Tibideau giggles uncontrollably. "Whoever they are, I hope the vandals wrote some popular Varisian vulgarities. I'd like to learn some while we're here. Or maybe they drew an unsavory cartoon featuring the Councilmen."
The young lad pipes up, "Someone wrote a big 'V' with blood at the base of the statue, mister!" After speaking he looks shocked that he mustered the courage to talk to strangers, and promptly turns beet red.
Antons attention snaps to the youth beside the bulletin board.
Dominos Vivaldi Vita eh? he mutters, only half catching B'yelkas last comment. Never heard of it sorry but sounds wonderful - written in blood you say? he asks the boy, scratching his chin idly.
Sounds pretty gruesome for simple vandalism. How did you hear about this, have you seen it yourself?
"We can certainly investigate this vandalism, but I believe we have another more pressing inquiry to pursue at the Restlands first, do we not?"
"It won't take but a few minutes to check this out, Dantrian. If this was really done in blood, it could have some connection. Not many pranksters use blood for kicks."
Janos turns to the boy. "Would you mind showing us the way to the statue? We'd like to see this for ourselves."
Tibideau contains his giggles and softens his facial expression at the news of the bloody "V." He smiles warmly at the boy. "Thank you for sharing, young man! I hope you are not too troubled by the vandalism or my crass remarks."
Caught up in the excitement of vandals, Tibideau stops himself to consider Dantrian's suggestion more thoroughly. "I agree that the gravesite would appear to be the more pressing matter." He follows up Janos's question to the boy: "Young man, is the statue far from here? Is it near the Restlands?"
"The statue's south of town near the river. It's not too far from here, but you're closer to the Restlands." He says pointing north across the wooden bridge towards the cemetery.
"Do you believe the town's authorities will remove the blood from the statue quickly?"
"Let's go see this statue. Chances are anything we may have found elsewhere has been cleaned by the custodians."
I confess this statue has me intrigued. Vandalism in blood is very specific, there has to be some meaning in that. Whether it's related to what happened with the professor... he shrugs. Why not split up and check both? We could meet back at the inn for a late lunch, say half past three?
Drosil shakes his head. "Though it might take longer, I'd feel more comfortable with all of us together. Not only for safety's sake, but also because we don't know what skills might be needed..." He looks around at the rest of the group, then adds, "Of course, if the rest of you would prefer to split up, I will likely be of more use speaking to the good Father."
"Though I think it very unlikely we should encounter any difficulties the like of which visited us in the middle of the night, it may be wise to stick together. We were assaulted by a mob of townsfolk yesterday, after all."
"I agree. Let's stick together. The statue has just recently been discovered, so let's go see that. Afterwards, we can look at the gravesite and consult with the priest if we need."
The statue is not difficult to find. There is a well worn footpath leading to it a short distance south of town. On top of a small hill stands a a 25-foot-tall, moss-covered stone statue that overlooks the river. The statue depicts a proud, muscular human man dressed in leathers and wielding a truncheon. Inscribed in its base are a couple dozen names. The statue and surrounding area is splattered with congealed blood, and there is a V written in the grass at its base in the same crimson hue.
Tibideau frowns as he inspects the statue. "What's this? Not only blood on the statue, but blood spilled on the ground? A struggle occurred here at the least, if not a murder. Or even some bizarre ritual in which the participants willingly spilled their blood!"
Drosil looks at the patterns of blood and the names on the statue. This was surely not random. These grounds were intentionally defaced, but to what purpose? He looks at the list of names on the statue, to see if any of them are familiar.
It's a list of guards that died in the prison fire. Listed along with them is the name of a woman, Vessoriana Hawkran, the former warden's wife. She apparently also perished in the blaze.
I wonder...
Drosil speaks up to the rest of the group, "Just thinking out loud here, but it would seem there might be a connection between the defacer's choice of letter and the name of the former warden's wife; at least, I don't see that there's anyone else that could have been intended. Any thoughts on why she'd be important? Dantrian, did you read anything yesterday that might have dealt with the personalities of the time?"
"I did find record that the warden's wife died in the blaze, though there was nothing to indicate why she might have been at the prison at the time of the fire. The townsfolk do wholly seem convinced the site is haunted though, and I must confess, given your extra-sensory experiences in town yesterday combined with the brutal nature of this tragedy, I am beginning to wonder if it might not be a disturbingly valid theory after all."
Janos kneels down next to the bloody grass. He peers around the area to see if there's any clue to who may have done this. He also examines the blood to see if there's anything odd about it and to confirm if it was human blood or some sort of animal blood.
Janos, what do you make of these tracks? Theres clearly a lot of foot-traffic around this memorial. Perhaps we should ask around if anyone was in the area last night.
Nodding toward Drosil, he says;
Drosil's instincts are usually on the money, even if the V doesnt indicate the warden's wife it surely isnt random. Is there anyone else in town whos name begins with V?
Janos shakes his head. "There's been too much traffic here to really tell. I'm sure the Sheriff and his men have been here along with whoever discovered it. If the tracks of the culprit are here, I can't separate them from the others."
B'yelka watches any onlookers while the others examine the scene. This doesn't look like diablerie... or does it?
Tibideau keeps frowning. "So we're going to spend the afternoon wandering about town asking people if their name starts with 'V'? My mother's given name starts with 'V,' maybe it's for her! If there are so many footprints that identifying a culprit would be next to impossible, why don't we just leave this detective work for local law enforcement? Our special talents will be needed elsewhere. While I admit the mark is creepy, there doesn't seem to be much of anything we can or should be doing about it. I say we head to the Restlands."
Drosil nods at Tibideau, "I agree. Let's go visit with Father Grimburrow then check back with Miss Lorrimor."
"Agreed. We can learn more about the fire and the prison later if we need." He looks at Drosil. "Do we need Father Grimburrow for something? We're just going to see the Professor's gravesite, right?"
Drosil looks at Janos sheepishly, "Well, uhm... I honestly have no idea, and so will defer to others' experience." He bows deeply and invites the others back down the path, "Please, lead on."
"It could be good to get his opinion on things, especially if we are dealing with necromancy. But perhaps we should hold off until after we see the gravesite. If we can find evidence of someone raising the dead, then we'll have more to show him."
"Agreed then. On to the Restlands."
I'd still like to ask around, see if anyone saw anything last night. What's that yonder building?
Anton, make it quick. We have other business to attend to and as interesting a alphabets-in-blood are, I think the other is more pressing.
A rueful grin on his face, Anton replies:
My lady, as I recall I did offer to see if there was anything to this graffiti business alone.
If you wish to continue to the Restlands, be assured I'll meet you there shortly. But of course, expediency shall be my top priority. he adds with an overexaggerated bow before his long gait takes him to the door which he knocks politely.
hmmmpf
Tibideau is delighted by the opportunity to take a short rest and watch Anton's skills at diplomacy!
After a few moments, the shack's door swings open to reveal the face of the old man who led the mob against the group in the Restlands. He looks tired and grumpy. "Oh it's you....What d'ya want?"
Janos trails after Anton just in case the man has some problems. He stands about 6 paces back as Anton knocks on the door. When the old man appears, Janos looks back toward the others and then back to the door.
Interesting. What are the chances the troublemaker lives the closest to the statue? Still, he stays quiet and let's Anton handle this.
Drosil steps to the front with Anton. "Hello, again. We were wondering if it might be possible to ask you some questions regarding the defacement of that statue there? Namely, did you see who did it, or note anything last night that might assist us in finding the culprit?"
Dantrian stands a short distance away, watching ruefully as half their number approach the door. He offers a soft, sardonic chuckle as he recognizes the face of the man who opens the door.
Ahhh, yesterday's most vocal antagonist. Of course, why not? I am sure this can only end well.
He glances to B'yelka and Tibideau, gauging their expressions regarding the scene unfolding before them.
As the door opens and the man's gruff visage appears, a bitter taste rises in Antons throat. The insult at the graveside has not been forgotten. Him. I have no love for this man, nor I he. Need to play this right.
As he is about to speak, Drosils ashen face appears. He doesn't know if he is glad of his friends eagerness or not. Yet anyway.
Tibideau stays close to Dantrian. He stifles a guffaw at the sight of yesterday's rabblerouser, and appears to be coughing. Well well well! I suppose it could be he who vandalized the statue, but I refuse to believe a man could be so stupid as to commit a crime right outside his own front door! Or maybe HE's the genius, and he did do it, and he thought that no one would suspect that a man would commit a crime right outside his own front door! He quietly slips some tiny fish into his coat pocket, and the turtle inside begins to wriggle eagerly.
"Eh..what? What're you babbling about demon?"
Demon? I suppose I should have expected that, thinks Drosil. He takes a quick breath to calm himself, then speaks. "That statue, there," Drosil points, "was vandalized last night. Someone painted a rather large 'V' at its base, in blood. We are trying to determine who, or what, performed that act. Now, did you see or hear anything unusual last night, or were you too busy inciting more townsfolk to violence?" Probably went a bit too far with that...ah, well, no help for it now.
Janos wrinkles his brow at the man's response. He's not that good of a liar. We may have the wrong man here. The half elf starts to step up and speak, but Drosil beats him to it. Janos stops, content to continue watching the man for any signs of something to hide.
"More devil work! I knew you foreigners comin' here was bad bidniss. I was too busy sleeping off a day in the stocks. I don't remember anything." He says, glaring at Anton in particular.
This man has no reason to lie to us, but perhaps he can still of use.
I think we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Anton and me and my companions just want to help the good lady Kendra. I don't know much about this town but you seem to be an important man around here, those fellows at the graveyard certainly respected you. Why don't you let me buy you a drink at the tavern? Those stocks must have given you a powerful thirst