Zed gives a sympathetic nod. "I know that all too well. Our work never ends." He has half a dozen witty remarks, but he decides to play it strait faced considering the situation. "I appreciate you giving me the benefit of the doubt. We come to you because multiple corpses buried in your Pharasman graveyard have been raised as undead, and just this night attacked us. One of them was professor Lorrimor."
Grimburrow looks like he just caught scent of a particularly bad stench and his thin lips curl back in a snarl.
From my graveyard? From the Restlands? Who would dare... who would know how? The filthy b*stards! he curses long and loud, not bothering to spare Hazel's sensibilities. And Petros! He was a good man, didn't deserve what happened at the funeral and certainly not this. I need some things.
When he arrives back he is dressed in his cassock with a large bag.
How is Kendra?
............
The group all meet up in the centre of town with Vauron calling to Sheriff Caeller as they cross toward the Lorrimor Place.
You here for this bad business too Benjen?
This is more your remit than mine, Father. the Sheriff replies. I just want to make sure the rest of the town is safe.
Aye, and you might have to keep a cell warm for me when I catch the scum who did it.
Aye-uh, Father. You can have the penthouse. Benjen Caeller replies, though without much humour.
The Sheriff knocks politely on the door and then enters, immediately seeing the covered bodies, the chaos that close quarter combat always brings with it and the stench of putrid flesh.
He moves to Kendra and places a hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
Grimburrow gives an almost animalistic growl at the scene.
I'm sorry this happened to you Ms Lorrimor. Benjen says.
Thank you Sheriff. she mumbles in response.
He begins looking around the ground floor, the broken glass, the bodies and so on whilst Grimburrow busies himself with Petros' body.
A Gutdragging Lurcher.... My God. Of all the things...
"And a pair more of a less exotic sort, Father. Though what was done to poor Petros does seem more blasphemous, doesn't it?"
"Kendra is physically unharmed, but I worry about her mental state." He follows his superior in grave silence.
At the scene he gazes across the corpses with a dead expression. Somebody will pay dearly for this. I just hope the accusations of Petros weren't true. "We have no leads at all. I'm sorry."
Raj leans against the wall, rubbing at the welt on his neck. "We tracked the beasts back to their graves but there was no sign of a necromancer that we could find."
Well they didn't get up and walk here by themselves. Caeller says. Did they, Father.
I doubt it. Grimburrow says. Let's get this cleaned up. Petros paid his dues.
Could be. Grimburrow says. Or maybe just a spark of residual. A lot of folks in my profession don’t believe that’s possible, but I do. It’s like when you empty out a wine cup that’s been sitting there, there’s always some residue left at the bottom, even if it’s a tiny amount.
Well, listen, this is not my area of expertise at all, Father. he turns to Kendra But Ms Lorrimor, I think it might be best if we don’t speak of this outside these four walls – at least for now. After what happened at the funeral I think some of the folks in this town would consider it some kind of twisted ‘evidence’ and who knows what we would have on our hands then. Whatever is going on here, we will see you through it Ms Lorrimor.
Father Grimburrow spends a long time with the bodies. At first examining them and then performing various rites – some of which Zed is familiar with, some extremely antiquated, and others he has never even come across.
Afterward, Benjen brings a hay cart around to the back of the house and helps load the bodies on to it – you can see he is a practical man, and one not afraid to get his hands dirty, both literally and figureatively. Once the bodies are loaded and covered with tarpaulin he turns back to Father Grimburrow;
Father, Ms Lorrimor. I hate to ask this... and you can see for the first time the normally cool sheriff appears to be struggling with his words. ...but do you think it best if we... burnt the bodies? I know it is not Pharasma’s way, but it seems the surest way to prevent anything like this happening again.
Father Grimburrow grimaces and Kendra blanches at the thought.
He... he.. would have been appalled at the thought of anything like what happened here tonight. I think... I think he would want to protect those he cared about. So yes... do what you must, Benjen.
Grimburrow shrugs;
He was interred. So now nothing remains of his earthly soul. The Church would have no official objection, though it’s not a practice I care for, Sheriff.
I know. the lean man replies grimly. He turns to the party; Some of the people in town are beginning to warm to you from what I hear, been making yourselves useful over the past few days, As I said before, let’s not spoil any of that by talking about this. I’m sure you’ve already seen how rumours spread and can turn into something... worse.
Benjen turns to look at Hazel as she speaks. When she catches his eye he breaks his gaze and nods curtly.
Get some rest, if you can.
Zed raises his brows at the sheriff with new respect. "My thoughts exactly sheriff. You show great wisdom."
At the cremation offer Zed grimaces. "I suppose that is technically true, and if it is the wish of the closest related than the church has no power to supersede you. Would you mind if I came along sheriff? Partly for the ritual..." He looks down at the corpse. "...partly for security."
"Sheriff, I was going to ask if we exercise discretion in this - thank you for suggesting it first.
I will accompany you and Zed, if I may. It...just seems fitting" - He says the last almost mumbling, lacking any real words to express himself.
Before he leaves, he pauses next to Vala and Kendra, dropping to a knee to carry out a quiet conversation.
"Miss Lorrimor, I know that recent events are traumatic, and you - we all - must wish to move beyond them as best and quickly as possible. But this outrage against you , and against the memory of a good man...
It was, and is, my calling to find that which is hidden and drag it into the light. This desecration will not go unanswered. "
He holds her gaze for a moment, then rises, nodding a little awkwardly, and follows the Sheriff and Zed into the night.
From his perch atop the bookcase, Pyth nods once at the sheriff's suggestion to immolate the bodies. As the group labors to load the corpses, the quiet bird shifts to a perch atop a curtained window to observe, the white in the feathers ringing his eyes giving him an odd and almost familiar bespectacled look.
Vala squeezes Kazamir's hand gratefully then turns to Kendra. "Is this something you want to see, dear?"
Kendra touches Kazamir lightly on the cheek and nods simply.
I buried him once. That's when I said my goodbyes. Kendra replies to Vala. I have no need or desire to witness this. She pulls the blankets tighter around her and trudges back into the house and upstairs
The Sheriff along with Zed and Kazamir make their way back out into the rain, the lean lawman wheeling the cart behind him with the assistance of the inquisitor.
It takes a good hour to push and pull the burden along the muddy trackway and into a scrubby field outside of town. Once there, Benjen covers the bodies in pitch, not even bothering to remove them from the cart, and turns to the pair;
I don't have any words for this kind of thing. Didn't know Petros as well as either of you, but I know no man deserves this. Anything you want to say?
He then lights a tindertwig, shields it from the rain, and tosses it on to the pile of bodies that catch immediately with a fierce blue flame.
Sheriff Caeller stays long after the flame has taken hold, grimly watching on like some kind of sentry, as the bodies burn down over several hours to ash.
This kind of thing shouldn't happen, not in his town. And if all he can do to put it right is this small thing, then he will do it diligently.
The first traces of dawn rime the horizon when his watch is finally done.
Kazamir merely shakes his head, his mouth a tight line, at the Sheriff's invitation to speak.
On the way back to the house, he speaks quietly to Zed.
"There seems to be something strange about how this came about. I would have expected more of a sign - of passage, of recent magic, something - near the graves of the Professor and the other unfortunate souls. We may be looking at something other than a 'simple' necromancer or cabal."
Zed frowns and shakes his head. "The words have been said for Petros. This is nothing but an abomination in his visage. Burn it and have done with it."
Kazamir is not quite successful in stifling a groan as he levers himself into a sitting position the next morning. A peek under the collar of his nightshirt reveals a road map of green and purple bruising on his left shoulder and side.
His morning washing and dressing is still quite stiff, but he does his level best to hide his pain and stiffness as he leaves his room and descends the stairs. He catches the sound of movement in the kitchen, and walks over to join whoever - Hazel, as it turns out - else is stirring.
"Good Morning, Hazel. Is that coffee I smell?" he asks, a distinct note of hopefulness in his rich tenor.
A little later, as the group of the Professor's friends is gathered, he opens discussions:
"The events of the evening are more than a little unusual, even for an attack by the undead in Ustalav. When we went to the Restlands, we did not find the traces of magic one would expect of a recent work by a necromancer, nor did we see signs of anyone near the graves. Does anyone know of anything unusual near the area - either an event, or strange region or structure - other than Harrowstone Prison, with which such strangeness may be associated? If so, i suggest that some of us look into them at once - either some other force is operating, or they may be a hideout for the Whispering Way. If not, I think we need to cast our thoughts to the Prison once again."
Constantin is already up and about early in the morning. He seems to be remarkably energetic in spite of the evening's events -- possibly because he never had a zombie tentacle trying to strangle him.
As others filter in for the morning he cheerfully supplies warm biscuits and dark cuts of ham or bacon.
"Sorry it's a bit burned, this is about the limit of my cooking abilities," he says apologetically.
Remaining by the stove and watchfully turning the next round of food items for the others as they filter in, he comments to Kaz and Hazel, "So far, the Prison seems to be the common thread, so that makes sense. Also, if the Prison really is haunted, the Whispering Way would have an interest in it anyway."
The morning wears on and as you prepare for what the day may bring, you notice Kendra has not yet risen for breakfast.
"Kaz, you want to see if Kendra's all right?"
Raj frowns at Kendra's absence. "Might be better if Miss Hazel or Miss Vala checks on her."
"Agreed, Raj - Ladies, would one of you mind checking on our much-put-upon hostess?
Also, Hazel, I wholeheartedly agree that we must know more about the Prison, and who or what might be be or have been lurking within before we venture back. Also, if we do, I should ask that we do so in force, next time.
Constantin, Vala, do you think there is more to be learned here in the Professor's library concerning Harrowstone, or do we need to extend our search into Ravengro?"
"I'll go check on Kendra. As for the prison, I think the church might be the best place to start looking. And after last night, Grimburrow might be willing to grant us access to that cache of supplies Petros had mentioned in his journal. I wager we'll need whatever Petros left behind if we plan to visit that forsaken place in numbers."
With that, Vala excuses herself and sweeps upstairs. Knocking gently on Kendra's door, Vala softly calls out, "Kendra? Kendra, dear, are you up?"
Come in Aunt. Kendra says from the other side of her door.
When Vala enters she can see the young woman sitting with her back to her at a large vanity. She can see the woman's face in the mirror and by the dark circles beneath her eyes and the lines of worry she would guess Kendra didn't sleep much last night.
She is staring down at a letter that she holds delicately in her injured hand.
It's from a colleague of Father's. she says softly. You will remember Professor Derleth of course.
Professor Jon Derleth is a Professor of Antiquties and Ancient Religion at the University of Lepistadt. You have had quite a lot of dealings with him over the years and know him to be a brilliant, charming and loyal man. He was also good friends with Petros and the pair collaborated many times over the years despite Derleth being many years his junior.
He is at a dig site in Osirion and couldn't attend Father's funeral. But he sends his condolences and..... and I think he's offering me a job. Well, a position I mean... at the University.
She sighs and looks wistfully around the room.
I haven't slept all night Vala. And even after father had gone I wondered whether this place felt like home any more. But after last night... I can barely stand to be in the place. I think... I think I', going to sell the house.
You can tell the weight of the decision is heavy.
"Oh, sweetie," Vala eases into the room and wraps Kendra in a heavy hug. "Of course you are. And Jon is a brilliant man and close friend of your father's. It'd be wonderful for the two of you to work together." Easing back, Vala cups one of Kendra's cheeks in one hand and wipes a bit of moisture from just below her eye with her thumb. "Would you like to come downstairs? You obviously haven't slept, hardly any of us really did, I'm afraid, so it'll do you good to have some breakfast. We need to get something warm in that belly of yours if we're to start making plans!" She smiles sweetly and rises, nodding to the door gently and inviting Kendra into a hug with arms spread wide.
Constantin gets a quizzical look when his suggestion is discarded, but simply shakes his head and goes on with cleaning the kitchen post-breakfast.
"We've exhausted the resources of the library," he says in answer to Hazel and Kaz, "so it's time for footwork."
After breakfast, Rajuna heads to Jominda's business with his prize Black-Crested Toad stuffed in his pocket. He enters the store, wishes her a good morning, and then hamhandedly offers the toad to her. "I tried to tie a bow around him, but the slick lil' bastard wouldn't stay still for it." He's mortified by his phrasing, "Beggin' your pardon, Miss Fallenbridge, for the language."
As Hazel goes about her job delivering newspapers she finds the addresses in Ravengro aren't as straightforward as one might think and she wanders almost aimlessly from one farm to another.
The papers she delivers are a few sheafs of handwritten parchment with one headline screaming out from the front page;
She makes her way back into town proper and once again sees the little girls playing, singing their weird rhyme about axes lopping people's heads off and people crying. It is no less perturbing than the first time but soon her attention is drawn to Raj, exiting Jominda's shop. She sees him and waves.
Oh wow, I can't believe you managed it! This is perfect, he can go with the others now. I've got just the thing for this little fella.
They make small talk for a good hour and she offers Raj a hot drink. She is friendly and flirtatious but Raj is left wondering whether she is like this with all of her customers.
Speaking of which, a pair of citizens come in, one complaining about a persistent headache and her attention is taken.
Hey Rajuna, let's catch up later. Maybe go for dinner or something? I'd really like to see how Kendra is doing too.
He exits the shop into bright sunlight, in stark contrast to the dismal downpour of last night.
The pair meet up in the town square.
Mercifully the day appears to be brightening up, the sun straining to break through the persistent cloud cover to send shafts of light down every so often that appear like puddles of sunshine in the road.
Several citizens wave good morning to you as you pass but just as many scowl.
As you cross the town square, you can see about a dozen or so people going about their business. Zokar appears to have a new specials board outside the Laughing Demon that includes such treats as "bat-blood soup" and "liquid ghosts." It seems to be doing the trick as several intrigued patrons make their way inside.
You are paused by the appearance of Sheriff Benjen Caeller and one of his deputies, you think his name might be Riff, rushing across the square. They are apparently being led by a young male who seems out of breath and yet still talking quite rapidly.
He passes within only feet and you overhear the boy say something that sounds like;
...blood everywhere..!
One of the citizens nearby also overhears and says;
Everything all right Sheriff?
The Sheriff turns briefly just to say; Some trouble up at the old Memorial apparently Miss, you just go on about your business now. before he continues rushing across town and out onto the South road.
Kazamir asks who among the crew would like to go to see Father Grimburrow. When they are assembled, he will head off across the town, keeping an eye out.
Grateful for a distraction after the discomfiting encounter with Jominda, Raj tosses a you coming? glance at Hazel before he follows the Sheriff at a more relaxed pace. Only when the lawman notices him does he say. "Mind if I follow along, Sheriff?"
Kazamir asks who among the crew would like to go to see Father Grimburrow. When they are assembled, he will head off across the town, keeping an eye out.
[dice=general perception]1d20+8
[dice=general sense motive]1d20+8
Constantin is quick to come along with Kazamir, after he's done wiping down and putting away all the dishes.
As they walk across the town, Constantin keeps pace with Kazamir, and says, "I have an unhappy theory. I hope it's wrong. Please hear me out and tell me what you think."
"The attack on the house last night, and our investigations into the Whispering Way, obviously aren't coincidental. The professor's sudden death probably wasn't an accident either. And someone wants Kendra out of the way -- did you notice that the zombies kept trying to get through the kitchen door?"
Without waiting for Kaz to interject, Constantin continues, "And now Kendra's talking about selling the house. Plus of course most of us have been staying there. And we found the professor's notes in a hidden compartment in that chest."
"What if there's something in the house? What if there's a secret cellar or closet or something, and whoever is behind this has been trying to drive Kendra and her father out so they can get to it? And now we're in the way, too."
Constantin's hands twist with some stress and he seems quite unhappy, like he doesn't want to be right but he is concerned that if he is right, things will get much, much worse.
"I think it's unlikely, but... we haven't searched the house for secret doors or anything like that. And if it was something the professor hid there years ago, or something that someone else hid before the professor bought the place, Kendra might not even know if it's there."
"When we get back we might want to take a look. Just in case. And assuming it's not the professor's journal that they're after."
The Sheriff nods to Raj and the Slayer notes the redness of the man's eyes after he spent so long last night presiding over the final disposal of the Professor's remains.
You follow the Sheriff south out of town, past the Lorrimor house and onto a smaller trail.
Half a dozen others have followed and Caeller’s calls for them to return to town only serve to fuel their curiosity.
The trail runs past a beaten down old shack. It looks derelict but a small puff of smoke rises from a make-shift chimney and what can loosely be described as the front-yard show heavy tracks in the mud.
Beyond the shack is the reason the young boy sprinted all the way into town to fetch the sheriff. A twenty foot high statue stands proudly beside the river. It depicts a man in some kind of uniform standing stoically with his arms behind his back. The plinth on which it stands is about ten feet high in itself and you can see bears what appears to be dozens of engravings, probably of names.
But it is the blood you notice first. The ground surrounding the statue is saturated in it, a great pool of crimson drenching the grass and splattering the marble of the plinth. As your eyes are drawn upward you see more blood, splashed all over the lower portion of the statue and then, written in the same blood, right on the man’s chest, is a huge .
Despite the quantity of blood, there does not appear to be a body.
The Sheriff takes it all in and at once is shouting to the citizens who have followed;
Get Back! Everyone get back!
Zed looks in confusion and intrigue at the display. V? I wonder what it could possibly stand for... However he respects the authority of the sheriff and stays back, letting the lawman do his job.
KAz will stand back, very still, but take in as much as he can of the surroundings and the crowd.
The Sheriff looks at Hazel... with suspicion? But then with a slight shake of his head refocuses.
Miss, I got my hands full just keeping these people back for now. If you think you can spot anything important be my guest – but don’t touch anything!
He then becomes a one-man barricade, pushing back the gawkers to the tree line, some distance away. Satisfied that they aren’t going to contaminate his crime scene further, he returns to the group.
Hmm... someone has a lot of anger here. Or is it a message? A warning? Retribution?
The blood has dried and congealed leaving great dark stains on the white marble.
Hazel is unaware of who the statue depicts but once she is closer, sees that the engravings are actually names of several dozen people. It’s obviously a memorial of some kind and when you ask the sheriff about this he confirms;
This is a statue commemorating Lyvar Hawkrun and the sacrifice he made for this town. He was warden of Harrowstone prison – the ruins are up on the hill south of town. he points further down the path you came down. He died in the fire that destroyed that place stopping an escape attempt. A bunch of his prison officers died with him. This was about, I’m not sure, 50 years ago?
Vala shakes her head at the macabre scene. "And we think this happened... last night?" She shudders at the thought.
Could defiling Petros' corpse and grave have simply been a distraction?
Constantin rubs his chin and muses, "What was the name of the Warden's wife? She died there, too."