Not comfortable with the mercurial nature of children, Børak was visibly relieved that they were done speaking with the kids and moving on towards the temple. Nodding in agreement with Magdali, "I believe you are right, hopefully the priests will be able to aid us with that, or perchance someone at the library."
As they continued, he nods back towards the children, "Well done with the children. I don't believe I could have warmed them to myself as well as you did." Remembering how local children had reacted the first time Drake had taken him to a village, he gestures towards the claw scar on his face. "Even adults find this distracting, let alone children."
Borak and Magdali see Dr. Ramada in blood stained clothes being helped by two villagers into the temple before you get there. Visayn follows closely behind.
Two of the acolytes check him out and quick call for Father Grimburrow. They cast lesser restoration twice to stop the flow of blood.
Nikolay profusely thanks the two acolytes as they heal the worst of his blood loss. "My sincerest thanks to both of you - I likely owe you my life! May Pharasma smile upon you!"
As he sees Børak and Magdali enter the temple, he waves in greeting. "Hello, my friends! I must confess, I did not think we would reunite under such circumstances!" He appears quite jovial, especially given his current condition, but this is likely due to delirium - even after the healing provided by the acolytes, he does not seem quite lucid. "Incidentally, did you know that stirges live in gazebos?"
The acolytes return the words in unision, "May Pharasma smile upon you!" Then one of them offers, "Your welcome, let's not go that far."
Father Grimburrow comes along once your group has collected around Ramada. He asks the acolytes, "How is he?"
As they near the temple, Børak see's the bloody Doctor being helped into the temple. Furrowing his brow he leans over towards Magdali about to ask her thoughts. but realizing, she knew no more than he, he squares his shoulders, and unconcioulsy pulls his hood down over his face.
His head down, Børak enters the temple. As he rests his polearm in the racks within the door, he hears Ramada call out his 'hello.' Raising an eyebrow at the good doctors jolly sound, Børak turns to Magdali, and asks, "Maybe the blood is not his?"
Moving towards their two companions, Børak gives a polite nod to Visayn, turning towards Ramada as the doctor says something about stirges and gazebos. Not exactly sure that he knows what a gazebo is, Børak turns back towards Vizayn asking, "Exactly what happened to the good doctor?"
Visayn nods back to Borak "Doc was bitten by vicious insects and almost died due to blood loss, we barely managed to kill them. Villagers were nice and led us here." he seems still bit stressed by the encounter
"Your welcome, let's not go that far."
Nikolay turns to face the acolyte. "Oh, I'm not sure it's unwarranted! Hypovolemia is a very serious danger, first discovered right here in Ustalav, as a matter of fact! In 2903 AR, Julijonas Vebra noticed that after a vampire attack, those victims who remained alive reported a number of common symptoms, including delirium, nausea..."
Visayn and any of the villagers who helped him to the temple recognize this as the start of a moderately addled speech (similar in many aspects to the way a funnel cloud heralds a tornado) - on the way up to the temple, Nikolay rambled on about a number of different topics at length. While as mentioned before he stayed away from subject manner likely to unnerve the townsfolk, he spoke quite profusely on several other concepts, including the weather, the physical mechanics behind lightning strikes, a talk he once had with an architect in Rozenport, how much he hates traveling by boat, and many other random but ultimately useless factoids, all as part of the same long, unfocused tangent.
However, before he manages to get too far, Father Grimburrow appears, causing the scientist to break off his speech (which everyone had most likely stopped listening to anyway) and turn to face the town's spiritual leader. "Greetings, Father Grimburow. Visayn and I were attacked by a number of stirges nesting in the town square, but they're all dead now." He nods towards the two acolytes. "I lost a significant volume of blood, but I'm feeling much better after the aid of your acolytes."
Father Grimburrow looks concerned as he sincerely states, "It is good they have been dealt with, thank you for your sacrifice, Pharasma guide us all." With that said he casts lesser restoration as well.
He then asks, "Come to our medical room and we will get those barbs out of your back."
Hearing Visayn and the Doctor had been attacked by vicious insects, Børak nods and gestures towards the oracle, "Magdali and I met some children playing games."
Turning towards Ramada, Børak reaches up inside his hood and scratches his chin, attempting to figure out if the good doctor talked more, or less, after a near-death experience.
Realizing Father Grimburrow was approaching, Børak stopped scratching his chin and unconsciously pulled the hood tighter as he turned away from the man. Chucking at his own reaction, Børak remembered he'd met the man before. The professor had asked him look at the scars to see if there was anything to be done. There hadn't been.
Relaxing a little, he followed the others into the medical room.
Father Grimburrow does have the acolytes learn how to grab the barbed feet with tongs and instructs them on how to remove them.
The first acolyte easily removes the barb feet with Father's praise. The next acolyte has troubles but with the Father's aid is able to remove a foot. The next two acolytes jump the gun and quickly try to get the barbed feet, tearing much skin as they nearly yank them free. . One of them goes to heal and Father stops them. He quickly states, "Finish first, then we heal, otherwise the wounds may close over the barbed feet. You must take your time and do your best to not do harm. Sorry sir." Then with the guidance of Father and a steady and calm hand, the rest of the feet are removed with some discomfort but no more damage. Then Father intones to the acolytes to heal him.
Nikolay listens intently as Father Grimburrow gives instructions to the acolytes. "A modified d'Acquapendente approach? I would never have thought of that, but it would work best for subcutaneous barbs like these stirge feet." He seems to take a surprisingly nonchalant view of the surgery about to be performed on him, ignoring the potential danger to himself in his eagerness to learn from the experienced priest.
As the first acolyte yanks the barbed foot from Nikolay's skin, he attempts to reassure the young cleric. "Not to worry, I've done much worse things to myself in my experiments. Several years ago, I drained three liters of my blood and replaced it with the synthesized blood of the chameleon, a Garundi reptile capable of..." His talk distracts the next acolyte, however, who removes another significant section of skin from the young scientist's body. "...point taken. I should probably stop talking now."
When Father Grimburrow and the acolytes remove the last stirge feet from Nikolay's body and heal the wounds sustained in the attempt, he profusely thanks the priests. "I am eternally grateful for your aid."
Reuniting with the rest of the pallbearers, he looks somewhat sheepish at the lack of progress he has made. "My sincerest apologies, Miss Kiritescu, Mister Børak - most of my time and that of Visayn has been taken up by the stroke of misfortune wherein I 'fed the stirge,' so to speak, but I assure you I will continue my work presently. What of you? Have you discovered any facts of import?"
Watching the acolytes and father Grimburrow work on Ramada, Børak shakes his head, not really sure if the doctor is actually talking about something he'd done, or just hallucinating.
As the physicians seem to be done with his fellow pallbearer, Børak moves closer, shaking his head, "No apology needed." He gestures towards Magdali "Other than hearing a rhyme the children use, we've learned nothing."
"Now this must be interesting. What sort lovely children's rhyme did you hear?" Visayn's voice is split with amusement and curiousity.
Chuckling at Vizayn's question, Børak, smiles, the right side of lips turning up. The left side barely moving, pinching the cheek, causing the scar to pull his left eye slightly shut. "You know the type, the ditties that caring mothers hear and wonder why they let their sweet kids play with their not so sweet cousins."
Magdali had hasted her steps when she first caught of the Doctor and all the blood, but he is already in good hands so she lets the local Pharasmins take care of him.
"It really does seem we had the better of our respective chance encounters while walking" she comments to the Doctor and Visayn.
As for the children's song, Magdali is much more blasé about its contents than Borak.
"Children are not sweet or not so sweet. They are curious and lack the filters on their speech that adults learn to adopt. Dark matters are fascinating to them because the adults around them deny them real answers to their questions. The taboo thus created is a great temptation."
"The thing that caught my attention is it referenced Harrowstone and its inmates. It contained a substantial measure of folk history."
"Sounds familiar, children have such strong interest in taboos. Maybe we should ask acolytes about what they know of Harrowstone and Whispering way. They might have more reliable information and that's why we came here in first place." Visayn muses
Nikolay listens intently to the discussion about the eerie childrens' rhyme. "Indeed. The mind of a child is a strange, wonderful, and often disturbing place. I recall that in my youth, I was fascinated by potent acid, playing with chemicals that were in all probability far too dangerous for me to touch."
He seems to think for a moment. "We may want to consider splitting up again - while it is likely best that we speak with Father Grimburrow and the acolytes regarding our research, there is another matter that requires our attention. The villagers who brought me here mentioned something about the Harrowstone Memorial being defaced with splatters of blood, spelling a "V" at the statue's base." He grimaces, rubbing the spots on his arms where the stirge feet were recently removed. "As you can see, I have a good deal of theoretical and empirical experience regarding blood loss, so I might be able to discern something from the vandalism. Miss Kiritescu, you had mentioned that you were interested in staying here alone, but I am concerned that course of action would be unsafe. We should probably travel in groups of two, like last time."
As Magdali brought up the song's reference to Harowstone, Børak, listened as Visayn and Ramada shared, chiming in, "I'd heard children singing it before. But I don't have much knowledge about the prisoners then or now."
He was about to ask if they should speak to the priests, then the good doctor began to speak. Raising an eyebrow when Ramada recommended they split up, he'd have thought that the doctor, especially after being attack, would have wanted as much protection as possible. Mentally shrugging at the idea, he nodded towards Magdali and the temple in general. "I will stay here with Miss Kiritescu. I may have questions for the priests as well."
"That is fine Borak. But, I would like to speak with Father Grimburrow privately, Church business."
Speaking with an acolyte, since father Grimburrow left the finishing touches to his acolytes, gets Magdali to the Father's door and the acolyte twitches and apologizes, "I am sure he is just indisposed at the moment shall we wait here or do you want me to come get you?"
"I don't want to intrude on the Father's routine. I am sure he has many responsibilities. I will wait elsewhere until he can see me. Where should I go?"
Back to the main chamber or... no, back to the main chamber. As Magdali begins walking back almost getting to the large room, she hears quick footfalls and see the acolyte rushing after her. Once he regains his breath he says, "Father will see you now."
Assuming you follow he takes you back and raps on the door, with a muffled, "Enter." The acolyte opens the door and let's Magdali go in as he shuts the door. You do notice that the suit of armor in the corner appears to be holding an axe aloft. Father asks, "What is the pleasure this time Ms Kiritescu?"
While Ms Kiritescu speaks with Father Grimburrow, Visayn approaches one of the acolytes "Greetings and thank you very much for healing our friend. We came here to research the old prison and its prisoners, who perished in the fire. According to our source cult of necromancers has taken interest in the site. We'd be grateful if we could access your archives"
Nodding politely to Magdali as she informs him she needs to speak with Father Grimburrow, Børak begins looking for a place where he can wait. As he turns looking for a chair, he hears Visayn ask about the prisoners. Wanting to hear the information as well, he moves forwards near the sylph. Keeping his eyes lowered he adds, "Yes, may we access your archives?"
The acolyte looks from Visayn to Boern and shakes his head, "You would have to secure permission from Father Grimburrow before you can gain access to our archives."
"All right, we will speak with Grimburrow himself later." Visayn politely nods and leaves whispering to Nikolay on the way "We had business to do, remember this bag you gave me?"
Hearing the Acolyte's answer Børak nods, "We will wait until Magdali is done speaking with him."
He notices Visayn is heading towards Nikolay. Moving with the sylph he notes. "Now that I think about it, Magdali may be speaking with the Father about that very topic." having spoken his peace, he leaves Visayn and Nicolay to their own devices and returns to the chair he'd found.
Nikolay nods in appreciation as Visayn reminds him of the work they had planned to do. "My thanks, Visayn." He takes the proffered pouch, attempting as before to conceal his movements.
He handles the bag somewhat gingerly as he retrieves it, then leaves for town after thanking the temple healers one last time. Once the two are a good distance away from the temple, Nikolay addresses Visayn. "My thanks for being willing to look after this. If any of the temple staff were shadow assassins in disguise, it could have gone very poorly for us. Incidentally, I note your bravery in holding a bag containing such a large number of volatile and corrosive substances."
Back to the main chamber or... no, back to the main chamber. As Magdali begins walking back almost getting to the large room, she hears quick footfalls and see the acolyte rushing after her. Once he regains his breath he says, "Father will see you now."
Assuming you follow he takes you back and raps on the door, with a muffled, "Enter." The acolyte opens the door and let's Magdali go in as he shuts the door. You do notice that the suit of armor in the corner appears to be holding an axe aloft. Father asks, "What is the pleasure this time Ms Kiritescu?"
He notices Visayn is heading towards Nikolay. Moving with the sylph he notes. "Now that I think about it, Magdali may be speaking with the Father about that very topic." having spoken his peace, he leaves Visayn and Nicolay to their own devices and returns to the chair he'd found.
"Yep, either that or debate on some theological issue." Visayn chuckles
As Nikolay takes his bag Visayn suddenly shudders "Wait, did you say your bag contains corrosive substances?"
Magdali hopes, almost assumes, their mutual connection in the Church of Pharasma will suffice to get access to the local church's records. In that spirit, Magdali approaches her request to Father Grimburrow as more a formality showing respect for formalities and the local church rather than a request for a great favor. Still, while she waits to be called, she whispers a quick prayer asking the Lady of Graves to guide her with the wisdom needed to win the Father's approval.
"Thank you for seeing me on short notice Father Grimburrow. I am sure your days are busy given your many responsibilities."
"Those of us who were named as beneficiaries in Professor Lorrimor's will, you would know this group as the Professor's pallbearers and of course Kendra his daughter, were charged with a task by Professor Lorrimor as well."
The Professor requested we remain in Ravengro for a period of one month, partially to see to his daughter's need in her time of mourning, partially to put his documents, papers, and other writings in order for preservation. His request includes handling the contents of his personal library, deciding which volumes should remain with his personal collection, which may be sold, which should be retuned to the owner who loaned it, and so forth."
"As we have started our work, we have noticed a problem. Professor Lorrimor was often writing to himself, for example in his journals. He is intimate with the subjects he writes about of course. He does not bother to include the details and contexts of his notes and thoughts that we need to understand the writings and determine how they should be arranged."
"It would be a great help to us if we could access the records you keep here. We need an external reference library to give us a degree of structure for our task. For example Professor Lorrimor frequently comments on local events. However none of us, except for Kendra, are local, and Kendra is young. Her memory is limited to the most recent past."
"Could we come to some arrangement for use of the archive housed here?"
As Nikolay takes his bag Visayn suddenly shudders "Wait, did you say your bag contains corrosive substances?"
Nikolay nods, apparently oblivious to his fellow's unease. "Oh, yes indeed. I have personally seen some of the more... lively compounds in that bag eat through solid metal." He removes the protective glove on his left hand and rolls up his sleeve, revealing an arm scarred almost beyond the point of recognition with all manner of old wounds. After a moment of contemplation, he points out a trio of serious chemical burns near his wrist. "These marks are proof of the danger of what lies in that bag. I don't wear this protective gear for nothing, you know. I must have been delirious when I gave it to you - no offense, Visayn, but the chemicals I need for my experiments are fantastically dangerous, and few in their right minds would handle them willingly!" He rolls down his sleeve and replaces the protective glove, then very carefully reaches into the bag and extracts the posters. "Now, I believe we were going to put these up around town?"
On the way back to the village, Nikolay attempts to make small talk. "You had previously mentioned that you had a sister? Does she share your otherworldly heritage, as well? I recall that my own two sisters were normal, while I..." He pauses, looking at Visayn as if trying to remember something. "Did I already tell you of my nature? I think I already told you. It's not much of a secret, in any case."
Father Grimburrow furrows his brows and comes to a conclusion, "I believe you would be responsible for our archives. So you may enter and if you would vouch for another that would be fine. I think Doctor Ramada would be an excellent choice. Though I don't know much about your other allies, VIisyan, Borak, or Valard, I trust your judgment. Though should any damage be found after your research time you will be barred to say the least."
"Thank you Father. Your generosity will make fulfilling Professor Lorrimor's request much easier. We will respect any rules in place for the use of the archives contents. Is there a particular person, an acolyte perhaps, with whom we should coordinate our visits?"
On the way back to the village, Nikolay attempts to make small talk.
Sitting in the chair, his head down and his hood pulled over his face, Børak watches as his fellow pallbearers head back to town. He sits patiently watching the door to the Priests office, hoping that Magdali had gotten permission to check the temples records.
Father Grimburrow nods and says, "Yes the archivist will get you set and be your contact. She doesn't leave the archives very often. Ollie! Would you escort Ms. Kiritescu and one of her companions to the archives please."
The door opens and the acolyte from before mumbles, "Of course Father."
As Nikolay takes his bag Visayn suddenly shudders "Wait, did you say your bag contains corrosive substances?"Nikolay nods, apparently oblivious to his fellow's unease. "Oh, yes indeed. I have personally seen some of the more... lively compounds in that bag eat through solid metal." He removes the protective glove on his left hand and rolls up his sleeve, revealing an arm scarred almost beyond the point of recognition with all manner of old wounds. After a moment of contemplation, he points out a trio of serious chemical burns near his wrist. "These marks are proof of the danger of what lies in that bag. I don't wear this protective gear for nothing, you know. I must have been delirious when I gave it to you - no offense, Visayn, but the chemicals I need for my experiments are fantastically dangerous, and few in their right minds would handle them willingly!" He rolls down his sleeve and replaces the protective glove, then very carefully reaches into the bag and extracts the posters. "Now, I believe we were going to put these up around town?"
On the way back to the village, Nikolay attempts to make small talk. "You had previously mentioned that you had a sister? Does she share your otherworldly heritage, as well? I recall that my own two sisters were normal, while I..." He pauses, looking at Visayn as if trying to remember something. "Did I already tell you of my nature? I think I already told you. It's not much of a secret, in any case."
"Yeah, we agreed to put them in public places. Its probably best they're not too visible, that would not be credible to those cultists and, in worst case, likely would create panic in villagers. Does this sound reasonable?"
Visayn pauses while asked about his sister and sighs deeply "Her features are clearly more human-like. We haven't seen for a while. Don't think we have spoken about your heritage yet, though I have a guess.
Before going to the archives, Magdali begs a minute to get the others. A quick search turns up Borak. As she approaches she gives him a wink and satisfied smile.
"Come on. It's time for a tour of the archives."
Seeing Magdali exiting the 'Father's' office, Børak rises from his chair to join her. Seeing her wink and smile, he gives a half-hearted smile in return. Gesturing towards the acolyte, "After you."
"Yeah, we agreed to put them in public places. Its probably best they're not too visible, that would not be credible to those cultists and, in worst case, likely would create panic in villagers. Does this sound reasonable?"
Nikolay nods. "Indeed. The graveyard is an obvious place to put the signs, but I doubt such a location would be wise - it's a bit too obvious, and it's also regularly patrolled by Father Grimburrow and his acolytes. We wouldn't want them thinking we were the Whispering Way agents, after all! I'm sure we can find some back alleys or the like that would be obvious to those with evil intent but hidden from those with good hearts."
Visayn pauses while asked about his sister and sighs deeply "Her features are clearly more human-like. We haven't seen for a while. Don't think we have spoken about your heritage yet, though I have a guess.
Nikolay glances at Visayn. "As I said, it's not much of a secret - I am a tiefling, so if that was your guess, it was correct. My features are more subtle than the horns and hooves commonly associated with my ancestry, but most can still tell I am other than human - animals most of all." He shrugs. "I myself don't think there's anything wrong with me - I feel normal enough - but long experience has taught me to keep my nature secret. In the village of Thurik, I was chased out of town by an irate mob intent on dismembering me. In Adar, they tried to burn me at the stake!" The young scientist shudders at the memory. "I was only seven years of age at the time - sometimes, I wonder if the fiends with whom I share my blood can devise any cruelty greater than that which we mortals visit on each other! Given the turnout for the effort to prevent Lorrimor's burial, I suspect a significant percentage of the villagers here would join an attempt to 'kill the monster' if they found out about my tainted blood."
After thinking for a moment about the previous day's conversation and Magdali's revelation of her status as a "lucent being," Nikolay continues speaking. "I spoke with Miss Kiritescu yesterday about my nature, as I feared she was of the 'torches and pitchforks' mentality - you heard her statement about 'dark knowledge' when we were looking through those books! Suffice to say, my fears were unfounded - I suspect Mister Børak may be the only full-blooded human Professor Lorrimor acquainted himself with. In the interest of Miss Kiritescu's privacy, I would prefer not to say more, but I encourage you to ask her, if she will tell you."
The acolyte Ollie leads the two of you downstairs. Down 15 feet and you see a hallway sufficed with alcoves, though he continues down the stairs another 15 feet to a doorway. At this platform you see the spiral staircase continues down. He knocks on the door with two quick raps and then a delayed 3rd. As she opens the eye slot he states, "Please admit Magdali and her friend, Father gives his blessing."
She unlocks at least five bolts and other securing measures. Then opens the door into the room allowing the two of you entry. "Greetings, may you find the knowledge you are looking for. Please sign here and date it." She walks into the room and points to the nearest table with a massive ledger book open with an ink well and feather beside it. As you write your names she goes and locks the door. The five bolts, a crowbar to secure the door more and last a thick beam across the door on metal pegs the size of your arm.
Magdali is flabbergasted.
"My! That is a lot of security! Have to had problems with break-ins or something?"
Keeping his head bowed Børak follows along behind Magdali and the acolyte. Pausing at the first landing, he makes a mental note of the first hallway, then quickly follows to the second basement. As the acolyte knocks, he peers down the spiral stairway, realizing the basement continues. Hearing the multiple locks his palms itch as he remembers he left his bardiche resting neatly in the stand upstairs. As they enter the room, he can't help but wonder if the locks are to keep things out from above or below. Realizing by Magdali's question she must have had a similar inclination, he pauses behind her, head bowed, hood pulled around his face, waiting to follow her lead.
She curtly responds, "I like my privacy. The previous Archivist let anyone in and many records went missing."
"Indeed. The graveyard is an obvious place to put the signs, but I doubt such a location would be wise - it's a bit too obvious, and it's also regularly patrolled by Father Grimburrow and his acolytes. We wouldn't want them thinking we were the Whispering Way agents, after all!"
"Yes! That is exactly what I was afraid of! Certainly we don't want to take risks with the villagers." Visayn raises his voice in excitement
Nikolay glances at Visayn. "As I said, it's not much of a secret - I am a tiefling, so if that was your guess, it was correct. My features are more subtle than the horns and hooves commonly associated with my ancestry, but most can still tell I am other than human - animals most of all." He shrugs.
"I had the basic idea in my mind, when I first saw you, but didn't recall the word 'tiefling' immediately. I guess each one of us has their own secret and if Borak and Miss Kiritescu don't want to share theirs, I have no interest to ask." he nods to Nikolay and begins searching surrounding alleys for poster placement
Nikolay nods in response to Visayn's statement and aids him in his search for good positions for the posters. "What about that alleyway? It's not in the center of town or anything, but it should be close enough that our posters will be noticed by the wicked and ignored by the righteous."
After he is done, he turns to the sylph. "Mister Visayn, did you have anywhere in particular you wanted to go while you were here in town? If not, I was hoping to examine the vandalism at the Harrowstone Memorial, but it is by no means urgent."
You look for a debris heavy alleyway and put up several posters, you also find a few ruined buildings and a seedy tavern. You put up the posters in such locations and are soon waiting on the stairs leading up to the temple. Even after checking out the vandalism at the Harrowstone Memorial.