Filiana looks slightly surprised at Nostro's response... I ... I think I cannot have explained that quite clearly ... I feel like he didn't understand ... still, maybe ... I can't deny the wisdom of what he just showed me though, even if it wasn't what he intended...
She watches as he shoves the doors to the jailhouse open.
Even so, I surely feel safer with him around.
Despite her surprise, the smile creeps back on to her face as the wisdom of her father's words creeps back into her mind.
Friends. That's what I need. Stronger and safer with friends. And some of these prove better friends after only one day than some I grew up with...
Keydas and Ladruca.
Hmmm. yes, well the councilman is at his home today. If you have an urgent matter I'm sure you could see him there. Anything else? She seems curt as she looks at you, and slides her glasses up.
The Sheriff sighs.
Look, I was about to make my rounds. I've heard something happened near the memorial. I'm going to check that out first, then I'll gladly accompany you on your search for a dog killer.
Gregor,
you can't seem to make much more headway, only learning more of the principles and ideals of Urgathora, which you oddly find sort of fascinating. If rather... putrid.
"Yes, actually. Could you provide us directions to his home? I find I get lost so easily, sometimes."
Actually Sheriff, the two things are related. Whoever killed the dog used it's blood to deface the monument. They painted a large letter V on the monument in the poor things blood.
She glances across at Nostro for a moment before continuing...
I ... that is we, were wondering. Does the letter V have any particular meaning around here that you are aware of? Whoever did this went to a bit of trouble to do it and it seems like it should mean something.
"Our lead is near the monument. We will accompany you there. As Filiana said, the two are related."
Hearing Filiana get to the point, Nostro remains silent and awaits the Sheriff's answer. She is bolder than I gave her credit for. Good for her.
Keydas, the clerk sighs and gives you verbal directions to the manor. She then excuses herself and walks into the back.
the sheriff sighs. Related? Just what happened there? I haven't heard all the details, just hearsay.
He sighs again when you explain Well then, I suppose you can come along. I don't like strangers pokin' their noses into things what don't concern them but if you have a lead might as well follow it. And I ain't got no idea what the letter V would mean. He says the last bit after a small pause. On the way he grabs two other men, deputies in a sense by your guess, from the fields. Once at the monument, his face hardens.
Awful timing for yall to come around when this happens ain't it? Now, tell me just what lead you have. His tone is cold.
For a moment, Filiana's face drops at the Sheriff's words.
Again? But we came to him. Why is it that as soon as something out of the ordinary happens, everyone starts pointing at us? Mind you, it was no different back in Varno now was it? Folks was very quick to point fingers back home too. Well, you tried hiding from it back then and that didn't work out did it? It's the greatest of fools that does the same thing twice and expects it'll turn out different. You'll have to try something else this time around.
She sighs, before replying. Truth to tell Sheriff, I don't know if it is the worst of timing or the best. A clever man might think that the arrival if a Knight of Iomedae alone was a good thing, let alone several men whose life's work is fighting off evil. But then this is the second time today that someone has all but accused us of doing this for no better reason than that we are new in town.
She sighs again, and rubs her hand across her brow.
Anyway, we arrived here and found the owners of the dog here. We looked around and found some tracks... we followed them and found a shack just down there a ways and Viktor, he's not here but you will see him soon, he waited back there in case the owner came back while we came to fetch you. On account of this big razor thing with dogs blood on it that we found there... we thought you'd want to know about it all so we came to find you...
"Thank you for your time," Keydas calls after her as she leaves. Motioning to Ladruca, he follows here directions to the manor. Upon arrival, he walks up to the door and knocks.
Viktor sits on a nearby stump after the others had left, the goat hoping up and crouching behind the large man. Watching each other's backs, he waits for the others to return with the Sheriff.
Keydas. You here something akin to a harrumph, before a familiar face of the councilman opens the door. oh what is it now? Who ar- ah. Yes. I recall the will asking you to stay here for a bit. . Well what do you want?
The sheriff eyes Filiana. hmm. Perhaps, but it's an awful coincidence, even more so that you say you have already found a lead. Alright then. Go on 'n show me what you..Found.
He will follow you. What do you show/tell him.
"Good day to you, Councilman Hearthmount. I was calling because we have something rather...vital to tell you, that we feel it best to convey to a trusted and respected member of the community. May we come in?"
Ladruca had initially thought not to say anything, fearing that his nature would become the central issue and their actual business would be put on the backburner as a result. But hearing Keydas speak Ladruca is worried that his words will not be enough to suffice so he spoke up.
''To be more specific councilman, we are here about a threat that may very well threaten the safety of your entire town. It is of the utmost importance and this is why we have decided to take you away from your no doubt important schedule.''
The last of Ladruca's words are said with a carefully crafted sense of awe. Ladruca is attempting to give the impression that he is awed by the importance of the councilman.
That went well, with any luck he's proud of himself and will eat this up.
When the Sheriff agrees, Nostro turns in silence and walks with the group back to the monument. Hearing his accusations, Nostro opens his mouth to speak but is too slow on the draw to beat Filiana to it. He remains silent in light of what she says. I suppose I should get used to her surprising me with her boldness. The sheriff would not have appreciated what I had to say.
"The shack is this way," he says, as he leads the way to the shack. As they approach, he points to Viktor and identifies him to the sheriff. I'll leave the talking to them. My temper has yet to cool for this pathetic excuse of a law enforcing official.
You reach the shack with the mayor in tow and spy Viktor sitting on a stump, his goat has almost chewed through a small tree nearby.
Keydas and Ladruca, the Councilman sighs, Well, if it is pertinent to the town, I suppose I should know, what it is that you need to tell me? He steps outside his door, you can tell he is minorly annoyed, but the subtle praise helped.
As they arrive Filiana is relieved to see Viktor there.
Oh good, I was starting to worry that it was a bad idea to leave him here alone...
Giving Viktor a brief smile of greeting, she says to the Sheriff, Sir, ahh... Sir Sheriff, here is Viktor, as I said. He has been keeping watch here in case whoever did this horrid thing came back. When we followed the tracks from the monument, they led here. And here was where we found these... She points to the razor and the bloodied waterskin.
''In that case councilman we shall get right to the point.Last night my companions and i were attacked in the restlands by a group of undead. This morning, not two hours ago, we encountered a zombie in an alley by the markets. We felt it important that the town leadership be made aware of this threat.''
Ladruca turns now to Keydas.
''Keydas, have you anything to add?''
"I believe that is the most pertinent summary, I would only add that Father Grimburrow was informed about the attack in the Restlands. We thought it vital to warn you of these threats, as well as the Sheriff. We were hoping you would provide us with an introduction to him."
"Sheriff. What do you make of this? Who lives out here?" Nostro's stare drills into the Sheriff while he waits for a response. The scum who did this will meet justice.
Viktor arises from his stump, murmuring to Gunnar as the two return with the sheriff in tow. The large man bows his head courteously, looking back towards the shack.
"No one has arrived back and the evidence remains undisturbed. Sheriff..." The goat seems unperturbed by the three of them, maintaining his course of eating every bit of vegetation that catches his eyes. Viktor gestures to the hiding places of the war razor and the bloodied waterskin, shaking his head.
"Who lives here Sheriff? I believe them to be dangerous and the timing peculiar with the mu...death...of the Professor." There was not enough evidence gathered to prove that the kind, old man had been murdered yet and to use such words would only gather more suspicion. They would need to do what they could to earn the town's trust, make sure their words carried the correct weight.
He looks around too each of you.
Is this about the mob that attempted to stop the funeral yesterday? Look, I've talked to Gibb's already, but, are you trying to tell me that Gibbs, no balls Gibbs, not only killed a dog, but did that to the memorial? The man has lived here his entire life and never hurt a soul. You say there is evidence here?
He moves to look where Viktor gestured and finds the waterskin and warrazor.
look, I admit this here is pretty incriminatin', however, you have ta understand that its extremely coincidental that the man that lead the mob to stop the funeral yesterday is not being pegged as the same man that committed that scene at the memorial. You're askin' me... You're askin' me to believe a group of strangers, that don't have no business poking around other peoples property, and what travel with an apparently self-proclaimed necromancer over a man I've known my whole life? I mean, what coulda stopped you lot from plantin' this here.
He sighs.
Look, I'll give ye the benefit of the doubt. I'll lock Gibbs up for a week, if nothing else happens that week, you were right, an' I owe you an apology fer doubting ya. However, if another of these incidents does occur... well, it won't look good on you.
He waits for your answer, evidence in hand.
Keydas, Ladruca
The council man sighs,
Yes, I suppose, While this is Ustalav, and undead are a more common occurrence in this place, there haven't been undead roaming near the town for decades. I'll have the other council members schedule a town meeting two days from now, and have the Sheriff double his patrols. He eyes the two of you cautiously.
Thank you, I suppose. for dealing with it before it hurt someone. Was there anything else you wanted?
Gregor, you here a door open and someone walk in. You check and see that kendra has made it back. She spots you and smiles.
Still up there in the dusty tomes? You have more in common with my father than I do it seems. What have you been researching? She is carrying quite a sizeable amount of produce as she speaks.
This passes for law in town? Pathetic. "Your station demands you examine the evidence and act with accordance of the law. Nothing more. Nothing less. We ask nothing of taking sides."
Nostro crosses his arms, his brow furrowed. This is going to be one hell of a week. We have no way of being proactive. Even if we patrolled at night, anybody who saw us would accuse us of foul play. Maybe my allies have better ideas. We may be forced to act on Harrowstone sooner than we hoped after kicking this hornet's nest.
When the sheriff leaves, Nostro faces Filiana and Viktor, "We should leave and plan our next moves."
"There is. Given these multiple attacks of undead, we suspect a necromantic cult known as the Whispering Way may be involved. Given the...tragic history of the town and the prison, we suspect they may be after something or someone who was at the prison when the tragedy occurrrd. With your permission, Councilman, we would like to look through the town records to learn more of who may have been improsoned there at the time. I do not ask this lightly, nor out of a desire to meddle in the affairs of Ravengro, but only to learn more about their possible involvement. I cannot yet offer you evidence, apart from these undead attacks, but I ask anyway if you will permit us to do so."
Keydas lays out his case, hoping his words and honesty would gain them access to the records. They needed to learn so much more to know what they were possibly facing.
Ladruca steps forward when Keydas is done speaking.
''yes councilman, I also have a request. Given that we are going to be here for a little while and given our suspicions about what creatures we might have to battle it seems very likely that we will need supplies at some point or another. I ask that you speak to the various merchants of the town and ask the if they would be willing to offer us some manner of discount on any supplies we might need. If this seems too much for you then I ask that you try and keep an open mind about our good intentions.''
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Gregor ceases to look through the dark book to check who has arrived.
Upon hearing the remark about having something in common with the professor he smiles. "It is good to see you Kendra. Your father taught me well the importance of research...currently i was looking through his notations within "Serving your Hunger" a book penned in the styling of Urgathoa. It is interesting to say the least."
He then moves to help her put away the produce she is handling. "How was your trip into the town? Any news of the others?
Viktor watches the interaction between the sheriff and them, the distrust upon his face and his lack of faith in them apparent for all to see. "We should've gathered him when we found the tracks, my eagerness was too great." He thought to himself, clearing his throat a little bit before he spoke up.
"I understand your views, Sheriff. We're strangers and we already have had an encounter with Gibbs earlier." His eyes narrow a bit as the man uses Gregor as their reasoning to be further distrusted. "Church-sanctioned by the Lady of Graves, Sheriff. He has just as much in common in the destruction of the undead as our paladin of Iomadae does." His tone was a bit more curt than he meant them to be but like Nostros, he was finding the town's prejudices to be more irritating every day.
"I will keep a watch on the statue then, to confirm his guilt and to apprehend whomever may have set up Gibbs. I dislike the man but I do not wish for him to be held if he is not guilty." He would then seem to take a step back, letting the others make their statements if they wish to the Sheriff before he left them. Once the man was gone though, he would turn his head towards Nostros and nod.
"Indeed, we cannot forget our purpose. Let us begin to go and investigate Harrowstone. Perhaps more damning evidence will be there."
Filiana watches the exchange between the Sheriff and her two companions silently. Her newfound upswing of optimism and determination has been somewhat punctured by the seemingly unrelenting suspicion of the locals.
This is how it started back home. Suspicion. Finger Pointing. The Sheriff almost seems reasonable... almost. At least he is giving us the benefit of the doubt. For a little while, at least.
She adds nothing to the conversation while the Sheriff is still there, but after he leaves, she says to Viktor...
If we do happen to find Gibbs, we really must try our best to capture him. Given how suspicious the Sheriff already is, it will only make it worse if we turn up with Gibbs corpse.
The councilman sighs. Looks at you, and sighs again.
Fine fine, you may use the records. On, the condition that only one of you may enter at a time, and only under the supervision of the lass working there, understand?
@gregor
She gives a smile. Oh, it was... different. Killed a zombie, that is not something you do everyday. Would you like an apple? She holds up a bright red apple in your direction.
[ooc]I believe scouting around the outskirts of Harrowstone is still our next move.
"Thank you, Councilman, for this show of trust in us. I promise not to abuse this, and agree to your conditions. Do you need to write something out for us to give to the young lady working there?"
Frowning at the mixed results of their actions, Nostro starts walking towards Harrowstone. "To Harrowstone. There is much to learn." I'm done with talking for now. That ordeal was disappointing.Action will clear my head.
The councilman leaves to doorway for a moment and returns with a writ, handing it to Keydas.
there you go show her that. And as for discounts well, I'm afraid even were I of the nature to do so I could not, all the prices of the town stores are their own business. You would have to take it up with them. After its their decisions in the end.
Gregor to town. Seems one managed to find its way into an ally, it was a bit of a tough one but Keydas and Ladruca handled it well enough.
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Gregor nods and seems a little agitated. "A zombie in town during the day. Perhaps I'll pick up my studies another time. I should go find the others and see if anything else strange is happening."
Gregor then collects his gear and dons his cloak, stopping only to look back toward Kendra.
"Stay safe and keep the doors locked up tight."
He then leaves the house and begins looking for his companions.
Offering a short bow, Keydas takes the writ and says, "Thank you, Councilman. I will keep you informed should we come across anything."
Taking their leave, Keydas says to Ladruca, "Why don't you meet up with Kendra and ensure she is safe at home? I'll take the first look-through of the town records. After all, I do enjoy a good research session."
Disappointed, Ladruca merely nods his understanding to the counfilman.
"Keydas, I shall head over to go see the smith now and inquire about the weapons we need. After that I shall head to the tavern and await you and the others, As for Kendra I think it would be best if you escorted her back yourself. I am weak and have only one healing spell left. If I encounter more undead I will be safest if I can run away and this is easiest if I am alone."
Exiting the building Ladruca turned and headed into the direction of the smith's shop. On his way he decides to cast his final spell. His hands glow black again and he runs them over his wounds.
That worked better then anticipated. Maybe I spoke too soon about my wounds.
Walking into the shop he feels the heat of the forge. He removes his scarf and glasses and calls out to the owner.
"Greetings noble smith. I have come to purchase a couple of items. I have need of a silver morningstar, a sickle and a longsword. Have you these for sale?"
harrow stone investigators.
you make your way to the large prison, the first thing you see is a decaying wall surrounding it.
A sagging wood and metal gate set between a pair of stone guard towers once barred entrance into Harrowstone, but the gates now hang negligently open, creaking softly in the wind that touches the ruined bars.
The stone wall that surrounds most of the prison grounds is covered with creeping ivy, and the blocks beneath that growth are eroded. The walls themselves are 20 feet high.
@Ladruca
A rough, almost feminine voice is heard.
Aye? I've got a sickle and maybe a longsword, but what are ye wanting a silver star fer?
Gregor, where do you go looking first?
Staring at the entrance to the prison, Filiana is stuck by the mournful air of the place.
So sad... abandoned like this ... still, given what happened here, who would want to be here...
Quietly she says ... When I was traveling with Cobble I always found abandoned buildings so sad. He loved them of course, always wanted to go off and explore this or that abandoned keep. But I always found the idea of buildings that people made and lived in and then just left empty to just be ... sad. This one is a bit different of course. It was a prison and undoubtedly many terrible things happened within its walls. But ... still ... there is an air about the place.
Then she suddenly looks slightly worried.
We're ... ah ... we're not going in, are we? Not just the three of us?
Nostro glowers at the abandoned prison. This place must be full of abominations. What a miserable stain on all that is holy and lawful. Another reason for this town to be restructured and educated. It should have been gutted and restored. Repurposed if needed. Wishy-washy laws, negligence towards bastions of order, and ignorance is no way to defend yourself against the horrors of Ustalav. He spits on the ground in disgust.
"Filiana. We will not enter. The Inheritor demands the cleansing of this stain, but not with our numbers. Search the perimeter. No closer than the gates, but only if we must. This is reconnaissance, not a raid."
Filiana looks visibly relieved to hear that they won't be going in to the prison.
Thank the Dawnflower for that... I halfway thought he would want to charge straight in. He seems so fierce, so ...driven
Very well, no closer than the gates then.
Keydas goes to the store where Kendra had been heading, and, when he doesn't see her there, leaves and looks about. Could she have gone home already? She was supposed to wait for us.
Frowning, Keydas leaves and starts walking the route to Kendra's house, looking for her, when he spies Gregor walking the other way.
"Gregor, good to see you. Tell me, did Kendra return home?"
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Gregor waves upon seeing Keydas and then walks over to him. "Same to you Keydas, it's good to get out of the house."
He then nods. "Yes. Kendra arrived back at the house with some food in tow. I told her to lock up and stay safe while i went to find the rest of you."
His face creases into a look of worry. "She said she encountered a zombie out in the town...in the day. Has everything been alright? Have you seen the others?"
"She wasn't alone when it happened. Ladruca and I were both with her. He went to the smith to see about getting some silvered weaponry to better combat these creatures we face. I have not seen Filian, Viktor, or Nostro since they left to explore Harrowstone. I have, however, gotten us permission to access the archives in the town hall. There are conditions, including only one of us being permitted in at a time, and only under supervision. I was going to head there now, since Kendra is at home."
Do I tell her the truth? No I think it will be best if I keep the truth from her for now.
"Well I will certainly take the sickle and long sword. As for the silvered Morningstar, my companion is a tad superstitious and worries about ghosts or the like."
He focuses on the smith as he lies trying to gauge if she was convinced.
Hoping to make her more friendly in any future dealings he smiles as he asks his next question.
"Tell me have you need of any assistance with your smithy?I have quite a bit of experience with smithing myself and could be of assistance if your open to such a thing. If nothing else I would be interested in coming and discussing the art with you. I'm sure I could learn a lot and maybe I'd even teach you something."
Figuring he has nothing else to say he finishes by asking how much for the weapons and asks again if she will silver a morningstar.
Nostro, you don't see any other real entrances. You guess you could likely climb the wall however due to the wear and erosion on them and the vines.
Ladruca, the dwarf looks you up and down.
Suppose not to bad a superstition around these parts. If ye get me the need silver, I'd be happy to forge it for ye.
At the mention of teaching her something she scoffs.
Bah, teach me something? I've been smithin' more years than ye have lived! She grumbles out the prices.
The sickle will be a gold, the longsword 35 gold. The morningstar, well, I'll tell ye once ye get the materials.
Ladruca struggles not to let his shock show when he hears her price.
35 gold for a single longsword?!? Talk about playground robbery. Still its not my gold ultimately.
Checking his purse, Ladruca discovers that he does not have enough gold for the purchases.
''My good smith, I do not have nearly enough gold to pay for both of these items. However my companion who intends to use this sword surely has the missing gold. Why don't I pay for the sickle now and give you 15 gold pieces as a deposit on the sword. You allow me to leave with it and he will return later today with the remaining 20 pieces. One smith to another that seems more than fair considering we both know this sword only cost you 7 gold to make. You never know, what manner of horrid monsters might attack this town. The sword will do more good in our hands than on your wall. What do you say?''
He holds sixteen coins out in his open palm, waiting for her to take them.
the dwarf chuckles.
Prices of premium dwarven smithin' laddy. Sure, I'll take your offer, just you keep your end O the deal. An if you ever looking for high quality work, I've got a couple pieces here that outshine any Ye ever seen. She points to a buckler and Rapier hanging on the wall, both are exquisitely crafted from black steel, and are covered with silver inlay.
"We could climb those walls. Viktor. Filiana. Let's head back to town. There is naught but an overgrown shell." Disappointed, Nostro starts to make his way back to town. Nothing lost, but nothing gained either. We may have to mass our group and bite the bullet. A day or two of preparation should be enough.
"Two days should be enough to prepare a raid. Thoughts?" His stride is as confident as ever, clearly unfazed by the thought of pressing deeper into the fortress.
"A day or two should be fine. I do not wish to wait much longer than that. The professor rushed for a reason and I fear what damage that the Way may have done." Viktor says from behind, checking over his shoulder back towards the prison. Never let something dangerous stay out of your field of vision, he remembered being taught, and that prison was certainly that.
Having spoken with Gregor and secure in the knowledge Kendra was safe at home, Keydas headed back to the town hall. Approaching the woman who worked there, Keydas smiled and said, "Good day, again. With the permission of Councilman Hearthmount, I would like to access the town records." He hands her the letter from the Councilman