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Jagged Stone relates his findings and thoughts when he reunites with the others.
"When he arrived at the second murder site, Sheriff Luin found a dagger that fit a sheath belonging to one of the Pathfinders who was hiding nearby."
"Jagged Stone wonders why the Pathfinder was nearby and hiding. Perhaps he saw something?"
"Also small animals told Jagged Stone that the body was hanging from a tree and skinned. This does not seem well."
"Jagged Stone also knows the person came from and went to Dawnton. There were tracks."
As Jagged listens to the findings of others, he tries to wrack his brains for ways he could help.
"Jagged Stone could ask birds about this devil's circle near the woods. Woods would have many animals and know about devil's circles."
Jag scratches his head and leans over to Scissors.
"Scissors, you should fly above Jagged Stone and keep an eye for those who might be keeping an eye on Jagged Stone while he does what he does."
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Mohok considers all he's heard, taking his time, as his thoughts sometimes take a while to get from here to there. He agrees with Jag's suggestion about the tracks, "I bet no one else has found those tracks, and if we can figure out what they mean, we might change people's ideas on what really happened. I'll come with you and maybe we can follow them a bit further, or find some other clues."
He then looks at Nix and says, "I agree about Ekira, I think we should straighten her out if we can, and you're the one to do it. I don't think the Pathfinders are guilty, and I think she wants them to be guilty whether they did it or not."
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"Maybe I'd better come along. I have some experience with 'straightening people out'." Hule says as he taps his whip.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"I do worry about having only one of us confront Ekira," Saarai says. "She does not sound like one to be trifled with...who knows what she might do if she finds out a horde of Pathfinders are here. Maybe we should all go together."
Saarai looks out the window for a minute, then continues. "I also wonder if we should ask the prisoners why one of them was hiding to the side of the murder scene. We neglected to ask that..."
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Jagged shrugs as the others discuss possibilities, sensing guidance from an invisible hand that makes him reconsider further exploring of the town on his own.
"Jagged Stone agrees. Let us go talk to Ekira and see why she wants Pathfinders to be so guilty with so little evidence. Perhaps the inquisitor wishes to confess that the voices she hears are not Iomedae's?"
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You are able to find Ekira with some ease. She stays at the same location you do, and when not working, which she actually seems to do a lot, can generally be found at the inn's pub.
Approaching her table, you see that she is short for a human and keeps her blond hair cut short. She is driven, focused, and intense, both in kindness and in vengeance, and she is suspicious of anybody who looks like an adventurer. Ekira wears her wounded rage at the loss in
Kenabres plainly on her face, expresses it in her voice, and inflicts it on perceived miscreants through her judgments.
She looks you over as you approach, sensing that you are not just regular travelers like most of the others. "Yes, what can I do for you?"
She has a marvelous Longsword made of cold iron at her side, and wears good quality chainmail. She also has a shortbow sitting on her lap. Around her fist is the wrapped silver holy symbol of Iomedae, worn in the fashion common to most crusaders to allow them to both have it at the ready and aslo have their hands otherwise free. Upon the table she has opened a large book.
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What we are... We are those who believe that those whom are held are innocent. I think you know that we are not alone in thinking so, just that those who stand before you are the ones who are not afraid to speak up.
I carry the light of Sarenrae. One of the few that have been blessed, though some would say cursed, by the Dawnkeeper herself. I also have the utmost respect for the followers of Iomedea and if you swear now by the holy book that you carry that you have dealt justice that would make your goddess proud then we have no quarrel and I would consider you an ally.
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Nixkamich draws himself up to his full height, and bows.
"My name is Nixkamich Otaktay, and I am loyal Paladin of the Empyreal Lord Andoletta, known by some as Grandmother Crow. I am here because there has been a rash of brutal murders in the area (not just in this village!) recently, with the 'perpetrators' in each case hanged. However, the fact that there have *suddenly* been so many is a troubling anomaly, as it suggests to me that there might be another power at work, clandestinely orchestrating these murders, whilst framing clueless patsies to further heighten their 'death toll'..."
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"Yes, indeed. There are Pathfinders, demons, and cultists all around. When Kenabres. . ." she stops a moment to collect herself, still feeling the sting, "they broke through our wards, killing so many. But we where not enough, and they where able to slink into hiding, able to bide their time to strike again. If there where other blasphemies committed in other towns, then we need to stand up and fight back. Iomedae commands no less. For if we do not stand against the darkness, who will? And hopefully when these miscreants hang, it might offer some little solace to the families of those who have lost a loved one. I have no way of knowing if the Pathfinders committed the other murders, but if so, than I can only hope that those communities might also be able to take some solace that we found them and ended the threat of them returning."
"And while I can admire some of the things that Sarenrae's faith has done, and continues to do, a great many things, in fact, I fear she is not a warrior. And holds little true understanding of the darker sides of war. There is a time and a place for redemption. For gentleness. But it is not here. Not in Mendev."
"I'm told that you have spoken with the prisoners. And you might even believe them to be innocent. I warn you, do not allow yourself to be deceived. Do not allow yourself that nicety, for these cultists shall use it to bring torment not only to you, but to everyone around you. I will not stop you from continuing to look around, as long as you do not do anything that forces me to, but for your own sake, I suggest you not venture into the darkness. The darkness will claim you. I know that they are guilty. Know it in ways no one else can We have the evidence. We caught them in the very act. What else is really needed?"
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Nixkamich raises a placating hand.
"I can see that you have suffered losses; I won't grieve you any further by trying to dig up painful memories. I will, however, say this: If they are truly guilty, I will happily stand by, and solemnly watch as they are hanged from the neck until they are dead."
He then sighs.
"That said, the creed of my Goddess is to protect the innocent, reprimand the wayward, and punish the sinful. Given the disturbing recent local history of multiple murders in surrounding settlements, where in each case someone was ultimately put to death for the crime, I cannot in good conscience stand aside until I am personally sure of their guilt. Tell me, what evidence has been discovered? How exactly did you catch them 'in the act'? I know Orug has claimed that he 'fought the murderer' over the body of the second victim, but the general consensus amongst the townsfolk is that that is an exaggeration - he is known to like telling tall tales..."
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"Iomedae herself has told me. In these last few months, with the horrors of the Worldwound spilling out, she has taken a much more active roll in the world. The Pathfinders are guilty. I should have know as much, as just before Kenabres fell, there where many Pathfinders beginning to arrive. I should have known. Should have seen it. They worked with the cultists and half-breeds as spies."
"I see not what other proof we need, but they where foolish this time, and proof we have."
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Jagged considers what the Iomedean woman says about her goddess speaking to her and assuring her of the guilt of the three men.
Jagged may not be the sharpest oread in the village, but he is a wise oread.
Jagged fumbles a bit with his words as he speaks.
"Hello, Iomedean woman."
He pauses a little to ensure he says everything he means to say.
"I am Jagged Stone."
Jagged holds onto the thoughts, careful not to lose them.
"Nature speaks to Jagged Stone sometimes. But even Jagged Stone would not trust whispers from nature in the land that used to be Sarkoris."
Jagged nods his head and looks about, almost as if he is being listened to.
"Jagged knows demons play tricks this far north and pretend to be gods and goddesses to do even darker things."
Jagged thinks about a good point to end his thoughts on.
"Dark things like set good people against each other. As an inquisitor of Iomedae, you can sense if these three are evil, which they would surely need to be if they committed such bad things."
Jagged smiles a bit, feeling like he's doing well.
"Or at least consider whispers are demon-trick and also find good evidence. Jagged looked around first murder sight very closely with Mohok here and turned up very little, sadly."
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"Nature speaks to Jagged Stone sometimes. But even Jagged Stone would not trust whispers from nature in the land that used to be Sarkoris."
Jagged nods his head and looks about, almost as if he is being listened to.
"Jagged knows demons play tricks this far north and pretend to be gods and goddesses to do even darker things."
Jagged thinks about a good point to end his thoughts on.
"Dark things like set good people against each other. As an inquisitor of Iomedae, you can sense if these three are evil, which they would surely need to be if they committed such bad things."
Jagged smiles a bit, feeling like he's doing well.
"Or at least consider whispers are demon-trick and also find good evidence. Jagged looked around first murder sight very closely with Mohok here and turned up very little, sadly."
She stands up in a huff, "You would dare to question. . ." then stops, calming herself and letting the words sink in. "I trust the words of my goddess, and know she is stronger than even the taint of this place. . . .But, there is a certain wisdom in what you say. It is true. I do not sense the taint of evil in them. However, with all the proof at hand, and The Light to guide me, I am still certain. Despite what I have told you, see do not seem convinced, though. Why do you feel they are innocent?"
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Jag scratches his ear as he considers the woman's inquiry.
"Jagged Stone is confused. If you do not sense the taint of evil, how is that so if they have committed evil acts? This alone means we should make extra effort to be sure of guilt."
The oread nods at the book open on the table.
"What does book say? What would Iomedae do if she heard Aroden's whispers in Worldwound? Wouldn't she be cautious and want to show god that just because she hears whispers, she is still not going to take shortcut through woods?"
Jagged remembers many shortcuts in the woods he took as a young oread, particularly remembering the time the shortcut had a wasp nest.
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Mohok is impressed by Jag's careful, thoughtful questions to Ekira, and makes an effort to add to the conversation, speaking slowly in his deep voice.
"You ask why we feel they are innocent. At this point, I do not know one way or the other whether they are innocent or guilty, and that is what concerns me. I was driven from my home in Belkzen because I was said to be too human. I was driven from Kenabres by those who thought me not human enough - not that they thought me demon-tainted, it was just my orc blood that they judged me on. My life has been torn apart more than once by people willing to judge on appearances, and I've no wish to do that here."
He pauses again, not used to such long speeches or to making arguments with anything aside from his blade. "There are some things that suggest these Pathfinders could be guilty, but they don't seem very certain, like the exaggerating witness or the dagger scabbard found nearby. And there are some things that seem to point elsewhere, but have been set aside as not pointing in the right direction. We must make certain we are following all the clues, and ending up in the right place."
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"Very well. I will leave it in Iomedae's hands. Before the execution, there will be a trial. I have spoken with Mayor Luin, who will hear evidence for the prisoners in whatever way is customary for this towns laws. I know that he has many people ready to attest against them. I will not stop you from presenting your findings. I will present what I have found, no more and no less. And while I do not agree with you thus far, I can admire your drive to find the truth."
"But I must return to patrolling. I've been away too long already. I would wish Iomedae's blessing on your efforts, but instead allow me to say good luck."
She gathers her things, stopping by to pay her fair, then returns to her self appointed duty of patrolling the town. She leaves you believing that while still convinced the Pathfinders are guilty, probably a potential ally otherwise, or at least a friendly rival.
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"Well, at least we've got a chance of them being found innocent, if that's what they are," says Mohok as he turns away from the Iomedan. "Let's go see what we can learn where the second killing happened. You coming, Jag? You've got a good eye for tracking, maybe together we'll find something useful."
Once they're at the second murder site, Mohok studies his surroundings carefully for any evidence of who was there and what happened.
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Spending a few hours checking out the area around the general store, you find a few other things that sort of pop out as abnormal. For one, you do find a trail that leads to the roof, sort of. What you actually find is that there was a trail, but that someone has attempted to cover up the evidence, ruining any chance for you to find further clues about it. You can tell it leads to a wall, (and likely means someone climbed to the roof), but it also means it was clearly done after the 3 pathfinders where arrested
While there, you also overhear a rumor, clarifying something you had already heard, in that there seems to be another Pathfinder here in town somewhere. (You, the prisoners, and a man with a small bald spot on the back of his head. Inquiries about him only seem to indicate that no one knows anything about him, though he has often arrived after one of you has spent a few hours in the area, and seems to be asking a lot of questions, (they don't say it, but if not about you, about the same thing you have been asking). Unlike you, he seems to leave a lot of people with a sort of dirty feeling, (almost like he enjoys the chaos and cruelty).