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Cursed and haunted, Ustalav rests upon the bones of the foul empire of the legendary lich-archmage known as the Whispering Tyrant. In the centuries since the undead conqueror’s defeat, the land has been resettled, but superstition and horror still lurk in the country’s shadows.
The greatest evil sleeps in the ruin of Gallowspire. There, below the former court of the necromancer-king, lies the undying remains of the Whispering Tyrant himself, locked away by the magic of heroes and deities. Although bound within his prison-tomb, the lich-lord’s dreams still seep into the land, tainting minds and inspiring fanatics like the necromancer cult known as the Whispering Way.
Two heroes make their way to the small town of Ravengro to attend the funeral of an old firend. Little do they realize that dark fortune guides them into the path of the Whispering Way, and that soon they will pit their courage against the vilest horrors of Ustalav...
Chapter 1: The Haunting of Harrowstone
Numerous small towns dot the fog-shrouded landscape of Ustalav. At first glance, these towns might all seem kindred spirits—cozy collections of quaint buildings surrounded by farmland, their skylines decorated by the steeples of Pharasmin churches or the steep rooflines of colorful taverns. Yet in Ustalav, appearances are often deceiving, and many of the nation’s towns and villages harbor sinister secrets. Such is likely the case in idyllic Ravengro, a town built originally to provide support for the notorious prison known as Harrowstone, but which today endures as a self-sufficient farming community.
North of the town itself is a stretch of moorlands called the Restlands, used for the interring of the dead. You have just arrived at the entrance to this cemetery after a long journey, in order to pay your respects to your departed friend, Professor Petros Lorrimor. A small handful of villagers stand by the professor's finely crafted coffin, chief among them Petros's daughter, Kendra. The twenty-five-year-old woman is trim and attractive, but her eyes are red and puffy from sorrow. Still, she manages a faint smile when she sees the two of you approaching.
"I am glad you were able to make it in time," Kendra says. "I reached out to some of my father's other old friends, but no one else has come to pay their respects. With things the way they are in town these days, very few locals have come out, either. I'm sure you have lots of questions, and I promise to answer all of them, but for now, let us see to my father's burial." She gestures to the coffin. "Would you do the honors and help to bear Petros to his final rest?"
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you Kendra." Gaius says solemnly. "I only wish it could have been under better circumstances. Your father spoke very highly of you." He bows and kisses her hand politely. "I will be glad to help with Professor Lorrimor's coffin."
The only problem with that scenario is that Gaius is likely going to be too tall to make the process easy. His neatly groomed black hair stands well over six feet above his well made leather shoes. As the day is a somber one he has dressed appropriately, in black breeches, white stockings and a fine white shirt with a black coat. A golden chrysanthemum in his buttonhole provides the one touch of colour in an otherwise funeral (and impeccably neat) outfit.
Regardless he steps over to the coffin and nods politely to his fellow bearers.
The tall auburn haired woman lowers her hood and bows her head politely to Kendra. "Your father was a kind man and deserves to have others' respects paid onto him. I will gladly aid you to help take the Professor to his final resting place so that he can take the Judgement of the Lady of the Graves in peace."
I see that she seems to have classed me as one of her father's friends, even if that is not quite the word I'd have chose. I wonder if she knew the nature of our arrangement.
Noticing that the other friend of the Professor is also fairly tall, Signe steps forward to take the place opposite the man to balance out the coffin. She is not quite as tall as him, and he will have to bend slightly, however she is a much better option than the others.
"When you feel ready Ms Lorrimor, give us your blessing to begin."
A couple of the other townsfolk take up the coffin behind you, then Kendra leads the somber procession along the Dreamwake—a gravel pathway that winds through the cemetery. After several minutes, it reaches an open grave where an elderly priest of Pharasma and two gravediggers stand by. You help to lower the coffin into the grave, whereupon the priest gives a short sermon, then invites Kendra to say a few words about her father. Kendra fights back tears and briefly recounts a few of her father’s more courageous or self less moments, thanking everyone once again for coming. She then invites anyone else to share a few stories or remembrances, looking to you.
"I met Professor Lorrimor at a tavern in Lepistad." Gaius says, wanting to oblige Kendra. "He was a kind man with a good heart and when I met him he was attempting to buy an animal from its owner, who was using it to fight in an illegal betting ring." He smiles slightly, remembering the night in question. "Unfortunately good intentions counted for very little there but fortunately there was a brawl and I was able to help the Professor out of the way, although with more haste than he would have preferred. We were very similar in many regards, he had a lot of information which made my job much easier and I considered him a valued colleague. He will be missed."
Not realising that she would be asked to say something at the Professor's funeral, Signe blinks a couple of times as she thinks quickly what to add. She has attended many a funeral in recent years, but none at which she had to contribute personally.
"Professor Lorrimor was a very kind man who always wanted those around him to succeed and took pleasure in others' happiness."
Unsure if to continue, she looks around at the other attendees and notes that noone moves to take their turn. Not liking the silence, Signe continues. "Out of the kindness of his own heart, the Professor worked with me for a short while to help set up my own business so I could provide for myself. The dear man hardly knew me but wanted to another person to find happiness. This kind of selflessness is not common, and we should appreciate the man for such a deed."
Signe bows her head for a moment before uttering a brief prayer to Pharasma on behalf of Lorrimor.
Kendra wipes a few fresh tears from her eyes and nods to you in thanks. She grabs a handful of dirt and sprinkles it over her father's grave, then offers for you to do the same. The priest says a final prayer, and as the gravediggers get to work filling in the hole, you turn and depart the Restlands.
Kendra invites you back to her home (so recently her father's) for a drink and to hear Petros's last will and testament. "Part of the stipulation of the will was that you must be present for its reading," Kendra says. "Even I don't know what's contained inside of it!" The Lorrimor residence is a modest home with crowded bookshelves in every room. The reading of the professor’s will requires the presence of Councilman Vashian Hearthmount (the closest thing Ravengro has to a solicitor), and he has some other matters to attend to after the funeral, so he doesn’t arrive for about an hour, giving you time to make small talk.
Vashian arrives precisely on time. Though he gives you a disapproving glance, he makes no comment, producing a scroll case. He shows that the professor’s personal seal is unbroken, then breaks the wax and opens the case. As he does, a small iron key falls out of the tube, clattering noisily onto the table. Undaunted by the key, the councilman begins to read, eager to be done with the business and to get back home.
“I, Petros Lorrimor, being of sound mind, do hereby commit to this parchment my last will and testament. Let it be known that, with the exception of the specific details below, I leave my home and personal belongings entire to my daughter Kendra. Use them or sell them as you see fit, my child.
“Yet beyond the bequeathing of my personal effects, this document must serve other needs. I have arranged for the reading of this document to be delayed until all principals can be in attendance, for I have more than mere inheritance to apportion. I have two final favors to ask.
“To my old friends, I hate to impose upon you all, but there are few others who are capable of appreciating the true significance of what it is I have to ask. As some of you know, I have devoted many of my studies to all manner of evil, that I might know the enemy and inform those better positioned to stand against it. For knowledge of one’s enemy is the surest path to victory over its plans.
“And so, over the course of my lifetime, I have seen fit to acquire a significant collection of valuable but dangerous tomes, any one of which in the wrong circumstances could have led to an awkward legal situation. While the majority of these tomes remain safe under lock and key at the Lepidstadt University, I fear that a few I have borrowed remain in a trunk in my Ravengro home. While invaluable for my work in life, in death, I would prefer not to burden my daughter with the darker side of my profession, or worse still, the danger of possessing these tomes herself. As such, I am entrusting my chest of tomes to you, posthumously. I ask that you please deliver the collection to my colleagues at the University of Lepidstadt, who will put them to good use for the betterment of the cause.
“Yet before you leave for Lepidstadt, there is the matter of another favor—please delay your journey one month and spend that period of time here in Ravengro to ensure that my daughter is safe and sound. She has no one to count on now that I am gone, and if you would aid her in setting things in order for whatever she desires over the course of this month, you would have my eternal gratitude. From my savings, I have also willed to each of you a sum of one hundred platinum coins. For safekeeping, I have left these funds with Embreth Daramid, one of my most trusted friends in Lepidstadt—she has been instructed to issue this payment upon the safe delivery of the borrowed tomes no sooner than one month after the date of the reading of this will.
“I, Petros Lorrimor, hereby sign this will in Ravengro on this first day of Calistril, in the year 4711.”
Once the will is read, Councilman Vashian looks to Kendra, who thanks him and dismisses him. Putting on a brave face, she turns to you. "Once again, I would like to thank you for coming. I will need at least a few weeks to decide if I want to sell this house or remain here in Ravengro. In the meantime, as stipulated in the will, I would ask that you remain here as well. There is plenty of space in this house, and I can promise you free room and board for the duration of your stay."
Gaius is unable to hide his frown, the first request is reasonable enough and in line with other jobs he and his colleagues have undertaken over time. The payment is ample and thus there are no problems.
The second request however is... awkward. Both because he never planned to stay away from the capital for so long and because of the social situation. He is by no means a rake, but equally no monk, and the implications of a man of marriageable age staying in a house with a recently widowed young woman... well tongues will wag, no matter what. While he has no real intention of returning to Ravengro gossip has a tendency to spread and his good name matters in a profession based largely on personal trust.
"I have no objection to escorting the books as your father has asked Miss Lorrimor." He says politely. "It is the least that I can do for a colleague and the offered funds are very generous. I must confess to... reservations on the second point. I fear it would not be appropriate for me accept your kind offer. I fear it would have... an appearance of impropriety. I do not wish to be the cause of any more trouble to you at this time."
Signe sips the bitter root tea that Kendra had provided previously and tries to work out what the Professor has just requested of her and the stranger.
This would certainly mean being away from home and her own detective business back in Caliphas that is still in its fragile early stages. The payment will help make up for lost earnings, but the time away will certainly not help get her name out there.
The deal that she made with the Professor was definitely binding, especially with the challenging conversations that he had on her behalf.
"It is certainly a big ask, but I am in debt to the Professor and will carry out his wishes as he pleases, especially as I am sure that Pharasma has blessed him so."
Signe turns to the man next to her questioning him with a raised eyebrow. "I am sure nobody would see it as inappropriate Mr Trevelyan. This house certainly seems big enough for the three of us and I am sure that nobody has reason to suspect us of any wrong doing. Perhaps we can even take this time to ensure the Professor's daughter is ready to move on. There is no need for concern."
Kendra smiles. "You are kind, Mister Trevelyan. If it would make you feel better, I could pay for your lodgings at The Outward Inn instead. It is not too far away from my home, and you could stay there at night while coming back here during the daytime."
"You are very kind Miss Lorrimor, I accept, and please call me Gaius. If we are to be friends then we should start off on the right foot." He then turns to the red-headed woman and bows slightly. "And you, Miss Valland, please do likewise."
"Thats settled then, Gaius. Please, call me Signe." Signe says graciously taking another sip of tea still trying to warm herself up from the funeral earlier this evening. "I personally would like to take you up on your offer and stay here with you Miss Trevelyan. Perhaps I can lend a hand as I do."
Signe stands up and shuffles closer to the fireplace, staring into the hypnotic flames and holding out her palms in order to warm her still cold hands.
"Would you like me to make up a room so that I can drop off my things and then perhaps we can talk more this evening about your father?" She asks softly. "I would like to learn more about him as he seems to have led a very interesting life and I am sure you have a lot you would like to share."
"Yes, of course. Oh, but before I forget, let me fetch that chest of books father indicated in his will," Kendra says.
The chest itself is a relatively small object of oak and iron. Kendra, nervous about the contents, offers the key to you to give youthe honor of opening the chest.
The key fits the lock perfectly, and within are several old tomes and one relatively new one. The newest tome sits on the top and bears the phrase “Read me now!” scratched into the leather cover.
The tome turns out to be Professor Lorrimor's journal. The majority of the entries are relatively bland, accounting for day-to-day activities in a small town. The professor has circled several entries in the book with red ink, though. The final entry, dated 17 days ago, was written on the same day the Professor’s body was found.
The Whispering Way is more than just a cabal of necromancers. I see that now. Undeath is their fountain of youth. Uncovering their motivation does not place me at ease as I thought it might. Their desire to be eternal simply makes them more dangerous.
Two Months Ago:
It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be?
One Month Ago:
Whatever the Way seeks, I am now convinced their goal is connected to Harrowstone. In retrospect, I suppose it all makes sense—the stories they tell about the ruins in town are certainly chilling enough. It may be time to investigate the ruins, but with everyone in town already being so worked up about them, I’d rather not let the others know about my curiosity—there’s plenty of folks hereabouts who already think I’m a demonologist or a witch or something. Ignorant fools.
Twenty Days Ago:
It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list.
Eighteen Days Ago:
I see now just how ill prepared I was when I last set out for the Harrowstone. I am lucky to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not find it prudent to investigate further) prevented me from transcribing the strange symbols I found etched along the foundation—hopefully on my next visit I will be more prepared. Thankfully, the necessary tools to defend against spirits are already here in Ravengro. I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down below. If my luck holds, I should be able to slip in and out with a few borrowed items.
Seventeen Days Ago:
Tomorrow evening I return to the prison. It is imperative the Way does not finish. My caution has already cost me too much time. I am not sure what will happen if I am too late, but if my theory is right, the entire town could be at risk. I don’t have time to update my will, so I’ll leave this in the chest where it’ll be sure to be found, should the worst come to pass.
Gaius reads the journal without comment and then gives Signe a look loaded with import. "Miss Lorrimor, if you don't object I'll take this opportunity to walk over to the inn you mentioned, the Outward Inn I think? We should leave the books here for now. There's nowhere else they'll be safer I imagine. Miss Vallend, would you like to join me? We might as well try and see a little of this fair town."
Once they are both outside and away from Kendra he drops the pretense of good cheer.
"What do you make of that journal, Miss- Signe. Disturbing is the simplest word I can use to describe it."
Signe places her hand softly on Kendra's shoulder, comforting the woman. "I will not be gone long, just a few moments to get a feel of the place before morning. We will have a nightcap together when I return and talk more of your fathers' memories."
As they step out into the crisp night air, she pulls her thick green cloak tightly around her as the cold seeps in quickly.
"Yes, disturbing is the most apt I would say. I cannot help but feel called to this particular moment on this particular day given my talents, and what the Professor helped me to set up. Those particular notes were chilling but give us a great lead. His death was certainly not natural." Shaking herself out of the feeling, she turns to the task at hand.
"I know what the Professor's dying wishes were, and that we were to accompany these books to Lepidstadt in a months time, however I feel we have a lot more to achieve in this place than was first apparent."
As they meander through the streets to find the Outpost Inn, Signe watches the town around her, lights flickering in the windows, as the village starts to settle down for the night.
"Did you hear exactly how the Professor was said to have died? The Whispering Way certainly appear to be a good lead. And this place, the Harrowstone, was it? I admit I am not local, so will need a guiding hand with some of the location-dependent ideas. "
"I do not believe there was an autopsy..." Gaius says slowly. Signe has a good brain and is already picking out the most promising leads, which begs the question as to what exactly it is that she does, still not polite to ask about that just yet.
"I will sit in the common room this evening and see if I can learn anything on the subject." He continues. "We seem to be in agreement that there is more than seems immediately obvious going on here in Ravengro. You are quite right, it behooves us to investigate, to conclude whatever the Professor began. He was not a fanciful man and if he believes a necromantic cult is operating here I will believe him until I can prove otherwise."
The pair walks a little further in silence before Gaius broaches the topic already on his mind. "If you will forgive a question Mi- Signe. What did the Professor help you set up? You see to the heart of matters more clearly than a number of Sleepless Agents that I know."
Signe nods in agreement with her new acquaintance. "Well I'm not sure how much you will glean from chatter at the Inn I'm afraid. The funeral wasn't exactly well attended so I'm not sure how popular he was here."
Signe takes in a short breath and purses her lips for a moment with the more personal question. "I am an independent agent of Mrtyu and Pharasma by extension and as such no longer tied to the formalized Church system. I am fortunate to have my own private detective agency down in Caliphas that the Professor was kind enough to help me set up whilst he was lecturing there some moons ago. My aim is to investigate more major crime such as kidnapping and murder to ensure that victims are given their proper chance at peace."
Luckily for Signe she finds herself looking up at the fading wooden sign on the Inn ahead. "The Outward Inn." She reads aloud."Ah. Well. I must be leaving you now and return to Miss Lorrimor. I think the Professor deserves his daughter to be comforted in this time. Until the morning Mr Trevelyan."
"Goodnight Miss Valland." Gaius replies formally. He waits for her to pass from sight before going to the inn and requesting a room for the next two weeks. He pays up front and then sits in the common room for a drink. After twenty minutes of observation and trying to learn the basic social interactions of the area he sets to work, trying to tease out conversation on the subject of Professor Lorrimor.
Signe knows that the Whispering Way is a sinister organization of necromancers that has been active in the Inner Sea region for thousands of years. Agents of the Whispering Way often seek alliances with undead creatures, or are themselves undead. The Whispering Way’s most notorious member was Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant, although the society itself has existed much longer than even that mighty necromancer.
***
The board and breakfast provided by Sarianna Vai at the Outward Inn come 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.
Most of the patrons Gaius tries to talk to simply scowl and make the sign of Pharasma’s spiral to ward off bad luck. He is able to eventually learn that the professor was found dead outside the walls of the old prison, Harrowstone. The stone face from a leering gargoyle from the roof above had apparently fallen on him, crushing him to death. Most of the townsfolk agree that he was up to no good up at Harrowstone, dabbling in necromancy or worse!
***
Back at the manor, Kendra shows Signe to her room. ”Here you are, Miss Valland. You have the run of the house while you are here. Feel free to make use of my father’s library or other facilities.”
Signe bows her head slightly before hauling her small trunk into the room and unpacking her few possessions; placing them carefully atop the dark mahogany chest of drawers. She finally takes off her cloak and tugs off her leather boots, which had constricted her feet for so long.
Lying back on the bed for a few moments, Signe closes her eyes to relax but only gets a moment of peace before a wave of thoughts wallops her.
Unable to settle down, she picks up the small lamp and goes in search of the Professor's library or study to see what she might find.
Signe is not one to feel shy about her curiosity, given her ambitions, and happily pokes her head into a few doorways to work out the layout of the house whilst on her search.
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Gaius meanwhile cuts his losses after a while and heads to his room - clean and tidy if not hugely large. It will serve at least. He sits down at the small desk, pulls out his latest journal and begins scratching down notes in the coded shorthand he's been using since he was a teenager.
Professor Lorrimor was investigating something in Ravengro, apparently linked to the Whispering Way. Normally I'd side with the locals who seem to consider the whole thing foolish superstition, but Lorrimor wasn't an idiot and if he thinks this is important enough to have pulled me in then it bears further investigation.
Signe Valland is an interesting woman. A practicing detective too. Not well know clearly, since we have not crossed paths, but capable and clear sighted thus far. She seems likely to be a worthy partner, and she is not unattractive. Gaius hesitates a moment after writing that line - Signe is certainly attractive but doesn't seem like the kind of woman who would necessarily appreciate the sentiment. On the other hand the chance of her finding and then being able to read his journal is unlikely in the extreme.
Were we still in Caliphas I would want to pursue her, or at least get a clearer picture of how she'd respond. However that seems imprudent in the current circumstances. Still, it seems that we will be colleagues for the next month or more. It should be an interesting experience.
With his good/bad/potentially dangerous habit indulged Gaius retires for the night.
The next morning, you find the townsfolk in a hubbub. One of the locals woke up to discover somebody had desecrated 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, Vesorianna—are chiseled into the statue’s stone base. The memorial is a popular meeting spot for late-night trysts among Ravengro’s young lovers, for it has just the right mix of tragic romance and spooky ambience without actually being on Harrowstone’s supposedly haunted grounds.
Somebody wrote a large letter "V" in blood at the statue's base. More blood was found splattered around the statue and the surrounding area...
"Fortunate that you have a detective in town." Gaius says to the innkeeper when the news is imparted to him. "Miss Vallend, the woman staying with Miss Lorrimor has her own business in Caliphas. I'm sure she'd be delighted to look into the matter for you."
Having eaten breakfast he takes it upon himself to inform Signe of the situation and walks briskly to The Prof-, Kendra's house, where he knocks.
"Good morning Miss Lorrimor, I was hoping to speak with Miss Vallend. There appears to have been a case of vandalism during the night and I am sure the good people of Ravengro would appreciate a professional looking into the matter for them!"
The one thing that Signe is not, is a morning person. Waking to the sound of a sharp rapping on the door, she groans and pulls her pillow over her head to dull the noise, but notes in the meantime that it is definitely light outside.
Groaning yet again, she tosses the pillow to the side, and sits up bleary eyed, tossing her legs over the side of the bed.
It must still be fairly early? How long did I spend in the Professor's library last night?
Taking a few moments to throw on a night-gown over her nightdress, she slips on her shoes as she has not brought her slippers with her and heads downstairs to the kitchen in search of food and drink to wake her up.
Seeing Gaius at the table with Kendra surprises her. "Oh, good morning to both of you." Suddenly, her hand rushes up to her hair, and her eyes shoot down to her attire, her cheeks glowing as red as her hair. "My apologies for my appearance, I - I just woke up."
"Please do not concern yourself." Gaius replies, politely averting his eyes to examine Kendra's teapot in close detail. "I was merely saying to Kendra that there has been an incident of vandalism during the night and I thought that some good will might be won with the villagers if a detective such as yourself were seen to be investigating. Once you're... er... prepared, of course."
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Noting everyone else's embarrassment, Signe clears her throat. "Oh, well, yes. I will have a look as I have no other plans and would like to learn more about the village. Kendra, I'll skip breakfast this morning and come back for lunchtime. Gaius, perhaps we can continue last night's conversation over dinner?"
Signe rushes back out the room in haste and gets changed, muttering as she goes. "How stupid of me. You're in someone elses house and you hardly know them or the routine and company they keep."
After becoming much more prepared Signe rushes out to the village without checking back in on the kitchen to try and find the source of vandalism. She realises she should have asked Gaius for more information, but couldn't bring herself to come eye to eye with him again so soon after the earlier encounter.
"I trust you and Signe will get to the bottom of this latest disturbance," Kendra says to Gaius as she offers him a cup of tea.
Unfortunately, Signe finds that while the locals enjoy spreading gossip and rumors, little of it seems to be actual useful information.
"Latest disturbance?" Gaius asks, accepting the cup of tea. "Are such things common here in Ravengro? It seems like such a peaceful place - aside from the prison of course."
He hopes Kendra will take the conversational bait and fill him in a little on the town's history.
Sighing, Signe finishes her plate of oatmeal, pays and steps away from the bar heading back out into the village. "Well, this isn't going to plan." She mutters to herself. "I'll just have to use my own eyes."
"There's always some sort of hubbub around here," Kendra begins. "Rumormongering and gossiping are traditional pastimes among the townsfolk, though most of the controversies they create are wholly made up. But I can tell you a bit more about Harrowstone..."
Harrowstone is a ruined prison—partially destroyed by a fire in 4661. 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.
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 conflagration. It was only through the self-sacrifice 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.
***
Searching around near the Harrowstone Memorial, Signe finds the ground disturbed by the many gawkers who have arrived to see the vandalism in person. However, she does discover one particular set of barefoot footprints that lead away from the statue. The experienced tracker is able to follow the prints to a ramshackle shack just a few hundred feet away from the statue.
The shack is empty right now, but rustling around inside, Signe discovers a bloodstained war razor and a wineskin partially full of blood underneath a stack of firewood...
Signe pockets the wineskin and picks up the razor, examining it closely. "Human blood or creature I wonder?" She says aloud to herself.
When she realizes she can't gain much more from this yet, she looks for alternate exits in the shack or any hidden stashes.
Signe does not find anything else hidden here, nor are there other exits.
Not wanting to be seen carrying around a blood-stained weapon, she wraps it in cloth and places it in her backpack as best she can, its handhold sticking out the top. Knowing she cannot keep this easily out of sight of the villagers, Signe knows she must put it in safe keeping for now until she can piece together the clues further.
She quickly returns to Kendra's to drop off her evidence and see if Gaius is still around. Gaius seemed to have a good understanding of people, from the brief conversation last night. He might have some insight, and it would be good to get to know her new companion better.
Luckily, Signe finds Gaius helping Kendra with some small tasks in the kitchen as she arrives.
Wanting to avoid embarrassment, she steps right into business. "So, this vandalism business is a little unsuual. Look what I've found in a shack just a few feet from the memorial." She removed the weapon and wineskin from her backpack. "I need to know what type of blood this is. Kendra, would you perhaps know someone who could help us with this in the local area? Gaius, what are your thoughts? My plan is to talk to the villagers to work out who uses the shack, who uses such a weapon or if anybody saw someone last night."
"I know a bit of divination magic," Kendra says. "Let me see."
She murmurs an incantation and studies the blood for a few moments. "It is animal blood. From a large rat, if I am not mistaken." She waves her hand to dismiss her spell. "That shack belongs to a retired farmer named Gibs Hephenus. He's got a foul temper, but I wouldn't peg him as the type to engage in vandalism."
"Well thats good news at least, I'd rather a person dealing with a pest problem than a murder." Signe says feeling guilty about being a little disappointed that her investigation is not more significant. "It would still be worth talking to Gibs to discuss who may have been using it further. He might have had intruders before."
"Would you like to join me in my investigating Gaius or does Kendra need you here longer?"
Gaius gives his hostess a brief glance. "I don't think so. Thank you for the tea Kendra, it's been lovely to chat with you." He gets up, bows slightly and joins Signe in heading for the door.
"I'm sorry I was not able to watch you work." He says politely, "You seem to have come to the root of the problem with commendable speed. Shall we wander the town and ask about this 'Gibs' fellow?"
"Thats agreeable, however I doubt it is the farmer. It would seem too easy. We need to find out who has cause to want to desocrate a memorial. A political statement or form of unrest perhaps? Somebody who has been wronged somehow?"
Heading back into the village, Signe and Gaius try to find out more about Gibs and also try to find out if anyone had heard of any recent rat infestations.
Gaius is not very helpful...
Signe is able to learn that Gibs used to be a soldier in Ustalav's army before retiring to the life of a farmer. Since Professor Lorrimor's death, he has been one of the most outspoken in his belief that the professor was dabbling in "forbidden necromancy."
Nobody reports having any rat infestations.
"Gaius, how well do you know the professor? You don't believe he would have been dabbling in something so wrong do you?" Signe sighs, feeling suddenly at odds with her task. "Either way, we should go and question him to ask him more."
"We have corresponded for some time." Gaius says, matter-of-fact-ly. "But of course there is a limit to knowing a man through letters. We only met the once, but he was sticking his nose into the wrong place - for a good reason. So no, I think he would be dabbling, but not to do something wrong. More likely he felt compelled to investigate."
He nods in agreement to Signe's plan for finding Gibs and pulls out a small vial, which he keeps in hand, ready to pop the top off.
It doesn't take long to track down Gibs, enjoying an early afternoon drink at The Outside Inn. The grizzled man looks up as you approach. "Yeah? Whaddya want?" he grumbles.
Gaius flicks the cap off the vial and swigs it down without a word. He stays a pace behind Signe, intending to let her do the talking.
"Good afternoon Mr Gibs." Signe says, trying to be as polite as possible even in the face of the man's belligerence. "We are investigating the vandalism that occurred last night at the Memorial. I found a blood trail that suggests that someone, or something might have come close to your home afterwards and I wanted to ask if you'd seen or heard anything that might help us?"
She watched the man carefully, hoping to read clues in his reactions to her explanation.
Gibs glares at Signe. "I didn't see nothing last night. I was fast asleep. Weren't nobody there in the morning when I woke up, neither. Didn't notice no blood around. I think you're mistaken, missy."
Signe is unable to glean anything from the man's surly response.
Gaius, even with his extract, is equally unable to make headway. He's never met a man with such a craggy face!
"Have you been here long sir?" He asks. "Could someone have passed your house after you left?" It is easy enough to see why Signe has adopted this line of questioning - telling Gibs that he is the prime suspect would make him clam up immediately, although Gaius is considering it as the next step. Gibs seems to be pretty clammed up already!
"I did my work this morning, then came here a couple of hours ago," Gibs says. "Suppose it's possible somebody went to my house after that. Ya think somebody's trying to set me up? Cause I didn't do nothing!"
"Can you think of anyone who might want to do that?" Gaius asks, since it seems to be bringing Gibs on side at least a little. "Who would benefit from discrediting you?"
”Hell if I know! You’re the big-city detectives, ain’t ya? Why don’t you figure it out!” Gibs scowls.
Knowing that this politeness is getting them nowhere, Signe turns the tables on the man.
"Absolutely Mr Gibs, that is precisely what we are doing. When the blood trail leads to close to your abode, it was reasonable to consider asking if you had heard of any disturbances." She pauses for a second before showing a polite but untrue smile.
"Now we also have to consider, as part of our unbiased and fair investigation of course, that you may also have had something to do with this. Especially as you seem to want to get rid of us." Pausing again to allow the accusation sink in for a short moment, Signe watches the man's reactions carefully.
"Are you sure there is nothing else that you can tell us to aid us into our investigation into others that may want to set you up? Otherwise we may also have to pursue the line of inquiry that follows your own possible personal involvement."