Wren begins to stand at several points during Mr. Aldous' testimony, but usually manages to sit back down without adding anything more than a chirp of agreement and support.
Oh dearie, I think he's doing a fine job. He's probably happy that I'm here to support him. He's grown so much under my tutelage.
Wren claps politely when Mr. Aldous finishes his speech and goes back to reading her spellbook when he finishes.
Oh, I do hope to see Stitches again.
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Stiches seems to distort his face when Aldous mentions Ellsa and sinks down in his chair.
You hear shouts of "There - they lie - he is laughing even now!" from the ranks of the public.
There is a break as it takes a while to restore order.
Each new revelation is greeting by more shouts and boos from the crowd. You hear shouts of "Burn him, burn him, burn him now."
"If you don't burn him then we will take care of it."
It gets so bad that a 5 minute break is ordered and three men are send out.
At least this makes it possible for Aldous to finish his evidence.
You have the feeling that - given the chance - the mob will lynch the Beast as they seem to feel he might get free othervice.
Andreas eyes drift from face to face in the crowd remembering features she will know these people if a mob comes for Stitches.
Wren recognizing the air of impending threat, reopens her spellbook and quickly memorizes another Fly spell.
Don't worry, Stitches, we'll find a way to get you out of here.
Kevin sits on the bench frowning and shaking his head as he sneaks a quick nip, then grinns at his companions. "Oh I can't wait, do you know how long it has been since a killed a man? I mean really, I am an Aldori Swordlord for Cayden's sake! I should have been a paladin for all the undead I have killed. Hmmmm, I wonder if paladins of Cayden Cailean exist? Maybe I can be the first."
Galadan stands when the crowd becomes unruly, doing little more than casting his unnerving gaze over the more violent ones.
He also attempts to pass along a secret message by eye gestures to the Head Justice that he will intervene vocally if she requests if of him.
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Galadan's glare seems to shut one wing closest to him down for a while.
But it is unmistakably that they glare back at him while walking out - fist shaking at him.
In the crowd you hear someone saying "Let's burn the Pharasma one together with the Beast tonight. Maybe the feathered one as well.
The crowd rushes past too fast to make out who uttered these words.
Kevin smiles right back at the barrister. "Or dead. We could be dead. Either way, I bet it will be one fargin hells of a time."
The swordlord raises his flask in slalute to the barrister and walks to the exit.
"First things first" Andrea states as they leave the Courtroom.."We need to get the damage those poor benighted souls did to Kevin repaired..which means we need a temple"
Perception
* * *
Wren looks confuzzled.
"More evidence, Barrister? What more evidence did you need? We have accomplished so much. Each of Stitches' crimes can be explained, can they not?" Wren sputters and chirps before settling down.
"What do you mean, more evidence? My good personal friend Stitches is innocent."
Galadan looks over at Wren.
"There is the matter of the third crime, Mistress Wren. Some building or other was burned. But its possible that the evidence we've acquired will have something to do with that as well."
"I am more worried about the locals." He turns to the barrister. "Is there anything that can be done to beef up security for the courthouse. I fear that if the Beast is found innocent, the local people will still act on their own and do what they can to kill him."
He pauses for a moment to allow the words to sink in.
"I am not completely adverse to the idea of people carrying their own justice out, but if they have established this court to do so for them, I do not think they have the right to surpass it."
Kevin turns at Galadan's words and looks directly at Kaple, all sense of the swordlord's flipant attitude gone. "There will be blood if they come for Stitches Barrister Kaple. I will not let them do harm to an innocent creature with out a fight. If you would keep the piece I suggest making it known that such an act would be foLly."
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Barrister Kapple smiles at Galadan
"I wouldn't worry. I mean it would be against the law if the mob would do anything. We are a civilised place here. Anyhow - the place is guarded. There is a guard all night - maybe even two - so nobody can escape.
I'm sure they will send anyone away who will do harm to the Beast."
Kevin shakes his head at the Barrister's words. "If these people mean to do harm, they will arrive as a mob. Mob justice is never civilized and your "maybe even two" guards will not stop them." The swordlord adjust his dueling sword and looks at the others. "I will stay and if they come not all will leave, unless they are carried out. Bring in more guards sir, or bring alot of body bags."
Aldous shivers as he hears the mutterings of the crowd.
That does not bode well.
Once everyone has gathered with the barrister, he clears his throat, and ventures:
"I think we should stake the place out tonight; I overheard someone in the crowd say: "Let's burn the Pharasma one together with the Beast tonight. Maybe the feathered one as well"."
He then frowns.
"Still, we should continue to gather evidence - we need to visit the site of the arson attack, and try to gather clues..."
Turning to the Barrister, he adds:
"What additional information can you provide us with? Presumably, since Stitches is being blamed by this, there were survivors? Who were they, and where can we find them?"
Frowning at the recent revelation, Galadan nods in agreement.
"This town must be filled with extremely nonreligious. Who do they think protects them from the horrors that lurk in the swamps nearby?"
"They are frightened Galadan..and frightened men do things that, given the time to think them through calmly, they would never even countenance normally.
"This mob will be like every other one..a few agitators, a few idiots who would cause trouble anywhere, anyway and a vast majority following along like sheep.Deal with the leaders and the others will run. I for one will be putting my faith in Lightning Bolts tonight"
Wren keeps quiet as the others discuss the townspeople.
If they hurt my good friend Stitches, I shall be very angry.
"I am ready to move on...though I do wish we had time to sell what we have gathered so far and buy some more equipment. We should leave soon, yes?"
"Yes I agree Wren..we are getting rather rushed from pillar to post and back again aren't we..let me see we need to get Kevin fixed up find out where our next mission is taking us get there do what has to be done and get back in time to stop whatever mob is forming..you know I heard once of a spell that could stop time around the caster...and I'm beginning to think that's what we need here."
Wren nods to Andrea. "Right, so we need to fix Kevin up, first then?"
Wren smiles her yellow-toothed smile at Kevin.
Poor dearie.
Knowledge: Local to the nearest Temple to Shelyn or Pharasma
"Well, I'm not sure how much fixing him will cost. Most of my 'money' is tied up into the gear we have from our rooms."
Galadan removes his hat as he enters the Pharasman temple (as he does for every temple), and approaches the High Priest.
"Blessed of the Spiral, I wonder if you might be able to spare some time to restore a friend of mine who has been grievously weakened by the touch of the Wandering. In performing my duty to see that the souls were returned to Pharasma's Throne, we were forced into combat with the spirits. I also wonder if you might have a wand of cure light wounds that I might purchase, to aid the ongoing crusade to bring the Restless back to their Rest."
Galadan is not attempting to sound flowery, just observing the proprieties that he was trained in.
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The High Priest greets you
"We have already heard what happened in Hergstadt. Is it true that there are more undead that need to be put to rest.
There isn't much we can offer you in regard to money - but should you put n end to it hen I'm happy to reimburse you for the spells today and curing one of you as well.
And indeed - we should also have a wand for such an upright defender of the faith as you are."
Galadan pays the fee for the wand in a mixture of platinum and gold.
"You have my thanks. While I do not mean to pressure this temple any further than it already has difficulty bearing, I am afraid that the judgment of the mob may bring about the early demise of those undeserving. If there is any way you might be able to help support the role of justice in the courthouse, I will do what I can to see that you are well compensated."
He pauses for a moment as a thought occurs to him.
"Or perhaps, I have another idea. Is that traveling troupe still in town?"
Wren nods and offers to chip in for the immediate needs of Kevin and the wand.
"Come along, everyone. We must get to our next destination if we are to save Stitches."
Feeling better from her night's rest, Wren is chirping and babbling again and anxious to hit the road.
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Sanctuary
Sanctuary lies some 3 miles north of Lepidstadt along the Lesser Moutray river. A narrow track follows the western shore of the river, passing through depressingly gray marshland before arriving at the lonely ruins of Sanctuary on Karb Isle.
A horse drawn coach organized by the priest off Pharasma brings you there quickly - even if it seems with every step away from the court house that you go the wrong direction. But a job needs to be done.
The sad remains of a broken building lie on a spur of land jutting into the river. The burnt timbers of a large house sag into the undergrowth of nettles and thistles. Nature is taking back this charred ruin, as if trying to erase dark memories. Nearby, a small cluster of gravestones jut from the weeds
"Driver, please hold!" Wren holds up a feathered arm. "I would examine those gravestones. If I have learned anything, it is that gravestones tell us as much as the living in his land. Hold the carriage while I examine them."
Wren goes to examine the stones, trying to die any of the dead to the living or stories of the living.
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The third crime the Beast is accused of is the arson attack on the asylum of Sanctuary on Karb Isle, which resulted in the fiery deaths of Sanctuary's administrator, Doctor Brada, and all of his patients, and the blinding of the doctor's assistant, Karl. Sanctuary started as a noble idea. Doctor Brada founded the institution to cure those unfortunate individuals afflicted with madness and physical deformity. His motives were born of his own horror at the fate of his uncle, who was burned by a mob because of his monstrous features.
You manage to pass by at Karl on your way.
"Well we already have some evidence that not was all as it should be here from the Alchemists Works..we should work from that basis if we want to discover anything"
Wren chirps and prattles as they party meets with Karl, trying to get a good look at the man and his blindness.
Wren will examine the gravestones for clues.
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Karl seems not to get visitors often. He welcomes you into his small but tidy place and you cramp together around a small table as he opens a bottle if wine to share.
Everything looks simple but functional - so he likely hasn't been healed as his eyes have suffered in the fire and would need more than just a remove blindness spell. Something he won't be able to support.
He talks about sanctuary
"The last I saw before I lost my eye sight trying to rescue my master was this large brute monster coming out of the burning sanctuary. It looked ugly and was at least 7 to 8 feet tall - if not taller.
I took care to avoid it and went in - but I was too late to rescue my master. It is a miracle that I got out alive myself."
Andrea asks Karl about anything he might know of his Masters involvement with the Alchemists.
"Karl, what exactly was the beast doing? If it was also fleeing the fire, that doesn't mean too much. I would also flee a burning building. What did you see it do? What happened the day of the fire?"
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"The Doctor did have some business relationship with the two alchemists. Never talked about it. And in the end he was a little bit stressed out. But I can't say it was because of them or just ordinary money issues.
It was night, I was lucky to wake up. The beast was coming out of the building. I guess it started it. Who knows - I didn't have time to follow it as I went in search of the doctor but the flames already were too high and I didn't manage to find him.
I was later told I was the only one who got out. I doubt they even bother to collect the bodies. All the good work of the doctor - gone up in flames."
Galadan stands in the corner and detects for evil and chaos on Karl. He also is silent as he listens carefully to Karl's descriptions and attempts to measure their worth in his mind.
"I don't suppose 'The Beast' looked like this..."
Wren just nods as Mr. Aldous speaks.
"How big was it, Karl? Was it really as big as more than a man? Or just a tall man?" Wren asks, trying to confirm.
* * *
Aldous nods in satisfaction as Karl confirms his suspicions.
I knew that Stitches was not responsible for what happened...
"Well, thank-you for your time. We appreciate your help."
Once the group decides to move on, Aldous spends his time in the coach deep in concentration, a subtle feeling of... wrongness exuding from him, until there is a sudden pop, and the features of Hastur momentarily overlay those of Aldous, before they blur, and seemingly disappear.
During their journey, Galadan explains his plan to the others.
"I am thinking that we might hire the traveling troupe to perform near the courthouse, and have them act as a distraction for any violent mob that might approach."
"That's a good idea, Galadan. I'm sure my very good friends would love to help me out. Maybe I should ask them personally."
'Aldous' stretches luxuriantly, working all of the kinks out of 'his' fingers.
"Ah, there is nothing quite like a stroll in the countryside. What could possibly go wrong?"
He then casts a spell...
...and moves forward to investigate.