It isn't long before the conversation is interrupted by a brusque *KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCKING* at the door.
"Why do you have so much time to gain experiences, Lord Bramwell? You don't look like one of the long lived elves." Imperia continues to sip her tea. She seems to be enjoying the cherry fire.
After a few moments, Imperia shifts into lecture mode, "Reading books is a way to gain knowledge faster than if you experienced it for yourself. Let's take building a fire as an example. If you had never seen one built how would you know you needed a flit and steel and the sticks in that configuration to light it so quickly? If there is no one to teach you, then a book with diagrams could be your guide. I'm sure anyone would figure it out eventually or else freeze or starve. It still takes someone or something to teach you how to do that task. Experience is an excellent if harsh teacher. Why just lean on experiences and not use the knowledge available to you to reach the same level of education more efficiently?"
Bramwell shakes his head and smiles. "No, I am not an elf, no. Elves receive the gift of long life. In my case, it is a curse. Dhampir, they call it. But most are not like me... hard on the eyes, yes?" He then listens to Imperia's lecture on the nature of learning. When she finishes, the nobleman retorts "And yet, there are things no book can teach. Like the pain of a fireburn." He sighs and looks out the window again. "But you are right about teachers. The secrets I've learned, they are spoken mouth to ear in a forbidden language, generation after generation. A long line of druids, they come from. As good a method as reading, if not better."
The sudden interruption grabs Bramwell's attention. A bit startled, he waits for someone to take action. Looking at Khardan, he says "There's someone at the door." It becomes quite evident that he expects the half-orc to answer the call.
Jayla was pleased at Kendra Lorrimor's pleasure of the fire and its newly-giving warmth.
When Lord Bramwell confirmed her earlier, semi-private presumption regarding he being a Dhampir, she smiled to herself, before the sound of knocking broke through her reverie. The Dhampir then seemed to be expecting Khardan to answer the door. But why would Khardan do so when the homeowner, Kendra, was in the room with them.
Perhaps the bereaved daughter was not in the mood to speak with people at her door, so Jayla smiled and informed them, "I shall go see who it is," before moving out of the sitting room and toward the front entrance. The Chnageling opened the door and greeted the knocker with a cordial smile, "Good morning. How may I help you?" Lirin sat on her shoulder, regarding the person with curious eyes.
Jayla opens the door, letting in a sharp, cold draft as she greets the home's visitor.
Standing at the door is a portly, black-haired man dressed impeccably in a black, ruffed overcoat with a matching silk tunic beneath it. Some streaks of grey run along his temples, and his grey eyes have a look of quiet authority about them. He blinks when he sees Jayla at the door.
"Ah... good morning. I am Councilor Vashian Hearthmount, and I'm here to read Petros Lorrimor's will." The man clears his throat and nods at the scroll peeking out from underneath his overcoat. "I was expecting Ms. Lorrimor to answer the door--is she in?"
Jayla quietly studied the councilman before replying, "Indeed, Mistress Kendra is here. Please do come in and follow me into the sitting room," and with that Jayle allowed the man entrance, closed the door behind him and lead him into the room where the others were congregated.
Upon the threshold of the room, she soberly announced him, "Councilor Hearthmount to read the late Professor's will," before moving into the room and taking her seat.
Kendra looks up from the fire and her face pales. "Oh my--Councilor, I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting. I didn't expect you for another--"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Councilor Hearthmount just waves Kendra off. "It's no trouble at all." He says as he slips a scroll from his overcoat and holds it out for all to see. The scroll is sealed with wax, in the shape of a lit lamp.
"The Professor's will." He says before breaking the wax seal and unrolling the scroll. He clears his throat, and with a final glance at everyone present, begins to read...
"I, Petros Lorrimor, being of sound mind, do hereby commit to this parchment my last will and testament. Let it be known that, with the exception of the specific details below, I leave my home and personal belongings entire to my daughter Kendra. Use them or sell them as you see fit, my child." The councilor's nose twitches.
His eyebrow arches as he continues reading. “Yet beyond the bequeathing of my personal effects, this document must serve other needs. I have arranged for the reading of this document to be delayed until all principals can be in attendance, for I have more than mere inheritance to apportion. I have two final favors to ask."
"To my old friends, I hate to impose upon you all, but there are few others who are capable of appreciating the true significance of what it is I have to ask. As some of you know, I have devoted many of my studies to all manner of evil, that I might know the enemy and inform those better positioned to stand against it. For knowledge of one’s enemy is the surest path to victory over its plans."
"And so, over the course of my lifetime, I have seen fit to acquire a significant collection of valuable but dangerous tomes, any one of which in the wrong circumstances could have led to an awkward legal situation. While the majority of these tomes remain safe under lock and key at the Lepidstadt University, I fear that a few I have borrowed remain in a trunk in my Ravengro home. While invaluable for my work in life, in death, I would prefer not to burden my daughter with the darker side of my profession, or worse still, the danger of possessing these tomes herself. As such, I am entrusting my chest of tomes to you, posthumously. I ask that you please deliver the collection to my colleagues at the University of Lepidstadt, who will put them to good use for the betterment of the cause." He glances briefly at Kendra before continuing to read the will.
"Yet before you leave for Lepidstadt, there is the matter of another favor—please delay your journey one month and spend that period of time here in Ravengro to ensure that my daughter is safe and sound. She has no one to count on now that I am gone, and if you would aid her in setting things in order for whatever she desires over the course of this month, you would have my eternal gratitude. From my savings, I have also willed to each of you a sum of one hundred platinum coins. For safekeeping, I have left these funds with Embreth Daramid, one of my most trusted friends in Lepidstadt—she has been instructed to issue this payment upon the safe delivery of the borrowed tomes no sooner than one month after the date of the reading of this will."
"I, Petros Lorrimor, hereby sign this will in Ravengro on this first day of Calistril, in the year 4706, AR.” The councilor rolls up the scroll. If he's surprised by the contents of the will, he doesn't show it.
The sudden interruption grabs Bramwell's attention. A bit startled, he waits for someone to take action. Looking at Khardan, he says "There's someone at the door." It becomes quite evident that he expects the half-orc to answer the call.
Khardan looks toward the door, then slowly back at Lord Bramwell. "I think you're right." He then resumes scarfing Kendra's sandwiches in a somewhat messy but appreciative manner.
"Fank oo," he says, trying not to spray crumbs when Jayla volunteers to answer the door.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After hearing Councilor Hearthmount read the will. Khardan stands up. "I will guard you as I did your father," he says to Kendra in a deep and apparently sincere rumble. "Though I don't know why he would want it for only a month."
Imperia's eyes light up at the mention of the tomes. I would love to see what those books contain. Maybe I can get a peek at them during my stay or the trip to Lepidstadt. Who am I kidding I don't want to peek I want to read and to study.
She nods solemnly. "I would be honored to return the tomes to the University after the month's stay."
She studies Kendra for a moment. "Are you alright with your father's request for us to stay in the area for a month?"
Jayla, hands folded in her lap, and Lirin on her shoulder, sat and listened to the contents of the will as read out by Councilor Hearthmount.
Stay a month at Ravengro? And onto Lepidstadt to return the tomes to the University. Also, a hundred platinum coins left to her... The final request filled her thoughts.
"Of course I will humbly abide by the Professor's last request. Do we rent a room here in Ravengro for a month? Nearby the house?", Jayla looked to the others for this was her first visit to Ravengro and she was unsure of the available accommodation and their location. She did not dare to presume to stay with Kendra for there had been no invitation by the woman. Perhaps she may want us nearer if we are meant to guard her...
"Though I don't know why he would want it for only a month."
"Perhaps the Professor believed that once the tomes were removed from the house and safely ensconced at the University, that Mistress Kendra would be safe from any who would try to harm her to take possession of them...," the Changeling's voice trailed off.
"I will guard you as I did your father, though I don't know why he would want it for only a month."
Kendra's face brightens in the aftermath of hearing her father's will. "I feel much safer already, sir."
"Are you alright with your father's request for us to stay in the area for a month?"
"Of course I will humbly abide by the Professor's last request. Do we rent a room here in Ravengro for a month? Nearby the house?"
"I'm quite alright with the lot of you staying here for the month. The house has spare guest rooms for all of you."
She then turns to the Councilor. "Thank you for coming here, Mr. Hearthmount."
"If there's nothing else, then I shall take my leave." The councilor bows once and starts heading for the door.
He pauses before opening the door and turns to the gathered strangers. "Please be on your best behaviour during your stay. Most of the locals aren't exactly... well, comfortable with out-of-towners getting involved in what are ostensibly local affairs." He shrugs. "Still, you made a better impression today than I thought you would."
With that, he opens the door and steps out into the cold Lamashan morning.
Bramwell remains silent, sunk in the armchair, musing over the situation. Why do you this to me, Lorrimor. He grunts and turns on his seat, and a grimace mars his face. "Hmph. A whole month. Yes, yes. How could I say no to the Professor's last wish." He stands up, walks slowly towards Kendra, and then takes her hand. "You will not come to harm while we are here. But I must ask, why would you?"
"I'm quite alright with the lot of you staying here for the month. The house has spare guest rooms for all of you."
"Oh, that is very generous of you, Mistress Kendra, and I would be happy to remain at the house. It will make our duty to your late father somewhat easier if we are all living in the same abode."
"Please be on your best behaviour during your stay. Most of the locals aren't exactly... well, comfortable with out-of-towners getting involved in what are ostensibly local affairs." He shrugs. "Still, you made a better impression today than I thought you would."
How had he expected them to behave? They were not wild, unintelligible beasts. Well, at least, he viewed them with some favour now he had met them.
"We do not intend to cause trouble during our stay in your town, Councilor Hearthmount, rest assured." Unless of course the shortsighted townsfolk decide to stir trouble and come at us or Kendra..., she added silently. "Good day to you, sir."
"I'm quite alright with the lot of you staying here for the month. The house has spare guest rooms for all of you."
"Staying here is good. We can keep an eye out as your father wished, and help you in any way you need. Perhaps you need his library cataloged? I'm sure I could get it shaped up over the next month."
What local affairs? We've been asked to look after a young woman for a month while she grieves and gets her feet under herself. How is that meddling?
"You will not come to harm while we are here. But I must ask, why would you?"
Kendra shrugs with a worried look on her face. "I... I don't know. Sure, some of the locals don't think too highly of any magic that doesn't come from Father Grimburrow, but..."
"We do not intend to cause trouble during our stay in your town, Councillor Hearthmount, rest assured."
"I sincerely hope so. Most of the townspeople are a bit on-edge as of late. Good day." The councillor says before departing.
"Staying here is good. We can keep an eye out as your father wished, and help you in any way you need. Perhaps you need his library cataloged? I'm sure I could get it shaped up over the next month."
Kendra nods at Imperia. "His library could use a bit of tidying up, for certain. And speaking of such books..." The young lady gets up and walks off. "...I should go fetch those books Father's will mentioned."
A few minutes pass as Kendra vanishes into the professor's library of esoteric books before she returns, carrying a dusty trunk made of oak and reinforced in places with iron bands. She sets the trunk down on the sitting room floor and takes the trunk's key out of her pocket. "Would one of you like to do the honours of opening it?"
Khardan volunteers. "I will, Mistress Kendra."
Accepting the key, he puts it in the lock and turns it, lifting open the lid.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The offered key fits in the lock perfectly. The lock turns with a *click*, and the trunk's lid pops open.
Four old tomes are neatly stacked side-by-side in the trunk, their covers oddly free from dust.
The first of the four tomes has a rich, purple cover, with a brass scarab set with a single eye in its centre. The book's cover is rimmed with polished steel and clasped with a small, intricate lock, the keyhole of which appears to be for a key with a strange, triangular shaft.
The tome underneath it is jet-black, with an oddly featureless cover. Flipping it open to the first page reveals its title, written in a shaky hand in elaborate, red-inked cursive writing: On Verified Madness.
The first book next to the purple tome has a sickly, blood-red coloured cover. The book's title is flanked by images of grinning skulls: Serving Your Hunger.
The book underneath Serving Your Hunger has no title on its pitch-black cover, but the pages within appear to be stained with old blood.
Curiously, there's a fifth book, lying across the two stacks of books. It's a simple, brown, leather-bound book with the message READ ME NOW! carved into its front cover.
Lord Bramwell bends over the open trunk and looks at the books with little interest, until his gaze falls on the exclamative message left by Lorrimor on the front cover od the leather-bound book. He grabs the tome with his bony hands and opens it, curious about its contents. "Now, this is a reading that seems urgent, wouldn't you say, Miss Albus? Moreso than any other book you or I possess, yes?"
Imperia examines the texts quickly carefully. She sets the purple one aside for further study. She holds up On Verified Madness. "This is a book on aberrations and the dark tapestry."
"These other two.", she muses, "There is something about them. I should know these, but can't quite recall." She shrugs.
She picks up the read me Now book and starts to read aloud.
Bramwell is stunned when Imperia unceremoniously snatches the Read Me Now volume from his hands, when he was just showing it to her. He lets the librarian have it anyway. "Books over manners, yes? Really urgent, I see", he mumbles displeased, looking the other way.
"I apologize Lord Bramwell. I didn't realize you weren't handing it to me." she hands it back. "Please feel free to read it to us."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The leather book isn't a tome of esoteric knowledge like the other books in the trunk--in fact, it's actually a journal that Professor Lorrimor kept. Most of the entries are dry and uninteresting, but there are some entries whose dates are circled in red ink...
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.
Moonday, 1st of Arodus, 4709 AR
It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be?
Oathday, 2nd of Rova, 4709 AR
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.
Sunday, 15th of Rova, 4709 AR
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.
Toilday, 17th of Rova, 4709 AR
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.
Wealday, 18th of Rova, 4709 AR
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.
Kendra looks over Imperia's shoulder. "Oh? What's this now?"
Bramwell tries to pretend he is still offended, but is actually glad to have Imperia acknowledge his complaint. "Hmph. Yes, no problem. I'll read it." He stands as straight as he can and starts reading the book out loud. Yet, it would have been better that someone else dit it, for the dhampir seems very unaccustomed to this sort of task, and does a terrible job conveying rythm and articulating the sentences. A poor reader, he does not seem aware of his limitation.
After reading the last entry, Bramwell looks at Kendra and raises an eybrow, his hideous visage ridden with doubt. "How exactly did your father die, Miss Kendra?
Kendra swallows and winces. "Um... his... his body was found behind the old prison. A gargoyle--I mean, a gargoyle statue, not an actual gargoyle--fell on his head and crushed him."
She looks down at her feet and falls silent.
Jayla listened as Imperia explained the jet-black tome: On Verified Hunger. After her own inspection of the other books, the Changeling added quietly, pointing the other three out, "The rich purple tome with the scarab is a Manual of the Order of the Palantine Eye. A secret society keenly interested in political and arcane matters." Then pointing to the pitch-black tome, "The Umbral Leaves. Zon-Kuthon's unholy text. It contains the general rites and practices of the Midnight Lord's faithful." And finally pointing out the blood-coloured text, Serving Your Hunger, "Another unholy text detailing rites, rituals, prayers and general lore of the goddess Urgathoa."
Jayla attempted to listen to Lord Bramwell read the journal contents aloud, but in the end she simply read the entries silently to herself to understand them better.
She listened as Bramwell asked Kendra how the Professor had died and then heard to the answer.
"An old prison could have loose gargoyles atop. But if the Professor was looking into The Whispering Way so diligently, could someone have pushed the statue down atop him? I earnestly do not mean to cause you more grief and concern, Mistress Kendra. But the death seems very suspicious to me especially after reading the entries in the journal. He was closing in on this cabal and their agents could have found out." Jayla reached out a hand to the daughter and gently touched her arm, understanding how hard it must be for her. Jayla then looked to the others and waited to hear from them.
Bramwell reflects on the information. "The Professor feared for his life, and then he died, he did. A gargoyle to the head, in a haunted ruin. So, either ghosts, or this cabal he speaks of, or chance caused the death of him. But nobody fears chance, yes?" He scratches his neck and speaks again. "You say Harrowstone is a prison, Miss Kendra? Why is it haunted?"
"Harrowstone?" Kendra's face pales slightly. "Well, the old prison was burned down with most of the inmates still inside... although, I'm not sure what this 'Whispering Way' would want there."
"I'll admit that I haven't been keeping abreast of local history--perhaps the town hall will have more information regarding the prison." She pours herself another cup of tea. "Of course, they won't be inclined to let just anyone peruse their volumes..."
"I'll admit that I haven't been keeping abreast of local history--perhaps the town hall will have more information regarding the prison." She pours herself another cup of tea. "Of course, they won't be inclined to let just anyone peruse their volumes..."
"Do you hold any sway with the local council, Mistress Kendra? Would they take your word on our honour and credentials so we may gain access to the town's records? Or is there a particular official I can talk to to try gain us access?"
"I don't really have any sway with the council, I'm afraid." Kendra shakes her head. "But if you want access to the town's archives, you could try asking Councillor Hearthmount. He always struck me as being a reasonable man, if a bit stiff."
"I will speak with Councillor Hearthmount. Thank you."
Jayla looked to her companions; Lirin having retreated to the warmth and sanctuary of the hood of Jayla's cape. "We still have the day ahead of us. Would you like to start investigating Harrowstone now? I will go to the Town Hall, if anyone is willing to accompany me."
Iperia says, "I will go with you to the town hall. Maybe a trained librarian from the University of Lepidstadt will hold some sway."
She asks, "Do you think the items to assist with fighting spirits might still be in the false crypt? We should look into that. I have a feeling we'll be finding ourselves in Harrowstone soon. Perhaps that should be done at night as to not upset the local priests. It's not exactly lawful to open a crypt even a false one."
Iperia says, "I will go with you to the town hall. Maybe a trained librarian from the University of Lepidstadt will hold some sway."
"Mistress Imperia, your credentials may indeed sway the Councillor in our favour. Thank you," the Changeling politely smiled at the librarian.
As to the tools stored by the Pharasmins in the false crypt, Jayla nodded, "The late Professor makes no mention in his private journal of obtaining the tools. So, aye, we should look for me and as you say, in the cover of night, away from the scrutiny of any in town. The Councillor did ask us not to cause any further trouble. The townsfolk are a most sensitive, superstitious lot it would seem or they are hiding something and do not want us to discover what it is..." Jayla's voice trailed off.
"I would go, but I fear my presence would make it all more difficult, it would. I stay with Miss Kendra, then. Her tea is excellent." Bramwell plods back to the armchair he elected as his spot, and sits down resting his hands on his knees. "At night, we go to the crypt. The dark is always better to go about, yes? I would think so." He pauses for a while, thoughts running around his head. "Very strange business, this 'accident'. Very strange. I shall wish to look into it, and meet the ghosts of Harrowstone, whomever they be."
Khardan listens to the preparations, contemplating the way that communities come together under pressure. "I'll go with you to the Town Hall, Jayla," he says. "I'm sure that with Imperia and Lord Bramwell here, Mistress Kendra could not be safer."
"I'll go with you to the Town Hall, Jayla," he says. "I'm sure that with Imperia and Lord Bramwell here, Mistress Kendra could not be safer."
"Actually, Khardan, Mistress Imperia has offered to come to the Town Hall, as well. I am happy for all three of us to go there now. Are we ready to leave?" Jayla takes her pouch, weapons and ammunition with her, but keeps the weapons out of direct sight lest they make the townsfolk more jittery than they already are. Her bag (and other belongings) will remain at the house since it is to be their home for the next month and she will not require the entire contents of her bag on this outing. Lirin hops out onto her mistress' shoulder and Jayla lifts the hood up over her hair as it is still chilly outdoors. The little thrush quickly sneaks back inside the hood and moves out of sight within the dark tendrils of Jayla's hair.
"Miss Kendra can you give us directions to the town hall?" After being given the directions Imperia indicates that Jayla should lead the way. She leaves her rapier on her hip. It's hard to hide a weapon of that length. She'll leave her bag behind as well.
"The town hall is the two-story, grey-shingled building to the southeast of the town square. You can't miss it--just follow the road north." Kendra says as Jayla, Imperia & Khardan leave the house.
Ravengro Ambience
--------------------
The trio steps out into the Lamashan chill and sets out along the old road. The frosty winds appear to have settled somewhat, though they still carry dead leaves along as they flow across the town. The road into the town square is quiet and mostly free of locals--unsurprising, considering it's a Sunday.
The town hall is nigh-impossible to miss: Kendra's description of it was insufficient to truly convey its stature. The grey, weathered building is two stories tall, with gently arcing gables over dark glass windows on its second story. A small set of aged wooden steps leads up to the double doors leading into the building itself. A window next to the doors is frosted over, but the orange glow of a light inside the building shows that at least someone's currently inside it.
Imperia looks around to see if anyone is taking particular notice of the group as she climbs the steps to the Town Hall.
She knocks on the door, and waits to see if someone will answer.
There's a group of children playing a jumping game of some sort in front of the gazebo, but otherwise the streets appear to be more-or-less barren.
A few moments pass before the sound of footsteps can be heard from within the town hall. One of the double doors opens with a *CREAK*.
A rather attractive older woman pokes her head out of the door, her dark hair neatly put up into a bun and her dark eyes alight with curiosity. Her dress is well-tailored, if rather drab.
"Yes? Who is it?"
"Good day, madam. My companions and I seek an audience with good Councillor Hearthmount if he is in his chambers this day. We are newly acquainted with the councilman. My name is Jayla Janviel and we are friends of Mistress Kendra Lorrimor. May we enter, please?" Jayla placed a cordial smile upon her face. Lirin remained inside her mistress' hood, out of sight.
"Oh, Councillor Hearthmount isn't in today. He takes Sundays off. However, I could perhaps assist you." The lady opens the door up for the group. "I am Councillor Shanda Faravan--a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She says with a smile.
"Please, do come in."
Jayla was a little concerned that the councilman they were familiar with was not in chambers, but content that Councillor Faravan seemed to be a pleasant enough woman.
"Well met, Councillor Faravan. And aye, you may be of assistance, thank you," Jayla stepped inside the open doorway after Imperia and into the foyer of the Town Hall, waiting for Khardan to enter as well.
Once situated inside, Jayla continues, "We were hoping you could grant us access to the town archives for we seek to know more about Harrowstone Prison and other historic structures. My colleague,
Mistress Imperia Albus, gesturing politely to Imperia, is the esteemed librarian at the University of Lepidstadt, and we seek to broaden our local history while we visit your lovely town. Would the three of us be permitted to look at the archives, Councillor? We promise to take good care of the records."
Imperia bows politely in greeting. "I'm always interested in the histories of the places I visit. I am a trained librarian and archivist. The records will be well taken care of."
The councilwoman cringes when Jayla mentions Harrowstone Prison, but her eyes light up when the young witch mentions Imperia's job. "Oh, really? I must confess, I wasn't expecting as such."
"I'll admit, I don't really see the harm in letting a proper librarian peruse the archives." She beckons the group to follow her. "I'll warn you now--the archives could use a bit of reorganizing. We keep meaning to do it, but we keep putting it off and forgetting about it."
The councillor leads the group down a side hall off the main meeting area. "Harrowstone was the only truly notable thing about our town ever since it was first founded--and it's a history that most people would rather forget. Most people don't really want to remember that they live in what was, by all appearances, a prison town."