Father Grimburrow shakes his head, "Everything I've ever read on them would indicate that they did not know each other before being transported to Harrowstone. I don't know where they were kept in the prison in specific, but I think it's probably highly unlikely that such notorious criminals were allowed much opportunity to socialize with one another. Now, how they've behaved towards one another as ghosts over the last hundred years... well I can't say."
"Anyway, there doesn't seem to be any ambient affects from these weapons. Nothing to tempt or draw one in to using them, the problems only arise once they've been used. I don't think that it will matter if they are kept separate or together, but it is of course probably best if they aren't left out where just anyone could walk up and pick one up. If you would like, I can keep them locked away here in blessed boxes."
Kendra perks up at the mention of going to Harrowstone right away.
"Anything we can do or make use of that will reinforce one's willpower would be beneficial before we try to use any of these. We should settle on which we will use of in what order and who is best equipped to wield them." Ingrid says thoughtfully.
That, and trying to deal with them one at a time.
Terrance pauses briefly lost in thought.
I wonder if those papers from that office have to say about where they were
Vesorianna is quiet for a moment as she feels out the prison, "The Piper is in the western cell block... Father Charlatan is in the eastern... Lopper is in the oubliette... The Marauder is in Captain Vortch's office... and The Splatterman is in The Nevermore. He wears at my resistance the most. There will be many other spirits that stand in your way, but those are the worst you will face. If you find something of theirs, you can use it to help defeat them. Look in the property room, but be warned, anything belonging to these vile ghosts is likely cursed. I believe that if you bring me my husband's remains, or perhaps even just his badge or another symbol of his authority, I will be able to keep them contained until they are all defeated. Then, with his strength and authority over this prison, I can finally rid this place of everything that haunts Harrowstone and take my rest as well."
Derisive snort follows Ingrid's statement about taking them one at a time. as if we'll get lucky enough to pick where to go without crossing another of the haunted rooms... right... silly paladin... well, I guess we can always return to get the right implement... Realizing this, Ioann decides to shut up, even going as far as to grunt in frustration at himself.
"It's going to be dangerous either way..." he mumbles to himself.
"Whatever we decide, we must move quickly. If we take the fight to Father Charlatan, and are even remotely successful- the other prisoners will realize that they are next on our list." With a boost of confidence from Father Grimburrow's advice and protective loan, Ravel walks over to Ioann and places her hand upon his shoulder. "What danger do you think we should face first?"
Ioann squirms a bit under Ravel's touch out of discomfort. However, he does not move away. Similarly, he does not look at her.
"Doesn't matter, we need to avenge the professor... harm those whispering man and women as fast as possible and destroying those spectres will do the job... hadn't we decided on father Charlatan?" he says hoarsely.
Kendra speaks up, "If we're going to go to the prison now, I'd like to stop back by the manor first, I believe I have some things there that could help us."
"All right, back to the manor then." Ingrid says sliding back her chair.
Our thanks father
As he starts to walk out of the church he glances over.
So what should we do with the rest of the items that were found. I figure we should sell them, and get things that we can use.
Kendra grins with delight when Ingrid doesn't give further argument for Kendra to stay away from Harrowstone. She leans into Ingrid, "I promise I will stay at the back and if things go wrong, I won't ask to go again."
As Ingrid, Terrance, and Kendra prepare to leave the room, Ioann tries to extirpate himself from Ravel's touch by squirming his shoulders. This, coupled with the fact that his back is resting on the wall, gives the whole endeavor an awkward appearance. Still, Ioann's expression is not filled with fear at been in close quarter with the women. Instead, he seems to be struggling to be gentle, and not to roughly push the woman away.
Once out, Ioann walks up to Kendra, a worried expression breaking his usual stern mask.
"You can't come with..." he starts aggressively but stops as soon as he seems to notice the tone of his own voice. " 'You sure about coming to Harrowstone with us? This place can be quite dangerous... if you came to harm.... " he shakes his head "We can't let that happen..." he finishes, in a much nicer tone.
Kendra raises an eyebrow at the challenge in Ioann's voice and initial choice of words. Calmly she says, "Why Ioann? What makes my life so much more important than yours? Than Ingrid's, Ake's or Ravel's? Than Uklod's or Terrance's? It isn't as if I'm suggesting I go in there alone. It isn't as if I am completely defenseless. I do not understand what it about my going that makes all of you so apprehensive." She says looking around at the group quizzically. "And yet I find myself not wishing to be where I'm not wanted," Kendra says barely above a whisper. "Go on without me, I think I'll go check on Mr Hephenus." She quickly exits the temple and heads for her house.
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With a sigh Ingrid shakes her head slightly. "Subtle as a brick through a window as always." she mutters. Looking at Ioann she raises an eyebrow. "You do realize despite the Professor's best efforts she literally grew up surrounded by this stuff right?"
Ioann motions toward Kendra, almost grabbing her hand to keep her from leaving. Yet, he stops, wise enough to control himself. For a moment, he is overcome with anger, clenches his fist, and breaths it out. Only then doe he answer to Ingrid.
"Yes, ghost, spirits, she might have grown with them... but not those that tried to murder you. She might know many things, but that does not prepare her for specters which have the ability to freeze a room, send fire toward people, or tear them to pieces with various objects... I don't mind her assisting with contacting spirits... but battling them? That's different. We can't let her endanger herself." he says, at first congenial (well, as much as Ioann can be), but commanding in the end.
"You mean the same things that until a few days ago you didn't believe existed? I know you want to find who did this to the professor every bit as much as I do." Ingrid says quietly,"But I also know that whatever you or I feel is nothing compared to what Kendra is going through, and trying to leaver her out will only result in her trying that much harder and dabbling in things that could be dangerous to her when we aren't around to protect her."
"I wanted to keep her safe from harm as well, but she is the daughter of Petros, he would not raise her blindly. Even by the man's simple touches, all of us have been better prepared for some of the horrors we have faced. We should leave the decision up to her, but after consideration, does Kendra not also deserve the chance to investigate her father's murder, as we are?"
I agree, that it should be up to her, as much as I would like to keep her safe as well.
But I am going to the town hall to see if there was a floor plan of the prison that we can use or make a copy of
Ioann throws back his head, traits stretched by anger. Mouth open, he lets out a scream of anger. After regaining his composure (or sterness).
"Fine, fine! I'll follow her and get her to follow. I anything happens to her while we are at the prison, it will weight on your own conscience. You will be the cause of her death." he spews out, before jogging toward Kendra.
"Kendra, please, wait! You're a grown woman, you may make your own choices. If this is truly what you want, come with us." he says halfheartedly.
Uklod stood near the wall and watched in silence. The young acolyte had been touched by the ...almost tender... moment between Ioann and Ravel and wondered if the alluring woman would be able to tear down the walls the blunt man had built around himself.
While he didn't feel like an outsider to the group anymore, Uklod still deferred to the others' decisions as to their direction. Bu the didn't agree with how they handled Lady Kendra and he cursed under his breath when she stormed out... you got to learn to speak up more man... The more level headed had made compelling arguments for letting their ward come along. Now that Ioann was going after her he felt no need to interject with his opinion on the matter.
As they made plans he cut in with the one minor errand he had in mind.
"I need to purchase a bow at some point but otherwise I would accompany you Terrance. I have dealt with town bureaucracies before and they can be quite cumbersome tackling alone."
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Hot tears stream down Kendra's face as she walks with a long, fast stride towards her home. Angry at herself for caring about a man who sees her as little more than a bird he needs to keep safe in a cage, and not a woman capable of taking care of herself. Does he even see me as a woman? Growling at herself in frustration, she violently wipes the tears from her eyes.
And clearly... there is something there with Ravel. That's good though, I wouldn't dream of standing in her way. I was foolish to think that a childhood crush could blossom into something more when it has been years since we've last seen each other. He's a man grown now, and I'm not even sure he is a man I would choose at all had we only just met. But how DARE he think to prevent me from going anywhere I damn well please! I should have shown him just how capable of defending myself I am!
Propriety wins out over her wounded emotions when she hears Ioann calling out to her to wait. She slows her steps, using those few seconds to wipe her eyes and smooth her hair the best she can, although it is still quite obvious to anyone that she has been crying. Still, she turns on her heel with a smile and waits for Ioann to catch up. She listens calmly as he tells her what she already knows, "Yes, Ioann, I am a grown woman and I decide where I will and will not go; no one else makes those choices for me. Yet, as I said, far be it from me to go where I am so clearly not wanted. What do the others have to say on the matter?"
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Father Grimburrow shakes his head when he hears the way Ioann speaks to Kendra before Kendra leaves the church. When Ioann goes after Kendra he says, "He might want to be careful, that one. She's far more than what she seems. I happen to know she keeps a dagger tucked away on her, and she's not to bad with a crossbow either. Of course, she also knows a few spells. He is a troubled one, isn't he? Perhaps I should try to offer him counsel..."
He leaves the office for a moment and comes back with several cases and bags, each bearing the mark of Pharasma. It takes him a few moments of shifting things around, trying them in different containers before he finds a fit for each item and begins to pray over the containers.
-----
Hearing Father Grimburrow describe Kendra's capability brings a small smile to Ingrid's lips, as she finds herself feeling oddly proud of her friend. Yes as he mentions Ioann, she sighs, giving Ravel a sidelong glance.
"We should head back, and at least make sure Kendra knows that Ioann's opinion, while the loudest, is not the majority."
Ioann sights and passes his hand through his hair before responding to Kendra.
"Ingrid and Ravel believe you should come with us, that you deserve to help shed light on what happened to your father, and that coming with us would refrain you from doing anything else that might put you in danger... whatever that could be. As for me... I stand by my opinion. This prison is a dangerous place, filled with murderous spirits, and I would not want anyone that I care about going in there."
Ioann pauses for a moment, still avoiding Kendra's gaze, he battles his own thoughts in silence.
I guess I could protect her... she could come, it would maker her feel better... no... No! She would see me lose control, filled with anger, unable to contain this curse!
Ioann becomes more and more agitated, and upon this last though, throws the bundle containing his sword to the ground. Still, his thoughts race on, carried by his negative emotions.
Not only that, what if she meets the whisperers, and faces them. What then? Will she curse her own self by killing people, howerver vile they might be. he thinks, grabbing his head between his two hands.
Ioann starts lifting his gaze to look at Kendra, his eyes shaking with anxiety. Still, before their eyes meet, he changes his mind. Instead of resuming the conversation, he bends down to pick up his bundle before standing back up. Now calm, he looks up, eyes focus, not toward Kendra but toward Harrowstone. His face more stern than usual, he finally speaks up again.
"Do as you wish. The horrors one might find in such a place may come from one's own heart and destroy oneself forever. Something I would not forgive myself for... you are a nice person, and you should stay that way. That is what I think."
Suddenly, Ioann turns toward Kendra and stares directly into her eyes with more intensity than he has been able to muster in the past years.
"What now? Do we wait for the others?"
Kendra stands there quietly listening as Ioann speaks his mind. Finally she asks quietly, "What happened to you, Ioann? What happened to make you become so... unraveled? I'm sorry, never mind, it isn't my business. Listen, I cannot pretend to understand what goes through your mind or what it is that you are so afraid of but if it really means that much to you, I will not go. Go back to the others and tell them that I am fine staying behind."
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Uklod, if you help me with the bureaucracy, I will accompany you while you choose a bow. Do any of you require anything from the town hall ?
If he hears no dissenting comments, he then heads out to the town hall.
As the others leave the Temple to go on their different ways they spot the young man who was serving them at The Laughing Demon the night before. Pevrin, his name was, Zokar's son. He's pinning a piece of paper up on the posting pole next to the temple.
You see Kendra and Ioann haven't gotten very far, and they stand talking on the road between two farm fields. It will take the group a couple of minutes to catch up to them at a casual pace.
So lad, what are you posting
Terrance looks over the shoulder of the young lad, and reads what he is putting on the pole.
"It's about the town hall meeting tonight. You going?"
I don't know right now, I will ask the others, and see what we come up with.
Terrance then passes the info on to Uklod as he starts to amble down the road towards closest bridge to get to the town hall.
Ioann looks back over his shoulder to see the other approaching. Seeing as they will take some time to arrive he bows his head and stays silent. Finally, he utters a few more words to Kendra.
"I am sure they stand by their decision and think that you should do whatever you desire to do... that it is your right to come with us... they'll soon be able to tell you that themselves. he says looking once more over his shoulders to the others. Clearly, he avoids answering her question as to the source of his change.
As they approach Ingrid studies the pair. "Based on their body language, looks like he's only managed to make things worse." she says with a sigh. "Seriously, what in the name of all the gods do you all see in him?" she asks Ravel quietly.
"Potential. I remember him from when Professor Lorrimor would visit me. Something about him just stuck with me, it was a pleasant surprise to see him again to see the man he has become. I think there is a lot more to him, if I could just get his shell to crack."
Kendra waits for the other two women to catch up before turning back towards the path to her home. She continues on, walking in silence.
As Terrance and Uklod head towards the Town Hall, they get the occasional wary look that Terrance has already grown accustomed to from this town. Just the same, a couple of others smile or nod at the two as they pass. It does not take them long to get to the building designated as the Town Hall and already there are a few people crowded around outside discussing the meeting that is to take place that evening - hours away still.
So Uklod, now that we are here, can you show me how you deal with the mass of paperwork that seems to appear at times
With that, Terrance holds the door open so Uklod can walk in.
Ioann walks with the three women. He stays silent the whole way, in a more gloomy mood than usual. Every so often, his brow furrows and he groans while massaging his scalp. Even though the last words he spoke to Kendra seemed decisive, he is now clearly agonizing over them.
After a while, Ioann gets over this loop and finally looks around. Seeing Ingrid from the corner of his eye, he lets out a few words.
"Slaying these ghosts and specter will be a good change of pace... you must be anticipating this too, killing creatures that the Lady of Graves despises?"
"Destroying those things that seek to claw and scrape their way past the veil to act on the hatred of the living, I consider a sacred duty, but yes there is a certain satisfaction that comes with putting down that which affronts the lady. Though in this case, it will be far more personal." Ingrid responds quietly.
"True." is the only answer Ioann can find.
So Uklod, now that we are here, can you show me how you deal with the mass of paperwork that seems to appear at times
With that, Terrance holds the door open so Uklod can walk in.
"Well each township's clerks are different. Some love doing all of their own paperwork...and others prefer rum." Uklod answered with an atypical grin which vanished just as quickly as it appeared.
"Pray this one is the former as his records will be much more organized. Hopefully they'll also be in a hurry to get to this meeting as well."
Stepping inside with a thankful nod to the mannered dwarf, the inquisitor cast a quick glance around for the clerk's office even as he tried to listen in the people waiting around.
"It is all darkly fascinating, wondering who these haunts and spirits were in life... and what shreds linger on in that prison..." Once they reach the estate, Ravel speaks up, "So things are tense, but there are things that need to be said. Kendra, will you come with us when we return to Harrowstone? We all want to keep you safe, but you have more right than any of us to investigate this..."
Uklod overhears people whispering about the stirge attacks and how the insects didn't bother the woman who was playing the flute. Some think that she might be a descendant of the Piper and called the stirges herself. Others are talking about a rumor they heard that the Professor rose from the grave and tried to kill Lady Kendra.
The clerks office is not very far from the door and labeled clearly enough. Just inside the small room a petite, middle aged woman sits at a desk looking over a stack of papers. She looks up when you enter, "What can I do for you?"
-----
Kendra remains quiet in thought for a moment before finally shaking her head and saying, "No, I don't think that I will. Although I am sure I could be of assistance, the concern that you all have is endearing and I respect you all enough for that to mean something to me. Besides, you all have seemed to do well enough without me so far."
Once at the estate, Ioann seems more civilized than usual. He slowly takes off his boots, puts his coat on a hanger, and gently sits himself in the couch he usually sits in. Still, this "gentleness" seems to come from his defeated attitude, almost as if he was too tired to be angry.
After leaning his head backward and closing his eyes to rest for a moment, he chimes in.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." he answers to Kendra in a barely audible voice. "So, is the plan to wait for Uklod and Terrance and then head there?"
Terrance looks at the lady behind the desk.
We were wondering if there might be a floor plan or overall map of Harrowstone. We were looking at it as a research project.