The following night you all gather in the forest clearing where Larisa executed Grigori. After about an hour you are able to exhume the orator from his shallow grave. Veronica's eyes begin to glow as she summons the divine energy of Erastil. When she places her hand on the dead man's forehead, his lifeless eyes open and he begins to speak. "Who calls me from beyond the grave?"
Veronica ignores the corpse's question; she is the one asking the questions now.
"Were you sent as an agent of Pitax to deliberately interfere with our fledgling settlement?"
The corpse whispers its answer. "No."
Seres lets out a frustrated sigh. "Perhaps Pitax is not his backer, but I still doubt the man had the interests of the common folk at heart. He was a merchant at best, deceiver at worst. Follow the money, and I am sure we discover his true motivations." He turns to the others, "Ask who paid him to come here to rabble rouse, perhaps?"
Veronica looks to Connor for his confirmation on the second question.
Veronica nods and turns back to the corpse.
"Who paid you to come here and rabble-rouse?" she says firmly.
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The corpse stares at you with sightless eyes. "Duugon the Black hired me at Fort Drelev."
The light in Grigori's eyes then fades to black.
"Fort Drelev is to the west of here in the Stolen Lands, on the banks of Hooktongue slough near the Pitax frontier. Independent of any of the River Kingdoms though." Raff recites his knowings in a confident voice, right before throwing back his flask (Which Conner knows to be little more than water with a splash of booze.)
"So he was working for someone else. And Duugon the Black could, in turn, be working for... just about anybody," says Veronica as the spell expires.
"But we have a truthful lead which is a far cry from what we had, which was a false lead. We can look into it ourselves or maybe our spymaster can get some agents to go look into this guy and see what intel they can come up with."
"In the mean time, let's call an assembly for tomorrow. However, we still have to determine what to do about Larisa. I've given her a sentence, and we can let that stand or I can entertain alternative options. Veronica rightly mentioned that I may have been emotionally compromised in that decision." Connor nods acknowledgement to Zeke and Seres.
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Seres shakes his head. "Given her actions, your sentence was, if anything, lenient."
"Well, that's part of the discussion, right? If you don't think the decision was just, let's fix it now."
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Seres shrugs, "I admit, its a hard call. Every conflict has its own unique circumstances, and I don't really trust that hard-written laws can flex enough to provide justice. For Larisa, she committed murder with the best of intentions but weakest of pretenses. Now, in the light of our divination, it could be argued she made a righteous kill." He shakes his head, slowly. "But you can't just kill people you suspect of ill-will, hoping to be vindicated later."
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You have heard my opinion. I say we tell the people that we have proof he was a foreign spy and our marshal, acting in that capacity, put Gregory down. If you must, you can further explain that you disagreed with the order of things, but not the overall verdict and so have chosen to punish Larisa. I think there will be some backlash no matter what we do. We can adjust taxes and other items to minimize it. Overall I say it will be less than letting that scoundrel free reign of our city to constantly talk us down.
"This is a slippery slope. It need to be made perfectly clear that her actions were not acceptable, regardless of Grigori's words or goals here. Otherwise we set a precedent that says murder is okay as long as its justified after the fact."
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Seres point seems to be lost on Ezekial and he continues to argue for leniency for Larisa. We hamstring ourselves if we keep her locked up for months, or even weeks. She is needed with us where she can contribute and not in some cell where she makes no difference. Dock her pay. Demote her. Take away her title for a year. Sentence her to public service. Do all of those, but do not let her go to waste.
"Some sort of parole would be reasonable... but if she shows no contrition is it any kind of punishment?"
Connor listens to his two original bandit hunter friends banter and nods thoughtfully to both, at Zeke 's suggestion, he turns to Veronica expectantly.
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Veronica says after a moment, "Jurisprudence is not my specialty, but here's what I think. Again, please forgive me if I'm a bit long-winded."
"If Larisa were some person we didn't know, and she killed someone and claimed 'he was an enemy agent' as her defense without any proof, she'd probably hang. Fortunately, that's not the case we're dealing with. The evidence we've found that this man was a provocateur does matter. But what also matters is, Larisa is not just some person. She's an agent of the state. We haven't formally defined all of this, but the gist of what I'm saying is, imagine if a soldier got charged with murder for killing someone in war. Or a guard was charged with battery for scuffling with a thief during a robbery. People working on behalf of the state have to get a certain amount of leeway, just to be able to do their jobs. Not immunity - that leads to abuse - but if we expect someone to do these things for the safety of people in general, we have to allow them to do it without the worry that they'll then be hanged."
"So Larisa was an agent of the state, duly appointed to protect us, and operating under that banner. She executed a prisoner without hard evidence of his complicity in sedition, but we now have evidence to support that he was an enemy operative."
"Seres is right that we can't just execute people and hope that evidence later says we're justified, and Zeke is right that this man was an enemy committing a crime for which the punishment is probably hanging. If Larisa were just some random person, she would have committed murder with extenuating circumstances - she killed a criminal in the heat of the moment, not premeditated, with some belief that he was a spy. As an agent of the state, her crime wasn't in killing an enemy agent, it was in overstepping her authority."
"So," Veronica wraps up, "she needs to be disciplined in a way that gets across that what we are concerned about is not 'oh she's a murderer' but rather 'our agents of state cannot just execute people at random, they must recognize Connor's chain of command and they must get evidence before hand rather than after the fact.' And the people of our little community need to know that they can expect a fair trial and to not just be killed out of hand if we suspect them of doing something wrong - especially because, if you can be executed on suspicion of a crime, people will use that part of the system to get their own enemies killed by spreading lies and rumors that paint someone as a criminal."
"Basically, Larisa needs to win back trust. She needs to have her responsibilities curtailed until she can be trusted, and probably the way it goes down will require her to make a public statement explaining that it should never be our policy to execute people until we have proof of their commission of a capital offense, and then Connor announcing the stripping of various responsibilities from her while we put a new legal system in place."
"One bright spot is, we've been meaning to draft some laws, and this gives us a great opportunity to open that conversation with people and get across that this is not just going to be 'might makes right'. Then, when we finish writing laws, we can then give Larisa a new chance with the new system."
"Basically, 'our bad, nobody should be afraid that they will be executed out of hand, Larisa shouldn't have the authority to do that without proof, so now she can't, and by the way this means we need to codify some laws, so here we go,'" Veronica says, wrapping up.
She crosses her arms and looks a bit uncomfortable after making such a lengthy speech. She coughs once, looks at the ground, and scuffs her boot a bit.
Raff, typically blurry eyed during long speeches, seems to be rather captivated by Veronica's this time around. Giving a very toothy grin he says "That's probably the best solution to this there is, good job. Your thoughts Conner?" Raff tosses Veronica the rest of his flask. "A drink well earned."
"All right, then, I've listened to your inputs, and while I'm not a fan of condoning this, we need to move forward as a country and put this behind us. Larisa will spend a couple more nights in jail and then she will prepare a speech for the assembly. She should run that by you, Veronica. I expect it to be truthful, contrite, and apologetic. One ounce of arrogance or righteousness and her ass is back in jail, I don't give a shit what the rest of you think is best. This is her chance to make right with the people and us. If she uses it as a chance to embarrass us or to justify her actions, we need to be quit of her," Connor pauses to swallow his obvious anger before he continues.
"Following that I will immediately and publicly strip her of duties as Marshall and then appoint Rath in her place and we can have the herald read off the rest of the things we will do with the laws etc."
"Furthermore, she will not go armed inside the city. Set up some place for her to drop her weapons with a guard. The people need to see and be reminded of her punishment. And before any of you give me, the "What if we're attacked?", scenario, then send a damn runner to pick them up. If she needs a job, she can work for one of you in whatever capacity you need her to ... without weapons."
Connor breathes deeply for a moment, weighing his next words as his hands shake before he speaks "This is it, though. If she violates our trust again ... it's the rope. Do we all agree to this?"
Veronica takes a sip from Raff's flask, returns it to its owner, then gives a nod in acquiescence to Connor's terms.
"Part of my ruling was to keep up pretenses of an accidental death to those outside the city or even country. I dont believe we should change that. We will return his gear, goods, snd body to Pitax, so they think we still believe his ruse ... to buy us time."
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"I think we can come up with a better rationale than that. This cloak and dagger stuff is what we have you for, Zeke. Build a credible story and let us use it as disinformation. "
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"Oh, wow... Marshal eh? Are... You sure about that Conner? I mean, I only just joined up with you lot. For all you know I could be a more competent version of our deceased spy." Raff accepts the flask back from veronica with a thanks before adding. "I'll accept if your adamant, I just want to make sure that this is what you want."
"Yours to keep or lose, Raff. Don't have the luxury of getting to know people for years here in the Riverlands. We will have to make do with a bit of trust earned fighting back to back, no?"
Connor turns to the rest, "Since there are no more objections or discussion, let's schedule a gathering for Larisa to address the people and for us to move forward with our other actions. Anything else to discuss or can we start the tedious business of writing down some of these laws."
The cavalier truly doesn't look like he's relishing the activity.
In the coming days you assemble the people and address your fledgling nation about the events of the past several turbulent days. Some people are dismayed when they hear of the extra judicial killing of Grigori by Larisa, but most shrug their shoulders and nod their support for the inquisitor. It is clear that your passionate arguments against Grigori at your initial meeting convinced most people that the bard had nefarious intent.
In the weeks that follow, you gather to draft the laws of the land. In late summer you announce the completion of New Hope's constitution and you post the newly minted laws for all to read. The people of the land are happy with your leadership and reward you with increased productivity. The cloud of unrest hanging over New Hope begins to finally lift once you reaffirm your dedication to the rule of law.
As summer nears its end, Akiros Ismort rides into town with a small force of mounted militia. You note that many of the men are wounded and several dead are straddled over horse back. Akiros dismounts and salutes. "We've had troll sightings in the southern Narlmarches. We engaged a giant two-headed brute south of here - he killed half our men before we could get away. The trolls are ranging further and further north. It's just a matter of time before they threaten our southern border!"
Raff puts his hand on his chin at the news. "Trolls eh? Two headed ones to boot, not good. Conner, if we're going to deal with this we'll need fire or acid." Raff fidgets a little where he stands, you see him reach for the pocket he usually keeps his flask in only to find nothing. He whispers a bit under his breath.
"If we're fortunate maybe we can find a bowyer and alchemist who can make incendiary arrows," suggests Veronica.
Seres nods to Veronica. "Excellent suggestion. These trolls are going to be a severe problem. All the laws and codes we draft up won't matter much to them."
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"I think we can come up with a better rationale than that. This cloak and dagger stuff is what we have you for, Zeke. Build a credible story and let us use it as disinformation. "
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After thinking about this for a day or two Ezekial comes to Connor privately and proposes You asked me to think on this and I have. I see no value to sending anything, even a message back to Pitax. Better to keep the gear, bury the body in an unmarked grave, and see if anyone outside our little kingdom makes any noises about it. Put the gear in storage if you like but sending anything back to Pitax would send them the wrong message. They did not take action against us and we gain nothing by accusing them of doing so. Sending them the body back is an accusation and would play into the hands and goals of whoever did hire Gregory. I am sure they hoped to cause strive between us and Pitax. Lets not give them that. If anything we send a diplomat to Pitax to suggest an alliance. If an enemy wants to drive a wedge between us and a potential ally then I say we strengthen the relationship with that ally.
Larisa has just been released after spending a week in jail. The people of New Hope are convened for a town hall meeting at the city center. The rumors have spread of Grigori's demise and the resulting strife within New Hope's leadership. The assembly has been called to set the record straight concerning the fate of Grigori, Larisa's rationale for the execution and the resulting repercussions. The people seek to understand the changes in leadership and the path forward for strengthening the rule of law within New Hope.
The crowd looks expectantly at Larisa as she takes the stage to address these complex issues.
Larisa looks out at the crowd, focusing on the, multitude of people assembled. Keep it truthful and to the point Larisa, you've already hurt Connor enough. She thinks to herself as she moves to speak.
"People of New Hope, I have been brought before you to lay to rest the rumors around the merchant Grigori's demise. The rumors say that the council conspired to silence his voice, to crush any ideas of dissent. They are only partially true. I did kill him, but I tricked my fellow members of the council into aiding me. I did not do it to cut the throats of the people's voice, I did it because I saw in him a danger. I know he held no love for our home. But my reasoning and justifications do not make up for the truth. In truth I murdered a man, a tricked good men into aiding me against their better judgement and I betrayed the trust placed in me by our Ruler, Lord Connor. I should be dead, but Lord Connor has given me a merciful punishment but one that is just."
"For my crimes I am stripped of my place on the council, I am no longer be you Marshal. That honor goes to the brave Raff, who not long ago helped Lord Connor quell the werewolf threat. I know many of you will agree with my actions, that Grigori got what was coming to him. I say to those who believe such things that my actions were wrong! If this nation is to grow into something that will nurture our future, provide somewhere for our children to grow up with out fear then this cannot be a nation of vigilante justice. The rule of law must prevail, and it has. I will never lead you again, and that is just."
"And to any of you who fear to speak, who are afraid of being silenced for disagreeing with the council, who worry about the integrity of our laws, you do not need to fear any longer. It should be no secret that I held affection for Lord Connor and he for me, and my actions have placed him in a situation that challenged his honor and sense of justice. It would have been easy for him to hide this, to take actions that would demean himself. He did not, even though it has hurt him he has been true to the rule of law he strives to build for all of us. He is a good man, a just man and a merciful man. No one under his rule will live in fear, that I say honestly."
"As we move forward I will forever barred from holding power in whatever nation Lord Connor forms, for I have lost the trust of him and you the people. When I walk through our streets I will do so under guard and without weapons, because I can not be trusted with them. I will not be involved with the drafting of a true constitution and set of laws that will guide us, but you will be. A series of meetings will be scheduled for all to attended, where any man or woman can listen and have their say on what the shape of our future will be. Nevermore will an official of your government be allowed to exercise their power unchecked, the age of frontier justice is coming to close now dawns the rule of law and true justice."
Having said addressed the people, Larsia signals to Jaxx to be taken back to her cells.
The people of New Hope look at Larisa with a mix of respect and pity. Numerous town folk murmur and curse that Grigori had it coming and fully deserved his fate. Others acknowledge that though he may have received a just punishment, Grigori's execution should have been carried out only after a lawful trial. Still others glower at the inquisitor and wonder if the orator had indeed been correct about her intentions. At the end of Larisa's speech, the crowd disperses and life in New Hope begins to return to normal.
Akiros helps his men unburden the dead among them. After a prayer to Erastil, the paladin turns to you. "We are losing many of our militia in the frontier. The border lands must be secured so that New Hope may expand. We know little of the Kamelands to the east or the Narlmarches to the west and south. A concerted effort must be made to map and tame the Green Belt. I fear that trolls are not the only threats that await us in these unexplored territories."
"The trolls are a more immediate sounding threat, I'd like to take them out and secure the Narlmarches in one fail swoop. Seems the most efficient and safe way to go about things. Thoughts?."
Attracted to the gathering of people Larisa makes her way over to the group. Berfet of her weapons and under guard she approaches the wounded men, she chastises herself as she administers what curative magic she has to the living. We've been sitting on our laurels too long, I should've been out their in the woods hunting, not feeling sorry for myself trapped inside the city walls. "I agree Raff. For now the immediate threat must be the priority." She says, crouched over one man as she spend the last of her cure spells. "Send for me when you leave the city, I'll meet you at the gates."
After Larisa's sad speech, Veronica goes back to the prison with her and sits outside her cell for a while.
"That was pretty rough on yourself," she says. "You took on the whole burden, in order to save the country."
"I'll come by to visit as much as I can, if you want, until you're out of this cell. I can bring you something better to eat than gruel."
"Still, that was very brave of you, Larisa. And I think Connor will come around to visit, too."
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Over the next several days, Veronica shoulders her pack and moves about the countryside, visiting families to help with farm work, carry news, and ask about the ideas about the people's hopes and fears. She helps deal with minor nuisances like goblins, heals wounds and scrapes on farmers and their children, applies her mundane healing skill to those who've fallen ill, and doesn't shirk from chores like hauling hay, hoeing fields, and caring for livestock.
She returns several days later to rejoin the conference about what to do next with the burgeoning New Hope.
"I agree, trolls are a serious danger," she says in reply to Raff. "And I think we need a better idea of the forest anyway. It holds all manner of dark places and anything could crawl out of there to threaten our settlement."