Part I.ii. - Crimes Not Forgotten

[Veritas]

18 Pharast, 4711.

It is a cool late winter's day. Mist hangs over the town of Ravengro as the sun dawns, slowly sweeping the clinging damp away. The town is quiet; Professor Petros Lorrimor was buried yesterday, and Gibs Hephenus and his boys have slunk away from town in a huff after they were threatened down from their high horse by Navene - and then chastised by Father Grimburrow.

Harrowstone Prison sits on the hill to the south, broken and burnt and looming, except today, the looming is a hint more ominous.

The party reconvenes at the Lorrimor House, assuredly, where Kendra has prepared breakfast for them all. Cooked eggs, sliced ham, toasted bread, and lumps of cheese have been set out in the dining room, along with a pitcher of juice.

[comicsans12pt]

Solaz has been up for a couple of hours now. She has spent her time in practice with her scimitar and spent a longer time than usual in prayer. As much as she tried last night, no bawdy song could rid the reading from her mind. She was grateful for the sunrise.

She smelled breakfast, dressed and made her way downstairs. She sees that she is not the only one to be lured to the table and greets each as they sit down.

"Kendra, dear, i hope you will allow us to help you with this. We are quite a crowd to cook for and you will need your strength for
other things. Still, it smells terrific and i'm happy to gather again with all of you."

Turning to the group she days, "Did anyone learn anything of value last night?"

"I was rather disappointed. What I had was a Teldane translation of the Zon-Kuthon.. What a horrid book. It is mostly about sadism and death. There was nothing about The Whispering Way so it must have been useful for something else. "

She made a point of taking a bite of something so she would be quiet and let somebody else speak.

[joviality]

Navene had not slept well. She had awoken early that morning hours before sunrise, lying in bed after a night of fitful sleep. Thoughts of the terrible things inside of On Verified Madness had invaded her mind when she woke; their odd writhing forms and bizarre geometries were burned upon her mind. Whatever she had read about in that book had not been natural. It wasn't that they didn't belong here - they didn't belong anywhere. Hopefully her tossing had not disturbed Calaera. 

Hearing Kendra wake and begin to rustle in the kitchen, she got up and dressed herself in the simple everyday wear she wore beneath her armor. She walked down the hallway and to the stairs as quietly as she was able, trying not to disturb the other guests. She heard a soft whoosh, whoosh as she passed the gnome's chamber. 

Downstairs, she saw Kendra preparing breakfast. She bid Kendra good morning, and began to help where she was directed: placing plates, toasting bread over the hearth, and slicing ham for Kendra's more skilled hands to cook. 

Soon enough they had breakfast made, and she could hear the sounds of other guests making their ways downstairs or up the path to the house. She sat down at the table and waited for everyone to arrive before eating. 

Solaz had been the first to speak. Responding, Navene said, "I did not have any luck with finding information about the Way either.  On Verified Madness described creatures and... entities...I had never even dreamed existed. Things that lurk in the dark spaces between the stars and their spawn here in this world. Truly, I never hope to encounter such beings."

She shudders slightly at the thought. "They seemed perhaps even more unnatural than the undead, and that is coming from a Pharasmin. As for what the professor thought they might have to do with his investigations, I can but guess."

[logan]

At this time, Fin comes walking downstairs.

"Something smells good."

Fin looks at Solaz, Kendra and Navene.

"Any progress?"

[logan]

"Apparently there are some records at town hall that might be of use. But it sounds like people are going to want to know why we want them... and to this point I don't see this town as open-minded especially when it comes to Harrowstone."

Fin taking a serving of ham, toast and an egg.

"But someone said that you can see ghosts if you go down there at night."

"I would say that a little more research is needed, to find out what we can, but maybe a little first-hand exploration will be required. Not that I am eager to see any ghosts."

[`Nessa]

Chouko was late. She hadn't meant to be, but it had been a long night of slow, careful reading. The words and writing had seemed so alien, but they eventually began to make sense and she was able to get a couple of hours of sleep before Ping woke her in the morning. She cursed softly as she quickly pulled on her robes; breakfast and her kata practice would have to wait until later, when she could find the time. She collected her staff, her pack and the red panda and hurried back to the Lorrimor house.

She let herself in quietly, and followed the sound of the voices to the kitchen where the others were gathered and discussing their findings. She smiled, listening to Fin speak of ghosts.

"You may find them, whether you want to or not. This Whispering Way seems to operate like ghosts; they take inspiration from the goddess Urgathoa, and nothing is written down, or spoken louder than a whisper. The Professor seems to have done a great deal of research into what their actual philosophies and goals are, but can find nothing. They guard their secrets as well as the dead, it seems."

[Juniper]

Calaera wanders in as the others are eating breakfast, quickly sandwiching ham and an egg between two thick slices of bread and sitting down beside Navene to eat. "I'm heading to talk to the town smith today about the recent history of Harrowstone. The tavernkeeper who was at the funeral yesterday mentioned that person had been living here long enough to remember. Beyond that, I would like to come along if any of you have leads on people to talk to. I'm a trained diplomat, even if actually giving me a posting might be a diplomatic disaster. I might be able to help smooth things over. Fin's right about the difficulty speaking to these folk about the prison."

[logan]

"Calaera, based on the volatile nature of these townsfolk, I don't think you should go alone. I would be glad to accompany you, and see what we can find out."

Fin finishing his breakfast now.

"Mmmm that was good. Besides, I can be a bit of a diplomat myself."

[comicsans12pt]

"Kendra, this breakfast is wonderful and exactly what we needed to discuss what we've learned."

Turning to the rest she says, "I thought that since you seem to have the town investigation under control, i would try to see if there is something that can open that last book, Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye. Whe i saw it last night, it looked as if the lock needed a key with a triangular shaft. Kendra dear, do you remember seeing anything like that around?"

[Veritas]

Kendra, from the kitchen, returns with a fresh plate of toasted bread, settling it down amidst the table, where all have now gathered. "I'm afraid I don't. If it wasn't in my father's chest I expect that it wasn't here at all. Or, perhaps, that you aren't meant to read that one - only to deliver it. But he kept me apart from his work, remember, Solaz."

She seems a little more upbeat today, as if dealing with her grief. She smiles softly to everyone. "I am sure that any investigations you feel the need to undertake will go well. Feel free to use my father's personal library for your research as well. I am sure that you will find it has many more interesting books.

"Beware of the smith. Though she has lived here for many years, she is a gruff sort who does not seem to focus much upon the past. If anyone is going to speak to her, make sure you are careful with your words."

[`Nessa]

"I think, perhaps, that caution would be best no matter who we speak to. Unless things have settled down since yesterday, we could do more harm than good for our efforts and we aren't the one who will live here afterwards to face it. Kendra, you've been very kind and very helpful during what can only be a trying and difficult time for you. I thank you for that.

"If no one objects, I will perhaps check the Professor's library here and see if there's anything to be found on Harrowstone or the Whispering Way that might be more useful to us."

[comicsans12pt]

Solaz begins to stare into space. A light tune that comes from her lips is barely audible. She shakes her head as if clearing out an image.

"Of course. There's a song that isn't really related to this..."

She hesitates then tries again.

"I'm not making much sense. When i was learning a song somewhere not far from here, i was told some information that i think was related to this. It didn't have any context then. It's coming back to me. "

"Harrowstone is a ruined prison—partially destroyed by a fire in 4661, the building has stood vacant ever since. I was told the locals suspect that it’s haunted, and don’t enjoy speaking of the place. Harrowstone was built in 4594. This town, 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. But no one has thought to reuse the building."

"This was a bit odd. The prison’s warden perished in the fire, as did 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."

"One thinks that the memorial will list all of the guards who died in the fire. Perhaps that might be a place to start. I believe i might go to the memorial today to pay my respects. Would anyone care to accompany me?"

[logan]

Fin stood up and readied himself to head out in to the town.

"Calaera, when you're ready, we can head to the smith."

With that Fin walks to the door.

"Thank you for the accomodations, Kendra. And the food."

"I'll just be outside, waiting."

With that Fin walks out the door and stands in front of the Lorrimor residence, looking around and enjoying the cool morning air.

[joviality]

"I will accompany you, Solaz. I would also suggest we stop by the Pharasmin cache that was mentioned before going to the memorial. Perhaps we can also go to the temple as well; you and I are certainly suited to be the ones to speak with Father Grimburrow. He seemed reasonable as well, much more than the other townspeople. I believe it would be fruitful to speak with him. Shall we depart after helping Kendra with the dishes?"

[comicsans12pt]

Solaz stood up and begins to gather dishes.

"Navene, that sounds like a capital idea! I will enjoy the company. I'll finish gathering up the dishes and we can take care of them while Kendra directs their storage."

After the dishes have been taken care of, Solaz asks to have a minute to go upstairs to get some things. She takes only a minute and meets Navene outside the house.