Madeline does her best to help console Kendra.
Smith continues to wait in the basement...
Madeline does her best to help console Kendra.
Smith continues to wait in the basement...
Vaghn enters the kitchen. "Ah, Herr Creel, Herr Rendel, Herr Tharnik, good morning. Or is it the afternoon by now...? No matter. Is that tea? I should love some!" He spies the books on the table. "Ah, I see you left the more immediately damning books down in the basement. Good thinking. Possession of unholy books can be difficult to explain to authorities even when being used with the best of intentions. So here we have a book about the Dark Tapestry, and an untitled one with the symbol of an obscure order. Most curious; have you gentlemen scanned them yet for anything of note?"
One can almost see as Vaghn's mind tries to decide which piece of information to deal with first, and comes to the only conclusion someone like him could: all of it. "Vandalized? Surely you don't think... yes, I should like to pay my respects. Dangerous to walk to the temple? Do you really think so? Why the temple by the way? I guess I should change into my leathers if there is danger... Now now Herr Rendel, knowledge is not 'corrupt'. It is the actions one takes using said knowledge that determines its alignment; much like the sword you carry, it is a weapon, and one that the Professor wielded more expertly than any I have ever known. Speaking of which, his journal you say? Excellent, I was hoping to find just that! But that means he must have been a member of the Order, to keep a personal journal in such a tome... unless he ran out of parchment I suppose..." Lost in thought, Vaghn seems to forget everyone else is there as he picks up the journal and starts reading voraciously.
Madeline helps Kendra with the preparations for the morning 'Elevenses'.
Smith comes up from the basement.
"Mistress....? I found....these..." So saying the man servant places 'Two small, elaborate decorated vials, each covered in thick dust, are tucked into a corner next to an old, broken jewellery box.'
Madeline hisses and sighs in frustration as she quickly moves to clean the dust of ages from both the table setting and the objects Smith has brought up for people's viewing.
|
Kendra finishes her conversation with Vaghn der Grafft, agreeing that it would be wise for him to continue her fathers work and join the others. She doesn't offer much more than that, but does pause before the kitchen to look over everyone. She says, "I know I've been.... difficult, but know this. Something is amiss and my father was on to whatever that was. I don't know about this Palentine Order or whatever it is, but I'm sure others in town might have some idea. I wish I could offer more help. For now, however, I'm going to lay down. I leave you each to your devices." With that, she departs, letting Grafft escort her.
Tharnik gets up to follow, saying, "I think it would be good if someone was close by, just in case we have more random blood-sucking birds drop in. I'll take the first watch." With that, he also departs.
You find yourselves with the house to yourselves and a lot to discuss.
Rendel rolls his eyes as the man dives himself into the book.
"If you please Mr de Graft we've not the daylight to dally and there's much to do. I can inform you of its contents and relevance to his last work on the way and it will be here tonight for your own thorough perusal where the others will no doubt have had there fill unless they choose to come with us. I encourage everyone to read it while we are gone though. We can discuss it when we've had time to consider its contents and I've completed my tasks for the day." He allowed himself a small smile. "Tomorrow however I suspect we'll have much work to do."
With that he turned and started for the door.
Madeline finishes up helping Kendra in the kitchen and listens solely to the other woman's words. She gives Kendra a supportive hand upon her arm as she retires.
At Rendel's words, Madeline raises an eyebrow.
"And where is it that you have business?" She asks, her tone of voice indicating that the damage Rendal has caused is far from resolved between them.
"Also, I suggest when we are not perusing these tomes they returned to the secure box we found them in and perhaps even remain guarded." She suggests with a slight smile to the others in the room, to show that her ire is focused and not just a casual seeming thing.
Smith moves to stand behind his Mistress.
Vaghn's normally open and friendly face hardens a bit as he lowers the book and raises an eyebrow at Rendel. "Herr Rendel, I appreciate your sense of haste. However. As has been noted, your way with people leaves something to be desired. Allow me, then, to address this in a manner that might suit your direct style better." He adjusts his glasses and gives Rendel a look that probably made his students at the University shift nervously in their seats. "Whatever is going on here, it involves all of us. I get that you are probably used to working alone. That is not an option right now. Nor am I, or anyone else here, going to come to your beck and call and simply follow along, ignorant of your plans or the cause for your urgency. I do not like entering a situation without learning all I can about it first.
Here, then, is the situation. If you wish to help with this endeavor, you do it with us, as a group. That includes the planning aspect. I suggest that we all take a few minutes to sit down, have some tea, and compare notes. Then, and only then, forewarned and forearmed, do we make a decision about what is best done. I believe I knew the Professor better than anyone here save Kendra. I knew his academic pursuits as well as anyone, as well as his shorthand and note-taking style. I also most likely know more about the contents of these other tomes than you do. Knowledge that may keep us from walking right into whatever calamity befell the Professor.
In short, sit down and shut up unless you intend to actually contributing meaningfully instead of playing the dramatic loner with a propensity for putting his foot in his mouth." Castigation done, Vaghn lifts an eyebrow, gives a curt nod, and resumes scanning the journal.
Rendel paused and seemed to think for a long time as if chewing a hard piece of food. He was beginning to sincerely wish his father was here. He would have shattered the tension with a bright smile and a bad joke before slapping them on the back and telling them they were being far too serious and somehow making things work. Unfortunately, he wasn't here, and Rendel simply did not have the mans presence. Finally he closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath.
Opening them again he slowly unstrapped his sword from his belt and laid it carefully, almost reverentially in a corner of the kitchen before removing the old cloak he wore and carefully folded it with the same care and dignity as one might give their national flag.
With that he stretched himself letting worn out and exhausted joints and neck muscles pop loudly in the silence. Then he turned and deliberately pulled a chair from the table and sat down. Though his actions were of those of a man relaxing it gave all the impression of a warrior prepping for a long and bloody battle.
When he looked up he leveled a steely gaze on the group as a whole before he spoke.
"Very well, with all in view and the lady of the house not present to cause any further distress I will do as you say and give you the truth that you require.
I now believe that the professor was murdered either intently or consequentially by a group that is called the Whispering Way. While I nor the professor's journal can tell you much about their particular goals and make up the professor did describe them as a group of necromancers and not the type, Sir Creel, to walk a benevolent path. This evidence, combined with their name and the history of this nation leads me to believe that they may be tied at least in part to the Whispering Tyrant."
Rendel paused briefly, letting that information sink in before continuing.
"The professor discovered this group two months ago in this very town and had endeavored ever since to halt their activities. The journal gave details to the professor's preparations and his suspicions. The group itself had an interest in a place called Harrowstone. An old ruin of location and disposition I do not know. The professor himself visited this place and was forced to flee because of its restless ghosts before he could copy and translate the runes the group had left there upon its foundations.
He details about a place in the Restlands where the priesthood of pharasma had some kind of protection from these spirits and what's more the temple contained a list he had hoped to obtain from the good priests of the people who died in the fire that turned Harrowstone into a ruin hoping to find some clue into what or who the Whispering Way was searching for.
His last entry was nearly three weeks ago, the Whispering Way has had nearly a full month to complete whatever vile ritual or search they are conducting. The professor relied entirely upon chance and the whim's of fate for us to even receive this information."
"Now." Rendel learned forward his gaze growing harder and now he seemed much older than his face seemed to show his hair didn't seem the silver of an exotic land but the white of old age. "All of you could have had this information had you held the mans work above your own emotions and stayed while I read this aloud for everyones benefit rather than the otherworldly Mr. Smith. I said the man was not innocent that is not to say he was evil. I respected and admired him in ways you could not understand because he challenged me. He forced me to understand my fears and to stare into the dark unblinking and tear out its heart. He hunted evil and to do that he got his hands dirty and dealt with lesser evils in order to ferret out the true monsters in our midst. You say he was a paladin? I say he was a hero. He did not concern himself."
As he spoke he began gesturing to each of them in kind. "with the love sickness of a scholar, the inhuman nature of a maidens hand servant,the curse of a dwarf,the petty crimes of an author, the heretical whims of a paladin or"
He closed his hands together in front of him. "The nightmares of a young child."
"If you honestly believe these fel tomes were somehow his armory and that he relied entirely upon knowledge that can be so easily corrupted than you are greater fools than I took you for. We are his weapons of choice. We are the ones he chose to fight this evil. He did not bring us here to pamper his mourning daughter, drink his tea and shove our noses in his private affairs, he brought us here because he believed we could face he evil that ended his life and triumph."
He sat back in his chair.
"I had hoped that you would all come to this conclusion yourselves. I was bringing Mr. de Graft with me purely because he is a local man and would have better luck with the priest than I would. He has already shown an interest in the professor's work, it is not so strange that as one of his students he would go pay his respects and follow up with the priest to continue that work. I wanted to bring Giles since he has admitted certain talents of his that would become useful should Mr. de Graft fail.
The rest of you I left here either because of injuries taken this morning, your better standing with lady kendra, or the strength of arms necessary to defend this place should the Whispering Way decide to make its move on this house or an angry mob decide to force Kendra to answer for what they believe falsely to be her father's crimes. I would have informed Mr. de Graft and Giles about the contents of the journal along the way while giving the rest of you the chance to educate yourselves and perhaps even get an insight into what I had in mind.
One man has died already, another, my...the man I've been searching for may already be dead as well. More people have been hurt and possibly killed today over this. My haste only comes from the knowledge that our enemy is already moving against us and Iomedae help us if they are anywhere near the strength of whom I suspect to be their master."
At last he sighed and eased back in his chair in exhaustion before looking up to speak again. "Do not take my bluntness and paranoia as the symptoms of swine, or buffoonery. I have spent my entire time here continuing the professor's work before you were even aware it existed. I have gotten my hands dirty, bloody, and worse for the sake of the man, his daughter, and complete strangers who distrust and belittle me. I have watched, I have studied, and I have paid close attention to every word you say, noted every insult you've made, forgiven every thanks not given and ignored every sin confessed or uncovered. I do not admit to being kind or sensitive only that I do what's right and too often necessary. I have already agreed to apologize to malady when this affair is over and my words won't be said in vain. And I have already agreed to work with you despite your own flaws. You can choose to be satisfied with that or you can choose to continue being belligerent and give the enemy further advantage."
Rendel crossed his arms and patiently waited their response.
As Rendel sits down to read the book marked 'Read me first,' he comes to realize it is the late professor's journal. Opening it up, several pages, each dogeared and marked appropriately, stand out. Thumbing to these entries, he discovers;
Ten Years Ago:
"The Whispering Way is more than just a cabal of necromancers. I see that now. Undeath is their
fountain of youth. Uncovering their motivation does not place me at ease as I thought it might.
Their desire to be eternal simply makes them more dangerous."
Two Months Ago:
"It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be?"
One Month Ago:
"Whatever the Way seeks, I am now convinced their goal is connected to Harrowstone. In retrospect. I suppose it all makes sense—the stories they tell about the ruins in town are certainly chilling enough. It may be time to investigate the ruins, but with everyone in town already being so worked up about them, I’d rather not let the others know about my curiosity—there’s plenty of folks hereabouts who already think I’m a demonologist or a witch or something. Ignorant fools."
Twenty Days Ago:
"It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list."
Eighteen Days Ago:
"I see now just how ill prepared I was when I last set out for the Harrowstone. I am lucky
to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not find it prudent to
investigate further) prevented me from transcribing the strange symbols I found etched along the foundation—hopefully on my next visit I will be more prepared. Thankfully, the necessary tools to defend against spirits are already here in Ravengro. I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down below. If my luck holds, I should be able to slip in and out with a few borrowed items."
Seventeen Days Ago:
"Tomorrow evening I return to the prison. It is imperative the Way does not finish. My caution
has already cost me too much time. I am not sure what will happen if I am too late, but if my
theory is right, the entire town could be at risk. I don’t have time to update my will, so I’ll
leave this in the chest where it’ll be sure to be found, should the worst come to pass."
Vaghn, who is an accomplished speed reader, is halfway through the journal, picking out key points, before Rendel is finished. When the man quiets again, he looks up and smiles at him.
"Thank you, Herr Rendel. That is all I wanted; to be treated like a fellow instead of a lackey. You seem to be very good at what you do; I simply ask that you remember that so are we.
The Whispering Way for instance; the fact that they are involved is troubling. They are indeed followers of the Whispering Tyrant, those dedicated to bringing it back... or supplanting it as a new undead lord. If they are lurking about, then you are correct that the church of Pharasma may be a powerful ally.
Whatever each of our reasons for being here, we all want to succeed and help; the Professor, his daughter, the town, whatever help needs be given. I do not doubt your skill or judgement Herr Rendel. I simply feel like it should be all of our expertise involved in the decisions of what steps to take, not just one person's.
So... ten more minutes will not make a difference I think. The day is still young. Let us make sure we know what we are walking into, make a plan, and then execute it. Herr Rendel, I hope we may, in weeks to come, look back at this little argument at laugh at our silliness. I look forward to working with you; with all of you." Vaghn smiles and holds out his hand to Rendel.
Madeline listens intently as Rendel speaks, though she makes no motions nor indication of what she thinks or feels. At Vaughn's words, she does no more than look to the man and awaits Rendel's reaction to his outstretched hand.
Smith stands silently behind his Mistress. His face as impassive as hers.
Creel smiles, finger closed in 'Madness' marking his place.
"Rendal my friend you have a real gift for politics."
Creel looks at the mixed group of houseguests.
"I too am happy to work together. Despite our sillyness, and perhaps because of our flaws, we, as a group, have the strength and ability to balk this foolish 'Whispering Way' and finish the professor's work.
"We can defeat those who killed the professor and tried to kill his daughter, but we can do this only by working together and trusting eachother."
I have an unfortuneate prediliction for order and ceremony so I propose we formally dedicate our lives and honor to this endevour. Let there be no anger between us," Glances at Rendal. "no secrets." glances at Madeline.
"We were drawn together here by death and I fear there is worse to come. Yet there is more than death behind this gathering and we will triumph, Together."
On the word 'together' Creel places his hand atop Rendal's and Vaughn's
Rendel looked at the offered hand as if expecting it to be covered in poison or to have a dagger spring forth from it. Then he nodded adn took the hand in a strong handshake.
He said simply as Creel put his hand atop theirs possibly exhausted from the effort of saying so many words to so many people, "Agreed."
Madeline watches the men shake hands, though she herself calmly folds her arms.
"Honesty is garnered through trust. We have only just met." She indicates the others seated around the table.
"The one thing we all have in common is our knowing of the late professor," Madeline's face shows a fleeting sorrow as she mentions said person. "Which, under normal circumstances I would think, would be a very good place to start a freind ship...but, with everything else that has gone on, as well as the details succinctly summarised by master Bladetwist, then there is a tad farther people need to go before things like 'honesty' and such can so easily be bandied about." She sighs.
"So, where to begin building such bridges even as master Bladetwist and master, um, Creel would wish?" She ponders in thought for a moment.
"My tale of involvement with the good Professor goes back in time to my parents." Again pain and sorrow flicker over Madeline's countenance. She looks directly at Rendel Bladetwist,
"Your comment to me seemed to bespeak a slander to my birthright or heritage, but as Master Creel has pointed out, you also have a wonderful skill at speaking gruffly to all and so for now I shall take your comment with a large grain of salt, as it deserves." She smiles.
"I would add more, but master Bladetwist has indicated that time is not our ally at the moment and so would gladly postpone such until we have more time available." She finishes.
"So? who should go and who should stay?" She asks, indicating she is happy to follow Rendel's idea of 'casing the town'.
*Casts Animate Dead on the thread.*
*Casts Animate Dead on the thread.*
*Casts Animate Dead on the thread.*
[ooc]Doesn't stop us from getting the planning stages for what we're doing out of the way before he gets back. Still haven't heard a peep out of Giles or Torthen in all this drama.
In a very surprisingly short amount of time, Vaghn finishes reading the journal. It is obvious he is an accomplished speed reader, probably form having to grade countless essays on the esoterica of arcane formulae. "Fascinating. Obviously our first step is to discover what we can about this Harrowstone; the Professor was convinced that whatever the Whispering Way wants is connected to the place, and we can be sure that whatever they want, we do not. He mentions asking at the church about death records, an excellent notion. I would also suggest we inquire at the local town hall as to any records they may have of the people and of the structure itself; if we are lucky they may even have the original floorplans. I am also of a mind to ask Kendra if her father had any other associates or even rivals in the town itself; I should like to speak to anyone in the area who is versed in local arcane phenomena. Oh, and we should definitely check out this false crypt he mentioned, and see if any of these tools for fighting the ephemeral might still be stored there. Hmm... am I forgetting anything... ah, of course, we will want to check the Professor's own library; anything he was researching might well be there!
As time is a factor, perhaps we should split up. The idea of paying my respects at the Professor's grave and then attempting to befriend the Pharasmites seems a sound one. I suggest that Rendel and I take care of that as he intended. Creel, perhaps you and the dwarven gentleman... er, Torthen was it? Yes, perhaps you two could inquire after town records? Giles is in his element when in the business of retrieving objects, so perhaps he, Miss Madeline, and her Mr. Smith would care to investigate the crypt? And Kendra can remain here to peruse her father's library for anything of note, with Tharnik's aid of course. How does that sound to all of you?"
Madeline listens intently, but politely, to Vaghn's words. At his summation of events and reasoning she nods.
"A sound set of plans, Smith has already shown himself skilled at finding useful things tucked away out of sight." She indicates the things her man-servant has retrieved from the basement.
Creel, perhaps you and the dwarven gentleman... er, Torthen was it? Yes, perhaps you two could inquire after town records? ... And Kendra can remain here to peruse her father's library for anything of note, with Tharnik's aid of course. How does that sound to all of you?"
** spoiler omitted **...
I agree. An excellent plan.
I must confess to qualms over leaving Madame Lorrimer with only one guardian. Fearsome and effective as Tharnik is he is only one man and I fear the next attack will rely less on suprise and more on might.
At the same time I agree that we must hurry, perhaps I should seek the records alone. Stalwart Torthen should perhaps remain to shore up the defences.
In a very surprisingly short amount of time, Vaghn finishes reading the journal. It is obvious he is an accomplished speed reader, probably form having to grade countless essays on the esoterica of arcane formulae. "Fascinating. Obviously our first step is to discover what we can about this Harrowstone; the Professor was convinced that whatever the Whispering Way wants is connected to the place, and we can be sure that whatever they want, we do not. He mentions asking at the church about death records, an excellent notion. I would also suggest we inquire at the local town hall as to any records they may have of the people and of the structure itself; if we are lucky they may even have the original floorplans. I am also of a mind to ask Kendra if her father had any other associates or even rivals in the town itself; I should like to speak to anyone in the area who is versed in local arcane phenomena. Oh, and we should definitely check out this false crypt he mentioned, and see if any of these tools for fighting the ephemeral might still be stored there. Hmm... am I forgetting anything... ah, of course, we will want to check the Professor's own library; anything he was researching might well be there!
As time is a factor, perhaps we should split up. The idea of paying my respects at the Professor's grave and then attempting to befriend the Pharasmites seems a sound one. I suggest that Rendel and I take care of that as he intended. Creel, perhaps you and the dwarven gentleman... er, Torthen was it? Yes, perhaps you two could inquire after town records? Giles is in his element when in the business of retrieving objects, so perhaps he, Miss Madeline, and her Mr. Smith would care to investigate the crypt? And Kendra can remain here to peruse her father's library for anything of note, with Tharnik's aid of course. How does that sound to all of you?"
** spoiler omitted **...
"I would not enter the crypt properly until we have our full resources at hand." Rendel said. "The whispering way has had nearly a full month to oeprate unmolested by the professor's nosy inquiries. In all likelihood they already know of our presence and the professor's previous plans. I would not put it past them to remove those tools if at all possible or place guardians if not. If it comes to that do not risk injury to yourselves when we can gather and come at them with overwhelming force."
"I agree with leaving Master Torthen here you should spend the time while we are away securing the area in whatever way you see fit."
"I agree with leaving Master Torthen here Unless he protests. you should spend the time while we are away securing the area in whatever way you see fit."
Woo! Hope I can keep up these good rolls! :D
Rendel picked himself off the table and collected his things strapping his sword on and getting ready to head for the door and said.
"Well then, shall we?"
Rendel picked himself off the table and collected his things strapping his sword on and getting ready to head for the door and said.
"Well then, shall we?"
"Yes best to start." Creel heads up to his room for a quick wash and brushup.
He returns with a simple sack slung over his shoulder. He considers the halberd for a moment, but revects it as too intimidating. Slinging his shield and javalin quiver onto his back he prepares to face the Ravengo civil service. God help us all.
Madeline stands when Creel returns from 'freshening up', herself and Mr Smith also ready to begin delving into the mysteries that the party finds itself surrounded in.
"Very good finds there Mr. Smith. These are potions of curative magic, that one a little stronger than the other. They do belong to the lady of the house, however, as I assume you found them in the basement. Perhaps you should give them to her and let her decided what to do with them."
As everyone else seems in a hurry to go, Vaghn glances wistfully at the tea. "Very well; give me a moment to lock the books back up down in the basement and change and I shall join you. It should not take more than a couple minutes. Miss Madeline, given Rendel's advice, and given the currently unknown whereabouts of Herr de Savorie, perhaps you would like to accompany Creel to see about the town records?" Vaghn picks up the journal and any of the other books that are upstairs, takes them back down to the basement, and locks them back in the trunk. As he leaves he can be heard muttering something about "the man being drunk somewhere like as not". He then ducks into a guest room for a minute and comes out dressed in adventurer's leathers and a dashing hat, bullwhip at his waist. "I am ready! After you my friends!"
Smith simple bows at Creel's words, then picks up the items and goes to show his Mistress.
Madeline looks up as Mr Smith comes to stand impatiently before her.
"Yes...?" She asks after a time, eyebrow arched in query.
"Potions....Mistress...." Are his quiet words in response. madeline looks askance at the vials in Smith's gloved palms. After a short while she sighs,
"Yes...well, put them back upon the table for now. They'll probably keep." She says dismissivly, continuing her preparations for going 'out on the town'.
At Creel's suggestion Madeline smiles to him in return,
"A very good idea, sir. Perhaps a more 'united front' of all the company should investigate this 'Faux Tomb'?" She replies.
Rendel waits by the door impatiently, ready to get moving a long while ago.
"A very good idea, sir. Perhaps a more 'united front' of all the company should investigate this 'Faux Tomb'?" She replies.
"Begging your pardon Madam Peshtussle, but I think a united front is just what we don't need to present right now. The town knows we are strong and, frankly strange. That frightenes them, frightened people lash out and we don't need that now. We need their help. We need their friendship. We need to assure them that we are not a threat.
"I propose we split into small groups and see what we can learn. That we move slowly and speak softly. Work with the village, we are guests here and we need to aknowledge our position of social infiority. I have been is this position before. Think of it as a kind of initiation, and keep the larger goals in mind."
"If someone insults you, accept it, let it go by. Expect to pay more for anything you buy, pay it gladly. There will be rules and procedures between is and the information we need. Observe them, even if they were clearly just invented. Do people favors, stand a round of drinks. Try to find ways to help.
"We are alien to the villagers world and they need to understand that we are safe and useful."
Creel smiles rufully. "Sorry for the lecture, apparently I'm becoming a burser. He gave me something like that speech when they kik.I left the chapterhouse."
Madeline, with Smith in tow, hurries to catch up to Rendel who is awaiting at the front door.
Madeline, with Smith in tow, hurries to catch up to Rendel who is awaiting at the front door.
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-Creel to town hall to get the runaround, there is a sandwich and some cold tea in the bag. He has delt with local government before.
-Madeline/Smith to the false tomb. But perhaps I could go with them for a quick look at the tomb and then the 3 of us could head to town?
an intricate stained-glass mural depicting a stern Pharasma judging Count Andachi, one of Tamrivena’s most infamous previous rulers.
Half a dozen men and women, dressed in grays and blacks, wander among wounded townsfolk, tending to them as best their able.
If you continue on, the Restlands are another 20 minutes north.
Your trip into town takes you south from Kendra's Estate, across an older, ornate bridge that spans the river bisecting the town, and north again into the town formal. As you walk, you can't help but notice the plume of smoke rising lazily into the air toward the center of town. As you look around, you start to notice additional signs of the recent wolf attack. Here and there, farmers look up from shovels, bodies of wolves decorating the freshly dug holes.
It takes you 20 minutes or so to reach the center of town. When you do, you see a large, rotund man standing among a small circle of famers, answering questions. You quickly learn he is Councilman Gharen Muricar, one of four councilors responsible for governing Ravengro. He seems a little shaken, but is answering questions nonetheless. Two armed women stand beside him, their blades still stained with blood. You notice the smoke trailing from a house just north of the town circle. Whatever fire threatened the town seems to be smoldering now.
Madeline will try to help in some small way with the people's ills...