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"Indeed, Father Grimburrow specifically mentioned you, sir, as the best place to look for such a record, no doubt because of your etensive knowledge and authority."
"It would be a great service to us - and maybe one day to the whole town - if you would be able to provide us with such a record."
People in authority do tend to appreciate it when their authority is recognized.
The ever-so diligent Burlee decided, in this rather important moment, that he was being too quiet. He broke his silence.
"Ah'm BURLAY, you tha one I be drinkin' wiff?"
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Heto smacks his hand to his head... to Burlee No no friend, come, I will show you the way. He quickly starts to usher the dwarf out. Giving a quick nod to Eldon as he passes. I hope he knows I will do my best to rein in the dwarf, but am not skilled enough to smooth over issues... one quick drink at the bar next door... the others couldn't be much longer then that... right??
"Dear coulncilman, my name's Eldon Appleton. Pleased to meet you. Father Grimburrow mentioned the content of council meetings is always recorded. I can see you're a very intelligent man, Councilman. I have an eye for such things. As such I have no doubt you know all about the important events in this area. May we have a copy of the list of names of people who died in that fire 50 years ago? As Norna said," Eldon points out Norna with a motion of his hand, "it may prove very important to this town."
Hopefully the 'intelligent' part helps to appease his ego.
Burlee waddles away under the monk's hands, giggling like a little schooldwarf. He does an informal salute. "Ah...am goonna get shmashed."
"Ye don' seem like tha drinkin' kind. Too quiet. Meybe if ya heve seme ye'll spill yer guts! In words." He cheers and exclaims random things, waddling proudly through the office, his nose in the air. "Ah honestlay dun even r'member yer neme. It be like Hetro or Himo, or Hetero." He nods to himself, twisting the door knob open and opening it rather loudly.
Councilmen Muricar gives a large bellowing laugh, placing the document on the desk smirking at the compliment That's enough with the niceties, ole Father Grimburrow sent you here? Hmmm...Well it is public knowledge i suppose. It'll take just a moment, I think i might know where I could find you that list The councilmen stands up with a slight grimace of pain as he holds his lower back. He starts rummaging through several large tomes on one of the bookcases to your right. He starts mumbling to himself... Let me see here, the fire was back in 4670 or was it 71...hmmmmm.....Ah here it is. I was just a lad when the fire happened, it was a sad time for all of us. The Harrowstone was a big loss to this community.
He places the book on his desk and points to the relevant page. The page you read was a copy of the official report sent to the old Ustlavian monarch Count Eigen Lorres. There is a lot of official jargon but you are able to filter through all the verbiage with reality ease. The essence of the letter explains that some townsfolk reported seeing smoke from off in the distance by the time anyone got to the site the entire prison was engulfed in flames. The report mentions while sifting through the rubble the fire seemed to start in the lower level and quickly engulfed the level above as well. The document reassures that there was no evidence of any successfully escaped convicts, and the five "high profile prisoners" were certainly somewhere within the rubble. There was mention of constructing a memorial for Warden Hawkran and his brave guards as a way to commemorate their sacrifice. Finally the document urges the count to reconsider his decision on not rebuilding the prison, The author states that the entire economy of Ravengro was dependent upon revenue generated by the prison and without it the town would surely collapse.
You are permitted to copy whatever names you want from the document but afterward are quickly ushered by the robust woman to leave the councilmen to his work.... The councilmen nods in agreement and bids you adieu ...
Burlee and Heto walk next door into the Outward Inn and take the closest seats at the bar. The room is quite welcoming despite a few grumbles from some patrons as you walk by. The Inn is still fairly empty, being it was just before the lunch rush. You see Madam Sarianna tending bar cleaning a few mugs before walking towards you. Welcome to the Outward Inn, What will you gentlemen be having today?
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Leaving the Councilman's office with their list of names, Norna thinks of the lives cut short and in great agony, both good and evil. When out of earshot of the townsfolk, Norna relates what she knows of ghosts and hauntings.
"There may be many who haven't been properly laid to rest, and we should check to see that the memorial has been built and is good repair. Researching the 'high profile' prisoners might be a good idea as well."
"But, for now, let's join our companions for lunch and drinks."
Hauntings consist of unquiet spirits that react violently to the presence of the living often attaching themselves to a particular place where something horrific occurred
Oh, the memorial was built alright, it overlooks the river just south of town. You can't miss it ole warden Hawkran is nearly 30ft tall.. you should go check it out sometime its really something.
Up for some change, Eldon follows the others to the inn.
First, I shall have a good drink! My throat dried out with all this talking.
Burlee holds up a hand with fingers spread as soon as he was asked. "We'll staht with five pints ahf Dwarven stout ef ya got it. Ef ya dun, gimme a mead, ya hoomans meke a decent mead." He looks over to Heto. "He'll order wat 'e wants." He waves a hand dismissively to the Monk.
He hears the pitter patter of tiny feet entering the bar as the crew meanders toward them. He sighs. There's the one who uses words, Reddy, and Narnjia. He was sure the other human, who he couldn't be bothered to remember the name of was floating around here somewhere too. Was that everyone? He smiled a yellow, toothy grin to the bartender.
"An' yer hospiterlity will be 'preciated wiff free drinks, sence yer people be less than welcomin'."
Sariannna stares at the dwarf for a moment then turns to Heto.That'll be 3 silver She takes the rest of everyone's orders collecting money as needed, deduct as necessary.
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Norna laughs at Burlee's suggestion, giving Madam Sarianna a sympathetic eye-roll. "Master Burlee must be joking, of course!" Norna says, "No establishment would last long giving free drinks to a dwarf, especially a great drinker such as Burlee, here!"
Norna passes the three silvers to the woman. Not cheap!, she thinks, looking in a bag containing a bit over 5 gp. I'm going to have to find a way to earn my keep!
Norna says a few words and magically mends a slight crack and a chip in her mug. "There, that's better!" she says, examining the mug. "Please, ma'am, do let us know, since we are going to be here for a while, if there are ways we can help out and contribute to the community. (Gnomes are known as tricksters, I know, but I enjoy helping, fixing things, cleaning - a little prestidigitation can save many hours of polishing! - and can do a little healing, too.) Working here, I am sure you must hear all and see all."
well i personally don't know anyone who is looking for any help currently but the posting poles might have some help wanted bulletins....
Eldon orders a beer and puts 3 silver on the table. "The posting poles, where'd we find those?"
The rest of the group enters the Outward Inn and you are greeted with the same grunts and mumbling from the patrons.
Master Halfling you have returned so soon! She places her elbows on the bar slightly crouching to the seated Eldon. I can only hope you have time to share one of those epic adventures you mentioned yesterday.....
There are three poles i can think of, one here in town, and then one by the north bridge, and one at the southern intersection. Most folk around here prefer to keep the money in the hands of locals so don't be surprised if finding work to be a little difficult.
After slipping two pieces of silver back into his pocket, Eldon leaves one piece of silver on the table. "You can keep the change", he says with a warm smile.
"I'd love to tell one of my stories, of course I do!", Eldon exclaims. "Let me finish this drink and I'll tell you and this inn's visitors about one of my great adventures, fair lady."
Burlee receives his large quality of alcohol, and he smiles like a child at Christmas. He takes his large hand around 3 of the mugs' handles and centers them above, doing a type of salute to the others before knocking them back and pouring the contents, which partly splash on his face. He sighs, wiping his face.
"Damned mugs. 'Ey nevar do what they be supposet to."
He gargles the three down separately, exhaling contently. "Ain't nuffin' like 'e ol' firrewadder to freshen tha gullet." He belches rather loudly, wiping his mouth with his rather ragged sleeve. He doesn't talk to anyone in particular, mostly to himself.
Sarianna takes the silver coin thanking Eldon for such a generous tip. she watches Burlee as he spills the beverage on her floor with complete disgust. She whispers to Norna,Make sure to keep the dwarf reined in, i don't want any problems in my estblishment. She then walks to the far side of the bar and starts to clean more mugs in preparation for the insurgence that will soon come once the midday bells ring.
Eldon patiently waits for the bells to ring and more people to arrive, listening to the conversations of others while he drinks his beer.
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Norna makes the appropriate change and, too, leaves the same silver tip. "Understood, Ma'am, though please let us know if something should come up that may fit our unusual talents, as adventurers in a town of respectable folk." Norna says the last with a wink.
"As much as I would appreciate one of Master Eldon's stories, I think I will visit with the locals as best I am able and see what others I can hear."
Norna brings out two more silvers to buy drinks for the new friends she plans to make.
The bells ring off in the distance and after a few minutes several new patron's arrive. A couple you recognize as members of the mob from last night but Gibs Hephenus is not in their ranks.
When he hears the bells ring off Eldon drinks the last of his beer. He waits for the new visitors to sit down, then stands up and walks to a place from where everyone in the inn can see him.
"Dear visitors of this inn! My name's Eldon Appleton, and I'm both a bard and an adventurer. What I'm going to do now, is share one of the many stories of my adventures."
Looking around to see how the visitors react to him, Eldon then starts his story. "Once upon a time there were three orcs living in a cozy little home, in a large forest. One was a small orc, the other was a medium size orc, and the third was a giant orc. They each had their own hammock: a small hammock for the small orc, a medium hammock for the medium orc, and a giant hammock for the giant orc."
"One day they were roasting their chickens alive for breakfast, and put the chickens in their hammocks. After doing so they went to walk in the forest, while their chickens cooled down. That way they would not burn their mouths. While they were out I happened to walk past their house. I smelled something foul and feared a fire may have started inside the house, so I entered. There I saw the burnt chickens in the hammocks. I figured the owners of the house must not know how to prepare chicken properly, and decided to await their return so I could instruct them."
"I was barely inside when I heard someone knock on the door. It was an old lady with a basket filled with apples.
"Would you like an apple, dear?", she asked, and held out a suspicious looking apple. I slammed the door shut in her face, darn salesmen at the door have to leave."
"The three orcs thought their chickens had to be cooled down by now, and came back home. Immediately they noticed something was different, with me drinking a martini in one of their hammocks.
"What are you doing here?", asked the giant orc.
"I figured I'd teach you how to bake chickens", I replied.
The orcs liked that, and after I taught them how to bake chicken properly we became good buddies."
"Dear people of this town, the orcs made me feel welcome even though I was a stranger. I have noticed how some of you give my companions and me suspicious looks, but please realize we're here only with good intentions. If you give us a chance, we'll not fail your trust."
Eldon bows, then raises his arms in the air as he straightens himself again. "A free beer for everyone, put it on my tab!"
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Lena stared at Eldon as he related his story. She had had run ins with orcs, more run aways on her side, and this story sounded most unlikely. More like something you would tell a child.
I wonder how the crowd will take it? Lena tended to distrust humans, and doubt their intellectual gifts. The prof was an exception to this. They could be dull enough to like this.
Eldon waits patiently for the crowd's reaction, giving Lena a wink.
In reality the orcs chased me and nearly killed me... But no one needs to know that.
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Heto, does what he can to mop up around Burlee. He barely has time to listen to Eldon's story. He doesn't know if making a cleaning perimeter around the dwarf and apologizing constantly are having much of a positive effect though, maybe buying replacement drinks for the jostling Burlee does will help.
I do hope that master Eldon is being truthful; being dishonest is no way to earn the trust of paranoid strangers
Heto keeps in mind that it may be good to lure the dwarf back to the Professor's estate with promise of more drink; if only that could lead him into a bath... or lake.
Eldon tells his story but many patrons ignore the halfling. Those who appear to be listening don't seemed overly convonced of the tall tale and shake thier heads in disbelief. You didn't manage to often anyone but their overall mood seems to generally be the same even after the drinks. Sarianna does however thank you for the patronage and asks for 2 gold.
Well, at least there's one person who appreciates... my money?
Eldon hands Sarianna 2 gold, then moves up to Heto and Burlee. "Let's leave", he whispers. "We'll try socializing again later, maybe someplace else."
And we have to wash him before we do!
The midday rush comes and goes with just a handful of regulars remaining in the Inn, the afternoon continues without incident. The party seems to be in agreement that Burlee needs to wash up before going to the evening service. @Burlee- you are welcome to roleplay this as much or as little as you like, being I don't know how attached the master dwarf is towards his own filth, he is offensive in just about every facet of the word.Lol
Burlee slurps and snarls as he drinks his last mug. The fourth one didn't stand a chance, but he's feeling better about everyone else. He raised his mug to Eldon, telling his rather odd story. "Ya shoulda killed 'em, little'un!"
He takes his beer that Eldon bought him, and he raises it, soluting his miniature comrade before knocking it back and draining it of its contents. He doesn't notice the monks constant activity around him, he just looks around aimlessly, lost without his full mugs. The little bugger who tried to impress the crowd walked over to him and said to leave. Who does he think HE is? Eh, there's a 1 to 30 ratio, so he figured he'd just comply and get back to...where was he again?
He dismounts his chair after looking into his mug to see if there was anything left. Much to his disappointment, it was not the case. He sighed slams his broad hand onto the table, knocking the mugs into the air, and making them roll around on one end, and even chipping one. "Ah'll beh beck, end Ah'll heve more." He about-faced and marched out the door.
Burlee enters the manse as he normally does, obnoxiously. He bellows as he opens the doors, making all aware he's back, and he finds his spot at the table where he placed his axe. "THIS CALLS FER A MEAL!" He hits the table with his fists, like a child would when saying that they were hungry. Hitting tables was one of Burlee's pastimes. Suddenly, he noticed the group was looking in his generation, like wolves to a lamb. He furrowed his brow. "Wat?"
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Norine makes Mending repairs to chipped mugs and damaged tables as Heto works the floors. Where is a prestidigitator when you need one?
She thanks Sarianna for her hospitality and - especially - for her patience before excusing herself and leaving with the group.
"While Lena helps Burlee with a bath, as I believe the plan was, how about we make a quick stop at the north and south posting poles?"
"Sounds like a good idea. Opportunities to help the townsfolk may present themselves. Or perhaps just a way to make some coin." Eldon watches Burlee mistreat some more mugs and furniture, and is glad the dwarf leaves the inn without throwing a big fuss.
Whatever good impression we try to make, he'll undo it if we aren't careful...
"Thank you for your hospitality", Eldon say to Sarianna, then follows Burlee outside.
Once at the mansion Burlee sits down at the table, and Eldon looks at Heto. Eldon nods slowly at Heto, then looks back at Burlee. "Burlee? Come with us now", he says with a voice as if talking to a small child.
Eldon approaches Burlee from one side of the table, and motions Heto to approach from the other side. "You have to wash yourself, Burlee."
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Lena's mouth drops open. Me! Have you compared our sizes lena stretches out her two foot eleven height.
I cannot do this myself. I'll scrub but someone needs to hold him down. Someone big. Someones big. Maybe we can bribe him. I do have a spell that should flatten him, but it will really upset him when he recovers. Or we can throw him in the water. Might kill the fish though.
Lena thinks about it a while and then says in a sing song voice
Burlee, you can't have any food until after your bath. But once you have your bath there will be lots of it. So off to the bath, mister lena draws herself up and looks burlee in the eye, pointing to the bath room.
Norna could you be a dear and run the bath. Heto and Genesis, could you help Burlee get to the bath. Eldon...um...why don't you organise burlees food for when the bath is finished. Something non sticky. Oh, and see if he has any clean cloths. There's a good lad.
Burlee looks at Eldon with his suggestion and he laughs rather jovially at the little man. "Laddy, ya better be gainin' a few poonds taer tango wiff meh."
Then, the little Reddy spoke up. She spoke gibberish at first, but after a while, the little thing walks up to him and says the accursed words. No food. He grimaces, but realizes that she's right, they're probably preparing the food. In a moment of rebellion, he takes an apple off the table and walks off with it. "Ah'm steel gettin' an apple."
Chomping into it, he arrives in the bathroom and looks around. He sees a vanity, where he sees his beautiful visage, a sink, a toilet, a tub, fluffy little feet warmers..."'Ey, this be mah bedroom." He looked into the toilet incredulously. He stepped into the bowl of the toilet, and sat as well as he could, which he could hardly get one leg in "Reddy! This be too small! This be yer beth!"
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Heto, while thankful that Burlee has been convinced to bathe is nothing short of horrified following Burlee into the bathroom and seeing him climb into the toilet.
This man will be the death of us all. There is stubbornness, there is comedic displays, and then there is this, pure distilled ignorance. The Professor's heart must have broken at the effect the accident had on his former colleague. It may have been better to let the man die and honor his memory then disgrace it so in this twisted perversion of the former life. If this task is as dangerous as the professor thinks, this one may still yet die. It may be tragic, but it would be admittedly hard to see it as such. If he proves as helpful in combat as he has already it will prove the task at hand all the harder. Maybe we can just leave him behind somewhere, convince him he is a spy and hide him in a pigpen to wallow away the remaining days in slop, and probably the greatest joy he has ever know...
The posting poles: There currently is no available work but you see a couple signs of a missing cat: "LOST a Black and white cat by the name of FeFe, If found please return to Jominda Fallenbridge at Jominda's Apothecary.
Burlee being awfully frumpy gets undressed much of his nakedness is covered by grime and crimson red hair. He dips one toe into the water and then flops into the water, splashing both Heto and Genesis with water. The process is long an tedious needing several new pails of water drawn before the filth was washed away. Vladlena is unable to find any extra clothes among Burlee's things and resorts to borrowing a outfit from professor Lorrimor's wardrobe. The pants fit well but the shirt runs long. Burlee's smell while greatly improved still has the faint odor of rotten onions but at least now it doesn't incite the gag reflex of young Vladlena.
The ordeal while time consuming still permits the party to make it to the evening service with plenty of time. There are several dozen local worshipers in attendance who ignore your presence. Father Grimburrow is sitting at the pulpit as the party walks in taking seats in the available pews. He waits a while longer as the late comers find their seats. He stands in a solemn manner and begins his long uninspiring sermon. A couple hours pass and then service is over the worshipers eventually clear out leaving you alone with the Father and the temple acolytes.
Ah I see you made it after all! It does the heart well to see young people seeking spiritual direction. I imagine you want to have a look at the "False crypt", i seriously that i wouldn't of been informed of any such tomb but you were so kind to ask rather than be vandals I feel compelled to at humor the request
The cleric waves two of the older Acolytes in your direction... would you be ever so kind as assist these people into the Restlands, help them withever they ask just don't go getting into any trouble ah hear'?
The two young men nod vehemently and led the party off into the cemetery
A1 A2
1 2
3 4
5 6
Pick the order you march as the graveyard might be dangerous after dark... 1-6 are the available positions. A1 and A2 are representing the two acolytes.