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The broad shoulder Garundian squats by the doorway listening. His eyes and lack of emotion fail to give a hint to his thoughts, so it is good when he speaks them aloud.
"The professor said they were after someone. Someone who was dead, since the fire happened before any of us were born. The temple would have the names of the dead. You should go there." he says pointing to the others.
"You wish the lay of the land. That is wise. And I will scout the lands around this stone village, while you speak to the holyman." He looks to Aral. "You know not were the fat man is and could spend the day wandering. Go with them and help with your words. I will find him and tonight let you know where to look without your wanderings."
He stands and retrieves his shield, looking to each of you with no emotion once more in his expressions.
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Felyiel looks dubious but then smiles. "I believe him," the man says to the others. "I think we should let him scout around first. It is obviously why the professor asked him to be a part of this."
"I will stay here and guard Miss Lorrimor, should any of the locals become emboldened again." he states with a note of severity.
Let me know if this is alright and then I will advance to the temple.
Talia waits quietly until she hears Skie shutting the front door before grinning.
"My word! Who knew he could be so loquacious! Well? Are the two of you up for a walk?"
Benedict smiles and rises, "I am ready to go. I'm sure Mr. Watcher will not disappoint."
Aral will stay in his seat
Sky Watcher, I'll assume you do not speak our tongue fluently so you meant to give your opinion rather than orders. I will speak simply : First , we all need to know the layout of Ravengro. Second, you want to begin in the middle. Before asking about Harrowstone, I want to understand what happened to the professor and as a councillor ie an important man in the town , Mr Hearthmount should be easy to trace
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Skie Watcher's face takes on a stern look for a moment before it relaxes (well relax is relative it is more relaxed that what it was).
"You act like a pup sniffing at an unknown hole." he states to Aral locking eyes with the man. "You wish to know what is there but are to young and foolish to watch the hole from a safe distance to see what comes out first."
"Go and get a quill in your nose pup," Skie Watcher says making to leave. "The pain will help to teach you."
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After Skie Watcher laves and Talia speaks about him being loquacious (good word) Felyiel wonders if he should go with the others.
"Ravengro is unknown to all of us," he states truthfully. "But if your set on finding the councilman you shouldn't wander about town alone. I'll go with you and Talia and Dr. Darcy can check out the temple."
Talia's eyes roll as she frowns at Skie's rudeness, but she makes no comment about it directly.
"Well," she exclaims. "I see no reason why we cannot split up and cover more ground in a day. While I'm interested in getting a layout of the town and a feel for its inhabitants, especially after last night, still we have much to do if we're to discover all we wish to know. Might I suggest a division of duties for the day? Perhaps meet back here or with the Councilman later this afternoon?"
Addressing the raven behind her, she says "Keili, as Felyiel appears to be joining us, would you be so good as to keep watch on the house? Come and find me if you see anything threatening our good hostess. I don't fear the thugs from last night would attempt anything so direct, but I'd feel better knowing a pair of eyes were on the lookout."
The raven's head tilts up and he squawks something in an odd language.
Talia's mouth lifts in a smirk. "Fine," she says, rising and moving to open the window, beckoning to the bird. "I'll bring you some fish. Now get." The raven flaps out through the window and flies to the roof, Talia closing the window behind him. She turns back to the room expectantly.
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Ravengro - Late morning
Talia and Dr. Darcy make for the Temple of Pharasma crossing the brown creek to get to it. Along the way they pass a small orchard off to one side of the road and a farmhouse and barn on the other.
The morning is cold and the wind bites at any exposed area it can get at when it ships open a cloak. The air smells of rain and the soft dirt of the road will be mud to your ankles if it does. The wet weather will do the farmers good but for the two of you it may prove a nuisance.
Arriving at the temple you enter and are greeted by a grey robed acolyte.
"May I help you?"
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From the path in front of The Lorrimor House Aral and Felyiel can see the road leading into the city proper. Like an arrow pointing north it cuts through over a dozen buildings forming a circle around a gazebo at what must be the village's center. Other buildings lie outside the circle but these all have the look of one story homes. A few may be shops but only a few.
People move about watching the two men with a wary eye. Mothers rush children off between buildings and men keep their eyes cast down and hurry their step to get by.
Benedict smiles at the acolyte, "Yes, would you please let Father Grimburrow know that Miss Talia Senshir and Doctor Benedict Darcy are here to speak with him?" As he is waiting, Benedict unwinds his scarf from around his neck and unbuttons his coat.
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The acolyte nods and then moves off deeper into the temple.
Darcy and Talia wait for a few minutes taking in the sites of the grand stone building. Stained glass windows let in a multitude of colored light and liven up what would be a dull grey drab hall without them.
A few statues to long ago priest full niches along both walls and a few tapestries finish out the little decor inside the building.
Father Grinburrow returns with the acolyte and when he sees the two he doesn't seem to recognize you.
"Ah," he says suddenly as if something has dawned on him. "Let me guess you have run off from your homes and a looking to get married?" He folds his arms inside the sleeves of his robe and puts on a grim face as if allowing strangers to come into his church looking to be married isn't remotely allowed.
Talia looks to Darcy, thoroughly nonplussed.
"Ah," she says, looking back at Father Grimburrow. "Not precisely. We met yesterday, at the funeral of Professor Lorrimor? I'm Talia, and this is Dr. Darcy. We were hoping to beg a few minutes of your time, if at all possible."
Aral has put on his cleric outfit , his silver symbol of Pharasma being clearly visible and allows himself to walk with a serene expression in his face nodding to anyone who might look at him . All the while , he also also look at the wares on display in the shops and tries to estimate roughly how much people live in Ravengro , which and where are the notable places (inn or tavern, smithy , general stores , specialized shops and official places)
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The padre looks slightly confused and then takes a good look at Talia. When his eyes meet hers recognition dawns on his face. "The singer?" he says slightly puzzled. "Rumor has it your a banshee in disguise, ha ha." he laughs off the absurdity of his statement and the rumor. "I can't see through you. But you were both friends of Petros. He was such a good man. What may I do for you?" he asks.
_____________________________________________
Felyiel and Aral walk along taking in the sights of the small town.
Town Square
A simple wooden gazebo at the center of a grassy circular plaza serves as the hub for Ravengro’s major festivals and gatherings. The town council also uses the gazebo as a platform for major announcements. When their labor allows it, farmers who have musical talent often converge here, forming impromptu bands. The town square is also where the local farmer’s market gathers every Wealday. The town square is the most likely place to encounter Old River, the town dog. Old River has been ownerless for more than a decade, but the citizens of Ravengro have taken to looking after it—the dog has become something of a beloved town mascot. Old River is particularly protective of the town’s children, following the smaller ones if it spots them running off alone. The dog almost always spends its evenings sleeping under the gazebo steps.
Posting Poles
The best sources for local news in Ravengro are the posting poles located throughout the town. Here one can find dozens of messages tacked to one of the five huge posts jutting out of the ground—generally, all five posting poles have identical notices, but periodically one or two messages might be missing from one of the poles. Pevrin Elkarid (NG young male human, commoner 1), the oldest son of the owner of the Laughing Demon, has taken the role of Post Boy for the last 3 years, charging 1 cp to transcribe five copies of a post and then ensuring that the copies are posted for at least a week. It is at the Posting Poles that the locals leave news of nuptials, job postings for farmhands, or notices of missing pets. The most popular regular item at the Posting Poles, however, is the “Wealday Parchment”—a weekly posting written by elderly councilman Gharen Muricar that summarizes Ravengro’s current politics. Occasionally, it even carries news of events beyond Ravengro’s borders. The “Wealday Parchment” is the closest thing Ravengro has to a weekly paper.
General Store
Goods of all kinds can be procured here, especially tools and everyday items such as pots and pans. Luthko and Marta Avanaki (NG male and female human commoners 2) run the store with their five girls. While the store caters to local needs, the Avanakis keep in stock most of the adventuring gear, tools, and skill kits listed in the Core Rulebook. While they do not normally carry weapons, armor, or magic items, there is a display suit of masterwork full plate that stands guard in the back of the store.
Forge
Jorfa (LN middle-aged female dwarf fighter 2/expert 3) is one of Ravengro’s most jealously guarded assets, for her skill at the forge is out of keeping with what one would expect to find in such a small town. Jorfa has lived in Ravengro for so long that locals see her as more of an institution than a neighbor. She reached western Ustalav, where she heard a call for skilled crafters to aid in the foundation of a new town— Ravengro. Jorfa arrived only a month after Harrowstone was finished, and has lived in Ravengro ever since. Now approaching old age, Jorfa isn’t the oldest person in town, but she’s certainly lived in Ravengro longer than anyone else. While the majority of her work for Ravengro consists of tools for farmers and fisherfolk, she often forges weapons and armor as well. Most of these works she sells to visiting collectors, but she keeps a good selection of weapons and armor on hand (including several masterwork weapons and suits of armor).
Apothecary
Jominda Fallenbridge (N female human alchemist 2) keeps a well-stocked supply of pharmacological provisions, both herbal and alchemical. Here the PCs can find all of the special substances and items listed in Table 6–9 of the Core Rulebook as well as most common material components for spells and a good selection of magic potions—although she won’t agree to sell these to anyone but those whom she trusts. Rumors that Jominda crafts and sells dangerous alchemical items like poisons or drugs stem primarily from the fact that Sheriff Caeller is often seen speaking to her or patrolling near her shop.
Jail
Ravengro itself has never been a crime-ridden town (despite—or perhaps because of—the presence of Harrowstone), and its relatively small jail has always been more than enough to handle the town’s criminals (mostly public drunkards, vandals, or other minor thugs who rarely spend more than a few days in a cell). Indeed, the cells are typically empty, which is fine with the town’s sheriff, Benjan Caeller. Yet despite the town’s dearth of criminal activity, the sheriff likes to keep a tight lid on things by employing four part-time deputies: Leromar, Riff, Trestleblade, and Vrodish (all NG male or female human warrior 1). Each of these deputies spends a few days per week working as farmhands on one or more of the outlying homesteads. Most of the policework involves keeping order at the town taverns and making sure everyone stays calm and honest when the tax collectors from Caliphas ride through town.
The Silken Purse
Farming is a tough business. Drought, pests, and floods can make a year’s hard work vanish in an instant. To keep one’s farm afloat, those lucky enough to own land will often pledge it to a moneylender for credit. Others must pledge a percentage of the gross income from their next season of labor. Fortunately for Ravengro’s farmers, the Silk Purse is always ready to provide loans. Two moneylenders work out of this building, Luramin Taigh and Quess Yearburn (LN
male and female human experts 4, respectively)—security is provided by a small group of eight loyal mercenaries (all LN male or female human warrior 4) who live in barracks on-site. The Silk Purse also sells old collateral (mostly gems and jewelry) that farmers were unable to buy back after the terms of their loans expired. One of these pieces of jewelry is a ring of feather falling, and one of the gems is a dusty rose ioun stone.
The Outward Inn
The board and breakfast provided by Sarianna Vai (NG female human expert 2) comes highly recommended. The inn has 10 rooms, though it is rare for more than four to be occupied at any one time. Local musicians and storytellers often visit the main floor and basement tavern in the evenings, performing for coppers at the smaller, more intimate gatherings. Only if the place is really jumping can Sarianna be cajoled into performing herself. Although now retired, she was once a singer of some repute in Caliphas, and her voice remains strong and beautiful to hear.
The day has flown by for the two men as they wandered from place to place. The locals while not overly friendly seemed talkative enough once prompted or asked something about a neighbor.
They never made it past the inner ring of buildings and as they decide to take the long way around back to The Lorrimor House they see farmers gathering at the gazebo instruments in hand.
Benedict chuckles along with the Father, "Well, it seems that there are a lot of rumors floating around here. It's why we came to you actually. I assumed that you would have more reliable information about the circumstances surrounding the Professor's death. We understand he was found at Harrowstone?"
Benedict's expression mirror's the Father's, but he tries to sound casual as he answers his questions. "The Professor was a good friend and we wished to know how he came to his end. We asked his daughter, but it seemed that most of the details were kept from her." He glances over at Talia as he continues, trying to keep his tone casual so as to not sound overly interested in the answers to his next questions. "Now that I think about it, it seems strange that Professor Lorrimor was at such a desolate place as Harrowstone. Do you have any idea why he was there in the first place? I know there are stories of ghosts there, but incorporeal beings did not really fall within his area of study."
Talia giggles at the rumor of her being a banshee, and listens quietly as Father Grimburrow and Dr. Darcy speak, patiently awaiting a response.
Aral would have just paused enough at each shop to recognize its type in fact. After which , seeing the prison , he would inquire within where he could find Councillor Heathmount at this hour
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Father Grimburrow looks down cast. "I do believe he was there chasing a ghost, literally. If you arrive at the old prison at sundown, you can hear the ghost of the warden's wife wailing and sobbing within. I have heard her myself." he says with a small shudder.
He eyes the two of you with a hard stare from under his bushy white brows. "You two are thinking of heading there aren't you." he accuses. "You wish to finish whatever it was he was doing. Was that what his Will wanted you to do?"
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Aral and Felyiel only find a deputy on duty at the empty jail. He informs them that the councilman might be at the Town Hall, across the square and back a bit. If not there his home is the "largest in all Ravengro" and that you can see it from the jail where it sits on the other side of the river, across from the temple.
Aral will first head to the town hall and if the councilman is not there will then go to his house
Benedict seems taken aback by the Father's accusations. "I can assure you father that I have no desire to be involved with any sort of apparitions. I am a simple physician and do not have to facilities to handle those kind of creatures. The will asked us to care for Kendra in this trying time and deliver a few of his academic possessions to some of his colleagues. We just wish to find out more about his final days and the research he was trying to complete. I hope you understand that, as a fellow scholar, I wish to make sure whatever findings he may have made are preserved. Was anything found on his body that may have pertained to his research? Also, I do understand that he came to speak to you before his visit to Harrowstone, something about a list?"
Talia, too, seems surprised by Grimburrow's comment.
"Not at all, Father," she says, shaking her head ruefully. "As Dr. Darcy has stated, we've no desire to delve into such a place on a whim. We've a month to spend in your lovely town while we tend to the comfort of Kendra Lorrimor, and we thought to ensure the late Professor's work was well tied off, with all t's crossed, all notes organized, and everything bound with a bow before we leave to deliver his academic findings to his peers. Professor Lorrimor was a well-traveled, remarkable man. While his soul rests with our Lady of the Graves, still his memory and research lives on. History should do right by him and preserve whatever it can of his life and findings, including those of his last days on Golarion. If there's anything you could offer in terms of information that might help in this regard, we would be eternally grateful." Talia lowers her head demurely.
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If we were to post up an encounter where you don't play out the conversation, then you could take ten and then post up the action, as the Bluff would be done over time.
Rolling Sense Motive then will Fluff due to outcome.
Father Grimburrow looks dubious but nods to Dr. Darcy's words. "As curious as Petros ever was I see. Very well I will try to answer your questions."
He takes on a thinking expression and then continues, "I don't know anything about Petros wanting a list from me. A list of what? And nothing unusual was found on his body, just some items you find on any other dead adventurer throughout the land. But..."
The padre pauses and then gets a grim look, before his face takes on an expression of shock. "How could I have been so blind, it was right there in front of me. Petros would never go to Harrowstone without a few items to help protect himself and yet, he had not one arcane item with him save a small potion of curing. It was no accident that killed him was it?" he asks already assuming the answer.
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Aral finds the councilman at the Town Hall but has to wait till he is done with his duties before the large man finds the time to speak with him and Felyiel.
They sit and wait in the open main room on one of the numerous benches. A few towns folk, by their common garb, sit also waiting to speak with one of Ravengro's council members.
Town Hall
In classic small-town style, the people of Ravengro use this all-purpose facility for virtually everything, including council meetings, wedding receptions, and, when it rains, even the annual cook-off. Town council meetings are generally scheduled on the first Oathday of the month, and often last well into the night.
List of council members:
Councilman Vashian Hearthmount
Councilwoman Mirta Straelock
Councilwoman Shanda Faravan
Councilman Gharen Muricar
Benedict frowns at the Father's revelation. "That would indeed seem to indicate that it was not an accident. We had feared as much when we heard that he had died in Harrowstone, since it was clear that that place has such a sinister reputation. In any case, the list would have been of those souls who had perished in the fire at Harrowstone."
Talia nods in agreement. "It would appear the evidence suggests no accident." Talia looks to Grimburrow, as a thought strikes her. "In addition to any list Professor Lorrimor may have requested of you, could you recommend some one or place where we might learn the history of Harrowstone? If there was foul play in the death of the Professor, we may wish to investigate the circumstances, if only to discover the truth." She glances at Darcy for confirmation.
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The Father thinks back and then says, "I believe there should be a list of all who died. Somewhere in the archives, but I can't just let anyone down there. Not even friends of Petros."
An acolyte comes up and whispers something to the head priest. "I'm sorry, I must be going. But before I go, there is a monument south of town on the east side of the river. It was raised to honor the guardsmen that gave their lives during the fire to stop the prisoners escape. At the base is a list of everyone of those poor souls that died in Harrowstone. Good luck."
He leaves with the acolyte and doesn't look back.
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Aral and Felyiel finally see the councilman and stand to walk over to speak with him. Before they reach him a short, well armed man moves up to the larger heavier man in a huff.
Welcome to the game.
Benedict gives the priest a small bow. "Thank you for your assistance, Father." After he leaves Benedict turns to Talia his eyebrow raised, "So, my beloved fiance, I believe we should visit this monument, but I wish we could gain access to the list in the archives as well. It would be interesting to see if there was a discrepancy between the two lists. Perhaps Aral can talk his way in later?"
Kholtan strides up to the large man his hands clenching in anger his short but well kept hair almost seems to bristle with impaitence.
"Look here I have been waiting in this blasted place for over three hours now. I just want to how the Professor Lorrimor died and where I can find his people or whoever. Someone owes me money, and I want to know who and where and blast it I want to know how that Professor died so I can make whoever is responsible pay! now are you going to help me or not big man." he finishes by crossing his arms over his chest glaring up at the councilman or whoever he was ignoring the others he might have superceded, he honestly didn't care. He had liked the man as well as you could like him, gave him steady work if sometimes odd jobs and now he would have to find other employment.
Aral winces.
Talia, not quite managing to keep a straight face, replies, "Yes, husband-to-be, I find your plan an excellent one. If we find Aral on our way to the monument, we can ask him. If not, then when we see him this evening we can bring the matter to him. But at least the monument itself may give us a start. And, at some point, I wouldn't mind seeing the place where the Professor was found, and perhaps making note of those markings at Harrowstone he mentioned, in case they hold some clue."
Talia turns and looks around for the sun, trying to find where the south of town might be. Getting her bearings, she turns back to Darcy."Shall we?"
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Dr. Benedict and Talia make their way across the river to town and have little trouble getting directions to Luthko and Marta Avanaki's general store. As it is their five girls are out front jumping rope and singing, so it is easily pointed out to them.
As they make their way closer the girls seem to be repeating the same rhyme, as if seeing how many times they can do it before messing up. They each wear dark wool skirts and have white bonnets covering the heads. When they start anew both of you listen closely and are shocked...
Put her body on the bed.
Take a knife and lop off her head.
Watch the blood come out the pipe.
Feeds the stirge, so nice and ripe.
Drops of red so sparkly bright.
Splatters spell her name just right.
With a hammer killed his wife.
Now he wants to claim your life.
Tricksy father tells a lie.
Listen close or you will die.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
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"Ah, more of the Professor's friends I see. I should have guessed." the councilman says with obvious disdain. Looking over at Aral and Felyiel he say to them, "Just because his will says you people have to stay here the next month, doesn't give cause for any of you to be rude."
He turns back to Kholtan. "They are the people I believe you should be asking," he says waving a beefy hand towards Aral and Felyiel. "They are some of 'his people'," he says with a grunt of a laugh.
The small man stomps over to the people the fat man had pointed to and grins up at the pair. "Well now don't you two look lovely, are you the ones I talk to about when I am supposed to be payed? And when that professor died was hale and hearty or least where it counted, last time I saw him."
Benedict smiles as the girls begin to play again. As the words of their chant register his smile fades and his brow furrows. To Talia he remarks, "Cheery little ditty they have there."
Aral looks up and down Kholtan for a brief moment and then replies , his voice while not a shout is loud enough to reach the people in the hall
"What kind of man are you ? The professor is not a day in his grave and you come around crying for money. Well , no matter . If you have proof the professor owed you something , you should take it up with the executor of the estate . Mind you , shouting for it is not the way . People of breeding know how to follow procedure and you would do well to learn to do so. As for your other question, since your relation with Professor Lorrimor seem to be only a monetary one , I do not feel obligated to satisfy your morbid curiosity." With this, Aral turns his gaze toward Councillor Hearthmount
"Sorry for the delay , sir. I do believe we have an appointment now ? "
Diplomacy
Walking towards the store's entryway, Talia replies, "I don't know, I kinda like it. But it could use some work. The first couplet doesn't scan right. And I prefer the heroic couplet, myself." She appears thoughtful for a moment, before continuing, "Is a little creepy for school kids, though..."
Benedict looks slightly disbelieving at Talia for a moment, but quickly gathers himself. Assuming that one of the five girls is watching rather than actually jumping rope, Benedict approaches her and asks, "Sorry to interupt your play, but I was curious. Do you know what that song is about?"
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The councilman turns to Kholtan and says grimly, "The Professor's death was an accident. And like the goodman said you will not find a copper to be gained here without proof."
He pauses and gives the shorter man a menacingly look. Then turning he says over his shoulder. "This way Master Damir." before entering a side chamber.
"What is it I can do for you today exactly?"
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"Psst. Hey uses." A rough looking man says from near the wall. He appears to be a farmer by the clothes and tan. "You really owed money from the Professor? If so I can show you where he lives... um where he use to live, that is. You can go and get your money from his daughter what lives there now." The man says with conviction. "And I'll charge you cheap for taking you there."
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Once approached the girls immediately put down their rope and stand in a line (oldest to youngest) up near the store wall. Heads down they don't say a thing as Dr. Benedict asks his question. From inside their hoods you notice the younger girls looking to the older one for direction.
They appear nervous.
Benedict seems taken aback by the sudden attention. "Wow, I have gathered a bit of an audience, when really I was the one enjoying your song." He smiles broadly and nods to the oldest girl, "I'm sure that if anyone knew what that song was about then it would be you. You are the oldest after all."
Talia smiles wryly at Benedict's disbelieving look. "Sorry," she says. "Irony got the better of me."
Approaching the children with Dr. Darcy, her smile is warm and inviting.
Aral follows the councillor quietly exultant at the term 'goodman' used and address him respectfully
"First, Sir , thank you for your support with this creature out there. Now , I come to you as you are the executor of the will . I am a bit concerned about the incident yesterday and the demand of Professor Lorrimor to ask us to see after his daughter. Reading the situation as a stranger, I think the professor let his love of academics supersede the well being of her daugther and I could not help notice that the house had no servant. It also seems Professor Lorrimor had a bad reputation in town. This could explain why no servants could be found for the house but now, he is dead , do you think you could use your good influence to assure people Miss Kendra does not follow in her father footsteps so as to avoid a repeat of such incidents ?
I understand that the professor died in quirky circumstances and superstitious people unlike yourself could see this as a curse but I have no details. Of course, anything you could tell me about the situation would be treated as a confidence.
Diplomacy
"High bound twit, wouldn't know breeding if it fell into his lap and kissed him. Blast it this is not a good day. " He mutters darkly to himself fixing the "twit" with a grim look his fingers itching to show the man his own "manners". Sighing he did suppose his own manner could've gone over better. He guessed it was just nerves, nerves about being jobless again and the professor being the only one that had given much to him in way of work.
Still glaring Kholtan turns his gaze upon the unfortunate farmer and growls out "Yeah and how much is cheap for you?"
Intimidate
"Thing is I don't remember a daughter ever mentioned by the professor, guess we can always see if you guide me false I can take out the payment from you. However If you guide me right and this woman is who you say she is, aye, i'll pay you." He grins wolfishly showing his teeth, "Hope your right though I don't like being made a fool like that man there, fancies himself a lord, all I want is payed then im going to see how this professor died I don't buy that he just went off and died. You know anything more about it?"
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The oldest girl gets a small smile at the praise and looks at the professor with deep blue eyes full of sorrow. "I don't know where it comes from sir. The Skipping Song has been around forever, our mother taught us. And Nanny taught her, you see."
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Councilman Hearthmount grunts a laugh. "Ha, Petros was a scholar in every fiber of his being to be sure. Leaving on 'adventures' and his fascination with Harrowstone, is what led people to believe he was not altogether in the head. He was no necro though, but here in Ravengro the people are a simple folk so you truly can't blame them for what they thought was dark magic."[/b]
He rubs his three chins with sausage like fingers. "I will help how I can. Those men from yesterday are already sorry for following Gibs wild claims. After I speak to a few more people you can be sure Miss Lorrimor will not be bothered again."
When the topic of how the professor dies arises the man seems slightly shaken. "That was a terrible day. The day we found him. He was on the grounds of Harrowstone, near the main building and the head and shoulders of a gargoyle from the roof was atop him. He was six days dead and there was nothing Father Grimburrow could do for him."
The big man bows his head sadly and shakes it back and forth. Looking up with a tight grin he says, "He was a friend of mine. And any friends of the Professors..." extending a large hand out to Aral, "...is a friend of mine."
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The farm leaves with Kholtan (even though he didn't have his meeting with whoever he was waiting to talk to) and takes him south out of town. The travel only a short distance stopping in front of an odd manor that seems newer than most of the building in and around Ravengro. Answering the man's question along the way the farmer says, "The old Prof? He went and got himself killed by spooks up around Harrowstone."
"This be the place," the farmer says with a big smile. "Go ahead and a knock. I'll wait here."
After knocking Kholtan here's a femine voice call out, "Just a minute."
After several he is about to pound again when suddenly the door swings wide revealing a pretty young woman, with slightly puffy red eyes and a fancy well fitting dress.
"Yes may I help you?" she asks looking at Kholtan curiously, and only slightly opening the door.
Kholtan sketches a quick bow from his waist " 'Cuse me miss but are you the daughter of the Professor? I worked for him and we had an outstanding contract and well, I have just recently arrived back and heard the news so I wanted to pay my respects, find out what really happened, and well...miss there was a contract and I took care of my end..." He lets the rest remain unsaid, this girl did seem to have been crying recently and a girl who lost her father probably would be crying...
Reaching into a pouch at her waist, Talia pulls out a gold coin, twirling it about her fingers. "Here," she says, tossing it to the girl. "Thanks for speaking to us. Perhaps you can purchase some sweets for you and your friends. I'm Talia, by the way, and this kind man is Doctor Darcy."
She looks to the latter expectantly, before turning back towards the general store.
Aral will shake the councillor's hand and then take leave of him . Seeing all this wait took time , he will go back to the professor's house
Benedict smiles and thanks the girls before following Talia into the store to purchase some paper.