Im sure the father needs a little time to do his research. Let's let him be for a bit. Since we are right by Miss Lorrimor's house, I say we stop back and colllect Hayliss. If you want to go to the church, why don't you head over and we can meet you there.
With that Brother Varsk heads back to the house.
Brother Varsk knocks and then enters the Lorrimor house.
Miss Lorrimor, are you..... Oh hello everyone! How was the shopping?
After getting caught up on what happened with everyone else. Grergof will explain about the blood drips leading back to the houses and road.
So my thought is whoever did the vandalism either went into those houses or got on a cart and went further into the village. Miss Lorrimor do you know who lives in those houses?
"One belongs to a farmer and the other to Gibs Hephenus. Do you think he might be behind the desecration of the Memorial?" Kendra asks.
It seems that is very scanty proof indeed. We would need to question where they were and if anyone else knows where they were the most likely times the vandalism was done.
"But why would someone do that at all? Desecrate a memorial. And with blood!" Kendra asks.
Hmm.. Perhaps to place the blame on us? We did make a poor impression at the funeral. Alas, I have no skill with knowing whose blood that is, we would need to act before it rains of course.
Gibs house hmmm, let me think.....
You are right Mr. Spugnoir, there is not nearly enough evidence here to do anything but search for more clues.
I know the Sheriff is not that much of help so far, but if we are going into town for dinner, I will stop and inform him what we found just in case we need to use that eveidence later.
The sheriff is sketchy at best, and in on the whole thing at worst. Darius says as he comes in with some mugs and the pot of tea. So consider this then. If he is in on it, and we share all the clues we have with him, what's to stop him from impeding or derailing our investigation?
He finishes as he pours everyone a cup and sits down, a sigh of relief. The impression that the walking around all day has been hard on his weary bones. He sips the tea with a smile.
"Besides which, what help will he be anyway," Lucy says dismissively, looking up from the book she'd buried herself in. "The man ruled an accident what it took us all of five minutes to determine was murder, and he's been treating us, the only people who actually seem to care about finding the murderer, like we're the criminals. He's incompetent at best and corrupt at worst."
"Would you please stop it." Kendra intervenes. "Sheriff Caeller might not be the right man to do a murder investigation. And he doesn't like strangers - like almost everyone here in Ravengro. But he is a good man and he is by no means corrupt."
She sighs and adds "But you're right in that he will be no help."
Perhaps we should head into Harrowstone then. Unless we want to start investigating Gib.
Aada arrives at the temple to meet with Grimmburrow to see if he had found information. As she meets him, he would notice the familiar spiral of an Pharasman pendant on her person.
As Aada is led into his office by an acolyte he sits among books. He greets her "Good afternoon. I guess you come to hear what I found already?"
"In our records are indeed some bits about the history or the Harrowstone. 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."
About the prisoners I didn't find too much. It seems 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 conflagration. It was only through the selfsacrifice of Warden Hawkran and 24 of his guards that the prisoners were prevented from escaping—the guards gave their lives to save the town of Ravengro." the Father explains.
Miss Bladotter went to the temple. We should at least stop there first before we head to the Harrowstone.
That reminds me, did we ever figure out what that arcane writing was trying to do at the prison?
"I first expected the wife was living in, but you mean to tell you don't know, interesting. The vandal and or vandals whom desecrated the memorial had left a trail, but is somewhat run cold. everything just feels damn too perfect for some necromancer to take hold. The damned ruin is the perfect place to hold such with its sort of spiritual energy that must be trapped there," Aada says. She had taken a seat, lounging with a leg crossed over the other, "Lorrimor has unfortunately been caught up in a terrible predicament to tarmish his name, and sadly we may have to bring it down further just to prove his innocence."
"They had a house on the prison grounds. It is only unknown why she was in the prison itself as the riot broke out." Father Grimburrow replies.
"That would indeed be grave news if a necromancer had taken residence there."
"I hope after another investigation we find the culprit and it's just some stupid kid dabbling in something they shouldn't, but the more I feel it isn't going to be like that. Damn these lands. Always something bumping in the night in this country."
"I hope you're right that you can end it soon." the Father comments.
"I'm gonna leave and go back to the Lorrimor estate. From there, I don't know. be on your guard. Where there is one undead, there is bound to be more," she sits up, "If anything happens, call for reinforcement from the church. The town must be protected. If need be, raze that damned prison to the ground like it should have years ago."
She begins to make her way out of the temple.
"I see you assume the worst. I still hope and pray to Pharasma for a good ending of this. May the Lady of Graves bless you in your attempt to stop this unholy disturbance of the dead." the Father bids her farewell.
"It's good to. That way when it is the better outcome, it is ever sweeter. May the Lady of Graves watch over you as well," she says as she steps out of the temple and towards the Lorrimor residence.
As all is said and the tea had been drunk the group is off to the temple to collect Mrs. Bladotter. But she already crosses the river on her way back as the group comes along. News are exchanged and on to the Horrowstone it goes.
Around the hill and through the gate they arrive on the prison grounds again. The sky is overcast and the rays of the sun that came through here and there while in Ravengro are gone for good. It is as if the atmosphere of this ruin would ban the sun.
Walking towards the prison building it is as if the darkness would reach out of the entrance hall. This was once a wide hall flanked by a pair of waiting rooms, but the foyer to Harrowstone now lies in ruins. With little left to hold up the ceiling, the wooden beams above sag dramatically. The wall to the north contains a large pair of oaken doors.
"Let's try the balcony stairs first. The main entrance looks sort of rickety."
Spunoir drinks his dexterity mutagen. The balcony by the stairs sounds acceptable.
The group moves clockwise along the wall of the building. A short flight of stairs lead up to the western balcony of the prison. A large, rectangular block of stone rests on this weather-beaten stone balcony, while ruined wooden benches line the eastern wall under a row of tiny, barred windows above. A stout wooden door sits in the wall near the northern end of the balcony.
As the group stands on the balcony and looks around a rusty scythe is lifted from the stone block by ghostly skeleton arms and with a shriek it flies towards the group.
Quick Stats
HP 18/18
AC 14/12/12 (16/12/14 with Mutagen)
Saves F5/R5/W2(4 fear) (+2 vs. Poison)
Weapon in Hand
Special effects: Mutagen
Spugnoir's hands dart to his waist and a flask of shining liquid is flung at the weapon
Brother Varsk steps forward from the group, draws his Flail and plants himself in the path of the flail. Then he winds up to strike the Scythe as it nears him or tries to go past him to the others in the party behind him.
Halt spirit, do not threaten those who walk in the light!
"This... is something very new," Lucy comments concernedly. She points a hand at the scythe, muttering a quick incantation, and releases a dim beam of light.
Darius moves off off to the side to get a clear shot at the creature with the scythe, moving quickly despite his age. He raises his hand and a glow shines from it like a beacon.
channel positive energy (DC 12 [14 to damage undead], (+2 vs. undead)
"What is that thing?!" Darius growls under his breath.
"I have no clue what it is!" he gasps!
Nor do I. Could it be a guardian of arcane magic?
"I don't know just hit it till it goes down!"
Keep hitting sounds like good advice.
"Holy energy worked!"
Hailiss hurries to get a little closer, and with a flourish, calls forward a ray to mirror Lucy's. Her sword probably wasn't much use against the steel of the scythe.
Spugnoir pulls his morning star, steps up and swipes at the scythe
Quick Stats
HP 18/18
AC 14/12/12 (16/12/14 with Mutagen)
Saves F5/R5/W2(4 fear) (+2 vs. Poison)
Weapon in Hand
Special effects: Mutagen
Bombs:5/6
Hearing Hayliss Darius decides to fire press on with his Channel ability one more time.
Save DC 14
"It's a construct, animated by a haunt," she says. "The steel is real enough."
She circles around the fighting to find a clear shot, then calls forth another ray of light.