I too am like Cassiel but in my case he saved my life. So Eleanora, you too have to stay in town to fulfill the conditions of the will as well.
Come in, this quiet library is not the best place to discuss all we have discovered but the nearby abandoned prision is proving to be a place of particular interest. Indeed it is where the Professors body was found. The prison has a gloomy history. Do you want to help us in our investigations?
Judah wasn't really surprised they'd ignored him in favor of talking to the pretty girl with him. In their place he might have done the same. He felt like hell, he could only imagine how bad he must look.
He decided to let her do the talking and just tag along with whatever they offered her.
"Uh..." Judah said uncertainly. He had been about to answer Eleanora, but the interruption had clearly thrown him. He cleared his throat. [b]"Not really. We, uh, just met her. There was a thing about a will, and now we're here looking for the other people who were on the list."
"That... is that you folks?"
And you friend? How are you called? I am pleased to meet a friend of the professor.
"Uh, Im Judah." he glanced at Eleanora for a moment. "Judah Locke. I didn't know the professor either. I'm on his will though." he gave a half hearted shrug and looked like he fully expected to be thrown out of the group's company any second.
"I suppose Mr. Locke and I will be staying in town some time, yes," Eleanora says ruefully, joining the others. "Why, may I ask, are you investigating the place where Petros's body was found?" She pauses, then looks shocked. "Do you suspect some form of foul play?!"
Cassiel nods. "Yes. More specifically, an organization called the Whispering Way murdered him to cover up whatever the hell they were doing up at the Harrowstone prison."
"We were able to uncover the identities of the 5 most notorious inmates there--the Lopper, Father Charlatan, the Mosswater Marauder, the Piper of Illmarsh, and the Splatter Man." He snorts. "Sounded like they were lots of fun at parties."
Judah's brows rose.
"I don't really like the way any of this sounds. What are you planning to do?"
"Gather as much information as we can, and investigate what the Whispering Way was up to at Harrowstone."
"That's the prison?" Judah said, looking a bit pained.
Eleanora shudders. "This all sounds most unpleasant, I must say," she says, almost to herself. "But then...if the Professor was murdered, then I think we have no choice but to try to find out what happened." She nods firmly. "I'll do all I can to help you. It may not be much, but...I have some talents. And connections."
Good to know. What we need now is help on research. We're about ready to call it a day here at this library but tomorrow we're going to tackle the town records or possibly any records at the Church of Pharasma. You two could be invaluable to our researches - for now? Its been dry dusty work here with the books. What say you come with us to the local pub for a drink and a chat?
"A drink sounds... yeah. Yeah, that sounds great." Judah blinked hard and rubbed his eyes, yawning. "I came here hoping to get to do some research myself. I've never been much of a reader and don't know the first thing about how research actually works, but I'm willing to help if you folks are willing to add my stuff to the list of things you're trying to figure out."
Sure Judah, maybe I can help? I've some education and even studied at the great universities of Absolom. What information were you seeking?
"It's... complicated. I'll tell you about it over that drink.
"It sounds like we're all agreed, then," Eleanora says, pursing her lips. "Why don't we head down to the local establishment--assuming, of course, that it's a reasonably reputable place."
Quite fine, if a little eccentric. Its called the 'Laughing Demon' and the owner has a very unusual sense of humour in naming his food and drink.
Coming Cassiel and Lorant?
"YES PLEASE." Cassiel responds a little too enthusiastically.
ANYTHING would be better than staying another minute in here staring at a book.
Don't be too over joyed Cassiel - we have the town records to pour over tomorrow.
"I know, I know. Just... let me have this, okay?"
"Well, I suppose it can't be too difficult to bear with," Eleanora says softly, but she dimples at Cassiel's dislike of research. "I'd be more than happy to relieve Mr. Hawke from having to assist you with the town records tomorrow, Mr. Kolheim; I was a great reader in my childhood, and I'm quite at home among books and scrolls."
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At The Laughing Demon, you are again greeted by the broad innkeeper. "Well met, folks. How may I be of service to you this eve?
"A glass of red wine, if you would, please," Ella says, settling into a chair near the wall, facing the room. "Thank you."
"Wi-" Judah cut himself off as Something beneath his cloak gave a metallic, hollow click. He spied the cheerily hellish iconography around the place and glanced at the dancing firelight. The the deep shadows it cast in the corners of the room and the dark rafters gave him pause. He swallowed. "Uh... just water for me. Thanks." he pulled up a chair next to Eleanora, as close to a corner as he could manage while not being too far away.
You're missing out on a treat - he has a unique pale ale that has to be seen to be believed.
He places an order for his own ale and turns to the new comers.
I'm here because Petros Lorrimor saved my life. He... destroyed... a creature who was once very dear to me when they were still human. I've trained since then to be worthy of his gift of life. When I heard he was no more I hurried to this place to show my respect for the man. The will was something of a surprise - I'd have guarded Kendra without the bequest but I'll find some worthwhile cause to spend the money on.
Maybe you could share your story of how you got involved with Petros with us?
"Uh... I'm not really involved... I don't think... My name is on his will, which, I guess means he was involved with me somehow, but I don't have any idea how that has anything to do with why I came to Ravengro."
"Professor Lorrimor's name was given to me in Riddleport as someone who knew things about old artifacts and weird languages."
Judah took a breath, thinking and then making a decision. He pulled on a heavy chain beneath his cloak and brought up a strange pyramid the size of two fists put together. The chain and the pyramid were both made of gold and were intricately carved with strange glyphs. The largest symbol was a runic eye.
"I... found this. About a year ago. Its a puzzle. Took me... months... to figure it out. I didn't really though. I just got the sequence right. I thought there might be something inside it I could sell." He sighed.
"I'm not sure what happened when I opened it, but ever since there's been... things... following me. They show up everywhere. I've only gotten a good look at ta few of them. They all look different, but they're all hideous."
"I feel like I'm losing my mind. This thing is the focus of it. I just want to know what it is so I can undo whatever I did."
You can't make out what all of them mean, but the ones you can make out feel kinda like the pins and needles of a limb waking up from losing circulation, but in your brain.
Aklo has two written languages. The most common is "annotated' Aklo, which is how creatures with rational minds translate a language that is half-comprised of empathic transmission and non-physical sensation. There is an entire subset of "punctuation" created by mankind as a means of adding the subtext which is usually translated through some kind of mental contact.
Writing, as a concept, is a means of transferring meaning through symbols. Annotated Aklo has to do that with both the verbal meaning, and the empathic/telepathic meaning. Annotated Aklo was created in order to change the original written language enough that it would no longer be a danger to non-telepaths who try to read it.
The problem is, written Aklo, in it's original non-annotated form, attempts to empart meaning in the reader whether the reader wants it to or not.
This can be literally maddening. Reading these glyphs is like having ice water poured into your brain, and you feel like you are being force fed sensations and emotions that are not your own. None of them are pleasant.
Eleanora listens silently to Judah's story, inwardly weighing how much of her own to tell. Poor man. He seems quite worn by this.
Aloud, she says, "I'm very sorry to hear that, Mr. Locke. These creatures...they're not dangerous, are they? Do you feel unsafe?" She frowns at the pendant. "What a curious object...I've never read of anything like it before. What language is that?"
"Unsafe? Yeah. Sort of. I don't know. I don't think they want to kill me, but they don't seem to be so picky about anything around me. On the way here I tried to hitch a ride with a merchant caravan. They killed and at the guy's mule while we slept. Found it in the morning spread across the road. Back in riddleport I got mugged after someone saw this thing. When the two guys came after me these things dragged them into dark and tore them apart. I found little peices of them everywhere I went for the next three days. It's always worst when I sleep. They're always in my dreams, and they try to talk to me. I wake up with weird footprints around me and my things rearranged. They write messages carved into things sometimes. I've had clothes stolen, or covered in some kind of reddish mucus. They bring me stuff sometimes. This cloak, for instance. No idea where it came from, I wouldn't have even worn it but I needed it because its big enough to conceal this damned thing. I couldn't afford to eat for a while on the way here. I finally fell asleep beneath a tree when it started to rain. I thought I might freeze to death. I woke up underneath a pile of dead birds..."
He finally seemed to run out of steam, just shaking his head and staring at the gold pyramid.
Extraordinary Mathus says looking at the amulet. I consider myself an educated man but I cannot make anything of the language you have there save that the symbols are... disturbing.
Maybe the Professor was going to help you make heads or tails of it - perhaps there is something in his library.
And you Eleanora? What connection do you have with Petros Lorrimor?.
Having ordered a pale ale and settled in, Cassiel is mostly silent for the conversation, instead indulging in the taste of the good booze.
That, and not having to stare at books for hours on end.
"Weird." Is all Cassiel can say in response to Judah's story. "I wish I could do something to help, but I'm... kinda limited in that regard."
"Yeah, that's what pretty much everyone else has said. Maybe there will be something in the professor's books. I'm sorta running out of ideas at this point." Judah said with a shrug. He rubbed his eyes, looking extra haggard now that he was in a comfortable space.
"I'm sure that there will be something in Professor Lorrimor's library, Mr. Locke," Eleanora says reassuringly. "We can find some answers together." She smiles. "If there's one thing I'm good at, it's reading."
"As for myself...well, I know something of what you've gone through, Mr. Locke. I grew up not far from Ardis, and...well, my father died five years ago. Some time after that my house became haunted, and I thought for some time that I would go mad with the strain of it. Professor Lorrimor appeared one day out of the blue--he'd heard that the house was haunted, apparently--and helped me...suppress...the spirit I was having trouble with. I likely owe my sanity to him. That's a debt I cannot repay."
She sits silently for a moment. "I have not the faintest idea why the Professor would ask me to help and protect Kendra after his death--I am no fighter. But then," she dimples, "perhaps he just wanted to make sure Kendra had a female companion to speak among all these men." Her smile makes it a teasing joke, rather than a jab. "I certainly intend to do my best on that front, though I've never been the greatest conversationalist."
Lorant walks into the Laughing Demon, looking a bit put-out as he sees the others and joins them at the table.
"Good evening, Zokar. Could I order for some coffee, with cream and honey, please."
He looks to the others.
"Mathus, Cassiel, who are our guests? I think I heard the end of that conversation there, you're associates of Petros too?"
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Zokar brings drinks and food as requested. He deliberately distances himself from your conversation, preferring not to be involved.
Eleanora stands when Lorant appears. "Yes, sir. My name is Eleanora Olexina. The Professor helped me out some time ago. I and Mr. Locke, here, were both listed as beneficiaries in the Professor's will...I take it you are one, too?"
Ella's eyes take in Lorant's lean frame and pale complexion and her eyes narrow slightly. Is he...? I remember Kendra saying something about one of the beneficiaries being more than human.
If she has suspicions or concerns, she keeps them to herself...at least for now.
"Drops of red so sparkly bright. Splatters spell her name just right," he mutters, the words coming unbidden. Seeing the sun setting, he realizes while he may not have found a culprit for this act, it may lead to a clue yet. He sees his companions entering the Laughing Demon with two new people he doesn't recognize. He follows them in...
Lorant sips his coffee and light seems to return to his shadowed eyes almost immediately.
"Indeed. Endronil is the name, Squire Lorant Endronil. Cas and I were both called here from Lastwall, though I'm born and bred in Grayce and happy to be home. Have Mathus and Cas told you much of what's happened since the funeral?"
Only snippets. That the prison has unsavory associations and was the place where the professors body was found. We are investigating the prison and know that the worst prisoners in Ustalav were sent there in the time leading up to the fire. As to the, he looks around conspiritorally and then says quietly, Whispering Way, I have not - I don't know if we want to talk about it outside the house though it makes sense to let them know the full story.
Mathus turns to the new comers.
Lorrimor left a journal - he mentioned a cult dedicated to Undeath, called the Whispering Way, in having interest in the Prison here in Ravengro - he also mentioned a hidden cache of resources and he was correct on that - indeed we think, based on his writings, that he visited the cache before visiting the prison and meeting his demise.
We are doing our homework before heading up to the prison to look around more
Eleanora covers her mouth. When she speaks, it's barely above a whisper. "Are you implying that this cult murdered Professor Lorrimor?" She looks around the tavern, clearly suddenly uncomfortable at the thought of being surrounded by strangers in a strange town. "What do you propose to do? I'll help you investigate, certainly, but if these fears prove founded...what then?"
"Perhaps we should wait until we return to the Professor's house to discuss this in more detail..."
Cassiel nods. "Then we track down his murderers and administer justice." He says as if it's the easiest thing in the world.
"And before I do that, I'm going to need to send a letter back home to my CO--I'm going to be staying here longer than I thought."
"Cas, OUR CO. I'm a squire too, you know."
"Undeath cult?" Judah looked disturbed and disgusted. "This whole thing just keeps getting better and better."
"I suppose that's the logical course of action," Eleanora murmurs, looking troubled still. "I just hope it doesn't become too unpleasant...and that we find out exactly who, or what, we're dealing with."
Glancing around, she shrugs. "If everyone is done with their drinks, might I suggest that we repair to the Professor's home? Or is it best to order dinner here, as well?"
"Try the Vampire Steaks! Zokar's got a sharp sense of humor," Lorant replies.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, what have you two learned?" he says, leaning closer to Cassiel and Mathus.
As we feared, there is precious little information on the five prisoners. After spending a day steeped in research, it became readily apparent that you will find little that you were not already cognisant of. You did, however, come across something of use.
Originally, Harrowstone housed only local criminals, but as the prison’s fame spread, other counties and distant lands began paying to have more dangerous criminals housed within this prison’s walls. At the time of the great Harrowstone Fire, the number of particularly violent or dangerous criminals imprisoned within the dungeons below was at an all-time high.
The five most notorious prisoners in Harrowstone at the time of the great fire were Father Charlatan, the Lopper, the Mosswater Marauder, the Piper of Illlmarsh, and the Splatter Man.
We need to check the town and church records on the prisoners.
Cassiel just nods. "Yeah... what Mathus said."
Lorant somehow manages to look even paler than normal.
"Drops of red so sparkly bright. Splatters spell her name just right. Goddesses above, it's HIM!" he says softly.
Eleanora almost chokes on her wine, and her hand goes to a chain--presumably some sort of pendant--that hangs around her neck. "I'm sorry, what? Who is who? What are you saying?" she demands, eyeing Lorant suspiciously.
"There's a monument here in Ravengro for the fallen Warden of Harrowstone and his guards, who died in the fire trying to keep those prisoners from breaking free. Today, it was vandalized. A "V" scrawled with the blood of an animal, probably that owl you heard last night, Cas. On my way there, there was a group of children singing a rhyme. 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. It matches the sobriquets of those prisoners you mentioned almost perfectly! This...whatever we're up against. It's imitating this "Splatter Man." Maybe it even IS him, given we're up against necromancers, they could have revived him or maybe their presence awakened him or something. It CAN'T just be a coincidence! An omen, maybe?"
He puts his fist to his chest and traces a spiral outwards from his heart.
"Not this year, not yet," he says, head bowed.