Eating while he listens to the talk of money, servants, and honest work, Pace finds himself not at all opposed to any of the three.
"I'm sure we can find paying work that would fit our skillset."
Thinking back to the funeral, he mutters, "The town seems in need of some firm law enforcement."
Petyr chuckles at Pace's dour mutterings. "And you think an outsider is like to be hired for the law? That sounds like the kind of thing they'd take in Alkenstar, Pace, not Ustalav." Although Deputy Greenhour has a certain ring to it, Petyr has to admit.
He shakes his head and finishes off his eggs and bacon. "Even though we may not eat like this everyday, it was a treat, Kendra. Thank you for your hospitality. We'll be off to the Temple for starters, and will hopefully be back by evening."
"Like I said before, you're welcome to stay here whenever and as long as you need. At least, until the month is up."
She makes a move as if to start cleaning, but then turns back to you.
"Just, don't go and get yourselves into trouble, yeah? Don't do anything unnecessarily dangerous, and take care of yourself."
The door opens to an unnaturally bright (for this region at least) sunny day. It seems peaceful at first, but almost immediately a man appears along the road from the town square town, running away towards the harrowstone Memorial . When he gets closer, you recognize him as the man Kendra described to you as the sherrif of Ravengro, Benjan Caller.
Once he gets closer and sees who you are, he calls out to get your attention.
"Hey! You, newcomers. What kind of antics are you trying to pull?" He seems more frustrated than anything, but there is the slightest hint of anger underneath.
"Trouble? Of course not, Kendra. But thank you."
---
Trouble seems to find them, though, before they are even out in the town proper. Petyr side-eyes Pace and Andrei as Sheriff Caller approaches them and tries to make nice.
He bows his head lightly, stopping and leaning towards the sheriff while opening his arms to indicate openness. He smiles gently. "Good morning, Sheriff Caller," he begins. "We were just coming to see you to discuss yesterday's unfortunate unpleasantries. Are the men who tried to disrupt the funeral okay? Do they need any further care?" Petyr times a few gestures to draw the sheriff's eyes and establish subtle trustworthy cues: a wave, a separated resemblance of individual hand-wringing, a hand to his heart. Who knew that his psychology classes would become useful?
Pace remains quiet while Petyr talks with the man, observing both during the interaction.
How the sheriff approaches this with only one half the story will tell us much about him, and seeing Petyr's people skills in action is always a treat.
The sheriff stops, and looks at the group almost suspiciously.
"The only things wrong with those men is a bruised ego, don't you worry about them!"
"You mean you're not responsible for the defacing of the Harrowstone monument? What with you being new in town and all, I figured you had started something. I don't know what that poor cat did to deserve that, but you definitely have a lot of questions to answer." he says, appearing quite angry about whatever has happened.
"The what?" Petyr says, raising one eyebrow, and genuinely surprised to hear. "Graffiti is not something any of us have a talent for, nor would we want to cause trouble." Petyr purses his lips and leans in a little more, concerned. "What about a cat?"
"I can assure you that after the funeral service, we returned to the professors home, where we remained for the evening. A fact which his daughter, Kendra, can verify."
Andrei is about to interject an angry protest that anyone would make such a base accusation against gentlemen such as themselves, let alone servants of the Lady of Graves, but his wisdom wins out and he remains quiet. Instead, he keeps his hands away from the hilts of his knives while he waits for his more able comrades to smooth things over with the sheriff.
He looks confused as to what he's hearing, but then nods. "If Kendra is willing to verify your whereabouts, I trust her. She's a good person, sorry about her father."
"I'm actually heading there right now to check the scene out, as I haven't been there myself. If you wanted to join me in taking a look? If Kendra has you pinned at her place all night, then you're the first people I can rule out."
He waves vaguely down the road towards the memorial.
Assuming that they're not going to tell the sheriff that they were on their way to a secret cache of weapons in the graveyard, Andrei turns to follow the officer.
It wasn't a good sign that newcomers were the first primary suspects, nor that there had been so little investigation to satisfy the inquiry, but Petyr was not here to give lessons on law enforcement.
Glad that the truth had won out, Petyr nods and follows the sheriff.
The sheriff nods, and then takes you to the Harrowstone Memorial.
Other than the looming ruins of Harrowstone on a nearby hill, Ravengro’s most distinctive landmark is a 25-foot-tall, moss-covered stone statue that overlooks the river. The statue depicts a proud, muscular human man dressed in leathers and wielding a truncheon—a depiction of Warden Hawkran. A total of 25 names—the guards who died in the fire of 4661, as well as the warden’s wife, are chiseled into the statue’s stone base.
However, a grisly sight awaits your eyes on this visit to the memorial, as the statue is covered in splashes of blood around the base. Near the top is a large "V", written in the blood of some creature, presumably the cat that the sherrif mentioned. Said cat can be found nearby, slaughtered and cut open, drained of its blood.
"This." he says, waving a wide hand at the scene "Is what I was talking about. The fact that this happened the first night you all were in town is no coincidence, and you haven't quite managed to convince me it's not related to you."
Petyr brings his sleeve up to cover his nose as he looks at the memorial. "Mmm," he grunts in response to the sheriff's continued suspicions, taking a few steps closer to the memorial. After a few moments, he looks away from the cat and scans his eyes up to the V. He also notes the names. He would need to write the names down later, just in case any were significant.
"V," he gestures. "Or five, perhaps, if we're going with the old system of Taldan numerals. It's a cruel and ostentatious way to desecrate a memorial, and it's cryptic at that."
Petyr raises an eyebrow and turns towards his companions. He couldn't help but wonder whether this had something to do with the Whispering Way. But it wouldn't do to speak so openly about the organization in front of the sheriff. Not yet, anyway. Nor would it be sensible to offer to investigate the matter on behalf of the town. No, there was a smarter way to go about this.
"Sheriff," Petyr starts. "We have been asked by the late Professor Lorrimor to stay in Ravengro for the next month to assist Kendra. Councilman Vashian Hearthmount can attest to this request. As such, I would like for us to be civil. Other than swearing that we are not associated with this crime, how can we convince you of our innocence? Perhaps Father Vauran Grimburrow can prepare a zone of truth to question us. I am happy to submit to any measure that will allow us to move freely about the town."
Although those two could confirm their alibi and attest to their intentions, Petyr had chosen the two of them for another reason, and he carefully lingers on the v in both of their names. Would the Sheriff pick up on the verbal cue, or would Petyr have to spell it out for him?
As Petyr takes a closer look at the memorial, closely studying it, and looking at the names, one of them stands out.
Versorianna Hawkran.
Beyond her name and the name of the warden, Lyvar, there is nothing else of note on the memorial. You know, beside the splashes of cat blood.
"Well, I suppose if the councilman and Kendra vouch for you, then I can't be too suspicious. I'm not sure if Grimburrow can prepare a zone of truth, but we could go ask him if it becomes neccessary." he turns to the memorial and takes a look at the V painted on it.
"I can't think of any obvious meanings this could have, or even whether it's a V or a five. I'll keep my deputies in the area for a bit to see if we can find any other clues."
Well I'll be damned. Vashian, Vauran, Vesorianna. This town has certainly enjoyed its [i]'V' names. Even Lyvar has a v in it. It could be coincidence, of course.[/i]
"That's a good idea, Sheriff. It may also be good to see if anyone is missing a cat or recognizes the dead cat." Petyr waits a moment to see if the sheriff will catch any additional potential meanings. "How many people in the town have names that begin with V? They could be worth keeping an eye on as well. It could be a message to someone."
Petyr glances over at Andrei and Pace. "We were going to go to the Temple next and speak with Father Grimburrow. I do not plan to be difficult to find, should you have any further questions. Or, if I may offer, should you desire any aid in investigating this. Although I'm sure you and your deputies are amply capable."
Andrei seems oblivious to Petyr’s conversation as he moves closer and begins studying the ground around the monument. Seemingly out of nowhere, he asks the sheriff, “have any of your men been by yet, or anyone else besides the culprits who may have examined it up close?”
As Andrei begins studying the ground, Petyr turns his attention downward as well, hoping to point out anything that he sees to help the actual tracker in the trio.
Pace takes his time looking over the area for any clues that might have been missed.
He seems disgusted with the scene, but stops short of disturbing anything.
"Whomever did this won't be in hiding long. These types are proud of their transgressions, that pride will force them to the surface."
Whatever tracks or signs you may have found have been disturbed by the multiple deputies around the scene, which inadvertently answers Andrei's question. There were probably tracks, as the dirt and mud around the monument were freshly wet from the previous nights' rain, they've just been rendered useless from all of the people marching around.
"Yeah we've had the scene secured for a while, until I get out here. I think the cat was just a stray that lived in the area, was most likely a crime of opportunity. Whatever that means in this case, that is."
Petyr frowns. Some "secured" scene, if evidence had been destroyed. "Poor thing," he offers regarding the cat. "Hopefully people keep an eye on their pets, then."
Satisfied, even though the sheriff had not answered his question, he takes a few steps away, closer to the Temple. "Well, we'll be off then. Good luck with your investigation."
Andrei shakes his head disapprovingly as he steps back from the monument. "Well, the culprits surely left tracks behind in the wet ground, but there's no making them out now with all the new boot prints made while securing the scene," he announces bluntly.
Turning to the sheriff he adds, "if you have any experienced trackers, you could have them circle outside the area where all the traffic's been and they might be able to find tracks leading away that weren't made your men. If you don't, or they don't turn up anything, your best bet might be to find a wizard or druid who can talk with birds- the crows might have seen something useful."
With that, the gruff gentleman moves over to Petyr and adds, "yeah, good luck," before they begin to walk away.
"I'm sure I could find some reputable trackers to help see if there's anything else farther out. The other deputies are a bit too excitable, there hasn't been anything like this around here in a while."
"Appreciate the luck, if I need anything else, I'll keep in touch."
Devoted to Pharasma, the Lady of Graves, the temple is Ravengro's only religious structure and also the most elaboirate building. Stained glass windows presumably portraying various moments in the religious history of the area or Pharasma. The heavy wooden double door leading to the inside of the chapel is currently being tidied up by what one might assume is one of the acolytes that service the churchs' every day upkeep.
Petyr perfunctorily makes the sign of the spiral as he moves towards the Temple, calling out to address the acolyte. "Good morning there. Is Father Grimburrow available? For we much desire to speak with him."
The acolyte looks suprised to see you, but quickly answers.
"Yes, he's inside, right through these doors."
Opening the door to head inside, you see the temple is rather sparse as far as main temples dedicated to a specific deity, but that's likely just a symptomn of it being in Ravengro and not some other larger town.
The Father you came to see is standing alongside one of the chapels' stained-glass windows, working on some religious relic or artifact. He turns to look when the door opens and greets you.
"Ah, the friends of the Professor. So sorry again about the disturbance yesterday." he bends his head down in regret before speaking again. "What can I help you with? Surely the rascals didn't make any more trouble with you, did they?"
Petyr nods his head and enters the Temple, once again making a spiral across his chest. Many Pharasmin temples smelled the same, like they used the same sort of incense.
The duelist strides towards Father Grimburrow as the priest greets the three of them. "It is little trouble. I just pray that they recover from their mistakes well enough to learn from them. As for trouble, well--" Petyr looks askance at Pace and Andrei, and pulls out Professor Lorrimor's journal, lowering his voice to ensure that only the four of them can hear what he says next. "Our trouble may be coming from elsewhere. The town's, at least. We found some of the Professor's writings from the weeks before he died. He was looking for a list of everyone who died on the night of the Harrowstone fire and was looking into rumors of tools stored by previous generations of Pharasmins to protect against unquiet spirits at the intersections of the Eversleep and the Black Path. He seemed concerned that others might not believe him or trust him, given his reputation around here. And it seems like his investigation led to his death. But in the interest of being transparent, we would like to pick up where he left off, both as friends of the late Professor and as Pharasmins charged with being her beacons on Golarion."
If at any point, Petyr gets the impression that someone else might be listening in, or if his companions cut him off before he gets too far, he will stop and ask for a more secure location.
Andrei raises an eyebrow in surprise at Petyr’s frankness with the priest. Not wishing for their conversation to be overheard by anyone else, he positions himself next to his comrade and the priest with his back turned towards them and watches the rest of the temple and it’s attendants to make sure nobody is eavesdropping or otherwise observing the conversation.
Pace tries to lighten the mood and smooth over the introductions by also offering some aid.
"We are indeed concerned about the professors work and untimely demise, while we look into these matters, hopefully with your aid, we want you to know that we are willing and able to help with whatever comes up. Please feel free to seek us at the professors residence if you need anything."
"Oh right," Petyr says, acknowledging the offer of help/attempt to look for work. "That, too, of course. It would be nice to feel useful here."
The father quickly notices the need for discretion, and motions you into an adjoining room, away from the few acolytes in the main chapel.
"I was wondering what would become of the professor's investigations and where his questions would wind up leading him. I was saddened to hear about his accident at that damned place. We do have a record of the Harrowstone fire, with all of the names of those believed to have died on that horrible night. I can hunt it down again for your use, just give me a few hours to find it again."
"It's certainly not impossible that a cache of useful gear was stored in one of the nearby crypts in the days when the prison was operating, but I am not sure I could authorize the desecration of said crypt without good reason or trust the tools would not be misused. However, I happen to have the perfect way for a group of fellow Pharasmins to begin to prove themselves." he says, smiling gently as he looks at the three of you.
"I have had a handful of reports from acolytes and villagers alike about a particular crypt just north of town, in the Restlands. Suspicious figures, disturbances in the area around it, the usual. But no one I've sent has been able to see anyone or anything. Should you wish to help me with this to start out, I would surely have more sway with both the church and the city council to aid you more ways."
"No desecration, of course!" Petyr mentions, making the motion of Pharasma's spiral at the very thought. "But going into the Restlands--why, I think that sounds like the very thing we're here to help with."
The investigator looks at his allies for confirmation. "What sort of suspicions and disturbances are 'the usual'?"
"Well I usually take these sort of reports with a grain of salt, the people living in the Restlands usually love to convince themselves they've seen some sort of ghost or spectre. However, the number of times someone has said they've seen something in the mists out there in the early mornings and late evenings. I've also have at least one townsperson tell me they witnessed a dug up grave, but no one else could confirm it, as we couldn't find wherever they said they saw it."
"Regardless, it would be wrong of me if I didn't at least have someone go out to check on it, and who better than a group of fellow worshippers?"
Petyr considers the request thoughtfully, knowing that he had no reasonable objection, nor many further questions. "Who better indeed?" he reasons aloud. "Pace, Andrei, do either of you have questions? If not, then we should see what there may be to find out in the Restlands."
”Sounds like enough to get started to me,” Andrei answers. ”Do we have anything else to do first or should we go scout the place out in the light and then wait for dusk?”
Petyr nods. "If we have time, I'd like to meet Jominda Fallenbridge and Alendru Ghoroven. I believe they're familiar with alchemy and magical theory. I may be taking a break from my formal studies, but I see no reason to stop completely."
The priest speaks up again, in reply to the talk of going out immediately.
"Oh I thought I had mentioned, but I doubt you'd find anything suspicious going on during the day. If there are ne'er-do-wells about, they always wait for the moon to shine upon their deeds. It could be useful to scope it out ahead of time, but I doubt they'd be caught then."
"It sounds like we have plenty of time to go meet those other men first. Then we can scout out the Restlands while its light out, get some dinner, and return at dusk to investigate."
"Oh, and, father, do you happen to have any neophytes in need of chores? We could use an attendant at the Professor's house to manage the cooking and cleaning and whatnot while we focus on more pressing matters, like serving the church through aiding you, and investigating whatever the professor has uncovered..."
"Wonderful! Thank you for the information, and for the opportunities, Father."
Father Grimburrow seems a bit confused by the question, but then seems to understand and nods back in reply.
"I'm not sure if any of the acolytes will want to do any extra work outside of church duties, but I can definitely ask and I'll get back to you."
"I would suggest being careful and not taking any unneccessary risks. You never know what is out there roaming in the dark."
With that, he excuses himself and moves back to his duties in the main chapel area.
Petyr consults his map and begins making his way to Jominda's shop.
Someone should warn the things hiding in the dark that we are coming. Pace thinks to himself, ready to get into the meat of this investigation.
Jominda Fallenbridge, the proprietor and namesake of Jominda's Apothecary, is standing outside her shop. A fair haired younger human lady, she appears quite friendly and is talking to townspeople as they pass by.
She has a small display set up with all the usual alchemical knick knacks: flowers, herbs, anything anyone might need for a variety of problems.
As she catches sight of you, her face brightens and she waves at the group.
"Ah, the newcomers in town! Have you come to visit my shop in need of anything in particular? Smelling salts, antiplague?" Her voice lowers and she smirks as she adds the last item, "Perhaps even some Calistria's kindness?"
Petyr smiles at Jominda. "That would probably be more useful to someone with a uterus," he observes, "But it's good to know that such tonics are readily available. Perhaps...bachelor snuff? Just in case."
He chuckles and relaxes. "I'm a relative neophyte at alchemistry, but it sounds like you know your stuff," he says appraisingly. "Where did you train?"
Andrei stands awkwardly behind Petyr, unsure what any of the concoctions he’s talking about are. He does give the fair haired woman a nod of greeting though, not wishing to appear rude.
"Well you never know who might need what these days." she says, still laughing. [b]"I can certainly have some snuff ready for you shortly, how much do you need?"
"Oh, like most of the alchemists in this region of Ustalav, I trained at the university in Lepidstadt. Along with a bit of homegrown learning of course. Have you visited the university yet?"