Talon chuckles then whisperes, "You mean us or them?
Toni snorts, holding back an uncharacteristic laugh. "I don't think you qualify as a human monster, Talon. Though I hardly know any of you, I doubt we are the worst Ravengro has to offer."
"You've the truth of it lass. I must admit I'm getting tired of seein' eye to navel with you lot."
Toni sets a hand on the dwarf's shoulder. "I've never met a dwarf I didn't like. Your stature offers us a much-needed perspective. Fear not, I don't judge by size alone."
She realizes how that comment could be taken, but doesn't bother to amend it. She looks onward, hoping that the clerics would finish soon. Their depravity ate at her mind and she wanted to talk to Kendra. Perhaps it would ease her mind or it would add fuel to the fire.
Talon turns bright red under his beard and sputters,"Ah, sorry lass but you're a bit spindly for my taste, no offence."
Ah, so he was going to take it that way after all.
"Are you sure? You're missing out," Toni says, teasing Talon. "Focus. There will be time for jokes later."
She shoots the dwarf a sly grin. I should keep him on his toes.
"Harrumph." Talon is paying very close attention to what the priests are doing, although the tips of his ears are still burning.
partially destroyed by a fire in 4661, the building has
stood vacant ever since. The locals suspect that it’s
haunted, and don’t enjoy speaking of the place.
DC 15 (100 XP): Harrowstone was built in 4594. Ravengro
was founded at the same time as a place where guards and
their families could live and that would produce food and
other supplies used by the prison. The fire that killed all
of the prisoners and most of the guards destroyed a large
portion of the prison’s underground eastern wing, but
left most of the stone structure above relatively intact.
The prison’s warden perished in the fire, along with his
wife, although no one knows why she was in the prison
when the fire occurred. A statue commemorating the
warden and the guards who lost their lives was built in
the months after the tragedy—that statue still stands on
the riverbank just outside of town.
DC 20 (200 XP): Most of the hardened criminals sent
to Harrowstone spent only a few months imprisoned, for
it was here that most of Ustalav’s executions during that
era were carried out. The fire that caused the tragedy was,
in fact, a blessing in disguise, for the prisoners had rioted
and gained control of the prison’s dungeons immediately
prior to the conf lagration. It was only through the selfsacrifice
of Warden Hawkran and 23 of his guards that
the prisoners were prevented from escaping—the guards
gave their lives to save the town of Ravengro.
1:00am at the Laughing Demon
Things are slow here. After half a bottle of Absinth Gur has to P*ss. He goes out back to the outhouse. He bonks his head trying to fit in the human-size outhouse door. Cursing, he stumbles to the line of bushes, struggles with his vestments, then realeases (Aaaaahhh....) into the night. After a few moments of bliss he notices a light coming from his right. Focusing his eyes through the haze of absinth he sees a freaking ghost...Not just a whispy "did I just see what I thought I saw" ghost, but what paranormal scientists would call 'a full-bodied, free-floating, aparition.' It is a women. A beautiful one. She mutters to herself and seems sad and confused. Turning slowly to Gur, she moves her mouth, as if speaking, but no sound is heard. When the ghost sees she is not able to communicate effectively she motions with her hands and mouths the words 'follow me'. Then she begins floating off to the southwest.
The clerics complete their rites. The body is layed in a special coffin. The top closes, Talon and Antoni feel confident the clerics will not defile the body. Two acolytes take up the coffin and begin to leave the cathedral under ceremony and song. They are headed to the restlands.
Mrs. Fenburry looks to Gilderoy. I don't know what to do. Sir, you are strong and self-composed but I'm a mess. Shall I tell you what happened to my Husband? Or shall we go and find my daughters' body?? Please, I can't decide what is best! If we go to the cathedral my husband may be lost. But if we stay my daughter may be defiled by that monsterous priest of pharasma **she spits on the floor** Alfons!!
Let us know when Gabbi and I make it to Father Grimwood.
You arrive at the chapel as two acolytes are carrying a coffin down the steps with great procession. Up the steps through the door you see the brightly lit chapel proper and inside are your freinds Talon and Antonia. Also inside you see a fat priest and 3 young alter servers are starting to clean up from the funeral rites. A small pathway leads behind the chapel and a sign pointing down this path says "pastor's quarters - Father Leroy Grimburrow." Being late at night you could assume he is there.
Talon will start to follow the coffin but pause when he runs into Gabbi and Ragraton, "Well met. Did you get the children home all right?"
Yes we did. Their father gave us 1000 shares in his business as a reward. He suggested we speak with father Grimburrow about the strange happenings in the town lately. May we accompany the two of you? I see you are ready to bury the poor child.
Gilderoy smiles gently. "Of course. As I said, I'm here to help you. What happened to your husband? Several of my traveling companions went with your daughter's body to make sure it was well taken care of. If you wish, we can all ride together, and that will give us time to hear the specifics and get you to your daughter at the same time."
Yes we did. Their father gave us 1000 shares in his business as a reward. He suggested we speak with father Grimburrow about the strange happenings in the town lately. May we accompany the two of you? I see you are ready to bury the poor child.
"He gave you 1000 shares? Congratulations. Beer's on you, if we can find any in this cursed town. Ay, follow along. The least we can do is honor her sacrifice." Talon will glance around to make sure they can't be overheard then add in a hoarse whisper, "They're a queer lot these priests, somethin' is very definatly off with that Alfons fellow especially. I wouldn't trust him to embalm my dog, mark my words."
Gur stares hard at the ghostly lady before him. To no one in particular he exclaims. "Ahh but what I wouldn't do to have been born looking like her. I must have bumped my head harder than I thought. That would explain the scary clown, why do my dreams have to be so screwed up. Probably lying in a ditch somewhere passed out." Secure in his new realization of reality Gur begins to follow the young lady apparition, long fellow still flapping in the breeze. "No worries little lady. I will follow you to wherever this dream takes me." He begins to hum the tune to one of his favorite songs
Mrs. Fenburry seems half relieved when she hears Kendra's friends are at least supervising Lola's body. But the story she now tells is a goulish one...
My husband put a few more sandwiches in the basket and lowerd it down. Up came a coin FOR EACH sandwich and the same note: very tasty, got any more?
We decided to try meat. Same thing, same note, only this time whatever is down there put LOTS of gold in:25gp! They like meat.
So we took a young lamb and cut it's throwt. I told him it was a bad idea. But he lowered it down anyway. Up came about 40 gold pieces!
The Silk Purse came by that night wanting a mortgage payment. We didn't have it. It was their third notice. So my hustband tied a rope around his waist. And lowered himself into the well...A few hours later I felt a tug on the rope so I pulled up the bucket. And that is how you found me...a bucket FILLED with jewels and gold. And same cursed note!
"I'd like to take a look at the well, if that's alright? I promise I won't feed the well, though." He is certainly going to wait until he gets the go-ahead before beginning to use Detect Magic.
He'll focus on the well until he gets all the information he can.
Yes we did. Their father gave us 1000 shares in his business as a reward. He suggested we speak with father Grimburrow about the strange happenings in the town lately. May we accompany the two of you? I see you are ready to bury the poor child."He gave you 1000 shares? Congratulations. Beer's on you, if we can find any in this cursed town. Ay, follow along. The least we can do is honor her sacrifice." Talon will glance around to make sure they can't be overheard then add in a hoarse whisper, "They're a queer lot these priests, somethin' is very definatly off with that Alfons fellow especially. I wouldn't trust him to embalm my dog, mark my words."
You misunderstand master dwarf, the thousand shares belong to the 7 of us.
You misunderstand master dwarf, the thousand shares belong to the 7 of us.
"Eh? so 142.8571428571429 shares each then. Very generous to be sure"
Rasgraton looks at the dwarf and furrows his stony brow. Is this a joke. Should I laugh? Damn what is the correct social reaponse.
Um. Yes Quite
Toni is surprised by Rasgraton and Gabbi's appearance, her mind concentrating on other things. She is then further shocked to learn about the reward. Unfortunately, business shares don't seem to translate into hot food and a comfy bed easily. With a lingering glance at Alfons, she follows the acolytes with the coffin just a few steps, quite unsure of herself.
Part of me wants to turn back and deal with that filth, but...not until I know for sure.
Even talking with herself was unproductive, she had a gnawing guilt eating at her heart. There were the four of them now and three could easily keep an eye on these acolytes. She wasn't needed here, but could she really do anything about Alfons? It pained her to think of anything happening to those altar servers, but there was no proof.
Finally she collapses on the ground, tears streaming down her eyes. "I don't trust him, Talon, and I won't forgive myself if something happens to those servers. Go, take Rasgraton and Gabbi, see after Lola's body. I...I can't go until I know."
"Come along then. We'll see poor Lola into the ground then go and visit your Father Grimwood." Talon Starts after the funeral procession. While they walk he turns to Rasgraton and asks curiously, "By the way, you know about religion and stuff, yeah? We dwarves return our dead to the stone as that's what we were made from. Why do the Humans put their dead in the ground? Did their Gods make them from dirt?"
Burial rites, what an interesting question. Yes dwarves give there dead to the stone. Oread's on the other hand slowly turn to solid stone. Humans are much more short lived then our races. When their short lives end they traditionally do one of three things. Cremation, this is the most practical, but humans seem to have great problems saying goodbye to there dead. I believe it is this reason that they most commonly inter them into the ground in wooden boxes. In this way they feel better that the body is not destroyed by fire. They will leave markers so they can come back and visit the dead as well. The last common usually reserved for the rich is putting the bodies in tombs. This seems to be a sort of status symbol for human families. Sometimes they even mummify the bodies. None of these burial rites stop their dead from coming back as undead other than the cremation. I agree it is very curious.
When Antoni falls to the ground crying Rasgraton helps her to her feet.
Lady Kettler what is the matter is someone in danger?
"I...I'm not sure..." Toni says between sobs. "One of the servers...she told Talon that the clerics...that they abuse them. There is...I guess...a reasonable doubt...but I don't feel right just...leaving."
Her body shudders, given over to the crying. She tries to stop sobbing, but ends up giving herself hiccups.
Gabbi go with Antoni back to the church. The servers may be more comfortable talking to other human females. We will observe the procedings here and find you when the burial is complete. Agreed?
Toni nods to Rasgraton. She composes herself to murmur a quiet 'thank you'.
"Lass, we have no real evidence, I don't want to betray that young one's confidence and that leaves nothin' but bad feelings. I'm not willin' to leave poor Lora alone but why don't you take one of these two and go talk with this Father Grimwood?"
"I know there is doubt, Talon," Toni says. "But I must know...for sure. It sure looks like there is neither law nor order in Ravengro if mobs roam the streets. It falls to us to determine the truth and to mete out justice, if need be."
"Do what you must lass. I just think we must have more evidence. What would you have me do?"
Toni tosses her hair back, a fire in her eyes. "Go with Rasgraton. See that Lola makes it to her final rest without incident. Then go to Father Grimburrow. Miss Szabo and I will try and find out what we can about Alfons. We'll meet you later."
Toni gives the dwarf a look that seems to say 'don't wait for me'.
"Ay lass. We won't be far, give a shout if things go sideways, we'll do the same. Luck to you."
"Funeral rites of the Agnosiites are true fascinating they... I would be happy to talk about it later you are right we have more pressing matters." Gabbi puts her arm around the warrior and leads her back "What is the plan?"
"We need to find out the truth of the matter. I'm not a clever person," Toni says, uncomfortable with being so severely honest. She was vulnerable and it made her angry with herself to show it to others. "We need to find out if these servers are telling the truth or not, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I can be a bad judge of character sometimes."
"I guess we could take them down to the tavern and get them drunk..."
"Don't be silly, I can go have a look. Can you make me look like a raven?"
"Not quite but I could make you black. Be careful." Reaching out and stroking the bird she says "Paint it black" and Lissala turn black and flies off.
Lissala will fly around looking for the assistants, of course closed doors and window will be a problem.
"I apologize for my sniveling," Toni says, trying to regain some face. "It's been a difficult night."
1:00am The ghost leads you to a giant moss covered statue at "area O". The ghost turns to you before you break into the clearing and puts her finger to her mouth (shhhhh) . Finally she speaks in a soft soft voice:
look what they are doing to my husband! I can't hold them back any longer. Stop them. Stop them before they spell my name!
the ghost disspates and is gone. Through the bushes up ahead you see what she is referring to. A man stands over a dead dog, it's throwt cut ear to ear. He smears dog blood all over the statue and the area, but most especially in a giant letter 'V' on the statues main section. He also smears blood all over the bronze plaque of the monument's inscription.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Well this is interesting, her husband is a dog apparently. F!#*ed up dreams Gur pulls his blade and walks out brazen as can be. [b]"You there, stop what you are doing and back away from the statue.
The man turns around and it takes exactly zero difficulty to see that he is possessed. His eyes have no pupils or irises... just whites. He holds a butterfly shaving razor in one hand and 'looks' toward you with a gaping mouth. Then looks up to the bright moon as if hearing it speaking to him. Then he turns back to his work and writes the next letter... 'E'
As you stand there you suddenly recognize the man as the chap from the mob,Gibs Haphenus who tried to rally them against you. Poor guy...got himself possessed by some strange evil entity. Damn this town.
Without batting an eye Gur brings his blade around hard. "I am sorry for this."
Gibs falls crumpled to the ground. Almost instantly a spiritual essence rises from his body. It howls and then speeds off into the night, knocking over rocks and busting gas-powered street lamps that illuminate the area.
The statue is of a man, a powerful looking one at that. Blood is smeared all over it, most prominently in the letters 'VE'. Blood also obscures the bronze plaque.
At the graveyard
The Clerics take Lola's body to a circular building at the center of the graveyard. Once inside they lay her on a platform
Cleric: This is where she will rest until her family decides to buy a plot to bury her in. I'm sure they will come up with the money in a few days...then we will release her body to them and Father Grimburrow can perform the final funeral with her loved ones.
The usher you out and lock the door.