More letters perhaps. I thought I would check if any more letters have been placed in our path. It might be worth having another look at the library too...
Vrilli and Leeoli find no more letters of blood, only curious townsfolk who scurry away under the strangers' glares.
Well, perhaps we should just go to the prison and get ourselves killed by a run of the mill zombie
I have a wild suspicion. Tell me, do you recall any dwarves in town?
"I might go for a walk, and stretch my legs. Do you want to accompany me Kendra?"
Zazaria, have you heard how long Father Grimburrow has been in this township? Was he here before the prison was destroyed?
I know nothing about the man - save that he is both obdurate and apparently well-meaning... Zazaria's eyes narrow as she studies Leeoli. What is this "wild suspicion?"
Leeoli leans in close.
That at least a few of those five prisoners live among the townsfolk today. ..
and where was the Father durong the attack?
Leeoli pauses.
but I have no evidence.
Zazaria's eyes widen - almost as if Leeoli had slapped her cheek - and she winces. Surely that is not so, she murmurs. we'll ask Kendra.
I'm being paranoid. He most likely is NOT Sefick Corvin erm- Father Charlaton.
Zazaria shakes her head slightly. Paranoia seems apt to Ravengro, Master Maleye...but I cannot believe this of father Grimburrow. Not yet, in any case.
Anyi stares intently at Zazaria and Leeoli whispering quietly together, a questioning look on her face. She then addresses the group. Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly happened to the professor? He did not seem ill the last time I saw him, and the terms of his will make me suspicious that his death was not entirely unexpected and thus not natural.
Hmmm. Now that I think about it, who found the professor's body?
"We should head out to the prison to take a look for ourselves," she says, pausing for a moment as if listening before she continues, "Whatever clues that might be there may well disappear if we dally in town for too long."
"Vrilli, that is a good question," she looks to her right, shakes her head and smiles sadly, "What condition was his body in when it was found? If the Whispering Way is involved they may have done something to the body to prevent the Professor from communicating his secrets to the living."
Leading me to believe this fellow beside me is an impostor...
"Anyi, the Professor was concerned about... something happening," Asenath says in answer to her question, "He wrote about not having time to update his will, and was obviously worried that he would not return from Harrowstone alive."
"All this dawdling in town is getting us nowhere!" "I know. What do you want me to do? Oh, not yet, it is way too early for that..."
Turning to Anyi, I too was a late arrival; I was told that he died while investigating the prison, if memory serves.
Glancing at Asenath,
Going to the prison does seem the obvious next step....but I fear that may be a rash step just yet. If the way are here,you can be sure they are watching us. Lets not walk into a trap.
Turning again to Zazaria.
I shouldnt suspect towns people, such as Father Grimsburrow but we need to know who to trust. The Whispering Way is watching us. I agree with Asenath, we should confer with Kendara about the towns folk. She might know their history, or who to ask. Further, records at the townhall and temple might indicate these things.
"We should leave Raven business to the Ravens," Asenath says, looking at Zazaria, "If we are going to continue investigating, why not at least scout out along the town's periphery? There maybe be more clues nearby?"
Zazaria gives a supple shrug...I suspect that the prison is the crux of things here in Ravengro, and sooner or later we must go there. But I would put questions to the Sheriff about the Professor's death, how it occurred and who found the body...questions I'd prefer not to tax Kendra with, Master Maleye.
Anyi backs away from Asenath unconsciously. She looks from Asenath to Zazaria and back again frowning slightly. We might get more done quickly if we split up again and pursue both courses of action. I will accompany you to the Sheriff, Zazaria.
Asenath gives a sigh, obviously venting some frustration, "Questioning the Sheriff could be useful, though I would like to accompany you and Anyi," she gives Anyi a feral smile, "there maybe something to gain from inquiring about the state of the Professor's body." Her fingers caress the glowing amulet about her neck absently.
Put her body on the bed./Take a knife and lop her head./Watch the blood come out the pipe./Feeds the stirge, so nice and ripe...
Sorry Zazaria, I failed to be precise. I wanted to ask Kendra about the town's folk, not her father's body. [b]
Leeoli pauses, shifts his bags
[b]But let us not split up; we may aid one another's observations. Let us not go find our sherrif, and indeed he may have things to say.
Kendra, though not actively involved with the search for information through the Town Hall, is nonetheless nearby, as she had business in town. You find her easily enough, as she speaks with a middle-aged female dwarf wearing a soot-stained apron underneath a sign that says, simply enough “Ravengro Forge.” The dwarf, whom Kendra introduces as Jorfa, merely nods and grunts, seeming not to have much time for outsiders. Her forge is simple and organized, and many of her creations lay about inside. A stocky, sweating boy – undoubtedly her apprentice – toils within.
Kendra closes her business with Jorfa and walks away with the “outsiders.” Jorfa is probably the oldest person here in Ravengro, and she’s been here since the original building of the prison. But, she largely keeps to herself and keeps her nose in the business of her forge and little else. I doubt that she’d be a good one to ask about anything but weapons and armor. As for the Prison itself, it’s probably best known by the Sheriff himself, as he’s the only one who seems willing to take a step into the place. He’s the one who found my father, after I informed him that he’d been missing.
Kendra follows you to the Ravengro Jail, wherein Sheriff Caeller is working through reports as one of his deputies – the fellow with the injured leg from the zombie attack, standing guard duty over their half a dozen small cells. The young man, Vrodish, smiles cheerfully and waves, particularly at Zazaria, as you enter. There’s one prisoner within – a farmer snoring away as he undoubtedly sleeps off the one too many drinks he had the night before.
Caeller looks up as you enter, stands, and tips his hat in a gentlemanly manner at the group, particularly at Kendra. Glad you stopped in; what have you found so far?
Leeoli smiles. Hello Sheriff Caeller. Well, mostly that the prison had held some real nasty scum.
Leeoli pauses, trying to gauge the man.
Leeoli nods slowly.
Indeed it did, Mr Maleye. It's not one of the greatest claims to fame that a town could have, but it's ours and we own it. His face is impassive, though his words seem to carry a tone of resignation. Do you think that this has any weight on our current situation?
Zazaria sighs heavily: It may indeed, Sheriff. But we have other questions for you, regarding the Professor, and the manner of his death. we understand it was you who found him?
"We need details of his injuries. Please be as detailed as necessary Sheriff."
You sense a bit of aggravation from the Sheriff at your question, and he swallows back his line of questioning. It’s obvious that he’s not accustomed to being questioned. He looks at Kendra, his eyes full of concern at the direction of the conversation and her own peace of mind. Kendra nods for him to answer.
Yes…I found Professor Lorrimor at Harrowstone. Most of the Lads won’t go there, and it was the last place in Ravengro that we hadn’t looked. His…body was on its back near one of the prison’s crumbling walls, and a large block of stone had fallen on his head, breaking his neck. From what I saw, it appeared that he stumbled and tripped over the rubble and had fallen against the wall. The force of his back hitting the wall was enough to dislodge a broken piece of the gargoyle statue above.
He looks at Kendra apologetically after the retelling. From what I saw, an accidental death and the terrible loss of a great man.
Vrilli glares at the ground intently and chews his lip. The Splatter Man was known for setting elaborate traps to look like accidents. I wonder if Professor Lorrimor had found any letters...
Ignoring Vrilli, Leeoli looks Caeller directly in the eyes The professor was a good friend, and if it seems that we are interrogating you it is because we- I feel we can trust you. The professor was at the prison because he felt that a dark power was threatening Ravengro and was sourced there. He investigated...and died.
I hope I did not invite a viper into the nest
But we know it was not the prison he was investigating - or at least, only indirectly - it was not the inmates who interested him, it was the activities of the - she glances at the Sheriff, then seemingly decides that there is no point hiding things - Whispering Way. 'twas they who were studying Harrowstone. The Professor grew wise to them, and doubtless, 'twas they who took steps to end his interference. She looks at Kendra, eyes softening. I am sorry, Kendra. We must seem so insensitive to your pain and grief...
Zazaria turns to Caeller. Sheriff, there is darkness and danger at large here in Ravengro. You yourself have charged us to find the source of it, and ultimately, to protect your people. We cannot be over-cautious in this matter, lest events overwhelm us: and you. All of us here love and respect Kendra, and her own father bade us guard her. I apologise to you both for our directness, and tell you honestly, I wish this could be done some other way.
Leeoli glances at the curious woman Zazaria. I was not going to go as far as to tell the sheriff THAT bit of info..for his safety in the very least...Ah well. We need an ally. Although..I wonder if he will even have heard of that secretive group.
Caeller works his jaw, as if in an attempt to stop himself from a hastily formed rebuke. He swallows it down, though, and nods. Its apparent that he doesn't like the situation but is resigned to it.
I know very little of this Whispering Way...most everyone in Ustalav knows the stories of the Whispering tyrant though, and the years of darkness he brought about. If this group was at Harrowstone, then I don't doubt that there's more to this.
He looks at Kendra as well, but the woman stands strong, her strong mind already treating this as a mystery to be solved. Her gaze is steady, and the Sheriff looks away.
May be unrelated, but I don't think we can chance this - the memorial was vandalized again, this time with an "E." So now we have "VE." And, councilwoman Favran reported that she felt like she was being choked last night...she won't even return to her home!
He sits back with an audible sigh, shaking his head.
Leeoli glances at Vrilli Any chance they think your name is spelled V-E-R-I-L-L-I?
Leeoli sighs slightly. No. There was a preference for women victims.
Leeoli turns to Caeller.
Were the bodies of the five most notorious prisoners Sefick Corvin, Vance Saetressle, Ispin Onyxcudgel, Hean Feramin, and the Piper of Illmarsh ever recovered?
Leeoli pauses for emphasis.
If it is possible that they survived and somehow escaped the prison alive that would be important to establish now. half to himself ...wonder how old might they would be now?
Leeoli pauses, nods as if making a decision. the living first, the dead later
Sheriff. it would be helpful to compile a list of all townspeople whom arrived into Ravengro after the destruction of the prison. Further, it would be good to know all persons in Ravengro with names that begin with V-E-
feeling like she was being choked? I do not see the connection with the methods of these five
Caeller shakes his head. No, there was so much destroyed in the fire and buried in the ruins that was never uncovered. The ruins have always been treacherous and largely avoided, save for the late, brave professor of course.
I will work on such a list; what will you do?
Think. Its what I'm best at. Leeoli holds a straight face.
Perhaps we should visit the good councilwoman...and inspect the grounds of her residence
The professor thought these prisoners were important to the whispering way...but in which way? Could they be alive, and have infiltrated this town? To what purpose? Would they not prefer to leave, or else find themselves wandering in their madness and obsessions? The pieces do not fit—not yet anyway. We must rule the possibility out first
Let us suppose that these five prisoners did escape, and for some reason unbeknownst to us did choose to stay or to return to Ravengro to do their evil in the way that suited them in their past. What should we then expect? One prisoner's profile suggests we'd expect to find bloody letters as signs to an intended victim. This we have found. What else may we expect? Unfortunately, very little. The other prisoner's profiles did not include habits of providing clues prior to their murders.
Leeoli pauses for breath wondering if he should say what he was about to say We therefore, should not expect any, given our supposition. What might identify them? Well we might expect Sefick Corvin to take on a guise, perhaps still as a holy man.
Leeoli looks apologetically at Zazaria before continuing his thoughts aloud.
And the others? Well, Ispin Onyxcudgel was a dwarf, but that is little to go on. No there is very little evidence, save the letters, to support this supposition. But we must try to eliminate this more ordinary possibility, hence the list I asked the good sheriff's help to compile.
Leeoli's voice is starting to crack from a parched mouth.
But let us be honest. The ordinary is not all that likely. By all accounts those prisoners died, either by fire or by rubble. The professor thought that the Whispering Way, those that lust to become lich lords, was interested in this town, and with those prisoners...and lest we forget, the town was just attacked by the undead. No. I do not truly expect to find these prisoner's alive.
And they would be more dangerous dead, in any case...Zazaria takes advantage of Leeoli pausing for breath with a prim smile. We have heard that a V and E have been painted on the memorial. Were I prone to gambling, I would lay down a healthy bet that the next letter is the letter 'S'...should things get that far. But we should see this poor Councilwoman, who has felt herself being throttled by unknown hands...Hmmm...I don't think any of those more infamous prisoners was a strangler...
Zazaria's voice tapers off, and she is lost in thought for a moment, then she shakes her head sadly.
We do not know enough, yet we must act! I do not think we can wait on events much longer.
"Here comes a candle to light you to bed/And here comes a chopper/To chop off your head!/Chip, chop, chip, chop/The last one is dead!" Asenath sings absently to herself.
Leeoli Maleye nods. Quietly.
Not sure if it has any bearing, but the councilwoman – Shanda Faravan is a native born local who spent quite a bit of time abroad as a “royal accuser.” She’s the type that would have been responsible for putting criminals like those in Harrowstone away. Doesn’t do it anymore, now that she’s a full time councilwoman. Her home is to the south – just past the Lorrimor estate and over the bridge, on the left at the fork.
We should visit the council woman. Her experience as a royal accuser may be of use. Where might we find her
Zazaria gives a vexed glance towards Asenath, then grimaces.
As you say, Asenath, perhaps we sense in this the ill spirit of the Lopper. Very well. We'd better go find this councilwoman. Before anything else goes wrong.
Its easy enough to track down councilwoman Faravan, who has taken a room at the Outward Inn until she once again wants to try and sleep in her home. She comes to the common room at the summons, eager to find anyone who will believe her story.
A pretty young woman, Faravan has done well with her intellect and academics, having studied law extensively in Caliphas. She's well spoken, and not with the air of inflated self importance that Hearthmount demonstrated.
A mist...it came out of no where, and it seemed to...to form into hands. I was just lying dowm for bed, and the hands grasped my throat. I felt the life ebb from me, as if the hands were sucking it away.
Vrilli squints at Faravan's neckWill you show me your neck where the fingers grasped you..... Please. If you don't mind.
Leeoli looks also, but feels he has no particular insight to offer.
Vrilli, are you aware of any undead spell or ghost that appears as a mist and takes form as a choking, life draining set of hands?
Not that I can think of, although I wonder if lich dust might cause hallucina tions as well as paralysis