While Teilaenthis upgrades his weapon with occult magic, Tara calls up Pharasma's power to bless the party.
Drawing his morningstar, Drace moves forward 5 ft and tries to strike the animated manacles with a powerful blow. The spiked head of his weapon hits both cuffs with great force which causes the entire object to shatter into pieces.
A quick search of through the rusty chains and ruined strands of rope in this room reveals nothing else of value or immediate interest.
Let's check the north rooms, if you do'nt have another suggestion
Following Vivian's suggestion, the party checks the room to the north of their previous location. Several rusty iron tubs sit in this room, along with washboards, metal buckets, and heaps of moldy clothing.
Vivian cautiously checks the room, wary for another ambush
"Be ready for more haunts.."
Teileanthis steps into the room to investigate briefly.
Vivian and Teilaenthis begin searching the old laundry room in earnest. Vivian first notices a tin chute in the north wall that appears to exit to the outside, most likely for waste water. She also notes what appears to be a hidden door in the west wall. Lastly, she sees a shape struggling in the mound of clothing, as if a small child or animal were buried within.
Vivian points to the mound of clothing silently, to catch Teil's attention
Teil moves into place, Earthbreaker in hand...
As Teilaenthis and Vivian get into position, it does not take long for a leather straitjacket to seemingly fly out of the mound of the clothes out of its own volition. As it rises above the moldy cloth, it flutters threateningly at the living.
Initiative (Round 1)
Drace [2 Dmg] <= Up
Tara [2 Dmg] <= Up
Teilaenthis [2 Dmg + 1 Con Dmg] <= Up
Vivian [1 Dmg] <= Up
Sentir <= Up
Straitjacket
Stefan
Vivian tries to identify the thing, to fight it with optimal chances of success
Teil swings at the creature with his Earthbreaker.
Vivian and Teilaenthis both identify the straitjacket as another animated object. Unlike the previous objects, this one does not have a hard outer shell, but it can easily grapple and constrict its victims.
These concerns become moot, however, as Teilaenthis' earth breaker completely flattens the straitjacket, eliminating the threat.
A more thorough search of the laundry room doesn't reveal anything of value.
"Most disturbing! The spirits of the unquiet dead have infused these objects with their own malevolence. I would recommend we see what's behind the concealed door."
Having dispatched the jacket, Teileanthis moves to open the secret door.
Teilaenthis pushes the secret door open with a loud squeak, clearly the door hasn't been in use for quite sometime. Inside the party sees tangled mounds of moth-eaten fabric that sit on several wooden tables, each surrounded by workbenches. Various sewing tools—shears, needles, rolls of thread, boxes of chalk, and other objects lie scattered over the floor, while the arm of what appears to be a skeleton protrudes from a stained heap of fabric to the west.
As everyone filters into the room, an incorporeal figure rises out of heap of fabric, taking the form of a beautiful young woman dressed in a tattered but lovely blue dress. In fact, much about the ghostly figure is blue, including her hair, the tears that run from her pale blue eyes, and the clouds of smoke that drift from her lips. She stares at the group with sorrow, but does not appear to be immediately on the attack.
Wow... remember me never to anger you, Teil. That was a mighty blow..
As they enter the secret room, and another ghost rises, Vivian gets ready for another combat... but the ghost doesn't attack!
Still on her guard, the redhead try to communicate peacefully
Hummm... Hello? Who are you? What are you doing here?
"My name is Vesorianna Hawkran." The ghostly woman replies to one of Vivian's questions, then asks, "What are your intentions here?"
Hawkran... that rings a bell... I suppose you were related to the chief of the prison guards?
Stefan bows formally at the ghostly apparition.
"Madam, we are sorry to intrude upon your sanctum. Something has happened here at Harrowstone that I fear has stirred up the restless spirits of many who perished in the fire long ago. We believe that someone has recently performed some kind of ritual that disturbed the balance here. Malevolent spirits are now manifesting in Ravengro and are causing havoc. So far, no one has died, but I fear it is only a matter of time. We are here to find out what has caused this influx of evil spirits and to hopefully put an end to their manifestations in town."
He pauses to see how the ghost reacts, and if she does not seem to take offense, he continues.
"Indeed, we have encountered many spirits since we came to Harrowstone. You would seem to be the first who does not wish us harm. Would you be willing or able to help us?"
"I am glad to hear you've come to help cleanse this place of all the restless souls, not like those black robed men who just made things worse." She says between sniffles, "I am Warden Hawkran's wife, on the night of the fire I came to the prison to find out why my husband was late for dinner and ended up getting locked into this room by the cowardly guards. I died from the basement smoke..."
Trailing off, she sobs for a few moments before returning to the conversation at hand, "I cannot leave this room, but I can tell you the whole sordid tale if you wish and tell you where to find items which might help you. It is a long tale, but I believe it will be useful to you."
"Madam, we would be honored to hear your tale!"
This must have been a slow and painful death... Poor girl. She came here out of love, and found despair and destruction instead. No wonder she's still haunting the place.
With Dr. Von Herzog's enthusiastic encouragement, Vesorianna begins, "While alive Lyvar and I lived together happily in the small house on the prison grounds. His dedication to his job was only second to his love for me, but I didn't mind, we were devoted to one another. On the night of fire, he had not come home, so I made my way to the prison proper. I found the main doors unlocked and the halls empty of guards. While looking around, I did hear shouting, and I followed it to the lift to the basement cells. Most of the guards were stationed around it and told me the awful truth, two of the most heinous criminals named the Lopper and the Splatter Man seized control of the dungeon level and were holding my husband and some guards hostage. My brave, foolish Lyvar had triggered an emergency deadfall preventing the criminals from escaping, but it sealed him in the basement with them."
"I must admit that I grew quite frantic when they would not release the deadfall and stage a rescue. I begged and pleaded to those cowards, but they would not budge. So, I stupidly took matters into my own hands and lowered the winch myself. As it dropped I heard terrible screaming, I...I believe I may have dropped the platform on some of the guards, maybe even my husband."
She pauses her story to wipe away ghostly tears before continuing, "The guards then overpowered me and locked me into this room. I am not sure of the details after that, someone must have set a fire that immolated everyone in the lower level. As for me, either they forgot or left me here to perished from the smoke."
"As you can see that was not the true end of me, nor was it for my husband, nor the most awful prisoners. Although I could not see him, I could feel Lyvar's presence in the dungeon, continuing his job in the afterlife by containing the malevolent spirits of the prisoners."
”This was the state of affairs here, until unsettling visitors arrived recently. Men and women in dark robes who only spoke in whispers began to work strange magic by inscribing runes around the building’s foundations. While they were engaged in this, an older man they did not know tried to stop them. He was slain by the leader of the black-robed villains by some dark magics. Afterwards, they bashed in the dead man’s head and face with a fragment of gargoyle from a roof above. I believe they were trying to make it look like an accident."
"Later that night, after murdering the man, the black-robed figures finished their ritual. Whatever they did, I could not see it, but I felt the repercussions immediately. It felt like a horrific storm, yet one with no wind that chilled the flesh. This windstorm chilled the soul—it felt to me as if my very being was being pulled apart. Yet the horrific sensation passed in an instant... and when it had, the presence of my husband was gone. I can only assume that the black-robed villians somehow managed to abduct Lyvar’s spirit, for since that hateful day I've felt no sign of either my husband or the robed whisperers."
"Every day since that event, the spirits of the murderers and sadists trapped within the walls of Harrowstone have grown more and more powerful. I've had to step in to do my husband's job, if those spirits escape they will wreak unimaginable havoc on the living."
"There are five ghosts that are the most powerful, if you can defeat them then I believe I can force the rest of the spirits to move on. I think they are the specters of the five most notorious prisoners at the time of the fire: the Splatter Man, the Lopper, the Mosswater Marauder, the Piper of Illmarch, and Father Charlatan. As you defeat them, I can contain them for a time. I believe you may have bested the Piper and Charlatan already."
"Once you defeat all five and bring me a symbol of my husband's office, I'll be able to cleanse the prison once and for all and move on myself. You'll probably need to find Lyvar's badge of office, it should still be with his remains in the basement dungeons."
”You'll need to act quickly, because the Splatter Man is already eating at my resolve. I do not know how he is doing it, but we don't have a lot of time.”
"The only other aid I can give you is to let you know that if you find objects of value that once belonged to the five spirits, you can use those objects against them. You should check the prison's property room in the southeast corner of this level, you may find something. One warning though, they are also likely cursed by an unholy link to their former owners, so you should take care in using them."
"Forgive me for continuing on so, it's been a long time since I've spoken to anyone who isn't a sociopathic ghost. I do hope I've been helpful to our mutual task. Is there anything else you would like to know?"
When Vesorianna manifest, Tara's hand automatically falls to her spell component pouch in preparation of another altercation. As the older Pharasman speak to the spirit, Tara slowly begins to relax. "Robed men, prisoners manifesting, and now confirmation that Professor Lorrimor was murdered? My friends, it seems that we have our work cut out for us here."
Tara pinches the bridge of her nose as she digests all of the information from the helpful spirit, trying to silence most of her clerical teachings about how to handle the situation. "Mrs Hawkran, earlier in the infirmary we encountered a poltergeist. Do you happen to know how I can put that spirit to rest, or any of the haunts?"
"Do you know where we might find the spirits of The Lopper, The Marauder, or the Splater Man? It would be helpful to know where to expect our encounters if we are to defeat them."
"I'm afraid this room is my prison, I know little of the other residents other than the most powerful. If you can defeat the leaders though, I think I can put the others to rest." Vesorianna replies to Tara.
She then answers Dr. Von Herzog, "The most heinous prisoners were kept in the dungeon and I can still feel a dark presence below. I would checking there, but be very wary while you are in their domain."
I propose we get out of here, regroup, buy some equipment and try to bring down those heinous ghost. They are our primary targets. the poltergeist and other strange spooky things should be avoided, if possible.
Teil chimes in, "Can you describe the old man who was slain by the black-robed men?"
Vesorianna nods to Teilaenthis' question, then offers a mostly accurate description of Professor Petros Lorrimor, eliminating any doubt of his identity.
Teilaenthis nods gravely as the ghost describes the professor.
Hearing Vivian's suggestion, he agrees "If what we face it tougher than what we have found thus far, I agree that we must better prepare."
Addressing the ghost, Stefan says, "Thank you so very much for sharing your tale. Our endeavor is indeed to destroy the malevolent spirits that threaten Ravengro. If you could continue to hold them at bay for as long as you can, we would be forever in gratitude to you."
Turning to his companions, "Perhaps we should attempt to recover the items Mrs. Hawkran mentioned before we leave the prison for the day. We could then use them against the remaining spirits when we return tomorrow."
Running a hand through her raven locks, Tara offers a wiry smile to Stefan, "So we need those chains from yesterday after all?" Rubbing her hands together to try and warm them, Tara looks delighted at the mention of rest. "While I would hate to leave this evil to ripen, I feel as if I would be more of a liability than an asset if we were to face the remaining three powerful spirits." Bowing her head in thanks to the friendly spirit, Tara waits to see where people would like to head from here.
"We need to prepare better before continuing. We cannot face more spectral beings as we are, and the Ghost warned us the items are haunted themselves."
"All right, fair enough. Let us retreat from this prison for the day. Tomorrow, our first order of business should be retrieval of the implements in the property room. I had hoped to study them a bit tonight before we attempt to use them, but I understand that we're running out of resources. After we know what we have, we should proceed into the lower level to confront the more powerful spirits."
Rushing into danger wouldn't be wise, or safe. We have to know what we are fighting to ensure victory. These items have waited for years in this prison, I guess another night won't do much difference.
"Gods speed to you all. I hope we can finally free these souls from this accursed prison and I can be reunited with Lyvar." Vesorianna says as the group departs the room. As the last of your leave, she turns away as if she may have already forgotten you and begins to quietly sob.
Exiting the prison presents no challenges or threats, and the journey back to the Lorrimor home is equally uneventful. Kendra once again looks relieved to see that you've all made it back safely and has a warm stew prepared for supper. She's also quite curious about what you've found today, and offers to identify any magical objects you were unable to ascertain yourselves earlier in the day.
Tara partially collapses into a comfortable armchair as they return back to the manor. She offers an exhausted smile to Kendra as as she graciously accepts a bowl of stew and begins to talk animatedly about the poltergeist fight and the discovery about what happened on the night of the fire. "It is quiet sad, if you think about it. Vesorianna is trapped waiting for her husband, who in turn is trapped below. They are physically so close to each other, but they might as well be in Garund and Tian-Xia for the chances they have of seeing each other now." A fierce look of determination sets into Tara's eyes as she speaks about the trapped couple, clearly prepared to move heaven and earth to set both of their spirits to rest.
Upon returning to Ravengro, Stefan stops by the Unfurling Scroll and sees if he can purchase a scroll of magic missile. If he can, he also purchases special magical scribing pens and inks so that he can transcribe the spell into his spellbook.
At the Lorrimor home, Stefan likewise sits in a chair by the fire, and accepts an offered glass of brandy from Miss Lorrimor. After filling in the late professor's daughter about what they found, he replies to Tara.
"Vesorianna's tale is tragic indeed. I did not mention to her that it would appear that the ghost of the Splatter Man seems to be writing her name in blood on the statue in town. Thankfully, her name is rather long, so we still have a bit of time before he makes his move against her!" He pauses, as if debating whether to continue. He inhales sharply, and then says, "I say the following with much trepidation... From what the ghost of Mrs. Hawkran told us, I fear that the nefarious agents of the Whispering Way may have somehow captured the ghost of her husband and removed it from Harrowstone. It could very well be as far as Garund or Tian Xia by now... although I fear it may be more likely that they instead have taken it to Gallowspire! My hope is that if we can somehow put both of their spirits to rest, then the Whispering Way will be robbed of its prize!"
Teilaenthis nods when the doctor mentions the cultists. "Objects can hold power, as my Earthbreaker shows. These items the ghosts are attuned to may be dangerous to hold for too long. Best we finish this quickly."
Stefan retires to his room to study the scroll he purchased earlier, and attempts to copy it into his spellbook.
After an hour or so of study, he feels confident that he understands the spell, and begins the painstaking process of copying it into his spellbook. After another hour, he sets his pen down with a feeling of accomplishment. He then has another brandy and then goes to bed.
The Hawkran's story is a sad one indeed. But it's not set in stone yet. We can maybe get them back together again and kick some ghostly's backsides in the process.
Vivian smiles at the idea.
Then she starts to giggle.
And finally she laughs.
Sorry.. it was so a funny image.. I was seeing us really kicking some ghost's backside. Probably my way to get rid of the stress of all this creepy prison.
The next morning Dr. Von Herzog, Tara, Teilaenthis, and Vivian all awake to discover that two of their members are gone. Kendra explains, "Last night Drace received a magical missive indicating that his family was in some sort of dire trouble so he left before dawn. Sentir was awake at the time and elected to follow him out. I apologize for not waking you all, but I do not think you would have been able to stop Drace from leaving, he appeared quite ill at ease at whatever news he received. He did say that he'll try to return before the month is over if he can quickly conclude his business, although Sentir did not say the same."
Pausing a moment to collect her courage, she adds, "If you're going to need another hand at dealing with the prison, I'll...I'll join you. Those foul spirits simply must mollified."
There is a knock at the door.
On the other side of the door is an ancient-looking woman wearing drab gray robes (some might say "rags") with a large, dark pack slung from her shoulder, and leaning heavily on a very long spear. Although her hair is white and her skin sags, her eyes look bright and very alive. "Hello," she croaks, "the spirits of my ancestors have dragged my old bones here. They think you need my help. So. I'm here to help you." She pushes her way in. "I've come a long way to get here, so you don't have much choice in the matter." She looks around for a chair, then hobbles over to it and sits down. "These bones are too old to travel that far for nothing." She looks around, assessing the party with her bright eyes. "So what are we doing, then?"
Kendra Lorrimor opens the door and appears flabbergasted as she is pushed aside by the older woman, "Who are you and what are you doing in my home? Who sent you?"
The old woman looks back and wrinkles her brow as if confused. "Are you daft, young woman? The spirits of my ancestors lead me here, as I said already. Don't make an old woman waste her breath; I've precious little left by now, you know." She shakes her head and looks around the room again. "Who are all of you, and what are you doing here? Did that professor's funeral bring you here, too?" She sticks out her lips, looking a little bit like a duck with a short, wrinkled beak. Then she seems to talk to herself, or someone else not in the room. "Yes, I agree. Such a shame. Such a handsome one, he was."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Bert arrives in Ravengro much too late to call upon the widow and hopefully not too late to hear what the Professor left in his will. Spending the night at a local "tavern or inn or something..dry and not unbearably cold, anyway." The next morning he arrives at what he thinks should be a decent hour only to see an "old ..uh, woman, perhaps push into the house." Bert sprints up the walk and bounds up the stairs and as he sees the gathering and hears the last of the "old..woman, yes that makes sense." He says breathlessly, "I am Bert Shieldworn, uh, the Professor..mentioned me in his will, anyway that's what the summons or whatever it was..yes..summons, I think, anyway. So I came. Sorry for the lateness, not an easy trip from Riddle-- uh, the coast near Riddleport."
Standing before you is an unremarkable human male. Not too tall, not too short. Not too anything...except plain. Brown hair hangs to his shoulders and blue eyes glance over the group but seem to avoid eye contact. A wooden shield, halberd and a spear are slung over his shoulders and he seems ill at ease for any attention directed toward him.