Pavo steps forward so that's he standing between the town's folk and the skulks and their captors, his shield in his left hand and his right-handed cestused fist balled up tightly.
You have no business here. This is a legal matter. So if you people are not out of my sight by the time I count to ten, then I will shut your mouths for you, and Genthus, I will drop you first. One...two...
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Genthus Duggern advances towards Pavo.
"Pavo, my friend! We are on the same side here. We are all Ilsurians! We all are looking for the best for our town! Even if it is a legal matter, that doesn't exclude we common folk from caring, and participating!"
He stops in front of Pavo, and tries to put his hand on Pavo's shoulder, in a friendly gesture. (Unless Pavo prevents him from doing it).
"We all have to be together in this, my friend!"
Orlin slowly thumps up to the front of the group, and leans heavily on his staff and begins to scathingly lay into Duggern's speech
"Master Duggern. We have been duly deputized to investigate, please let us do so. First, to allay some of your concerns ... we DID find some folks who have much to relay on what occurred ... but strangely neither are Varisians. Nor are they associated with the Carnival in any way, as they live locally. They have begun cooperating, and there is much more they can tell us, so that JUSTICE, can be done, as Erastil would like. To see justice in Deed, as opposed to just in Word. As for the Atrocities that you lay at the Carnivals door... The last time I recall any of those sorts of things were even thought of, it was by a group of Ilsurians, seeking to perpetrate their crimes against a poor Varisian's daughter.
Tell me Duggern, will you join those who have had to search their souls when threatening a cripple? Or will you let Justice be done? We DO need to be in this together, so please. Stand asside"
He lifts his neck just a little, where Duggern can see the faint trace where the knife blade rest just a short time before.
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Genthus Duggern seems unable to answer Orlin...
"But... We want justice! Maybe the varisians are working together with the Skulks! And no one has taken steps to eradicate the skulk menace either..."
But he steps away, and signals the others to back up.
"We will let you investigate. But we won't stand idly by! We won't allow any varisians from coming into town! We will defend our town!"
Three...
Orlin gives them all one last pointed look, before he at least, lets them sulk off...
"I trust, you will not defend the town against the folk who have lived their entire lives here, as well? Until the investigation finds the proof to lay the deaths firmly and solidly at ONE person's door, or the doors of just those guilty, attacking someone without cause, can not be called justice, nor would it be keeping of the faith. Please. Let us do our job."
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After they all wander off....
"Though, just to be safe, we might want to send someone to the Carnival, and suggest they keep their heads down, and their people close until we can lay the guilty to rest..."
To Elric... I trust you'll have things well in hand. But, he rallied the crowd rather quickly... Perhaps practiced.
What could he be up to?
Aliana melts toward the back of the group during the confrontation, shielding herself from the pointed glares and staying silent.
After the mob disperses, Aliana turns to the others. Thank you, she says meekly. I agree with Orlin. The Carnival should be warned. I can go while the rest of you continue to the jail - I have a good rapport with the Carnival, and I've done what I can to help these two. Only, she glances nervously at the retreating crowd, I wouldn't mind an escort.
"I would be more than happy to accompany you Aliana. Or I'm sure Orne would probably be more...inconspicuous around the carnival."
Of course, sir. She nods toward Adam and proceeds with the others.
Alex approaches Genthus. Be calm my friend. Those responsible will be brought to justice. The lock boxes in side the vault were not disturbed. I checked it out myself. Please give us time to find those responsible for the murders, and please note that these two Varisian are not the ones to blame. Perhaps you and I can go out for a drink later and discuss the mater more, after we have some information to provide.
Alex nods at Genthus but pushes off the comments about the Varisians. Well friend we have an interrogation to lead, let us depart each others company. We'll meet up again soon. He turns to the rest of the party. Let us continue on. He begins to walk away
Seeing how expertly his new companions handled this potentially explosive situation, Elric says nothing to the crowd.
Aliana, I'd prefer it if you would stay with the rest of us, if you do not object. I'm worried that the crowd's emotions will linger and enact vengeance upon whomever they perchance.
To Elric... I trust you'll have things well in hand. But, he rallied the crowd rather quickly... Perhaps practiced.
Indont believe so, at the moment. It's rather easy to stir up a crowd, especially in times of worry and especially in a small town. I think it was opportunistic, not planned. But we'll have to keep an eye out, just in case. Unlike our friend Genthus, back there, I don't want to presume a guilty motive.
Now, I think it's time we get our sober-challenged friends here to the sheriff's department for further questioning.
Elric gives his nod of approval for Adam to warn the Varisians at the Carnival, but he also has another idea up his sleeve. As they walk, Elric thinks up his plan: As soon as I get a chance, I'll have one of my friends here give a warning to that little girl. She'll know who it came from. And she can tell her mother.
"Aliana, your "cure" for the shiver, is that permanent, and how long does it take to go all the way...clean?
Sheriff, do you think there's any chance that they'll form a riot and go after the other skulks, not these ones, but the ones that live in and around the city?
No, I don't believe so, Fish. While the Skulks have always lived on the fringes, they've never really incurred the wrath of the populous like the Varisians have. I think there is greater danger to the Varisians than the skulks; if anything, they'll just use anything the skulks do to justify actions against the Varisians.
Which leads me to another hypothesis: that the skulks weren't the brains behind this operation. That may lead into what Orne was talking about. For now, keep that idea in the back of your head and let it stay there unless any evidence suggests moving it forward. I do not want to act on suspicion and feelings, I want to act on evidence. If we act without evidence, we could end up putting an innocent person in jail. And that's the last thing I want to happen.
"What about the junkie that Aliana helped with Shiver? Maybe he could point us in the direction of his supplier."
True. We should talk with him. Follow all leads. Although my feelings are that the shiver is coincidental to all this, rather than a primary connection. We'll see though.
If there is a mastermind behind the skulks actions, then he could be using the shiver as a way to get them to do their bidding. We can't rule out that shiver isn't directly involved. A "do this and get free shiver" sort of thing. We need to talk more to the skulks and see what they say
"Aliana, your "cure" for the shiver, is that permanent, and how long does it take to go all the way...clean?
They'll most likely require several days of treatment, at least. It's not a cure, per se - it doesn't end the addiction outright, but it helps to suppress the withdrawal symptoms some while the body is detoxifying. With the withdrawal symptoms not taxing the patient's strength as severely, their body has more of a chance to readjust to not having the drug in their system. From there, it depends on their own body's fortitude in recovering.
Let's maybe go with the panacea having the effect of reducing addiction penalties by 1 for 24 hours and providing a +1 on the saving throw to overcome the addiction, if we decide we need specific mechanics for it? Or does that seem too powerful? It doesn't eliminate the symptoms completely, but it'll make them a little stronger to help them fight it.
I'll continue seeing them each day while they're held in the jail - and I assume they will be, Constable, seeing as they were found at the scene? Even if they aren't responsible for either of the deaths, they did break into a secure vault. If they aren't held, they'll have to come to me of their own volition to continue receiving my panacea, and I can't guarantee they will. Treatment helps, but the process of withdrawal still isn't enjoyable.
"Constable. Things are gong to get difficult in the next few days. Deputized or not, tell me where you want me and I'm there. You need me to keep the riffraff away from the jail and I'm there. You need me by your side as a show of force and I'm there. Whatever I can do to help."
If there is a mastermind behind the skulks actions, then he could be using the shiver as a way to get them to do their bidding. We can't rule out that shiver isn't directly involved. A "do this and get free shiver" sort of thing. We need to talk more to the skulks and see what they say
Thats definitely a possibility. I was just stating my opinions; but how I feel now is not relevant; it's the evidence that matters. My opinions can and will change as new evidence comes into play. We must follow the evidence, otherwise we risk ignoring important evidence that conflicts with preset opinions or initial judgments.
"Constable. Things are gong to get difficult in the next few days. Deputized or not, tell me where you want me and I'm there. You need me to keep the riffraff away from the jail and I'm there. You need me by your side as a show of force and I'm there. Whatever I can do to help."
I'm betting that they'll be fine at the jail with the other Constables and guards keeping watch - we have to be able to rely on other law enforcement officers to do their job as much as we try on ourselves to solve these crimes fairly and quickly. I think your skills will be best served if your with us rather than posting guard all night and day.
I don't know, I'm pretty sure the butler did it. I saw Clue...or was that Clueless...
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Once in jail, Rogi and Zahkar, the skulks, much better from the Shiver's withdrawal syndrome, bargain their lives for letting you know all they know.
"We just want to go back to our tribe, the Nisku. If you let us go, we will tell you everything. We were asked to do the robbery. We were given the key. The ones you need to catch told us where and when. They have us in their power, as they are the ones that give us the Shiver, and if we don't obey they stop giving it to us. If you want to know more you will have to let us go! We don't want to die! We didn't kill anyone!"
I have another option, Aliana responds softly. If you're willing to stay for a time, we can continue the treatment I gave you. With time, you could be free of the Shiver addiction forever - and free of the one holding the Shiver over your heads as well. You would need to continue staying in the jail for that time; you saw the crowd's reaction, and this is the only place we can guarantee your safety. And there is the fact that, though you may not have held the knife, there is a guard who lost his life because of your break-in. But if you cooperate and tell us more of those who sent you, and at these words Aliana looks to Elric for approval, we can see what may be done to lighten sentencing, and to make the time you spend here more comfortable. We can get word to your people of your situation.
Aliana looks to Elric, not having the authority to make that call.
Your cooperation during that time, leading to a just and timely resolution will... weigh heavily in your favor.
But, we'll need details. Names, locations, plans... What can you tell us? Orne comes off as reasonable.
"I'm certain the Constable and the Sheriff will certainly release you once we have the real culprits in custody, once you are free of your addition to shiver, and once the stolen items have been returned. We will not keep you against your will any longer than necessary to protect both the two of you and to assure that you are telling the truth."
I will do my best to ensure that you two go free providing the following conditions:
One, Elric holds up his hand with one finger out, you help us bring the true culprits to bear. This includes both the skull who committed the murder and those who enabled this to happen. Two, Elric holds out a second finger, we successfully solve this case and actually bring those responsible to justice. And most importantly, three, a third finger pops up, that the two of you get off of Shiver, cure yourself of the addiction, and promise me that you'll actively work towards removing the Shiver addiction from your tribe. With this comes actively working with myself and Ms. Merali here after your release to assist others in your tribe in detoxifying and removing the addiction, as well as a continued vigilance in keeping free of the drug.
If you can ensure these things all, then I promise you that I will do my best in allowing you to legally go free once this whole sordid affair is over.
All good points (and this is not including the fantasy context of the world) but how many parents believe their children when they come home and said this little birdie was talking to me today and told be blah blah blah. Just saying.
All good points (and this is not including the fantasy context of the world) but how many parents believe their children when they come home and said this little birdie was talking to me today and told be blah blah blah. Just saying.
That's fair; please consider these two counter-points: The mother already knows that her daughter has a special ability to talk to and command birds, and the mother knows that Elric also has that ability. Additionally, I'm also betting that she knows exactly who Elric is and what his position is with the town of Ilsurian, based on his successful rescue and investigation into the rape of a Varisian girl when the carnival was in town last year.
If it weren't for these things, I would wholeheartedly agree with you.
Touche.
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The skulks look at each other, and Zahkar starts to talk.
"We can't get the skulk that murdered your friend while we are here. You will have to let us go for us to capture him. We will gladly, as will our tribe, get rid of the Shiver. There is a group of humans here, at Ilsurian, that fabricates the drug. They use the docks to move the drug, and also make us go to other towns around to deliver it. They don't want much Shiver to be here, so no one looks for them here. Two of our tribe, Kymeth and Onamae, made friends with them, and now live with them in town. They told us, yesterday night, that we needed to rob the place you cough us, and they gave us the key. They told us to grab all we could and that later we would give the loot to them, in the forest at midnight, in exchange for Shiver. The humans named themselves "The Gilded Hands", we don't know their names, but we could recognize some of them if we saw them. They lived some other place, but some people died there because of their drug and they had to relocate here. We hate them, and would like nothing more than get rid of the Shiver, and go back to live free into the woods, without having to obey their every order."
At that time the guard you sent to the Umbra Carnival returns. He is tired, but that doesn't explain his white face and the look on his face.
"The sphinx killed Sister Esrelda Woodmere!"
Sheriff Feldane sits down.
"Damn it!"
Aliana drops onto a nearby bench, stunned. The news about Sister Woodmere is upsetting; though she and the Sister didn't always see eye to eye, Aliana remembered her kindly-meant advice of the night before. But what shocks her more is mention of the Gilded Hands, and the Shiver-related deaths that drove them to Ilsurian from elsewhere. Could they mean...could they mean the deaths back at Mama's home so long ago? Could they mean Father?
After a moment, she shakes her head in an attempt to clear it, and gathers herself enough to speak, though the words are barely above a whisper. Well, we have another scene to examine. Has the Sister's body been moved?
For the first time in ages, Pavo distinctly looks worried. "Constable, Sheriff, things are going to escalate quickly. First off, we need to find and speak with Vea. She created a weapon that I believe was used in these murders, we need to find out who she made it for. Second, the Shiv house, we should arrest everyone there and bring them here for detox and their own safety. Third, we need to find out who Felton Leng is getting work with on the docks. Fourth, I am going to tell you right now. The next time I feel safe doing it, I will beat Genthus into unconsciousness. And last, I must find the Shoanti Champion, I fear for her safety and I want her by my side.". After voicing his concerns, Pavo begins pacing frantically, nervousness clearly seeping into his calm demeanor.
Orlin seems lost in shock for several moments, and then snaps out of it shortly after Aliana's querry and Pavo's disjointed reaction.
"Sheriff, we caught these two within the vault of the locked box, and the tale they tell implies that these deaths may root back to an Ilsurian, which leads me to believe that the good Sister's death is partly a distraction, to draw us, and your forces out of the jail, so that they can be silenced. Please keep a guard on watch, and do not allow ANYONE other than yourself, or the group of us to see them, talk to them, or bring them anything. No matter WHO it is. They have cooperated fully, and while guilty of somethings, their hands have not been wielding the knife. Please Sheriff."
Turning to the guard, giving him the moment to catch himself.
"Please, some more details. When? Where? Any Witnesses?"
Orne considers. Varisians in general seek to be accepted as members of this community. Sister Woodmere was one of the cultural bridges between Ilsurian and Varisian people. The tolerant are being eliminated and the Skulk are being used as pawn or cat's paw.
A Varisian or pro-Varisian killing Sister Woodmere is... illogical. Someone is burning bridges fanning the flames of prejudice.