Giving the clerk my cutest smile.
We were hoping to review some of your records about the prison. We think that it may have some connection to recent events in town.
Diplomacy:
"Yes, we believe these records are important to examine more thoroughly."
"It's very important, we believe there may be some trouble in store for the town"
The fighter walks up to the clerk, a serious look on his face.
"The sheriff said the records here are the best way to find the information we seek. Anything you could do to help us would be appreciated."
Diplomacy:
Venedictos smiles at the clerk. "I can do little but add my own voice to the urgency and importance of which my colleagues have already told you."
Aerys likewise smiles. "We realize this is a rather unusual request. But we do believe that matters of import may be hidden in these records."
Diplomacy:
Despite Corey not being particularly well versed in talking to people in order to get what he wants, he does not want to appear as being cold. "Please, sir, it would be a great help to us just to look over the records for a little while at least."
Diplomacy
Aeleanor waits silently in the background, leaning against the doorframe.
Pretty please?
Diplomacy:
Once the clerk allows us past, I look at all of the scrolls and manuscripts and my eyes glaze over.
Do we really need all of us here? I say that we split up, half stay here and half head to one of the other research areas, say the Temple of Pharasma - Ven, you should head to the temple so that we have someone with religious knowledge. Then reconvene and decide who will go back to the Professor's library and who will go to that magic shop that was mentioned.
Lets say 1 or 2 wizards in each for their research abilities, and then the rest of us split up so that we have 1 fighter with each group and are pretty much evenly split.
I would like to scout out the old prison...would someone care to accompany me?
"Corey looks from Ad'ifaah to Aeleanor and then to the manuscripts. [b]"I think we should learn a little bit about the prison before we attempt to head inside it. I don't mind staying here reading about the prison for a bit."
Shol'a'saul lays a slender hand on the drow's shoulder, while she nods in agreement with Corey. "I do not advise heading there before we have learned all we can about the prison. I will stay here and assist in the research.".
Very well, to the books! I think I will explore the town then. I would like to find a bowyer and then I would like to check what defenses the late Professor installed. Does anyone else have any errands?
The fighter nods as he hears Najeeb's plan.
"Just tell me who I'm guarding."
Venedictos nods. "Alright then, temple of Pharasma it is. I'll see you all back at Kendra's."
He heads there, along with whomever else is coming.
Let's see what the tavern is like... Aeleanor says, turning and walking out into the morning. As she goes, she keeps her eyes and ears out for strange talk and doings.
Perception:
When she gets to the tavern, she eyes the sign before walking in and taking a seat at the end of the bar.
I'll have a wine. she says to the bartender, spinning a piece of silver between her finger and the counter.
So what do you make of all this?
Shol'a'saul is secretly relieved at not having to poor through old musty records. She motions to the balding priest, "I will assist you with your research, Venedictos."
Aerys acknowledges that Corey is better suited to research here. "I will join you as well, Venedictos."
Abe stays at the Town Hall.
So Corey and Abe will stay here. I will head to the temple with Vendy and Shol. And Aeleanor is investigating the town. Ricven, why don't you go with Aeleanor and the rest join us at the Temple to see if we can all find something.
"You're asking me to go to a bar and get a drink? I think I can handle that."
He'll head out and let the elf start the talking and be ready to deal with anyone who gives her trouble.
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Aeleanor and Ricven arrive at the Laughing Demon. Despite its name, the place seems warm and friendly. A large man bustles up and, seeing Aeleanor, smiles broadly.
"Welcome, welcome! Please have a seat. We have some of the most exotic fare you'll find."
He leaves some written menus with you. Looking at them you see offerings like vampire steaks (cuts of beef skewered on thick wooden spikes), wolf balls (lamb meatballs served on plates painted to look like the face of the full moon), corpse chowder (a thick stew with red broth and chunks of meat), and liquid ghosts (a sweet pale ale that glows faintly with a greenish tint).
The place is actually quite busy and you see the examples of the food at other tables.
Nodding to Abe, Corey begins to head into the archives. "Alright, I am going to go take a look at the documents and see what I can uncover. I wouldn't be surprised if the professor had come here first as well."
Once inside the Archives, Corey begins to search for books and begin reading the ones that he finds relevant.
Knowledge, Local
Glancing around the room, Ricven starts to feel hungry.
"The vampire steaks look good, and I have always wanted to try a drink that glows. What about you?" he says, looking across the table to Aeleanor.
He'll keep up the pleasant conversation, but will keep an ear out to hear what other people are talking about in the bar to pick up some local information. He'll pay particular attention to anything about the statue incident, the professor, the prison or Kendra.
If there seems to be a major fuss over something, he'll ask the waiter about it to learn more.
Just wine, thank you... Aeleanor says, looking around the room.
Perception:
Venedictos, Shol, Aerys and I head over to the temple to research:
If we have no problem getting in, we need a Knowledge(religion) check from everyone - depending on how many people are allowed in. I think that Venedictos has the highest knowledge(religion) skill.
Knowledge(religion):
"Everybody be polite and civil," he cautions before they arrive. Upon their arrival at the Temple, Venedictos will wait to be greeted by one of the clerics. He smooths his robe and offers the cleric a smile.
Diplomacy:
"Good morning," he begins. "My friends and I, being new to the town, are concerned by this morning's events at the Memorial. Through our various arts, we've determined a distinct taint of undeath on that bloody 'V', and some connection to Harrowstone Prison. I honestly don't know how the Church of the Lady of Graves viewed the late Professor Lorrimor, if you have bought the foul and slanderous rumours that he was actually involved in necromancy - " Venedictos' quiet laugh here clearly shows how ridiculous that belief would be, " - but I can assure you the allegations are indeed false, and we, in accordance to Lorrimor's last wishes, as laid out in his final Testament, have agreed to remain in town for awhile to ensure the safety of his daughter. Would you consent to tell us what the Church of Pharasma knows of Harrowstone Prison, and what this 'V' might mean?"
Knowledge - Religion:
Shol'a'saul keeps quiet and allows the priest to do the talking. When he asks her to help with the research, she complies without a word.
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The stuff you already knew from Abe's knowledge:
1) Harrowstone is a ruined prison— partially destroyed by a fire in 4661, the building has stood vacant ever since. The locals suspect that it’s haunted, and don’t enjoy speaking of the place.
2) Harrowstone was built in 4594. Ravengro was founded at the same time as a place where guards and their families could live and that would produce food and other supplies used by the prison. The fire that killed all of the prisoners and most of the guards destroyed a large portion of the prison’s underground eastern wing, but left most of the stone structure above relatively intact. The prison’s warden perished in the fire, along with his wife, although no one knows why she was in the prison when the fire occurred. A statue commemorating the warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in the months after the tragedy—that statue still stands on the riverbank just outside of town.
And the stuff you just learned Corey:
3) Most of the hardened criminals sent to Harrowstone spent only a few months imprisoned, for it was here that most of Ustalav’s executions during that era were carried out. The fire that caused the tragedy was, in fact, a blessing in disguise, for the prisoners had rioted and gained control of the prison’s dungeons immediately prior to the conflagration. It was only through the self sacrifice of Warden Hawkran and 23 of his guards that the prisoners were prevented from escaping—the guards gave their lives to save the town of Ravengro.
4) At the time Harrowstone burned, five particularly notorious criminals had recently arrived at the prison. While the commonly held belief is that the tragic fire began accidentally after the riot began, in fact the prisoners had already seized control of the dungeon and had been in command of the lower level for several hours before the fire. Warden Hawkran triggered a deadfall to seal the rioting prisoners in the lower level, but in so doing trapped himself and nearly two dozen guards. The prisoners were in the process of escaping when the panicked guards accidentally started the fire in a desperate attempt to end the riot.
Corey, you are fairly certain that you have all the pertinent information on the prison, but there are detailed records of the five prisoners also.
Shol'a'saul speaks quietly, almost afraid to call attention to herself "Please, I can vouch for everything Venedictos says."
Tell me, host, have we met? Aeleanor asks, smiling.
Diplomacy:
And how did the tavern get its name?
Good afternoon my good priests. We are here hoping that we can review your records to determine whether the occurrences this morning might be connected to past events her, both the recent past in the prison, and those who would bring back the distant past which this land is renown for.
Aid Diplomacy:
After reading through the files on the prison, Corey emerges from the archives to meet Abe. Relaying some of the history to the paladin, Corey shakes his head and attempts a joke. "That's all I was able to find out, really. It does not exactly sound like a tourist attraction, I'm afraid."
Ricven is surprised at the full location and the easy acceptance of his companion, briefly wondering if there is some festival going on nearby. He gestures at the bustling establishment.
"It's good to be someplace cheerful and pleasant to while away the hours," he says, smiling at their host.
Aerys likewise steps forward. "Surely your faith finds those who seek to tamper with the natural cycle of life and death to be even more repellent than others. And surely the thought of such vile magics being practised near this town would be something the church would oppose vehemently."
Diplomacy check:
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Aeleanor:
"No miss, we have not met before. It is just that it is a great pleasure to have someone like you eat here. It adds to the ambience." He says with a smile.
"I am Zokar Elkarid, owner of this fine establishment. I have always held the philosophy that the best way to meet the horrors of the world is with a jest, for if one can laugh at the worst life has to offer, there remains little to fear. Besides, one should judge people by their actions as individuals, not there race."
Thank you very much for your assistance sir.
Ad'ifaah the Knowledgeless shall assist others.
Knowledge(history):
Knowledge(local):
"That's all I was able to find out, really. It does not exactly sound like a tourist attraction, I'm afraid."
Abe shakes his head.
"No it doesn't sound like a fun place at all. Lets go to the tavern and tell the others what you've learned"
Aeleanor:
"No miss, we have not met before. It is just that it is a great pleasure to have someone like you eat here. It adds to the ambience." He says with a smile.
"I am Zokar Elkarid, owner of this fine establishment. I have always held the philosophy that the best way to meet the horrors of the world is with a jest, for if one can laugh at the worst life has to offer, there remains little to fear. Besides, one should judge people by their actions as individuals, not there race."
Aeleanor ignores Zokar's comment about her being a "horror to add to the ambiance."
So, Zokar, judging by the actions of those who painted the 'V' on the statue last night, who do you think it was? I'm sure you hear many secrets here in the tavern...?She keeps her own ears open for any drifting secrets...
Perception:
Ricven appreciates her direct manner and watches the man closely to see how he responds.
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Everyone spends the day researching. Corey informs all of you that there was a particularly bad group of prisoners that were at Harrowstone during the fire (5 of them). If you wish more info on those guys you will need to check the records some more. There is only 1 roll allowed at each location (with assists) per day. The Temple's records are the best and most complete (best bonus) and only one person may research at the Town Hall.
"That was a piece of bad business. I can't fathom who would do such a thing. Those gaurdsmen saved this town from a horrible fate." Zokar replies.
"Anyone willing to risk their own life to protect the innocent always deserve praise. That's why the defacing of the monument to their sacrifice is such a sad business – using foul magics to besmirch their honor."
Ricven hopes the mention of magic might jog the host's mind about someone who could be behind all this.