Drace picks up the unconscious old man and carries him to the Temple of Pharasma, while Sentir and Teilaenthis follow. You are greeted by a shocked acolyte, who allows you inside and quickly awakens Father Grimburrow. The old priest listens carefully to your short tale and has you lay the body on one of the pews, "My word, that Gibs Hephenus! He was the ringleader of the mob that tried to prevent the Professor's burial. He's an old retired soldier, I do know how he got caught up in all this despite his nasty disposition." He then looks to young man who met you at the doors, "Go fetch the Sheriff!"
His attention then turns back to Drace, Sentir, and Teilaenthis, "How did you want to handle this? I can make sure he stays alive, but we wake him up completely he may still be under dark influence."
"Agreed, do not wake him. It would be best if you kept him bound as well as unconscious... for now it is late however, and we may return with our compatriots in the morning if that suits you."
With that Teil is ready to return to the inn and sleep the rest of the night away, happy to tell the rest of the group what they discovered over breakfast.
Smiling kindly to Kendra, Tara places a hand gently on her shoulder. "There is nothing wrong with trying to distract yourself from your father's death. When my father died I became obsessed with learning as much as I could about magical objects, to the point that the librarians would have to remind me when to eat."
Nodding goodnight to Vivian, Tara brushed away some of the ash on her vestments. "The pain never truly goes away, it just becomes more bearable." For a moment the cleric gets a far away look in her eyes as she subconsciously moves her thumb back and forth over her heart before she shakes it off. "But rest assured, we will get to the bottom of these untimely attacks on Ravengro, even if it means that I have to turn over every single bed in this town!" Giving Kendra and Stefan a confident smile, Tara has a gleam of excitement in her eyes at the promise of adventure.
"I'll have to examine him in more detail when he is awake, but it doesn't look like his injuries are life threatening, so I'll just let the Sheriff decide what to do with him." Father Grimburrow says after a moment of consideration as he has an acolyte bind Gibs in rope. "If an exorcism is warranted, I'll let you know."
* * *
"Thank you, Tara. You've all been much too kind and patient with me. I look forward to the day when my first thought it not my Father's loss. Perhaps I will need to move away from here so I can forget. In the meantime, we have a town to save." Kendra says, brightening up slight at the prospect.
* * *
Twenty minutes later at the Temple, the Sheriff and a small posse of deputies take Gibs into custody. Assuming you give him the whole truthful story and present the razor and the bloody waterskin, he nods and appears relieved that the vandal as finally been caught. The law enforcers then leave with the older man in tow, in order to place him in a cell at the jail.
With no further business at the Temple at this extremely late hour, Drace, Sentir, and Teilaenthis return back to the Lorrimor home and inform the party about what they discovered.
After the fire, Stefan returns to the Lorrimor home to clean up and relax after such a harrowing experience.
Over breakfast the next morning, Stefan asks everyone to gather around, and he goes over what we have learned so far.
After summarizing, the doctor continues, "It would appear that many of the strange events that have recently transpired would seem to have some connection to the five notorious criminals. Because Petros remarked that evil spirits were attempting to thwart his visits to Harrowstone, I would recommend that we first learn what we can of The Lopper and his crimes before we head there ourselves. For knowledge of our enemies is itself a weapon we can use against them. We also have these actual weapons we recovered from false crypt in the Restlands. Before we set out to explore the prison, we should divide them amongst ourselves."
He looks everyone in the eye, and concludes, "So, what shall be our next move?"
I think it's time to bring the war into enemy's territory. The town and the villagers have suffered enough of this madness. If there is undead creatures in the prison, lets check this place, carefully, and try to bring some down. We won't accomplish much by staying here, and maybe our foe is building forces.
"I agree with Vivian. It is time we take action against these horrible forces. At the very least, we should investigate the place to see if there is an obvious reason for such horrible activities...That said, we should divy up the equipment. It could prove very useful if we encounter strong resistance." Sentir says, agreeing with Vivian.
With the majority of the nascent party voting to finish up your research on the prison before paying it a visit, the group returns in the morning to the Temple of Pharasma. On the brief walk there, the townfolk you run into seem to regard you all in a more respectful manner, if not overtly friendly. While they would previously ignore the group or move briskly away whenever you encountered them, they now give you brief greetings or nods of recognition as they move along, and one of the younger women even stops to thank you all for saving her father from the Town Hall fire.
Your new found popularity continues when you arrive at the Temple, as the acolyte who meets you at the door greets you warmly and asks if you need anything before you begin your research.
Shortly after you begin, the Sheriff and a couple of deputies find you in the archives to fill you in the status of Gibs Hephenus. "After the priests dropped him off at the jail, we had them magically heal him a bit to see if he was still under some trance. He seemed to be raving mad, saying something about killing some woman. He then beat on the bars for a few minutes before passing out. He doesn't remember anything this morning, you might be right about some kind of possession. He keeps demanding we let him go, but we're going to keep him in there for awhile until we have a better handle on what's wrong with him." The Sheriff explains, lingering long enough to answer any questions before excusing himself.
Teileanthis again begins to direct the others in the attempt to coordinate their research and study. He makes it clear that assisting him has been successful and is likely the best chance to assure our ability to find the required information.
Vivian tries to find important information in the history books, but her mind already wanders to the grim Harrowstone prison.
Following Teil to the library, Tara grabs some useful looking books. She places the books on a nearby table, marking specific passages that may prove useful. "Here, Teilaenthis. I found this, does this help?"
Stefan also assists Tiel in his research. After doing so much research in this library, the doctor seems to have learned his way around the text.
After another long day in the Temple archives, the group finally finds information on the last of the 5 prisoners.
The Lopper (Real Name: Vance Saetressle)
When the Lopper stalked prey, he would hide in the most unlikely of places, sometimes for days upon end with only a few supplies to keep him going while he waited for the exact right moment to strike. Once his target was alone, the Lopper would emerge to savagely behead his victim with a handaxe.
That Looper man was gross. Beheading people... Wasn't it enough to kill them?
She takes some time to think and plan
We got some magic arrows in the stuff we found in the fake crypt, but who has a bow? Could we use the planchette to try to get any more information? I'd like to know who is this "VE..." person. Do we have some holy water? I got a vial, but we could use some more... I propose we rest for the night and tomorrow morning we go to Harrowstone.
"If the arrows are not useful, perhaps we sell them to acquire more useful items. Holy water and alchemical fire would both likely be useful..."
"I've never been much of an archer, and I would not have much use of arrows."
After a pause, he nods at Vivian's question. "Say, in our research, did anyone notice a name in passing that started with 'V-E...'?"
The group wakes up in the morning to ready itself for the grim task of finally investigating the Harrowstone Prison. After a light breakfast, Kendra offers to come along if you'd like, but will gladly stay home if you'd prefer she remain safe.
The sky is grim as you begin your short journey to the prison, the sun obscured by dark, ominous clouds and the air chilly. Heading south from the town of Ravengro, you quickly see the remains of the prison sitting squat on a barren hill, the stark, sagging roof of its central structure visible through a large gap in the surrounding wall. A partially overgrown track leads from the southern edge of town, winding around the base of the hill and then back up along its southern slope to the prison. A large pond covers the southwest of the grounds, the portions of broken wall it crosses though suggesting it wasn't always this size, if it existed at all when the prison was open.
Approaching the front gates, you all see a sagging wood and metal gate set between a pair of stone guard towers that once barred entrance into Harrowstone, but now hang negligently open, creaking softly in what wind touches the ruined bars.
Before breakfast Tara up is early triple checking her gear, before packing everything up and tying up her explorer boots. Hoisting the bag onto her back, Tara makes her way down for breakfast before vanishing to quietly pray to the Lady of the Graves for guidance and clarity. Fully prepared to face the days challenges, Tara waits for the others in the foyer, politely declining Kendra's invitation to follow them. "Kendra, it might be safer for you to stay here. I would hate for anything to happen in town, while we were away, and miss something." Following in the middle of the group, Tara keeps mostly to herself on the walk towards Harrowstone.
As they approach the dilapidated prison, Tara's expression grows grim. "Well, this is it. It certainly looks haunted." Eyeing the creaking gate, the cleric takes a moment to try and pry her straps off her shoulders, but ultimately gives up.
After a good breakfast, Vivian checks her own weapons and tools. She gives her first aid kit to Stefan, as promised.
At the front gates, she traces a spiral over her heart and kisses her holy symbol with resolve.
I agree, Tara. The prison looks haunted. Let's hope we get rid it of its ghosts.
"Well, let us proceed then... I would suggest that Drace and I take the lead."
With that he moves to enter the gates, sheild and axe at the ready and his tail curled around his wand.
|
"Creepy doesn't begin to describe it..." Drace said looking at the prison. "Yeah. Teil and I can be up front. Lets take a stroll around the perimeter first before we head inside the prison. Lets start with the guard posts, and then that one building ahead. No sense in letting someone get behind us."
Sentir takes his place in the rear, following Vivian's subtle positioning. The caster has proven his worth a few times, but he knows he is no armor hulk like Drace, or a cunning pointman like Teil. He is quite content to bring up the rear.
The teifling nods at Drace and joins him walking towards the guard posts.
Opting to scout out the exterior of the prison first, the party begins to move northwest along the portion of intact wall in order to examine the guard towers more closely. The southernmost guard tower is composed of worn stone, its wooden roof collapsed and its crumbling walls thick with ivy, extends a further ten feet above the twenty foot-high wall here.
Continuing clockwise around the walls, you discover the westernmost tower appears to be in similar condition, except in this case as you near it you begin to see rodents milling about, at least a dozen or so that appear to be watching the party as it nears. As you get closer, they begin to chittering and moving about with excitement, albeit 30 feet above you.
"This place certainly feels haunted... and is also infested with rats!"
We're not here for some e-Rat-dication... or to claim that " A rodent is dead". Everyone already knows that Aroden is no more.
The redhead chuckles nervously
That was some bad jokes, uh? But believe me, I'm sure I can do worse.
She turns heels to the rats, and proceeds toward the small building-looking over her shoulder to be certain the rats don't follow her, if only to stop her bad and irreverent puns...
"I think we should circle the exterior of the prison walls, just to get a sense of the surroundings. Perhaps Petros' enemies left some clues as to what they had been up to. Once we have dealt with whatever perils we may face, I would then suggest that we walk in the front gate."
Teil nods at the doctor and sets off to lead the group around the prison.
Following Dr. Von Herzog's suggestion, the group continues to walk clockwise around the ruined prison. The rats thankfully remain in their guard tower, but those of you with sharper eyes see many more tiny forms milling about than those that chose to show themselves.
The northern half of the outer walls is unremarkable, the stone wall has remained relatively intact throughout the years, although there are some signs of cracking and erosion, mostly likely due to the weather.
Upon reaching the east side of the prison grounds, the majority of the wall is replaced by a large pond of dark, muddy water that spreads out along this portion of the prison grounds. Here and there, bits of ruined wall protrude from the water, and thick tangles of reeds and cattails grow along the muddy shores.
The wall returns on the southwest end of the complex near the front gate, although you could certainly gain entry by climbing through some of the ruined section of the wall south of the pond.
Evidently satisfied with the exterior check of the complex, the party moves towards the front entrance to enter the prison grounds. The sagging wood and metal gate set between a pair of stone guard towers once barred entrance into prison, but the gates now hang negligently open, creaking softly in what wind touches the ruined bars.
As Drace and Teilaenthis begin to move through the ruined entrance, they both begin to experience a sudden sensation of walls closing tightly around them, threatening to smother all air out of their lungs. This uncomfortable feeling is further compounded as for a split-second it feels like their flesh is on fire.
Although both feelings quickly fade, the supernatural portent is perhaps quite clear.
Nothing else occurs when the others pass through the gates, nor when Drace or Teilaenthis return through them.
* * *
Inside the courtyard, a small, damaged brick home covered in ivy stands to the northwest, while the main building of the Harrowstone prison dominates the center of the hill. On the wall to the north, a set of stairs leads up to the top of the walls, albeit directly to the guard tower full of rats.
Should we get a look to the brick home first?
"I am in agreement, Miss Deberth. I think it stands to reason that this structure is the caretakers' residence. We may find some clues therein."
"Look out, the walls!"[/dice] Teil ducks away from the walls... then recovers breathing heavily. [b]"I swear, they were closing in for a moment... but perhaps it was just an illusion?"
Taking a closer look at the small brick manor house, you see that the entire exterior is overgrown with thick sheets of gray-green ivy. The roof sags ominously, and the front door hangs askew. Looking inside, there does not appear to be any immediate threats, but a thorough search will take at least 10 minutes.
Taking in the sagging roof, the opened door, and the general repair that the whole complex appears to be in, Tara frowns. "Are we sure that this place is safe?" She asks the group quietly, not wanting to have any of her allies wander into a trap.
Vivian looks closely at the nearly destroyed building
I don't think so, Tara. The place looks like a dead house, or a giant trap for the unwary.
With her keen sight, Vivian determines that the ruined house is extremely unstable and any sort of prolonged activity inside could cause it to collapse.