"My original thought was after giving our statements, to casually inform the sheriff with a "We have been patiently researching for too long, and are getting nowhere. So we will be stopping by the graveyard to pick up a Pharasman stash of tools that will help protect us from the spirits, and then we are going to investigate the prison where the Professor fell." and then continue on about going to the prison, getting directions and such. If or when he asks how we know about the stash, "it is written in the Professor's journal." should be enough info for him. More likely he is going to object to us going to the prison, and then I would counter with, "Do you want to investigate that haunted place and risk your own neck? I am honor bound to the Professor, but if you want to take my place, risking your life..."
And if he asks about who owns those tools, "The Professor's notes say they were put there by the Pharasman church long ago. He suspects the current priests don't even know they are there. The birdman is an oracle of Pharasma, and as such has the right to use them as I see it. Do you object?"
If my conversation with the sheriff goes well, he will come out with an understanding of
A ~ We are going into the prison.
B ~ And we are going to go in prepared with what tools we know are available.
C ~ If someone else wants to go in, in our place, they are welcome to.
D ~ Inaction is something this soldier personally is not going to accept.
If the sheriff wants to deny us the tools, he can. If he wants to get the priest's permission first, he can. The authority in town that wants to talk to us has been informed. The authority in town that does not want to deal with us at all has been left alone. We could ask every town folk in town for permission, but that will get is nowhere, and could tip our hand to someone involved.
My plan was a `We are going to do this unless you object .` dealing with one authority.
The second plan was a `We beggingly ask permission of two people in authority.' More polite, but higher degree of being shot down, forcing us to go to the prison unprotected.
Gregori's thought of "just do it", while I like it, leaves us open the most to Halál's worries of the consequences. So, we should probably push that one to a last resort.
Another option is more wandering town, talking to folks, and doing more research.
Any one have a fifth plan to throw out on the table? I'll go with any plan we come up with. I am aiming for best result.
Lady Lorrimor, you have lived here a long time. What are your thoughts?"