Megan Robertson |
All Dillon can see is a lot of legal stuff.
Kaple explains that the that the trial has already commenced, and preliminary evidence has been presented to the three justices. The trial begins in earnest tomorrow, however, as the majority of the evidence for the three crimes will be presented over the next 3 days.
He sees some puzzlement on Sorin's face and backtracks a bit.
"S-s-sorry. You know t-t-that the B-b-beast was c-c-captured after breaking into the university, right? T-t-that is by no means the most s-s-serious charge. T-t-the prosecution is using three recent crimes attributed to the Beast to convict the creature of murder: the murder of 10 citizens of the village of Morast a year ago; the slaying of six children in the farming community of Hergstag 7 months ago; and the arson attack 4 months ago at the Sanctuary on Karb Isle, which resulted in the deaths of Doctor Brada and his patients and the blinding of the doctor's assistant, Karl.
He takes a deep breath.
"N-now, I t-think the B-beast is probably guilty, b-but I am doing my best to defend him. I have s-s-spoken to the main witnesses and t-t-they sound plausible. T-there is little time if any new evidence is to b-b-be brought to bear... T-tell me, why are you here? D-do you want to help?"
Megan Robertson |
"If y-you can help, of course evidence can be p-p-presented," says Kaple. "The B-b-beast is below, or you c-could visit t-the locations of the Beast's depredations...er, alleged depredations. If you need reasurrance speak with the Judge. She does her best to b-be fair."
Tre'duinne Braeguldae |
"After that we'll visit Karl, if we can." says Tre, shaking his head. "What evidence does the prosecution have against 'The Beast', or is it just hearsay?" the elf continues. "I wonder if our travelling companions can help in this too...hmmm?" he ponders.
Megan Robertson |
"The Beast is, as I say, accused of the murder of ten people in the village of Morast a year ago. The evidence to be presented is that of three people who were there at the time. They claim the Beast turned up over the course of several nights to abduct and kill people, and was eventually driven off into a nearby swamp and, they thought, killed. Only of course he is still around.
"The second crime took place in Herstag seven months ago. The claim is that the Beast slew six children before being driven off. The final crime on the docket is an arson attack on the hospital of Sanctuary on Karb Isle four months ago. The claim is that the Beast set fire to the place, killing the doctor in charge and all staff and patients save one, who will be giving evidence."
Kaple looks worried.
"You see, the evidence is quite bad. Eyewitnesses of all three events. It may be that there is evidence to be had in the three places but you see how busy I am, I cannot go. Of course, if you want to help perhaps you could...?"
Megan Robertson |
"I'm sure I have a map somewhere," said Kaple, burrowing around on his desk. "Ah, yes, here you are!"
Map of the area around Lepidstadt
"The only evidence to be presented is the statements. In our court, the clerk has to be notified in advance of what evidence either side wishes to present, and that's all that the prosecution have listed."
He listens to your questions.
"The events took place over the last year or so. Morast, here, a year back. Then Herstag seven months ago and the hospital four months ago. The attack at the university you know about, but that is not to be raised in court. If convicted these three are sufficient to condemn the Beast to the flames. Of course there are other things attributed to him as well, but the prosecution case is based on just the three events."
Merian Benvalla |
"Even in a city the size of Lepidstadt, Ustalav is not the safest country I've ever visited," Merian says dryly. "We should be careful splitting up; if we're going to do that, we need to make sure we've got someone that knows the right questions to ask and some protection for them. If Barret wants to go to Herstag, I should probably go with someone else to Morast."
Sorin Szekely |
"Very well then. Let's stay together to the Sanctuary at least. Then we can decide if we split up or travel together to the other locations."
The Sanctuary is pretty close to Lepidstadt and on the way to the others, so let's start there and depending on how long it looks like it will take we can decide how to handle the other two locations.
Sorin Szekely |
I guess that wasn't clear. They were at Sanctuary, but its possible that they are now in Lepidstadt or elsewhere to prepare for their testimony. If they are here or nearby, I'd certainly be willing to do that first. Otherwise, I'm out of ideas in Lepidstadt for now unless someone wants to try to see the beast.
Dillan Surestep |
We definitely need to talk to the beast no matter what, actually we should probably speak to him first; might get an insight as to what questions we should be asking at these other scenes.
Dillan pauses and turns to Kaple, "Actually I think i'd like to talk to this beast before we leave."
Megan Robertson |
Kaple rounds up a couple of guards and escorts you down to the cellars, where the Beast is being held.
A towering abomination sits in an iron chair, bound with no less than a dozen sets of manacles. Stitching holds together this grotesque patchwork of flesh and bone, beast and man, though the wires are so taut they look as though they may fly apart at any moment. Its mouth is twisted in a permanent sneer, and a shock of lank, dark hair clings to its scalp. The creature slumps in its chair, a despondent expression upon its monstrous face.
Dillan Surestep |
ummm like Frankenstein?
"What is it?" Dillan mutters under his breath; then steps forward to the beast. "And who might you be?"
Dillan will be on his guard with the monstrosity, looking for odd behavior; figity, frightened, and of course if its lieing.
Sense Motive 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 Unless of course taking 10 or 20 is an option here.
Tre'duinne Braeguldae |
"Let's start with the things that are easy to remember. Can you tell us what happened and why you were in the library? We want to help you be proved innocent, if you are? But as outsiders ourselves we understand the way you are being treated. Its easy to blame outsiders, and if that's what's happening, then we shall if we can prove your innocence." says Tre speaking slowly as though to a child.
Sorin Szekely |
While waiting for the answer to Dillan's question, Sorin acknowledges Barret, "You are probably right Barret, but if we're going to prove it was someone else, we're going to need to find out more. You heard that man by the wicker structure. They're ready to burn him."