Andjela shoots Anna a look, Any relation to our Fabulous Five, you think? Could one of them have lived there?
No Andjela. Those 5 were brought here in chains and never lived in the town, as far as we know. Gibs, Where did the blood come from. Do you recall getting it from somewhere?
Anna is silent for a long time. When Kimberly spoke to the man, she had stepped back and crossed her arms, leaning against the wall.
When Tolvan asks about the blood, she leans forward intently, but says nothing.
Gibs just lifts his hands before his face at looks at them, reliving a past experience. "I've no idea... I looked all over my house and even outside, but saw no blood, no body. I just don't know." He remains still, continuing to stare at his hands.
Anna keeps her arms crossed, regarding him quietly, frowning. Finally, she takes a deep breath, and walks out of the holding area. She paces in thought for a few moments.
Finally, in hushed tones she speaks to Tolvan, Kimgald and Andjela, I don't get it. Why now? What's so significant about right now that we've got ghosts acting up? Fifty years, they've been quiet. Why hasn't anything like this happened before?
She runs her hands through her hair in frustration. If there's ghosts in Harrowstone, why doesn't everyone in Ravengro know about it? If they're strong enough to send stirges after us, or take over people, why isn't every house covered in red letters? What's happened in the last couple --
The question gets stuck in Anna's throat as realization dawns in her eyes. She starts breathing again as she exchanges glances with those who have read Professor Lorrimor's journal.
Tolvan, following Anna's logic, finishes her thoughts quitely. Its that cult. Whatever they did it must have stirred those ghosts up, or somehow released them.
About this time an authoritative voice can be heard speaking to the crowd outside, trying to field questions and quell their fears and anger. The sheriff gives you all a look and moves his head towards Gibs, Watch him, the unspoken request. After a moment the sheriff returns, a well-dressed man in tow. "Councilman; meet Kimberly, Anna, Andjela, Kimgald, and Tolvan, these're the folks I told you about. Everyone, this is Coucilman Hearthmount, I don't know that you've met." As the sheriff introduces you, Councilman Hearthmount steps forward and shakes your hand briskly, even Kimberly. He spares a glance past you towards Gibs and then addresses you, "We've met, except you my dear." he inclines his head to Andjela. He looks around for a moment, confusion on his face, "Where is the tall orcish fellow? Well, never mind... I come with a request from the Council, for all of you. The townspeople are afraid, and have been for awhile. It's to the point now where they want to feel as if the council is doing something about it. To this end we've called an emergency town meeting, tonight. We, well, I was hoping you'd attend." He shares a look with the sheriff, and then looks back to you, "The good sheriff has been keeping me apprised of the situation and your role in them, and I feel your service thus far has been invaluable. Accomplishing things we haven't the time or the manpower to do." He pauses a moment to gather himself, "So will you all come to the town meeting tonight?"
Tolvan looks to the others for any concerns before he answers for himself. I will come.
Anna, hoping she doesn't look as pale as she feels, nods a few times. Sure. Sounds good.
Sheriff, I recommend you keep Mr. Gibs here where he is safe and someone can keep an eye on him. Until we find out where that blood came from we are not sure how bad a crime has been committed. He looks pointedly at Gibs, daring him to argue. In the mean time I wonder if we have time to go and have another talk with good father Grimburrow at the church.
The sheriff nods in agreement, "Of course."
Kimberly rubs her arm and picks up her teddy after the councilman nearly shook her arm right off causing her to drop the stuffed bear.
After making his request she goes to Gibbs don't worry, I belive you. hopefully if you stay here the ghost can't make you do bad things
Kimberly removes her silver neclace (Holy Symbol) and gives it to Gibbs
Pharasma will protect you. Keep this near your heart
Kimberly does not answer the councilman about going to the meeting she will merely accompany Anna.
Are we going back to the church now? Maybe father Grimfac....burrow, will let us see the secret stuff.
Anna will watch tight-lipped as Kimberly speaks with Gibs. She'll narrow her eyes at him to punctuate Kimberly's kindness with a threat of retribution against any betrayal of that gesture.
I'm ready to get out of here, she offers, leaving the sheriff's office and eyeing the crowd warily as she moves through it.
Gibs a hand out slowly and retrieves the holy symbol, and then looks up with a look of... wonder on his face as the group leaves. Outside the crowd is all smiles and respectfully clears a path for Anna and the others.
Father Grimburrow is notified of your arrival and comes down to meet with you. "Welcome, I'm glad you've returned. There is a buzz about that you've made a breakthrough of sorts in the strange goings-on lately. Is this true?" he asks with a faint smile creasing his wizened features.
Father Grimburrow. It is good to finally meet you. I am Tolvan. This is Anna. And this is Andjela. I understand you have already met Kimgald and Kimberly. We do have more information and we want to share it with you, because we believe working with the church will bring about the best outcome and is the right thing to do. We hope after you hear what we have to tell you that you might consider helping us in every way you can. Is there a place we can talk in private?
"Indeed you are correct, Tolvan. Ravengro is not a frequent stop for visitors, so I feel I have heard so much about most of you already. It is my pleasure. There is a place inside we can sit. Come, come." He leads you inside to a small sitting room with two chairs, and takes one, "I'm sorry there are not more seats, and I am ungraciously using this one, I find standing wears me out faster and faster these days." He adjusts his robes and looks you all over, "So let us hear of this great need you have."
as they leave Kimberly looks back and waves goodbye to Gibbs and holds her teddy to wave as well. she then hurries to walk with the others.
Kimberly tries to make sure everyone follows the rituals before entering the church. of course she does not have any real power to stop anyone but she tries.
you must make the sign before you go in she says like this as she motions her hand over her heart to form the holy symbol of Pharasma.
Once inside Kimberly notices an acolyte that helped take care of her while she stayed here before meeting doctor Lorrimor. She starts to run to her but soon stops as the acolyte looks at her sternly. Kimberly then walks respectfully to her. and gives her a hug.
Kimberly says her hello's then returns to the group in the sitting room she whispers in celestial and touches Andjela's hand as takes a seat on the floor next to Her.
As you can tell, your Holiness... I am Paladin, and follower of Iomedae. I have come to understand that there are certain supernatural occurrences taking place that may involve... ghosts.
I am no expert on the topic, certainly. But between Mr. Gibbs' apparent possession and a haunting music that calls forth repugnant stirges... If the dead are uneasy, it would be of interest to the Church of Pharasma, if something disturbed the natural order.
This also interest Iomedae, and I will lend what assistance I can. Slightly bowing in deference.
Anna had used the gesture taught by Kimberly when entering, though she muttered inaudibly under her breath while doing so. She then stood against the wall in the cleric's study, leaning back and crossing her arms.
After Andjela speaks, she twists her mouth and looks around. Okay, I'm just going to say this. We think that Harrowstone is haunted. The ghosts there are all stirred up, probably because of some necromancers that killed the Professor when he went up there. We need you to get your clerics to go up there and quiet them down. You think your Pharasmans are up to it?
Let me start at the beginning Father. And I am sure we do not have all the pieces of this puzzle, but, with your help we all may leave this meeting knowing more than when we came here.
He pauses and takes a deep breath, searching for and, for once, finding his elusive notebook. When the professor died, and we believe he was murdered, he was looking for signs of cult activity at the prison site. We think he found it. Seems this cult of XXX (notes at work) needs something from the prison for some ritual that the entire world would be better off without. Whatever this cult did, they also woke up, or freed ghosts of those 5 infamous criminals that had just arrived at the prison before the fire. Two have shown themselves... Tolven goes on, describing all the evidence that has been found to date, telling everything except the groups visit to the crypt to gather "Supplies" and the existence of the one book that they have not opened.
So, tonight we will go and listen to the town council and try to help your town as best we can. We believe we will eventually have to go to the prison to make right whatever this cult has made wrong. We may face the cult, or something they discovered or set free. But whatever the case, we are all dedicated to finishing the work the professor started, even at great risk to our lives. I am sure you would not send us ill equipped, with poor equipment, or poor intelligence, on such a quest. Which is why we are asking you to open your records to us, and to help us yourself in making sure we know as much as we can about the threat we will face.
The Father seems somewhat responsive to Anjela, but decidedly unimpressed when Tolvan and Anna chip in. "Well, you make a convincing case Paladin, and while I do appreciate your concern miss Anna, I do not appreciate your choice of words, calling into question my chapters commitment or capability to watch over this town. I will open our records to your group Mr Tolvan, but they will be selected by me. I do no limit these resources in order to impede your progress, but some things are sacred and some things are private. Please follow this acolyte to a study and I will have the books brought to you. Unless there's something else, there is something I must attend to." He gestures to the acolyte standing near the door and slowly stands, leaning heavily on the arm of his chair.
The acolyte leads you to a quiet study with a half-dozen desks, each with two candles, and bids you wait. After about 15 minutes acolytes begin bringing in books, mostly dealing with the history of Ravengro. Some journals, some scraps of remembered accounts. Others full-fledged attempts to capture the towns history. Many from a religious perspective and which refer to the spiritual state of Ravengro and it's citizens. You see much here that you've already seen at some of the other locations you've visited, but this material would certainly have provided much of what you've already discovered much faster.
As the others leave Kimberly goes to Father Grimburrow
Anna isn't really that bad once you know her. Pharasma showed me she has a good heart. and thank you letting us see your special books.
She makes the symbol over her heart then over Grimburrows then kisses him on the cheek. she then goes to catch up with the others.
Once at the library section Kimberly looks for a book about ghosts and settles in for a bit of a read.
Tolven, grateful for the chance to learn more, dives into the provided material.
He would like to learn more about the 5 prisoners and their crimes, the warden and his wife how to defeat undead in general, and haunts specifically, and all about the Whispering Way cult and what it might want at the prison.
When she's out of sight of the father, Anna harrumphs petulantly. Then she joins the group in another research endeavour.
Father, though I have no dominion over their persons... I will try to ensure the records are treated with respect, as should be afforded to the authority and sanctity of the church of Pharasma.
Father Grimburrow chuckles at Kimberly's display of affection, and nods in appreciation of Andjela's words as he moves slowly from the room.
During your research several more books are delivered and you find there is plenty to learn from in what has been provided. You find an third party account that claimed the Warden & his wife both died in the prison fire. But you only find the one reference and cannot confirm it with another source. You also learn one thing about necromancy that could have something to do with there presence at the prison, that some of their rituals require capturing spirits in order to raise another.
Kimberly locates some interesting information on ghosts, and the rest help turn the findings into something meaningful.
When a soul is not allowed to rest due to some great injustice, either real or perceived, it sometimes comes back as a ghost. Such beings are in eternal anguish, lacking in substance and unable to set things right. Although ghosts can be any alignment, the majority cling to the living world out of a powerful sense of rage and hatred, and as a result are chaotic evil—even the ghost of a good or lawful creature can become hateful and cruel in its afterlife.
A weapon of extremely excellent qality or better yet magical in nature, will hurt ghosts but any such attack only partially harms such beings. A ghost can sometimes use shields or armor.
A few of you are able to find several references to undead and extrapolate these findings into a coherent set of traits which might be helpful to fighting any undead you encounter.
Darkvision
Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
Immunity to bleed, death effects, disease, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
Not subject to nonlethal damage, ability drain, or energy drain. Immune to damage to its physical ability scores (Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength), as well as to exhaustion and fatigue effects.
Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save.
Proficient with its natural weapons, all simple weapons, and any weapons mentioned in its entry.
Undead do not breathe, eat, or sleep.
Andjela tries to help by looking through documents, but it's obvious as much as she tries to be professional and focused, she's bored.
Maybe I'll be more useful out in the field, as the Professor used to say. I'm not that strong in... academics. I just know a little about faith and religions, but my retention. I'm easily distracted.
I could go for a ride, get some air... survey the country side. Anyone else ride?
Anna looks up from the manuscript she'd been perusing and notes the lengthened shadows. She puts her hands on the small of her back and stretches in her seat. I've never been so happy for a council meeting, she mutters, and then stands.
On the way to the town hall, Anna mentions to Tolvan and Andjela, still no idea why Vesorianna was at the prison when it caught fire. It's pretty clear Splatters was trying to spell out her name, but why? Did he have some relationship with her?
Anna shakes her head at the paladin, though she looks very tempted to learn. Sorry.
The area around Town Hall is bright with lanterns, and it seems the entire town has come out to hear what their leaders are going to do to get things back to normal. There is a feeling of excitement in the air, as these types of meetings are not called often, but underneath it, you sense a undercurrent of fear and distrust. People are quiet, not looking at each other, and keeping mostly to themselves. Councilman Hearthmount is wringing his hands at the edge of the crowd, peering past townspeople, greeting them hurriedly, and then a look of relief comes over his face as he spots you approaching in the rapidly dimming daylight. "There you are! I was... well nevermind. Thank you for coming." He shakes hands with you, but drops his voice to a low murmur. [smaller]"I didn't want to surprise you in there, but the Council is under a lot of pressure, and we are planning to present you five as the ones we've brought in to deal with the strange goings-on in Ravengro. This will, I believe, put the hearts and minds of many at ease. Many have heard of some of the things you've done since you've arrived and, well, we need your help." He looks imploringly at you for a moment, before another citizen pushes in, demanding the councilman's attention. He's swept away with the growing crowd into the Town Hall.
The room is packed, and the Sheriff is at the door directing people as best he can. Many rows of benches are on the main floor, and people are there as well as along the walls and standing behind the benches. You'd estimate there's over 60 people inside, mostly men and women, but even a few children too small to leave at home. The councilman are up at the front of the room on a raised stage, about 3' high, and Councilman Hearthmount is just climbing up and into his seat as you enter. He motions you to the stage invitingly, but there are seats a few seats you can nab on the main level if you move quickly. There are tall windows along the length of the hall, and in between each is a lantern, lit against the coming darkness. The Sheriff has stopped allowing people into the building, posting himself by the doors and casting a wink your direction. There's plenty still outside the double doors, straining to see and hear what's happening on the interior.
Seeing you situated, another councilman you haven't met calls the meeting to order, going through the motions and bringing up a few minor items for the councils attention. The crowd is restless however, and a man shouts from the back, "We didn't come here to listen to you decide about the Lorvey's irrigation or when to upgrade the roads! We want to know what you're doing to protect us folks in Ravengro!" This is met with a loud agreement from the gathered throng, their fear unifying them. The Councilman stammers a moment, unused to such a confrontation, but regains his composure. "Yes, lets discuss that now shall we." As if there is one in the crowd who doesn't know what's going on he starts to recount the strange happenings lately. The murder of Professor Lorrimor (you realize Kendra is not in attendance), the sightings of strange creatures and abnormal mists coming up suddenly, the blood covered monument, missing animals, and the recent capture of Gibs. As each point is brought up, certain people in the crowd fearfully shout out their confirmation or witness of these things being described. "And what are you doing about all of this!?" a woman in the middle of the room cries, "These streets aren't safe! What happens when it's a child that missing and not a dog or a chicken!?"
Unless the councilman asks otherwise, Tolvan takes a seat in near the back and keeps a low profile, as best he can. He knows he stands out. He offers seats to the rest of the party as they enter, hoping to keep everyone together. Well, at least they are calling the professor's death a murder and not denying the problem. he thinks. I've not heard about sightings of strange creatures or missing animals. There are people here we likely still need to talk to.
Kimberly comes in and will sit near Tolvan and try to motion Anna to join them.but she is worried that her small size will keep Anna from noticing her so she ends up standing on the bench.
from her seemingly higher perch Kimberly takes a quick scan of the room looking for any of the other girls from the town that used to tease her.
Anna will take a seat near Tolvan and Kimberly, if there's room. She takes a relaxed posture, be remains ready to bolt if the crowd turns ugly.
Kimbery's search for those others girls proves fruitless, as they all seem to have been left home and not allowed to come along.
Kimgald manages to sit alongside you all, leaving just enough room for Andjela to perch on the edge of the long bench-seat or stand alongside it if she prefers.
Andjela strides to the front, her dark cloak billowing slightly in her wake. Crowded or otherwise, folks nearly sense her approach and naturally make enough room for her to pass. Her boots make a decided clear clap as she takes each step.
Upon reaching the stage, she moves to stand near the councilman, behind the speaker's mark on stage. Her tall stature and statuesque beauty seem to only accentuate the image of the starkest warrior.
She remains at parade rest, about her neck, not one but two symbols of Iomedae. She scans the crowd, giving her new friends a stern look, offering an understanding genuiness to the crowd and daring any to offer challenge.
Tolvan slides over in his seat, taking up some of the extra room he was saving for Andjela.
Kimberly looks to Tolvan
I think she is mad at us
indicating Andjela
Anna shifts a bit in her seat as Andjela makes her entrance. She perks up an eyebrow at her and twists her mouth as if to say, Laying it on a bit thick, aren't we? But she relaxes a bit more, thinking that the paladin's presence ought to keep the crowd in line. Still, she notes the number of strides it will take to get out through the door and at least two windows.
Councilman Hearthmount appears pleased that Andjela has come to the front, and nods at her as she approaches. Her bearing does get the attention of the crowd, and tempers some of the more scared and frustrated folks. The councilman speaking before the crowd inclines his head at the questions about what they intend to do about the problems, and holds an arm out to indicate Andjela. "Most of you are well aware that a handful of the late Professor Lorrimors friends have come to pay their respects. They have proven invaluable to the Sheriff in the investigation of the incidents you've mentioned. There has even been an arrest made and our monument was spared the nightly vandalism due to these brave visitor's efforts. We, the Council, are throwing our full support behind them, under the direction of our good Sheriff."
This is met by silence for half a breath, and then a round of applause erupts from the crowd, with several of the more excitable even throwing hats into the air. Many reach over and pat those sitting down on the back in appreciation, and eyes turn expectantly towards Andjela up on the stage.
Discreetly drawing a dagger, Anna will whisper to Tolvan, watch Kimberly; something's up.
Then she'll move to the closest window and peer outside.
Tolvan nods, knowingly. With you. he comments as he quickly his Mage Armor spell.
With some pushing and shoving Anna is able to move towards the window. All eyes in the room (except the more observant of you) are locked onto the stage and the exciting revelation. They eagerly wait for either the councilman to continue or, more likely, for some sort of encouraging word from the Paladin. Just as Anna makes it to the window to peer out, the lanterns flare into ultra-brightness and simultaneously explode into huge balls of flame. The doors, of their own accord, are blown inward and nearly closed --of their own accord. The Sheriff reacts quickly, and interposes himself between the heavy doors, and they close with a painful crash against his body. He grits his teeth and pushes back against them with all the strength he can.
The flames surges into the crowd who are standing near the windows, including Anna, and the excitement quickly turns into screams of pain and fear. The crowd stumbles up and away from the walls, and towards the door, the councilmen stand up in shock and fear. The wall and floor directly under 5 lanterns turn into instant conflagrations, leaving 4 locals down amidst the flames. Two windows, both on the east side of the room are smashed inwards at nearly the same moment as the lanterns explode. Two flaming skulls rush into the room above your heads, dark mouths and eyes agape and lit, while a hellish flame covers and trails behind in bright arcs.