Carrion Crown: The Haunting of Harrowstone [IC]

[Moriar]

"Should get this paperwork back to the Professors home or press on? " Razvan puts to the group. "If we are keen to read these pages then it eould be best done back near a warm fire."

[Tippnick]

Zauberei says, "I say it is close to evening and we should head back."

[SwordChucks]

Hargrimm nods in agreement. "I doubt anything good happens here after nightfall. We should head out." He points to the ruined doors. "If the Whispering Way is in Harrowstone, then they'll soon know someone else has been here. I worry that our unsubtle approach might lead them to the manor."

[BuckGodot]

Othello suggests that we make this a sort of base camp. Do some research here, then look at some of the surrounding rooms to clear them before dark and then set up defensively in this room for the night. Unless we find a better room in our short explorations. His main argument being that since we’re here we may as well stay. If we head back to town, there’s a chance the authorities may have either noticed our approach or someone reported us. We may not get the chance to come back…

[lostsole31]

So, that is three to leave, and 1 to stay. So, at best one of the other two recommend heading back and it's a done deal. Or, the two who haven't said anything yet agree with Othello, in which case the group is at loggerheads.

Abrax ... Marius, what say you?

[Kvard51]

Abrax nods along with Othello's points, particularly the one about local authorities, "I have great concerns about the locals, particularly those in authority. I prefer to keep working until we have no choice but to leave."

[Ason]

"I don't want to be near this place after dark," Marius frets, "Hargrimm's right about the doors revealing our presence, but sadly that cannot be helped. It is peculiar that the cultists hadn't broken them down already, but perhaps that mystery will likewise unveil itself in time. I too say we take the papers home for review this evening, and then tomorrow we can resume our efforts. As for the locals, all we can do is keep our heads down for now and pray we find more substantial evidence in these papers or in tomorrow's work that better can explain our research trips when push comes to shove."

[lostsole31]

Alright, assuming we all keep to the time-honored "don't split the party" and Othello and Abrax don't stay here while everyone else returns to Lorrimor Place for a warm meal, warm home, and comfortable bed .... the whole party pulls back, and everyone loads themselves down with as much paperwork as they can carry to sift through and research at Lorrimor Place.

The party does indeed return home and are asked to clean their face and hands and remove all mud and mold and dirt from their clothes before traipsing through the house.

Wren will actually arrive about an hour after the party gets back home, and everyone has their at-dinner debrief.

Kendra looks to the party (Wren not included) and asks, "So, the town is nervous and worried and all abuzz about the outsiders going to Harrowstone today. What did you find out? Anything?"

[BuckGodot]

Othello looks around the room with a hint of 'I told you so...' in his eyes before beginning to relate the events of the foray, wrapping up with the collection of papers set aside for further research...

[Moriar]

"Well told Othello. Do you have any questions Kendra?" Razvan asks.

Spoiler: papers

Show

If Kendra has no questions, Razvan will suggest that "we all get started going through these papers. "

[lostsole31]

Kendra looks confused, "I ... just asked my question."

[SwordChucks]

Hargrimm pipes up. "We didn't learn much. Yet. We gathered paperwork to review for clues. We'll need to go back to Harrowstone for more investigation."

[BuckGodot]

Othello nods his agreement, a bit of gravy and potato dripping from his beard as he reaches for a third roll.

[Moriar]

"We have learned that there is evil present at the prison and some possible proof of the cults presence. After spending several hours collecting the paperwork we thought it best to come back to look it over in a safer environment. " Razvan explains further.

[Ason]

Marius nods his head in agreement. "While we haven't yet found direct proof of Professor Lorrimor's suspicions, clearly something is amiss at Harrowstone. Even if there is no plot going on at the prison, merely pacifying its restless spirits would be a kindness to the deceased and to the town that would make it worthwhile. Hopefully we can find some answers in these papers." With a more concerned look, the young man then asks Kendra and Wren, "You said the town was nervous about our trip today. Should we be worried about that? I don't want to fall afoul of the local authorities, though I can't think of a law we've broken."

[BuckGodot]

Othello looks at Marius...


"Well... No LAW... but Father GRIMburrow was fairly specific..."

[Ason]

"True," Marius counters while wiping up the remains of his meal with a bit of roll, "But if I recall your debriefing after you came back from that meeting with him, I thought the priest only commented on the Restlands and not on the prison itself. Did he also forbid our research into Harrowstone? That might complicate matters greatly, if so."

[lostsole31]

Kendra answers, "I am not sure what Father Grimburrow told you, but I doubt he made mention of anything outside the cathedral or the Restlands, for that is his only authority. And Sheriff Caeller is a friend and I wouldn't worry about him. But the town seems to have been experiencing the odd ... unsettlement ... here and there. And then there's the bloodstain on the monument, and the town is on edge."

"I actually conducted research at the Cathedral today," says Wren, in his raggedy clothes. "I wanted to learn more about the notorious 'Five Prisoners,' that were mentioned in your previous studies. So, I focused on the one called 'Father Charlatan' since a person who is a charlatan tends to be charismatic. And if there was any association with these Five Prisoners, he might have been more central or found a way to take on some type of leadership role? I don't know. But what I found was that the so-called 'Father Charlatan' was a prisoner by the name of Sefick Corvin.

"Of the five notorious prisoners, only Father Charlatan was not technically a murderer, yet his crimes were so blasphemous that several churches demanded he be punished to the full extent of Ustalavic law. Although he claimed to be an ordained priest of any number of faiths, Father Corvin was in fact a traveling con artist who used faith as a mask and a means to bilk the faithful out of money in payment for false miracles or cures. He became known as Father Charlatan after his scheme was exposed and his Sczarni accomplices murdered a half-dozen city guards in an attempt to make good the group’s escape.

"That's all I could find on him, though, so tomorrow I will try to find information on another prisoner. Ms. Lorrimor, you're a diviner, are you not? A woman skilled in finding the unknown? if you could assist me while these brave folk continue to look into Harrowstone itself, the two of us could keep up the research end with the papers they found while the rest of you do the physical, on-site legwork?"

She nods. "That would be a good use of my time, I admit. I am in the middle of the 'waiting game' with legal issues regarding the estate, and it would be a good distraction. What do the rest of you think?"

[BuckGodot]

"I think... Othello says, looking at the table sadly, "That I wish there were more roast... But alas... At any rate, I suggest we spend the rest of the evening researching, rest up and get an early start back at the site tomorrow. Wren, you made a good suggestion and thank you, Miss for your aid."

[Moriar]

"Thank you for your assistance my dear fellow Wren and thank you Miss Kendra. Both of your efforts are very appreciated." Razvan comments.

"Let us assist in the research tonight by going through these records the best we can before heading back in the morning."

[lostsole31]

Around the third, and most blatant comment (be it in words or action), concerning portion sizes, Kendra excuses herself curtly from the table (Razvan never getting a chance to compliment her) and retires for the evening.

Not a single one of you failed the very low Sense Motive check as you all unconsciously look at the discourteous paladin (Othello) who constantly berated his hostess for not feeding her guest to satisfaction ... from the bounty of her larder .... for this portion and the remaining portion of the month ... without any askance of remuneration.

It is suddenly very quiet around the table for several more seconds than is comfortable, when Mr. Evans comes into the room. "Dessert will be served in a minute. In the meantime, it seems that I am in sudden need of a strong back attached to strong arms. Is there anyone here who would be noble enough to assist me, and by extension, our lady ... in this time of need?"

You notice he is not asking the room, despite his words, but the four-foot-tall butler of wood and metal is looking directly at Othello.

[BuckGodot]

Realising his faux pas, Othello makes eyes of apology around the table, then turns to the man and rises to give whatever assistance is asked of him.

[lostsole31]

Dessert will be served to those in the dining room (Othello, sadly, will not be there_), and feel free to discuss the case at leisure.

---

"Thank you for your volunteerism, brave dwarf," says Mr. Evans. "It seems that one or more of the diners has eaten so much that the volume of dishes has thrown I and my assistant and the cook off of our pace."

He hands Othello a frilly apron. "The dishes are there. The basin already is soaped, and there are the cleaning implements. Oh, and the extra food required a hotter, longer burning fire than normal. When you're done with that, wood needs a-cording. Materials are in the back."

Mr. Evans then leaves to go do .... whatever he does.

[SwordChucks]

"Perhaps a shopping trip into town to buy groceries for the manor is in order. It would give us a chance to ask the locals about the town and help us get in their good graces. Then after we've made it back with the supplies, we could use the rest of the day to continue the investigation at Harrowstone."

"If that works for everyone, I'll ask Mr. Wren for a list to split amongst us, so we can make the purchases quickly."

Spoiler

Show

After this conversation concludes, but before turning in for the night, Hargrimm will ask Mr. Wren if there are any rips or tears about the house that he could mend.

[lostsole31]

Wren Elbourne seems completely lost on what Hargrimm means, "Did you mean Mr. Evans, the butler?"

Wren looks to the group, "You know, why wait for tomorrow, when people are at their daily tasks. Why not some of you have a nightcap at Zokar's for a drink and possibly to talk with some locals? I can't go, as I have no money, but you might find some success that way."

[Moriar]

"Should we put off the research and discuss woth the locals over a beverage or two? What would be the consensus among us on that front?" Razvan asks.

"As for our foray back to the prison tomorrow, is there a different avenue of approach that we should pursue? Overall we seemed to be doing well."

[lostsole31]

"Did the road cave in or something?" asks Wren. "If not, then if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[Kvard51]

”I doubt I’ll get much out of them”, Abrax say, pointing at his face. ”It’s probably better for me to continue the research.”.

[Ason]

Marius's face sinks at Kendra's departure, but unsure how to properly mend the social fences, he quietly frowns to himself for not saying something to ease the tension. As discussion over how to spend the evening arise, he smiles at Wren's invitation. "Alas, student debts keep my tavern visits to a minimum at present, Wren, so I feel your pain. But I'm more of a homebody anyways, so while I'll help with groceries tomorrow, I'll just stay in tonight and maybe see if I can tempt Abrax to a friendly game of cards. You guys have fun out there: lift one in Cayden's name for me."

[SwordChucks]

Hargrimm peers into his coin pouch and moves a few coins around. "I could afford a round if we all stick to cheaper side of the drink selection."