As you follow the mob, you find that well over seventy people have gathered. Kendra looks worried, and glances at all of you as you follow. "You were only at the Restlands last night, weren't you...? Why are they gathering around the Harrowstone Memorial?"
The crowd approaches Gibs Hephenus's shack, and then goes past it, on a path towards a large, grey stone monument. Kendra makes her way through the crowd with soft pardons and apologies, and the townsfolk willingly step aside with Torsten following. Several people, including Vashian and the Sheriff, are kneeling around the monument. A cursory glance reveals that a multitude of names are engraved in the great stone, and across the names is the letter V, painted in blood. The surroundings are all coated in dried blood. "Vashian, what's going on...?"
The man sighs and shakes his head as he rises to his feet. "It is as your eyes tell you. Somebody has desecrated the memorial."
"How horrible," a woman says as she wipes some of the blood off of the memorial. Her voice is quiet, and it isn't with contempt that she addresses Kendra: "I certainly hope it wasn't your friends, Kendra."
"No, they were with me last night, Mrs. Faravan," Kendra replies without missing a beat. She doesn't look at you, but the delicacy of the situation is palpable...
"I wonder what the letter 'V' signifies," Venedictos mutters to the others.
Aerys whispers to Venedictos. "There's a great deal of blood that's dried. How much time would that much blood have taken to dry?"
Heal check:
Valerya opens a way through the mob to steal a glance at the monument. Which names are those? What's that monument?
Her eyes then look down, at all the blood spread out. This must've come from somewhere. She looks at the blood patterns, trying to discern a direction, or if that blood came from someone killed in there.
From what you can gather, not all of it has dried yet - that, combined with the reaction of the townsfolk, leads you to believe this must have happened last night.
The blood doesn't seem to follow a pattern that you can discern. You do see some indentures in the ground, though they are very vague - and they vanish into the angry crowd, who have likely stomped the trail away by now.
"That's enough!" Vashian bellows. "Standing here won't change anything. Get back to your homes, to your shops. It's the middle of the day! We'll clean the monument, and then start investigating."
The anger of the crowd doesn't seem to wane, but they do as they are ordered, and start to disperse. Within minutes, all who remain by the monument are you, Kendra, Vashian and four others; apart from the sheriff, they are dressed in noblemen's clothings.
"Blimey... We'll have to get somebody to clean the monument. Benjan, I trust you will start investigating within nightfall."
"Of course. I'm on it." The sheriff tips his hat in your direction as he sets off.
"Kendra, you and your friends shouldn't linger much longer - you know how quickly rumours spread."
Aerys looks thoughtfully at the bloodstains for a few more moments. "Yes, perhaps we should continue on with the errands we discussed..."
Torsten considers for a moment, then turns to Vashian.
I will clean the monument, if you wish it, Vashian. These others are not likely to need my help with their errands. I would be honored to serve the people of Ravengro in this way. If people are to talk about me, at least let them be unable to do so without mentioning that I bear them no ill-will.
He eyes the older man expectantly.
Vashian eyes Torsten carefully; as does the lady who spoke earlier. The noble-looking folk discuss betwixt one another for a minute when he turns to the Ulfen, with a nod. "Very well. Mirta will help you," a plump woman with dark red hair and matching coat and skirt does a gentle bow. "Her presence will surely aid your reputation, strangers. I understand you are here to stay for a while. Might as well make the best of it, for Kendra's sake."
"A pleasure," the lady introduced as Mirta says softly; she takes Torsten's, Venedictos's, Viktor's and Aerys's hands in turn. "My name is Mirta Straelock, councilwoman of Ravengro. Kendra," she turns to Kendra and gives her a hug. "I apologise for not attending your father's funeral. I could not find the time. Valerya, it is a pleasure to see you again. I hope you are holding up well after..."
Kendra smiles. Vashian coughs softly, as to draw your attention. "Well, then. Let us not crowd the monument much longer - an ill omen, to be sure. Mitra, I will speak to you later tonight."
Vashian gestures, and the other councilmen and women follow; Kendra nods at you, and gestures back to Ravengro; you all follow her back into town as Torsten is left with Mirta...
When they are out of earshot, Aerys whispers to the others. "I wonder if a certain organization is attempting to dissuade us from interfering in their efforts? The tombstone last night was an admittedly effective scare tactic, while this was perhaps an attempt to point the townspeople's anger towards us."
When everyone is gone, Torsten turns to Mirta and smiles kindly.
Mirta, I am Torsten Olæsson, originally of Losthome in the Land of the Linnorm Kings. I know from experience that my people are often viewed as savage and unruly in Southern lands, but I welcome this opportunity to prove to you that we are honorable as well. We have quite a mess to clean. Shall we begin? Will you show me where I might find buckets and rags?
As they are cleaning, Torsten wonders aloud:
Mirta, what is this a monument to? Whose names are these?
"That could very well be true, Aerys, but I think if these people deal with undead and ghosts, they would be more likely to kill us in our sleep."
Valerya walks along Kendra and the others.
"What monument was that, Ken? Would anyone have a reason to deface it?"
Torsten
You and Mirta fetched pails of soap water from her mansion, and the cleaning of the monument requires a lot of scrubbing. She looks up at you as you ask, with a soft surprised look. "Oh, I'm surprised... The man you see is a depiction of Warden Hawkran. He, alongside his guards and his wife, all perished in the great fire fifty years ago. This Memorial was built to commemorate all who perished."
She gestures to the chiselled names, smiling weakly.
Aerys, Valerya, Venedictos, Viktor
Kendra is visibly anxious as you all walk to the centre of Ravengro. When Valerya asks about the monument, she stops in front of the gazebo in the centre of the town square. "That was the Harrowstone Memorial. It was built after the fire in 4661, to commemorate the guards who perished."
She gestures north, past the town square, in direction of the Restlands. "The Unfurling Scroll is further up along the path, unless you want to visit the town hall first? Or if you wish to go anywhere else..."
"Personally, I'd prefer visiting The Unfurling Scroll first. Do you think your father ever voiced his concerns about the The Whispering Way to Alendru Ghoroven? Was there anyone else in town the professor might have discussed things with?"
"I'll check the town hall; they'll probably have records of this event. Venedictos, can you come with me?"
"Certainly," he replies, going with her and looking uneasily at the "V".
Quietly to Valerya, he adds, "First one of our names on a tombstone, now our initial on this monument. Very creepy."
"Mmm, good point. Do you think it's personal? Someone or... something has a grudge against us?"
She walks to his side, eyes lost in thought.
Valerya & Venedictos
"All right; we'll go up to the Unfurling Scroll. Be careful. Kendra says with a smile as she leads Aerys and Viktor further north. The great building that is the Town Hall is easily the biggest building in the town square. The stairwell up to the front door creaks as you make your way into the building.
The foyer is well lit; a man settled behind a desk peers curiously, and he rises from his chair. "Welcome to Ravengro Town Hall," he coughs softly. "What business have you here?"
Aerys & Viktor
As you depart from Valerya and Venedictos, you walk some odd five hundred feet when the building that is unmistakenly the Unfurling Scroll comes into view. The building is fairly big, with several floors. A great painted scroll hangs over the front door, halfway unravelled. Kendra knocks gently a couple of times, before she opens the door and enters.
The entrance looks much like that of a home; the heavy smell of scented candles weighs the air down. You can hear a slow, deliberate voice from an open door further up the hallway. "Oh, Alendru might be busy teaching... wait here."
She walks up to the door, taps on the wall, and does a bow. "Good day, Alendru. Could I ask to borrow some of your time?"
"Ah, Kendra, how good to see you. Of course, of course, children, take to read chapter five, posthaste. I will know if you haven't." The man who steps out in the hallway is definitely old, the hair all but gone from the top of his head. His beard is a tangle of white, and he is leaning on a wooden cane. When he spots you, his smile fades ever so slightly.
"Professor Alendru, this is Aerys Trajyon, and Viktor Stasiuk. Friends of my father, and of me."
Diplomacy:
"Good morning, sir. We saw the horrible vandalism on your town's Harrowstone Monument, and would like to learn more about it, and about the fire itself. People around these parts don't seem to be too trusting of strangers, you understand, and any knowledge we can get to help us help the town is best for all, wouldn't you agree? As a priest of Shelyn, I am compelled by the sheer gothic beauty of Ravengro, and only want to make myself a contributing member of this town. Also, we'd like to help identify the person or persons responsible for defacing the monument, so anything we could learn about the prison itself might give us clues as to who was behind it."
Aerys greets the professor with a bow. "Good day, professor. Thank you for taking time from your work to meet with us. We are currently doing some research into matters arcane, and Kendra informed us that none equal your knowledge of the Art, or your collection of tomes and scrolls."
"Nice to meet you, professor. As Aerys has said, we have come to seek your guidance in the matters of the Arcane."
Aerys & Viktor
The man looks at the two of you, and then at Kendra. He rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "I don't think I could help you much. The lot of you all have training, I see that much. The book by your hip, young man," he says, gesturing in Viktor's direction; he looks at Aerys, "The weasel on your shoulder. And don't call me Professor, I'm just an old man."
"We were hoping to use your library, Professor." Kendra folds her hands together, and the man sighs.
"Fine, but it'll cost you. Ten gold pieces for a day. Might be I'll lower it to nine if you tell me what you're looking for."
Valerya & Venedictos
The man looks at the two of you, rubbing the stubble on his chin. He gauges you both carefully, before he resigns to shaking his head. "We got records on Harrowstone, but they're not open to the public. As for the desecrations, Sheriff Benjan's already busy with that. Might want to tell him you want to help, not me."
Aerys casts an uncertain glance at Kendra, not sure if he should openly mention The Whispering Way. "Professor Lorrimor was engaged in some very important research, which we feel might have very far-reaching results. We are hoping to continue on with his efforts, but seek to prepare ourselves in every possible way. Did the professor ever discuss his... work with you, sir?"
"Desecrations, as in, more than one? Has this happened before?"
Aerys & Viktor
"No. He used to visit on occasion to discuss literature. That was well over ten years ago." He glares at you with impatience and dark eyes.
Valerya & Venedictos
"Not to the Harrowstone Memorial, but there were rumours some years ago that some tombstones had been desecrated." The man shrugs.
Aerys nods. "Would you have any works that might aid us in researching some of Ustalav's arcane societies. Groups of spellcasters that have existed in this country for some time."
Torsten
After a while of vigorous scrubbing, you seem to have removed most of the blood. "A job well done," she says, picking up the pail of soap water. "I'll dispose of the water. Thank you for your help, Torsten Olæsson."
With a smile, she gives you a soft bow before she leaves.
Aerys & Viktor
"Not that I know of. Most of my volumes are of historical origins. Past of Ustalav, of Ravengro. What I've read of arcane and such was mostly Professor Lorrimor's works and volumes. Reckon you could spend time in his libraries if you want that kind of knowledge." He rubs his forehead with a sigh.
"Time is ticking. If you want to use my archives, you know the price. Otherwise, I have a class to teach."
Kendra glances at you with some worry. "I apologise, Professor. I wish to take a look. Aerys, Viktor, will you join me either way?"
Aerys gives another bow. "My apologies for your time, good sir. Perhaps some of your works on history might prove interesting. In particular anything harkening back to the the time of the Whispering Tyrant. Could Viktor perhaps see some works pertaining to Harrowstone's past?"
"Really?" Venedictos says. "Any rumours or reports of tombstones spontaneously taking on the names of random passers-by in the cemetery?"
"I'll join you, Kendra, for I too would like to peruse the works."
Viktor reaches into a pouch at his waist, and retrieves 10 gold pieces, giving them to the professor.
"This should be enough for the day. If we require more time, I'll cover that when we get to it.
Really discreet elbow to the kidney. "Tone it down.", she whispers to Venedictos.
Torsten bows in turn to Mirta.
It has been an honor to pass this time with you, Mirta of Ustalav. Do me this favor: tell them. Tell them we mean no harm, and that we respect this town, its residents, and its customs. And that we wish to help in any way that we may. You are welcome to call on me any time strength is needed. My companions have different strengths, but I am sure they are likewise at your disposal. I wish you well, and good eve.
With that, the barbarian turns and walks down the street, remembering that a few of his friends were to visit the town hall.
Shouldn't be that hard to find in a town this size, the giant thinks as he trundles through the streets, looking this way and that.
Aerys & Viktor
The old man takes your coin, leading you along the hallway. After a right, and a left, you come to a locked door. Alendru pulls out a great iron key from the insides of his vest. When the door is opened, you can see a fairly big library - not quite as many books as in the Lorrimor residence, but still a noteworthy amount. "You best be careful. I care for my books."
Alendru leaves. Kendra nods at you. "Best get to reading, I think... shall we take our time?"
Valerya & Venedictos
"Never heard of something like that," the man says with a frown. He seems to be growing slightly impatient. "Unless you have any other business here..."
Torsten
You make your way towards Ravengro. When you pass by Mirta's manse , you spot the tracks - steps in the mud and sand and road that form, and scurrym past where you stand. Steps with no owner. Steps that are making their way towards the great ruin of Harrowstone...
Aerys sighs and nods. "I suppose we should look into histories involving Tar-Baphon, to see if we can find any references to the Whispering Way. Perhaps more local works will give us an insight into Harrowstone, and who or what our adversaries might be seeking there. Any other thoughts?"
time:
Aerys & Viktor
"Let's. I'll take this row..."
As you set to research, you find that not a single book mentions the Whispering Way, nor does the history of Ustalav mention Tar-Baphon. After an hour of avid searching, you find that it bears no fruit. Kendra has picked out several volumes, and seems to be hmm-ing and yes-ing a lot. She looks up to you with a sad smile.
"No results? I'm sorry, Aerys... I seem to have stumbled upon something. It mentions several other volumes, could you and Viktor look for them?"
She lists a couple of books, and gestures to the volumes she has already gathered. The passion in which she is reading is palpable.
Aerys nods eagerly, caught up in Kendra's enthusiasm. "Of course. Anything I can do to help..."
"Of course, Kendra, anything I can do to help."
Torsten pauses, considering. He looks at the footprints, then back toward the monument. Back toward the footprints, then ahead to where he expects his friends to be. He frowns, growling ominously. He reaches for his steel, then remembers that it is leaning just inside Kendra Lorrimor's front door. He growls even more loudly, his frustration threatening to boil over into outright rage.
He cracks his knuckles, clenching his fingers into fists.
Leaving reason behind him, he stalks off in pursuit of the footprints.
Valerya looks really consternated and pulls Venedictos by the arm.
"That-that will be all, kind sir."
As they're leaving, she makes a mental layout of the structure, highlighting entry and exit points, and where the files could possibly be kept.
Valerya & Venedictos
As you exit out of the town hall, you find that the town square is a little more lively. Five small girls, dressed in Varisian-style clothing, are playing a skipping rope game. "Put her body on the bed," they chorus, one girl skipping to the rhythm, "Take a knife and lop her head."
Without missing a beat, another girl jumps in, while they pass the ends of the rope. "Watch the blood come out the pipe / Feeds the stirge, so nice and ripe.
"Drops of red so sparkly bright / Splatters spell her name just right.
"With a hammer killed his wife / Now he wants to claim your life.
"Tricksy father tells a lie / Listen close or you will die."
Torsten
You rush after the tracks as they start to make their way towards the ruin of Harrowstone - but only fifty feet of pursuit and the tracks seem to fade away. Each indentation is shallower until they simply disappear. Up the hill, Harrowstone is in plain sight. Its gates bear resemblance of a grin for a fleeting moment, and you could swear one of its many gargoyles are peering at you, only you...
"One moment, Valerya," Venedictos says, handing her his glaive.
He approaches the girls. "Excuse me, but that looks like fun. Mind if I try it? I can teach you a new skipping song if you'll teach that one to me."
Valerya & Venedictos
As you approach the girls, they stop their skipping and grow quiet. They glance nervously at Venedictos, and one of the girls mutters, "We... we aren't supposed to talk to strangers..."
Venedictos smiles and replies, "Who said anything about talking?"
He starts with his guidance chant of Shelyn. His voice sounds much stronger (and even more beautiful) today than it has in days past, though he's clearly a bit awkward in dealing with this children.
Diplomacy:
He steps into the spot where you jump and begins jumping, whether or not the girls actually start swinging the rope for him. Either way, I'm sure he looks quite comical and his face is beet-red after the first verse.
Then he sings a little folk song. Perform, sing: Yikes! Clearly, he's out of breath.
Dear little girl, go ask your Papy
May I be his son-in-law
If he says yes, come back an' tell me
If he says no, we'll run away
Papa said, he was not willing
Mother said, it'll never do
For me to leave my homes an' friends
Run away with a one like you
Dear little girl, don't boast on beauty
For beauty is a fad'in fast
Like a rose in mamma's garden
Fade away in Desnus last.
Well, that is most peculiar.
Torsten backs away from the prison and, after about 50 yards, turns away, headed back toward town. Periodically he turns to look over his shoulder. Before long, he is running.
Need to tell the others. Need to tell the others.
Valerys & Venedictos
As you step over the ropes and start jumping, the girls glare incredulously at you - yet when you begin to sing, they start to laugh. Not in a cruel way, but with cheer and joy. They try to skip the rope for you, though its length is too short. After accidentally whipping you in the face twice, they scoot off to the side, allowing you to focus on singing. They skip ropes in rhythm of your song.
Valerya smiles despite of herself, and accompanies the song with clapping. She offers to hold the rope so more girls can jump. Her gaze apparently goes back somewhere while she tries to remember the song from her childhood.
Exhausted, Venedictos sits himself down nearby and teaches them another song.
Perform, sing:
Did you feed my cow? (Yes, Ma-am)
Could you tell me how? (Yes, Ma-am)
What did you feed her? (Corn and Hay)
What did you feed her? (Corn and Hay)
Did you milk her good? (Yes, Ma-am)
Now did you milk her like you should? (Yes, Ma-am)
How did you milk her? (Squish, Squish, Squish)
How did you milk her? (Squish, Squish, Squish)
Did my cow get sick? (Yes, Ma-am)
Was she covered with tick? (Yes, Ma-am)
How did she die? (Uh, Uh, Uh)
How did she die? (Uh, Uh, Uh)
Did the buzzards come? (Yes, Ma-am)
Did the buzzards come? (Yes, Ma-am)
How did they come? (Flop, Flop, Flop)
How did they come? (Flop, Flop, Flop)
Once he's done, he asks the girls, "Could you teach me that song you were singing when you were skipping? The spooky one about the blood splatters spelling her name just right?"
As he enters another hour of research, Aerys stretches and attempts to stifle a yawn. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Nyx attempt to run past his chair, something clutched firmly in his fanged mouth. Without looking, Aerys quickly reaches down and pulls what is apparently a tassled bookmark engraved in an unknown language from the ferret’s grasp, smoothly placing it on a high shelf behind him. He does this with the practiced ease of someone who is used to quickly replacing items his pet has stolen.
Aerys stretches again, closing the book he had been poring over for quite some time. A small cloud of dust erupts as the heavy cover shuts. He gives Viktor a forced smile. “I’ve so far learned that much of Ustalav’s food is grown not far from here. Somehow, I doubt that knowledge will help us in our struggles. Hopefully Kendra is having better luck than the two of us.”
Again, he reaches back to retrieve a quill pen from Nyx, placing it on the shelf alongside the bookmark.
Valerya & Venedictos
The girls skip to your second song merrily, clearly enjoying your performance. They're quite adept at matching the rhythm of your tongue, and by the end they are still bouncing on their toes. When the question is asked, they all nod and start reciting in chorus. "Of course, mister!"
Put her body on the bed.
Take a knife and lop her head.
Watch the blood come out the pipe.
Feeds the stirge, so nice and ripe.
Drops of red so sparkly bright.
Splatters spell her name just right.
With a hammer killed his wife.
Now he wants to claim your life.
Tricksy father tells a lie.
Listen close or you will die.
"What a wonderful, spooky song! Do you know what it's about? Was there an evil man who killed his wife awhile ago? Do you know what her name was?"