And I am Leeoli, of the Maleye family.
An honour, Mister Maleye. Any friend of Petros'...well you know the rest, I'm sure.
Did you find what you sought in the restlands Miss Rooke? I am known as Vrilli. It is good to meet you Miss Rooke and Mr Maleye.
Kendra seems as if she would protest, but then she grimaces and sighs. Yes, I suppose I'm not prepared for quite so many visitors, at least for dinner. You're more than welcome to stay; this is a very large manor and I'm sure I have room. But perhaps if you could take your meals elsewhere until I can properly accomodate you.
There are two fine inns in Ravengro - the Laughing Demon and the Outward Inn. Both are respectable, though the Outward Inn has more rooms, so may be a better fit. It is managed by a Ms Sarianna Vai, who was once a singer in Caliphas. The Laughing Demon is managed by Zokar Elkarid, a man with a certainly odd sense of humor.
Pleased to make your acquaintance, Master Vrilli. Yes, we did find what we sought in the Restlands. But in the meantime, we might adjourn to one of these respectable inns, where I can slake my thirst a little. And eat! It has been a day to make a dragon famished. What say the rest of you?
Aye. I need a bit of odd humor. I will meet thee in the eve at the laughing demon. First round on me.
Agreed then
Kendra leads you out with a smile and some directions, promising to prepare a fine meal for everyone in the very near future. You leave the Lorrimor house and enter into a dreary early evening, gray clouds casting a shroud over the town. The worn dirt path from the house leads to an intersection that, per Kendra’s directions, leads into town to the left and away from it and into surrounding farmland to the right
As you move forward, you come into a large, stone road circle with businesses all around and a grassy circular plaza with a simple wooden gazebo at its center. An open, roofed forge is on the left, and a building labeled the silk purse is on the right. You take the right of the circle, as Kendra instructed.
At the opening to the circle is a huge wood pole jutting out of the ground, with dozens of messages that are mostly meaningless to you, but undoubtedly mean quite a bit to the townsfolk. There are postings for farmhands, news of nuptials, missing pets, and even a short posting titled the “Wealday Parchment”, which has the ramblings of a councilman Gharen Muricar.
As you round the circle, you pass what appears to be a town hall, then come to a moderately sized establishment with a weathered carving of a worn, cloaked traveler on a sign above it that says “The Outward Inn.”
Throughout the circle, the locals of Ravengro go about their daily business, most casting you looks of doubt at best, but often outright distrust. They appear to be a simple folk, hard-working and industrious, but with backs bent low as if from a great weight. Not a one seems to have a ready smile for travelers new to town.
A group of five little girls dressed in shawls and dresses are playing a skipping rope game at the side of the road by the central plaza. Each of the girls takes turns jumping in the rope with singing two lines of a rather disturbing song, then skips out of the rope to let the next girl take up the next two lines. The way in which the girls switch from skipping to passing the ends of the rope to each other to keep the whole thing going is strikingly well timed and well choreographed – and the verse itself, which the girls sing in Varisian, is rather disturbing.
Take a knife and lop her head.
Watch the blood come out the pipe.
Feeds the stirge, so nice and ripe.
Drops of red so sparkly bright.
Splatters spell her name just right.
With a hammer killed his wife.
Now he wants to claim your life.
Tricksy father tells a lie.
Listen close or you will die.
The Outward Inn it is
Zazaria's lips purse as she listens to the song and her eyes convey a hint of nausea.
That is a ghastly song...why did Petros come here and settle in this place? Maybe I should talk to these girls.
Zazaria looks over at Leeoli, who appears to be listening closely to the song as well. Do you make anything of it, Master Maleye? she mutters quietly. From what I can make of the words... Her voice trails off in apparent consternation.
Of local origin I believe, as the crimes described appear to match several of those committed by the worst of the men imprisoned in Harrowstone.
Leeoli looks to Zazaria. I promised the first round.
Ugh Zazaria grimaces. I like this place less and less. I hope the beer is good.
The inside of the Outward Inn is well-appointed, if not even a bit grandiose for the town of Ravengro. Dark casework covers the walls, complemented by pewter and silver furnishings and burgundy cloths and mats. Paintings of farms and vineyards with warm colors cover the walls, and a large tapestry with the dark tower and violet night of Ustalav hangs down in the center of the common room. Round tables are pushed back from the main floor, which leads you to believe that performers of some sort frequent the establishment. A massive hearth sits against the far wall, it's mantle one of stone.
A wide balcony rings the common room on the second floor, a hallway for those staying in the rooms above, as indicated by the ten doors that surround the open area. An older woman comes around from behind a counter to the left, her steps graceful and practiced. Her smile is businesslike. Welcome, my friends, to the Outward Inn. I'm Sarianna Vai, the proprietor here. How can I help you today?
Though the hour is getting late, only three other people are in the tavern at this time - a pair of young farmhands at a table who seem to be spending their wages and a large women in expensive furs sipping wine and gazing into the hearth.
I... we would like a quiet table and some food and drink. Can we expect some quiet, or is a ruckus likely? Vrilli glances towards the cleared area.
Yes. Hearty food. Good beer. A quiet corner to fit our party. We have traveled long and newly met friends of a friend.
Turning to Zazaria
The professor was dear to me. I will miss him sorely. I think it speaks to Petros' character that so many have responded willingly to Petros' final requests, and to his concerns for Ravengro's safety. Did you find the tools of which Petros spoke?
Zazaria sighs heavily: We did. If it is the case that some necromantic threat is coming to Ravengro, as Petros seemed to suspect, we will have some protection against it. She proceeds to describe in hushed tones the haul from the crypt and what she and Asenath learned of the various items and their powers. I don't suppose either of you gentlemen are versed in such matters? Some of these items were beyond Asenath's skills and my own.
Leeoli looks far away, and murmurs to himself, The undead will come, necromantic threat or no. Leeoli made a mental note to sprinkle essential oil of Black-Skullcap around Petros's manor.
Leeoli sighed. the ever Maleye stink.
Answering Zazaria. I'll look at what you found in the morn and see if I can uncover anything new of use. I've some small experience with the undead, maalesefk (unfortunately). the last said in necril.
Ms Vai leads you to a table on a raised floor, away from the central portion of the room. It sits back in a nice alcove, and offers a small measure of privacy. Certainly not, I assure you. There are a few travelers staying here, but no shows are scheduled.. She floats away, and comes back with a tray full of frothy mugs. I'll start a tab for you; will you need accommodations?
I've heard of these but doubt I know more than I. Was there a particular item Zazaria??
I am willing to examine any objects that you are unsure about
Zazaria details the items she and Asenath could not determine.
There were some scrolls and yellow potions we were unsure of, Master Vrilli. When we return to Kendra's residence you might wish to examine them.
[ooc]Are those items with us, or are they elsewhere[ooc/
[ooc]Are those items with us, or are they elsewhere?[ooc/]
Miss Vai, though a good host, allows her curiosity to show as she continually checks on the group of strangers. At one such trip, she asks. What brings you to town? Can I tell you anything about Ravengro that you may need to know?
While I spent many of my years in Caliphas, I've been in Ravengro for quite a while and may be able to help.
We came to mourn the passing of our good friend, the professor Lorrimor.
Humming the verse, Asenath trails behind her companions, and quietly sings to herself, "Tricksy father tells a lie./Listen close or you will die." Abruptly, she glances around the table and seems to notice her surroundings. "The Professor is not terribly happy at the moment, I think the song upset him."
The stone in her amulet glows malignantly, casting her throat in a dark, crimson shadow.
Miss Vai considers, then seems to take Asenath's words fully into account. Her face pales slightly. She in lines her head to Gerion. I'm glad you like it; please let me know if you need anything else.. She excuses herself with a graceful sweep of her arm and turns away from the table.
OK you'd ignored the dhampir woman since you saw her at the professor's home...too close to home
Turning to the dark haired pale woman.
Asenath, is it? I am Leeoli. Of the Maleye's.
Leeoli waits to see if Asenath betrays recognition of his family name.
Do you indeed have an ongoing link with the professor, or were you spinning a tale to rid ourselves of the curiousity of our hostess
Her clear eyes narrow, either to determine Leeoli's identity or if he is not one more shade playing tricks on her, Asenath stares just long enough for it to be inappropriate. She does not appear to recognise him, though for a moment the amulet about her throat glows brightly and dims with its crimson, malignant light, "I cannot rightly say, he is standing just there..." she points just beyond the alcove. "...he seems to be in a bother about that song!"
.
Leeoli Maleye is the second eldest son of the Maleye family, an old Varisian family of caravanning wanderers. For as long as anyone can remember, and with origins mysterious as they are ancient, there has existed a feud between the Maleye family name and the undead. Wherever the Maleye's abide, the undead eventually seek them out.
No prayer from a Maleye was heard, and the faithful were ever the first to fall...and it became clear that the Maleye family had no godly allies..although there was no evidence that the gods were their enemies either. It was not only the faithful that fell to the undead, however. The casualties were always grim: Death to an unwary child, undeath to a foolish man. It was not entirely unheard of for a Maleye child to be born bearing the mark of a Dhampir. Indeed Leeoli's own cousin, Darin Maleye, bore that undead blood; however even for Darin, the wrath of the undead was not spared, dying in a skeletal attack last Solstice.
Over time the undead feud shaped the generations of Maleye's. While many Maleye's died, the quick and brightest survived...until Leeoli's great grandmother, Eliweih Maleye, a prodigy in her time, established what is now called the 'Maleye Curriculum'.
The Maleye Curriculum had one core tenet: The Empirical Mind.
Man, animal, rivers, trees, the wind, martial techniques, alchemical reactions, magic, the gods themselves, and critically, the undead, are held to be natural processes, subject to empirical investigation, obeying natural laws which may be understood and modeled.
Eliweih Maleye arranged to capture the undead in cages, and subjected them to experiments to ascertain the natural law processes of their undead properties, their mindless animations, and malevolent nature.
No Necromancy was entertained, as that is an illusion of understanding and power.
Empirically driven fighting style with smart, quick tactics.
Empirically
It was on that solstice that Leeoli first met Prof. H. The undead were in hunt and Leeoli and his cousin Darin had been laying in ambush for a group of three zombies at the side of a moonlit clearing, when the Professor appeared striding down the path through the clearing. This had been most unexpected, and we were forced to spring our trap early else let this man stumble right into the shambling undead. Darin was always quicker than I, and flew in wielding a dagger in his right hand and a short blade in his left. The professor had looked up then, just realizing he wasn't alone...but it wasn't Darin he had sensed. Two animated corpses had exited the wood a few strides ahead. As the man stopped, frozen, I gave a yell to attract their attention, and darted in. Darin sliced the first, and stabbed the second in two lightning strikes, and as these fell, followed with application of vials of alchemical fire. Darin allowed himself a grunt of satisfaction, but he had forgotten: We had seen three undead. Darin's head burst.
Out of the shadows drew a hulking form of putrid mess. This one was not like the other two. Screaming mouths and tongues decorated rotten appendages. My rapier bit into its flesh, but it reached out and snapped my blade and threw it into the woods. The man was finally reacting and started backing up into the clearing. Motioning to the man to come with me, I ran back to the ground near our hiding spot. As the monstrosity came at us, I dodged down, pulled a hidden rope, and the thing fell into a pit Darin and I had dug. The thing started impossibly clambering up the wall of the pit...I felt a fear I had rarely encountered and shook. "Horses?" The professor's nuanced voice broke into my conscious. "Yes. This way" I said. I cast a last look at my slain cousin,and we ran.
Yes that tune...The prison casts a shade on this town. The crimes described in the song match some of those committed by the worst of the prisoners...hmm The professor'd diary mentioned desiring a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. ..a connection?
"I am very keen to visit the prison," Asenath says, brightening, and becoming quite animated, "Yes! We should compile a list of prisoners, and visit where they were interned. Imagine the secrets that could be locked away in there..." Her hands fidget with a small round object in front of her, catching the light every so often.
Uh, Asenath...Zazaria looks up from a deeply engrossed study of her ale with a somewhat bemused expression. It could be a little dangerous there. Don't forget that Petros' investigations have already cost him his life! I don't say we shouldn't go to Harrowstone, but we must be prepared. And that means knowing as much about the prison before we attempt it. Do any of you know aught about Harrowstone? Her slightly owlish gaze narrows as she scrutinises each of her fellow diners in turn.
I know nearly nothing. How might we learn more, and do so without tipping off the advesaries of which Petros spoke?
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.
Drops of red so sparkly bright.
Splatters spell her name just right.
With a hammer killed his wife.
Now he wants to claim your life.
Tricksy father tells a lie.
Listen close or you will die.
Is this about one individual's crimes or several?
Or perhaps the song describes the warden and his wife? ..
Why am I here? I have business in the south to which I should attend.
Leeoli lets his eyes scan his drinking companions.
A group with talent. Petros was no fool.
Leeoli sighed to himself I owe Petros my support, and will see that his daughter remains safe in this town. I'll write a letter to my family excusing my from the upcoming trade negotiation. Besides, there is a mystery here that may concern the Maleyes, even if tangentially...as for these other, is it just loyalty that brings them here?...I wonder what are their motivations...
It seems that whatever we do, we should be discreet. Zazaria, you wear the robes of Pharasma. Would the local temple let you into their archives, perhaps under another pretense?
Zazaria drains her ale, a tad noisily, and grimaces.
Unfortunately, we have not endeared ourselves to Father Grimburrow thus far, and our expedition to the false crypt has only made things worse.But we could perhaps try again. Tomorrow, you and I could go to the Temple and explain - discreetly, discreetly - that we are investigating Petros' death, and share with him some of our surmises, I suspect pretense would gain us nothing. I am not an effective liar in any case.
She turns to Gerion. This really is good ale. Would you, Gerion - and Master Vrilli, perhaps, consider a jaunt to the Town Hall? Asenath, maybe you would like to visit the Unfurling Scroll and see what can be found there. With Durdrik? If he is interested, that is...
She trails off, then belches lightly.
I should not drink. she blushes.
Ah. well. I'm falling behind. Leeoli grabs his mug and drains it with practiced ease.
So the professor did not die unassisted, in your estimation?
Leeoli grimaced. No one had yet mentioned this suspicion. What were the circumstances surrounding his death?
As far as the verse goes, I pay little heed to songs, but it sounds like more than one killer, Mr Maleye. I also wonder who or what the tricksy father is Miss Rooke, I will accompany Mr Cold Marrow to the town hall Vrilli drains the last of his mug with a slight grimace, and makes to stand up.