JJJ's Haunting of Harrowstone

[Sarone]

Hearing Father Grimburrow's assessment of the situation, Kaythek nods. Good to hear that he has a plan, then, Kaythek thinks to himself, rising from his leaning on the column, half listening to Augustin and Ulric were asking about tonight. Better get over to the jail with Morcaine as soon as possible.

Turning, Kaythek bows in Pharasmians direction. "Thank you, Father Grimburrow, for your blessing. Hopefully, the brigands that have desecrated the prison, killed the Mentor, and are causing the recent trouble are brought to justice. Which one, that will be up to the will of the gods and goddesses. Though, because of the nature of what we are doing, as well as proving thier ability above and beyond what was to be a simple escort, I was wondering if Celeste and Hadrin could help us with the research, if possible?"

Upon hearing the answer, Kaythek nods once more. "Then with that, I believe it is time to go our seperate paths for tonight. Goodluck, godspeed, and may your challenges go well for you." Looking to Morcaine, Kaythek walks to the door and waits for Morcaine to finish her business, if she has anything more to add tonight.

[jjj54]

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Arch: Morcaine would remember that the closest incident akin to this one is a possession by an evil spirit. But one on the scale of an entire town would be completely unheard of. It would take something with massive power or massive numbers of spirits to produce this kind of effect.

"I would be more than happy to teach you the details of the ritual, but that must wait for another time. Ensuring that the cemetery is safe again will take at least a few days. After we are finished would be the best course of action."

"The same would be true for Hadrin and Celeste," Grimburrow added after Kaythek's question. "As for the dreams, I hope that it will end with the consecration of the Memorial to remove the power of the symbol on it. Hopefully, if there are no more nightmares, then I'll have done my duty."

****

Danger does not find either of the small women as they make their paths to the house. After the route of the graveyard ambush, it seems likely that the undead might be biding their time. if they are even in town at all.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"Father, if I may interject a moment. You may wish to consecrate the cemetery against incursion from foreign spirits. That's the likeliest explanation I can think of for why the dead are rising. Not that they're angry and restless, but that something else is taking their bodies and using them to attack people. If that's the case, it may also be the cause of the nightmares. Either something powerful was sleeping in Harrowstone that the Whispering Way woke up, by accident, or worse, intentionally...or there's an unfathomable number of angry dead there. Given the nature of the place, I suspect the latter."

[Sarone]

When Morcaine mentions another avenue to consider, Kaythek mulls on it, considering the validity. That could be true, he thinks as he stands by the door. What if, instead of the spirits being distrubed due to something malignant being taken away, something benign that were keeping the spirits pacified was taken. Stiil, we need to get into the prison as soon as possible.

[stack]

"Thank you father, I will look forward to it. Now we best be to bed ourselves. We will find little rest tomorrow, if I am not mistaken." He bows and exits with the others (whenever they exit).

After seeing Kendra safely settled, Augustin spends time in prayer before falling asleep himself, laying an enchantment of protection over himself before lying down.

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Protection from evil, not that it actually matters or has the needed duration if it did.

The morning sees him up early, pushing anyone who wishes to examine the records to be ready to leave as soon as possible in order to get more study time in before the meeting, hoping to bring along some of the more academic members of the group.

[Gwynfrid]

"That is good to hear, Father, thank you", says Ulric, in answer to the priest's explanation of how the reconsecration should keep the town safe from unnatural dreams.

"We will soon meet again, I trust. I bid you a good night", he concludes, bowing, before he makes his exit with the others.

Once back to Kendra's home, he participates in any discussion she or any of the group members might wish to initiate over dinner. Before everyone goes to bed, he goes round the premises all over again, checking that every opening is sound and safely locked. Only then does he allow himself to rest for the night.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

After saying farewells to the Pharasmins, Morcaine heads back to the Ravengro Jail with Kaythek in tow.

[Sarone]

As Morcaine heads out the doors, Kaythek looks to the group. "This will either take only a few minutes or it can take all night. Either way, we'll see you all in the morning. Good luck and may the Gods and Goddesses watch over you all," Kaythek says to the rest of the party before heading out and catching up with Morcaine.

Letting her set the pace, Kaythek maintains a scan of the areas he can see. Even though it isn't much, Kaythek says. Then again, that's what happens.

"Hey Morcaine, what have you been thinking about," asks Kaythek, tryign to spark a conversation with the Inquisitor as they walked to the jail.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"There's a lot TO think about, Kaythek. We've only been in Ravengro for a day, and already its like we've stirred up a hornet's nest. Desecrations, plundering tombs, walking dead. Part of me knows that it's my duty to stop what's happening, especially since if the Whispering Way IS involved, then I'm obligated as a Knight of Ozem to take the battle to them at any opportunity. But it feels like we're entering into something much bigger. We came here to attend the funeral of a friend. Now we're trying to protect a town from its past."

[Sarone]

Hearing Morcaine go on about being in Ravengro for only a day, Kaythek snorts. "Well, we have been here a bit longer than that. Well, most of us," says Kaythek as they continued down their path. "At the same time, maybe it is the will of the gods and godesses. Like you said, we're here to prevent Ravengro from succumbing to it's past. At the same time, as the Mentor mentions alot, it's not the how, nor the when, nor the where, but the event itself. The what, the who, and, most importantly, the why. Want to review what we knwo so far?"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"The cult known as the Whispering Way apparently appeared in Ravengro at some point. Professor Lorrimor, being the kind of man who keeps an ear out about dark cults and arcana, found out and began to investigate their presence at the abandoned prison of Harrowstone. Shortly after this, Petros is found dead, and people begin experiencing strange nightmares. Petros' will called us here, instructing us to deliver some heretical tomes to some colleagues of his in Lepidstadt, and watch over his daughter for a month, with the implicit instructions to continue his investigations of Harrowstone. The funeral is interrupted by a surly xenophobic farmer, who then desecrates the prison's memorial in the dead of night, but claims no memory of the event the following morning, after thorough investigations reveal him to be the culprit, leading to our current suspicion that he may have been possessed. Then, after investigating the false crypt with the Pharasmin church's permission, we are ambushed by walking corpses," she replies matter-of-factly.

[Sarone]

Nodding at Morcaine's statement, Kaythek considers what she says. "Ok, so we have the who, or most them. We have the where, that being Harrowstone Prison. When is a factor but only as a timeline of events. The question, then, is why. More specifically, why are the events that have occured in the last day or so occuring now and not, say, two weeks ago?"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"I'm not sure. We'd have to learn more about Harrowstone itself to determine just what kind of entity we're dealing with here. Is it a malevolent spirit that needs to be driven out? A trapped soul with unfinished business? Someone who just doesn't realize he's dead and needs to be reminded? A demon of some sort? Exorcism can be surprisingly complicated if you don't know what you're up against."

[Sarone]

"Unless it's a weak fiend, then it's doubtful. Not to mention, why would the Whispering Way be interester in a fiend? They are trying to create a dead world." Kaythek considers the statements for a second. "Not too mention, if there was a fiend they were interested in, they might have already grabbed it by now."

As they walked, Kaythek thought about something. "What if something or someone is trying to break out? That might be why the events are happening."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"When your cult is shunned by most sane people in the world, you can't be too picky about your allies."

Morcaine chuckles.

"It's possible. Harrowstone was a prison. It would only make sense that some people who died there might want out. But that still doesn't answer our question of why now. Something had to change with the Whispering Way's arrival."

[Sarone]

"True. But at the same time, evil isn't just one big, happy clan."

Hearing Morcaine chuckle brings a smile to Kaythek.

"Well, The Mentor said that there was writing along the bottom of the foundation of the prison. Could that be used to summon a spirit. Also, what if the spirit they grabbed was benevolent, trying to keep the spirits of the prison in check?"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

It's certainly possible, but like I said, we'd probably need to see for ourselves before we start speculating on causes. That's what I learned under Sir Able. "Never make an accusation or conclusion before making sure you know the truth. That is what separates us from those cut-rate demagogues in Ustalav, who'll burn their own mothers if they find the cow's milk's been spoiled." My mentor never had a lot of respect for the faithful here. Don't get me wrong, in Lastwall Pharasma is respected just like she is everywhere. But he always looked down on the paranoid, accusatory nature of the church here. It's part of why I wanted to go with him. Had I stayed in the country after my mother's execution, I likely would have started to draw accusations of witchcraft myself."

[Sarone]

"I hear yeah. It's the same when others look upon me, thinking that I'm a scout frout some rampaging horde. Bah," Kaythek says. "But at the same time, you can't blame them. I just don't like the fact that for a diety willing to listen to both sides and practice wisdom, the people here in Ustalav would be a bit more understanding. Blast it, they are in an area that will make them one of the toughest people in the land and they look upon it as though it's a curse. If it's a problem, face it and correct it. If something needs to be done, do it."

"But some are even more willing to go down that dark path. I have heard of one of the counts attacking another from what the Mentor told. Bloody war, all in the name of the other county being lazy and willing to let situations be. Fought the war for years, and then when he was told to stop, the count proceeded to slaughter the people and poison the land." Kaythek paused for a moment, spitting at the ground before continue to walk. "Damnable man, trying to impose his will upon others, looking at all crimes as though they deserve death, willing to cut future generations all in the name of "progress" like he's a disciple of the God of Civilization. At least with the orcs they'll try to keep the land reasonable, pending on who is pulling the strings."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"Barstoi. I've been there. That's where we tracked my mother after her attempt to get me to follow her failed. I think I saw the man you speak of at her trial, though I was only a girl then. But I remember it wasn't much of a trial. Easy to justify burning someone when she's eight feet tall and has iron fingernails."

He holds up one of her own hands, showing Kaythek her own claw-like nails.

"The people here don't WANT to be tough, Kaythek. They believe that the more they suffer in this life, the more Pharasma will reward them when they're dead. For some it's just a matter of facing life's hardships stoically and without complaint. For some it's flagellation and self-mutilation. For some it's letting their child die of illness rather than having the priest heal her with magic. All in the name of finding a better world once they've left this one."

[Sarone]

Seeing the claws, Kaythek leans his head to side, contemplating her words.

"Maybe she looked like a monster, but did she act as one? Did she cause harm to others, only in the name of some dark demon of corruption? Did she seek to enslave others, so that their every moment will be at her whim?"

Kaythek takes Morcaine's hand in his, closing it around hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Her choices, led her to her fate. Her choices, led you to being here." Rleasing her hand, Kaythek takes a step back. "Just as it is your choices that have led you to the Crusader. It is your choices, that led you to embrace the role of interrgator and investigator. And it was your choices, that led the Mentor to believe that if he failed, you will help finish what he started. To finish his mission, if he one. To see what his choices have ultimately led to."

Looking around, Kaythek pointed back at the church. "It is the people's choice, in the end, on what they do with their lives. For me, that is to prepare to fight, to survive and thrive in battle, and if necessary, to bring the justice of the gods and goddesses, not just Gorum, the Lord Iron." Looking at Morcaine, wondering if she see his storm grey eyes, Kaythek points to the jail, Kaythek started following Morcaine. "Just as it is our choice to observe Gibs, to see if the spirit, that had chosen him, will reveal itself tonight."

Starting to walk again, Kaythek looks around. "It is our choice, in the end, of whether the challenges that are before us will make, or break, us, Morcaine. And if the people of Ustalav refuse to acknowledge that, then they ar emerely repeating the sins of their ancestors."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"Hags are, by their nature, capricious and spiteful. Whomever my father was was tricked into sleeping with her, and then she likely gleefully revealed herself for what she truly was to horrify him before killing and eating him. She wanted to turn me into a monster like her, and when I refused to come, she made the dead of my village rise to try and force me to come to her. Had Professor Lorrimor and Sir Able not intervened, she probably would have succeeded. She died screaming vengeance upon all who had come to watch."

"Still, your words show great insight. More than many would give you credit for at first glance. We may not worship Iomedae in the same way, but I'd consider it an honor to call you a brother-in-arms."

[jjj54]

Grimburrow takes a good few minutes to contemplate Morcaine's and Kaythek's words before they and the others leave. Unfortunately his look is one of worry as he does so. "That insight would explain a great deal of what ins going on. Unfortunately combating undead of that nature or that number would require resources we do not have. Even help from the church abroad would take time that we might not have... We can only hope that your investigations will turn up something useful."

With that said,ushered out into the night, the group parted ways. Kendra, unwilling or unable to sleep, gathered up the unidentified gear and made her way to her father's study. Despite recent events, Augustin's and Ulric's action did mush to help give the environment of the home a much safer feel as the the night truly settled in.

Out in the town proper, however, an ungodly racket seems to be issuing from the jail. From their vantage point as the approach the jail, Kaythek and Morcaine could see, through the tiny window into his cell, one Gibs Hephenus thrashing wildly against the bars of his prison while screaming incoherently and frothing at the mouth.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

Morcaine sees the raging Gibs and looks at Kaythek.

"I guess this confirms our possession theory."

She then rushes to the jail, passing by the Sheriff to come to Gibs' cell, brandishing her holy symbol.

"LEAVE THIS MAN, FOUL SPIRIT! THE POWER OF IOMEDAE COMPELS YOU!"

[Sarone]

Now, this is going to be fun, Kaythek thinks to himself as Morcaine and he react to Gibs sudden possesion. As Morcaine brandish her holy symbol and demanded that the spirit leave Gibs, Kaythek takes a moment to consider his angle. Might only get one chance to do this. Let's how the spirit reacts.

Looking at the Sheriff and whoever else was there, Kaythek smirk disappears, as he gathers his inner Strength and takes a deep breath. One shot, better make it count.

FOUL SPIRIT OF EVIL, CEASE YOUR ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE WITH THIS VESSEL. I, KAYTHEK, HERALD OF THE GODS OF BATTLE AND GODDESSES OF WAR, DEMAND YOU TO ANNOUNCE YOURSELF. WHO ARE YOU? WHY ARE YOU HERE, FOUL SPIRIT?

Spoiler

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Intimidate Check to force Possessed Gibs to cease his attempts (1d20+9)[11]

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"AND IN THE NAME OF IOMEDAE, GODDESS OF JUSTICE AND LIBERATOR OF USTALAV, I DEMAND YOU ANSWER US! WE ARE THE HANDS OF THE GODS! YOU CANNOT RESIST OUR COMMANDS!"

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Morcaine does the same, making an Intimidate check: (1d20+8)[16]

Conversion Inquisition for the win!

[jjj54]

Just as quickly as the pair shouts their challenges at him, Gibs, or the thing wearing him, goes quiet and fixes them with an evil glare. As he does so they can see that his pupils have whited out via a pale glow.Then he sneers and begins to speak, his voice deeper and more powerful than what the old man should have possessed.

"You shall not prevent our escape! The woman will die again!"

With that said the force behind Gib's actions drops him to the floor, unceremoniously, and is gone. Inside the cell Gibs simply sleeps, as if he hadn't caused any kind of commotion at all.

Silent with shock since the incident began, Benjan, whom you did brush past on your way in, finally asks, "What the hell was that?"

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"Confirmation, Sheriff. Gibs didn't desecrate the monument by choice. Something, likely something from Harrowstone, possessed him, used him as a puppet."

[Sarone]

That, was interesting to say the least, Kaythek thinks as Gibs lays on the floor, sleeping like a rock. Hearing the Sheriff's question and Morcaine's statement, Kaythek nodded. "Much more than that, Morcaine."

Kaythek takes a step forward to the jail cell, wondering if his presence might cause Gibs to wake. Making his way back to the door way, Kaythek leans against the door jam, crossing his arms as he thinks about what transpired. "We can, from what the Possesor said, draw two, possibly three, conclusions: that the Way took something Harrowstone, that was either keeping the spirits there contained or restrained, that the vile spirits are trying to escape. The last conclusion, though, is the last statement: 'The woman will die again.' That is interesting, to say the least."

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Morcaine

"Could this woman be the "V" that was written on the Memorial?"

[jjj54]

"Whatever the case may be, this proves that Gibs is innocent of any intentional wrongdoing. We'll still keep him here however. No sense letting whatever is in him finish what it's started. I'll be sure to add this to what we tell the townsfolk tomorrow."

"As far as that woman comment goes. Honestly I don't know. If it's someone who died, I'm not sure how you would know who to look for. Maybe in the old records, but that might be like a needle in a haystack."