Disagree. He did order his people to rough up the priest. It was what was happening when we arrived. Even if we stopped them before they broke bones, they were manhandling him. The order was already given. It did happen. That is the offence for which we would be sending him off to face trial.
We need to apprehend him before he is warned and takes actions to make it difficult and costly in terms of lives.
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Unfortunately there is second related but non-extenuating issue. It sounds like the priest may have made a bargain which he did not have the authority to fulfill and is trying to renege on the deal to save his reputation without telling his superiors.
This also needs resolved.
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I could see charging him with the ordering an assault with intent of serious harm as we did hear them threaten the priests life but I will not stand idly by if they heap more charges on the man that are unfounded. As long as we ensure that our charges are grounded in fact and truth I will participate in an arrest. However we do need to see proof that the priest promised a relic of the church.
I can live with that. Let's go talk to this Velcastos and see if he can provide you any documentation.
Or we arrest him for general banditry and being a danger to the people of the town. It isn't our job to judge his guilt or innocence, especially if it is about whether he has slid himself greasily around the letter of the law, we are to bring him before that judgement.
I agree about the priest and the relic, but being dishonest is not a crime. We should tell the rector and be done.
The house is easy to locate and exactly where Raphael described. It is a two story brick house, that is showing its age slightly. It could do with a wash to get rid of the green grime that is forming around the windowstills and thatching. It has one front door, and one back door, both of which are shut. There are scattered windows on the lower and upper level, all of which have the curtains drawn tight. It would be possible to gain access to the upper level by climbing up the house to the west, which is only a second story and making the 10ft jump from there to a windowstill on the second story. Otherwise the options are one of the lower windows, or the doors.
Buffs
bless on group - remaining duration 23 rounds
protection from evil - remaining duration 26 rounds
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Why don't Borag and I stroll around and watch the back of the building to make sure he doesn't do a runner. Marcus and Mathais, you two give us 30 seconds to get in position, before you approach the front door.
If there is a struggle, we can be unexpected reinforcements. If they try to flee we will be in a decent position to try and intercept.
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Just in case you need it. Beswaur hands M&M his portable ram.
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Mathias nods his agreement to the plan and pulls out his wand.
If you could please cast this on my hands again Beswaur?
Mathias then stands read staff gripped in his left hand, his right loosely held at his side.
Marcus grins. Let's knock then.
He counts the thirty in his head, takes a deep breath, and slams the ram into the door.
Then he yells, Sheriff, open up!
... If you could please cast this on my hands again Beswaur?
....
Not a problem. Before heading off.
The yelling on the door has an immediate effect. There is scuffling and someone calls out "His men, surely. We're not open for business, come back later!"
Marcus hits the door again.
Open the door now and it goes better for you!
Well that's a nice block, you all get your initiative order (except Beswaur), and in 24 hours I'll move it along, then you all will get a turn including Beswaur and we'll rinse lather and repeat.
Mathias studies the door for half a second lining up the bar placement on the back side before slamming his foot into the door close to the open side in line with the bar.
Boom, again.
The door bursts open with a loud crash and an explosion of splinters. Standing on the other side are some surprised looking thugs. None are familiar to the duo, however the wicked swords with the hand made serrated notches give a clue as to the men's occupations. They raise their blades in defensive positions.
"Val!" One of them yells " We have a problem!"
The room itself is remarkably bare, containing only a table, where a game of dice has obviously been in progress until now, and a particularly large piece of furniture that looks like some sort of padded bench, or perhaps a backless couch.
The brigands take up defensive positions inside the room, raising their 'improved' weapons in a stance that suggest they will use them if anyone steps any closer.
Hearing the crash of the front door - Beswaur draws a starknife, opens the back door and glances around the room with a grin.
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.Frustrated by the door, Beswaur retrieves his crowbar to pry open an entrance.
I take it you boys aren't going quietly?
Marcus draws his sap and moves to attack the man on the left.
As Marcus goes left Mathias goes right.
Dropping low and kicking out with his left foot in a leg sweep, right hand balancing his weight on the floor.
(+1 from the wand cast before combat to make +7)
The two brigands seem to anticipate the hero's moves.
Although not well enough to land any blows.
They are using their weapons to hurt and to main, and the duo suspect that they will use them to kill. Again they attack.
This time their weapons breach armor causing pain. The only saving grace is there doesn't seem to be any other sounds of movement within the house.
hearing the battle within, Beswaur jams the crowbar between the door and frame giving a mighty heave against the levered end.
The door cracks open for Beswaur, splintering around the lock. He peers into a small abandoned kitchen that looks like it hasn't seen use for years. Thick dust gathers on the benches, and the ashes in the fireplace are almost congealed. The floor is dirty and dusty, and there has obviously been foot traffic through the room, mostly from the door Beswaur just broke, to the door from the east.
Marcus grunts as the sword pierces his armor. He pauses a moment and presses a hand against the wound.
He takes another swing at the man,
Following the spin of his low sweeping kick Mathias rises back up spinning the full circle foot going high above the other mans head before crashing down in an angled strike around the man's right ear. Mathias then snaps his right hand out in an open palmed strike to push the man back (flurry).
(+1 from wand usage)
[dice=Damage] 1d6 +4 [/dice
Following the spin of his low sweeping kick Mathias rises back up spinning the full circle foot going high above the other mans head before crashing down in an angled strike around the man's right ear. Mathias then snaps his right hand out in an open palmed strike to push the man back (flurry).
(+1 from wand usage)
Marcus's blows bounce off his opponent. Mathias's furry kick on the other hand smacks into his opponents shoulder with an almighty crack, causing his opponent to yell and swear in pain. He tries to counter with his weapon, but he is in too much pain to even land a blow.
The one facing Marcus does an underhand move of feinting a slash with his weapon, but takes advantage of Marcus's instinctive reaction to smash him in the face with the other hand. It could have been a knockout blow except that Marcus steeled himself for it at the last minute.
Marcus staggers back from the blow. Once again, his hand glows slightly as he drags it across his brow and shakes his head.
He tries to swing the sap into the man's stomach.
But fails to connect through his armor.
With starknife in hand, Beswaur rushes to the door through which he can hear the convlict and throws it open.
Mathias' plants his left foot spinning high with his right at the second attacker around head level.
(Current HP 11)
Beswaur moves along the corridor and opens the door the noise is obviously coming from. He sees his two companions engaged in combat with two brigands
Unperturbed by the arrival of an armored half orc the brigands continue their attack.
The swing against the halfling bounces harmlessly against his armor. However Mathias is not so lucky, the jagged edge catches his arm, and the serrated edge draws more blood than a usual weapon.
Buffs
bless on group - remaining duration 20 rounds
protection from evil - remaining duration 23 rounds
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Seeing the blood, Beswaur flings a knife at the villain engaging Mathias.
if it hits
Mathias shifts back 5 feet reaching into his belt pouch and pulling out a flask. He up ends the potion quickly.
Marcus sees the wounded Mathias back off out of the corner of his eye.
Wait here, I'll be back for you. He says to the man he is fighting and ducks under the table. He scurries out from under it to bash the wounded brigand in the knee.
The thug opposing Mathias presses his advantage. He steps forward and swings
The one facing Marcus continues to swing but he yells again They mean BUSINESS Val! Put your junk in your pants and get down here!
I feel appropriately chagrined by my good rolls
Marcus lay on hands himself again and takes another swing at the thug menacing Mathias.
Mathias is at the edge and is forced to again shift and quaff a potion.
The thugs continue to try to press their advantage. However the arrival of the half orc has throw their attacks and none of their blows land.
Marcus brings his sap around again with his hand pressed to his side.
Mathias is unconscious due the lack of potency in his healing potions. If and when he wakes up he will have to have a talk with that guy who sold them to him.