the imagination. Can anyone think of another subject that we should search for?
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Nodding in thanks to his escort to the library, Anselm tries to make sense of what he already knows of the Whispering Way and the Tyrant.
Looking up from the books, he sighs and shakes his head. Odd times indeed, Iagon. Everything we find just seems to lead to more questions, doesn't it? he says, his facial features a mixture of confusion and frustration.
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Noble fools....How are we going to get into that tomb if they are not willing to walk in the "grey" areas of life. I guess you develop ideals when you don't have to worry about survival every day. It must be nice.
Razvan begins to look at the books searching for anything concerning the Harrowstone prison and it's most infamous prisoners. He mumbles in orcish about the inflexible attitudes of his companions. The half-orc is obviously upset at being "thrown to the wolves" by Anselm.
Kara is quiet through much of the discussion, and her companions notice that she seems to be getting restless. Without a word, Kara leaves her companions sides and begins combing through the library, looking for any titles that stand out to her, especially tomes that deal with magic and divination.
Feramin was a celebrated scholar of Anthroponomastics
(the study of personal names and their origins) at the
Quartrefaux Archives in Caliphas. Yet an accidental
association with a succubus twisted and warped his
study, turning it into an obsession. Feramin became
obsessed with the power of a name and how he could use
it to terrify and control. Soon enough, his reputation
was ruined, he’d lost his tenure, and he’d developed an
uncontrollable obsession with an imaginary link between
a person’s name and what happens to that name when the
person dies. Every few days, he would secretly arrange for
his victim to find a letter from her name written in blood,
perhaps smeared on a wall or spelled out with carefully
arranged entrails. Once he had spelled his victim’s name,
he would at last come for her, killing her in a gory mess
using a complex trap or series of rigged events meant to
look like an accident.
Kara stops reading, her face clearly showing her repulsion. "Well, this Splatter Man sounds like a real piece of work... He was a professor who used to study personal names and their origins. Turns out his study turned into an obsession with how he could terrify and control people through the use of their, and more disturbingly, with what happens to a name after the person dies. He used to write down his victims names in blood and then murder them. It is truly horrific." Kara shudders, and passes the book along to any of her companions who might want to read for themselves. "I'm really creeped out now!"
Iagon blanches at Kara's findings, his face a picture of revulsion. It's often hard to believe that people like this even exist; horrific indeed! Did you find anything out about the others? I wonder if this is something that the Professor was studying when he was at the prison. I'd never known him to be interested in murder history and such dark lore as this, but his interests were quite broad.
This was the only relevant information I found... It says that the man was corrupted by a succubus. Maybe Professor Lorrimor was researching succubi? But why would he... Kara trails off, her face going red as she realizes why some men are interested in succubi. That can't be it...
Iagon, obviously naive as to Kara's thoughts, waits a moment, then prods her on. Yes...why would he what?
A cough from the doorway, and the clergy who granted library access has returned.
I trust you found what you needed and will be moving along now?
Iagon grunts at the interruption, and turns to the clergyman. Of course; we'll not bother you any more. I thank you for your assistance today. We will keep the church apprised of any further details as they unfold.
He offers a smile, but one lacking the soothing power of Anselm, as he turns to his companions. Let's move along then, and leave the good people of this holy place to their own.
No harm in making them feel involved; perhaps next time they'll be a bit more courteous.
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Razvan listens to Kara's story and quickly recalls the bloody V on the monument. He wonders if the bloody V is the work of this Splatter Man or some imitator hoping to prey on local superstitions. The half-orc is just about to speak up me they are interrupted by the clergyman asking them to leave. Once they are outside, Razvan speaks his thoughts.
I wonder if the bloody V that was discovered earlier is the work of this Splatter Man or perhaps some imitator? It might be wise to see if any locals names begin with V.
Good catch, Razvan. Should we perhaps check in at the Town Hall, then? I'm sure that they keep a census, or list of current and past residents. Of course, we may come up with more than a few names, but it still may serve to narrow our scope.
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Nodding with a sigh, Anselm concurs. His voice loses a bit of the directness and decisiveness it's displayed up until this point.
Yes, the town hall is indeed a good idea. They may have resident records, but the records any government is most likely to keep are tax records. If we present our case honestly and sincerely, perhaps we can work with people rather than working against. This is growing quite unsettling, and the sooner we've resolved it the better. To the Town Hall, then?
Anselm sets off without waiting for a response from his companions.
The city councilman who greats you at the town hall is very polite, a pleasant change from the clergy at the church.
Welcome to Ravengro friends! It is such a nice day out, wouldn't you agree? Well... aside from the whole monument desecration this morning...
After a short pause following the rhetorical question, he continues:
Well, you didn't come here to talk to me about the weather... What can I do for you today?
Ahh, I am sorry friends, but we can not open city resources to town foreigners... You should down to the tavern for a bowl of the chef's ghost pepper chili, and enjoy your stay in town rather than bog yourselves down in research and town business.
Iagon smiles at the man, then offers the man his hand in greeting. Then we should no longer be strangers, right my friend? Iagon Idrantis, scholar and friend of the Lorrimor family. My friends here and I are seeking some small information, no doubt an item of history that the fine people of this town are proud of. Please, friends, introduce yourselves.. He nudges Anselm forward, realizing that the man had a much more noble and honest demeanor than he.
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After recovering his balance, Anselm clears his throat and nods. Er, ahem. Yes, indeed. I am Anselm Burtold, humble servant of Iomedae, and also friend of the Lorrimor family. Iagon speaks the right regarding why we are here. If the records are not open to town foreigners, then what must we do to become citizens? Or, perhaps there is something we could help out with? You mentioned the monument desecration. I am sure that we would be willing to help restore it to its original beauty and track down who's responsible. Would that be worth access to the information? Perhaps the town records hold information on who may be responsible—so allowing us that access might help us help you.
He gives the councilman a hopeful smile while stepping back and allowing whoever wishes to introduce themselves next the opportunity to do so.
The councilman looks each of you over with a concerned look on his face before answering Anselm.
You seem like good folk, and with strange things happening around here, we need more good folk. I tell you what... I will let 1 of you go back and look through what we have... The rest of you will either have to go elsewhere or wait outside... I don't want to get in trouble for letting too many people into the town's records
Iagon nods his thanks, then turns to glance to the side at his companions. I can go, if it's alright with you. I'm fairly well versed in history and tomes dealin with its like.
With that check, you learn everything there is to know about the prison itself, unfortunately, you don't find anything particularly interesting around the letter V.
partially destroyed by a f ire in 4661, the building has
stood vacant ever since. The locals suspect that it’s
haunted, and don’t enjoy speaking of the place.
Harrowstone was built in 4594. Ravengro
was founded at the same time as a place where guards and
their families could live and that would produce food and
other supplies used by the prison. The f ire that killed all
of the prisoners and most of the guards destroyed a large
portion of the prison’s underground eastern wing, but
left most of the stone structure above relatively intact.
The prison’s warden perished in the f ire, along with his
wife, although no one knows why she was in the prison
when the f ire occurred. A statue commemorating the
warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in
the months after the tragedy—that statue still stands on
the riverbank just outside of town.
Most of the hardened criminals sent
to Harrowstone spent only a few months imprisoned, for
it was here that most of Ustalav’s executions during that
era were carried out. The f ire that caused the tragedy was,
in fact, a blessing in disguise, for the prisoners had rioted
and gained control of the prison’s dungeons immediately
prior to the conf lagration. It was only through the self-
sacrif ice of Warden Hawkran and 23 of his guards that
the prisoners were prevented from escaping—the guards
gave their lives to save the town of Ravengro.
At the time Harrowstone burned, five
particularly notorious criminals had recently arrived at
the prison. While the commonly held belief is that the
tragic f ire began accidentally after the riot began, in fact
the prisoners had already seized control of the dungeon
and had been in command of the lower level for several
hours before the f ire. Warden Hawkran triggered a
deadfall to seal the rioting prisoners in the lower level,
but in so doing trapped himself and nearly two dozen
guards. The prisoners were in the process of escaping
when the panicked guards accidentally started the f ire in
a desperate attempt to end the riot.
You also learn:
Originally, Harrowstone housed only
local criminals, but as the prison’s fame spread, other
counties and distant lands began paying to have more
dangerous criminals housed within this prison’s walls.
At the time of the great Harrowstone Fire, the number of
particularly violent or dangerous criminals imprisoned
within the dungeons below was at an all-time high.
The f ive most notorious prisoners
in Harrowstone at the time of the great f ire were Father
Charlatan, the Lopper, the Mosswater Marauder, the
Piper of Illlmarsh, and the Splatter Man.
Iagon makes his way out of the study, then thanks the man who had let him in. My thanks for letting me access your tomes, sir; they were quite useful. If you find that you've a need of the service of a few able bodies, we will be staying at the Lorrimor estate. We'd be happy to help.
Once outside, he shares the information with the others.
Iagon sighs, and his brow furrows as he thinks. We've learned quite a bit about the prison itself, but we still haven't found much about the Whispering Way, or what ties them, the Professor, and the prison together. I think that we'll need to find more information about them, but ultimately, I think we'll need to go and find these tools that the Professor mentioned in his journal.
Given the cold reception we found at the temple, I don't think that we'll be getting permission to enter the Restlands and look for them. Should we try to get in anyway? I'm loathe to go against the town's wishes, and I'd definitely rather not break the law, but we owe it to the Professor to pursue these loose ends.
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I agree with Iagon. What if we got a cold reception because someone in the temple is in league with the Whispering Way? We should look for the tools the professor spoke of and if needed we can report our finds to the temple later. We don't know enough about our enemies to know who to trust.
I hope the Paladin sees reason. I don't fancy the idea of doing this alone.
"That sounds like an okay idea to me. We should make sure we are prepared, should there be trouble."
Kara doesn't speak it alound, but it is pretty clear from her face that she is more than a little nervous to be heading to a Crypt.
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Nodding with a frown and furrowed brow, Anselm sets off. His pace is not quite so determined as when he walked to the Church, as though something was dogging his step.
One thing to go through a graveyard without permission... quite another to do so in a graveyard attached to a church of Pharasma... but is there a better way?
After a few paces he turns back to make sure his new companions are coming with.
Iagon sighs at his own moral quandaries presented by infiltrating the cemetary, but he nods as he follows Anselm, finding no other real options for them to proceed.
As they walk, Iagon thinks aloud. Perhaps we should take note of the security of this place while it's light out, but take our chances after dark. While I've no desire to skulk through the night, it couldbe that there's no other way. Unless We somehow find that we can get in now, that is. Razvan, what do you think? Do you work better in the daylight or under the cover of darkness?
Could we be seen simply as mourners headed to pay final respects to the Professor? I'm loathe to lie about our intent, but it actually isn't really a lie, just an omissison. I'm not sure if they'd let us in for such a thing, but I can think of no other way save being completely dishonest or trying to sneak in without their seeing us.
When you arrive, one of the grave diggers sees you walking around and approaches.
Lookin' fer somebody? I can help ya find em.
Iagon offers a warm smile to the man, but he shows more actual grief than he'd expected at being back at the burial place of their good friend. Hello, sir. We are good friends of the late professor Lorrimor. I fear that we were hasty in paying our respects, and we need to make amends by giving our friend a proper send off. May we be allowed entry into the Restlands so that we can pay our last respects?
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Clearing his throat a bit, Anselm tries to convince the man of their good intentions.
Ahem, yes. My companions and I are friends of the Lorrimor family, and would like some time to privately offer our respects. With the stress of travel and the events earlier, we haven't yet had an opportunity to do so.
Thought you all looked familiar, I saw ya at the funeral yesterday... I can show ya to the Professor's grave, no problem.