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Mareck casts a spell, but the ambusher, despite his blind state, doesn't lose his footing.
Rhydderch tries to reason with the killer, but will he listen?
Fissa's lyrics resonate in the night sky, inspiring his companions.
Initiative - round 2
>>>Hiko
K
Mareck
Bramelane
Rhydderch
Fissa
Husarq (unconscious but stable)
Sheriff
Hiko is up!
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As the ambusher seems to realize that he's in a desperate position, the sounds of a large mob come from the east. About fifty villagers arrive, lead by Ekira. They are carrying torches, wooden flails, pitchforks and the like. The moment the mob gets there, the dark-haired ambusher cries for help and goes in the general direction of Ekira. However, he's still blinded and trips, falling in the mud at the feet of the inquisitor. He begs with a desperate, yet smooth voice. "Please, good Lady Ekira, save me from these murderers! They attempted to kill me! I swear by the gods, those are Pathfinder sent by the Abyss to wreak havoc in our good town. By Iomedae, you should arrest them!"
Ekira nods and steps forward, as if to protect the poor man lying on the ground, covered in golden particles, blue light and mud.
"Sheriff Luin, I demand that you arrest these people for murder, and attempted murder on the good citizen Dalton Krunne."
The Sheriff ponders for a moment, frowns and rubs his leathery feet. "I might do that. However, I was with these people and the man you're protecting seems as suspicious as these Pathfinders are. I didn't see much, except for that man escaping by throwing himself through a window, so either way I'm not convinced of anyone's guilt. I say we give them a chance to make their case and prove who is guilty. Krunne, you'll start. You," he says to the Pathfinders, " hold your piece until he's done. You'll have a chance to make your case."
Dalton Krunne grins, rubs the glitterdust off his eyes, and stands. His smooth voice is entrancing, cajoling Ekira's ears at every word he speaks.
"Really, Sheriff, you didn't see - or at least hear - these people assaulting me? I shouldn't have to prove my innocence, but I will abide by Iomedae's holy law and your good sense of judgement, since it is the best course of action. I saw these people murder a young man earlier this evening, but they saw me, so they tracked me here and attempted to silence me for good. Were it not for your timely arrival, I would have met an early demise and the tracks of these murderers would have been lost forever."
Sheriff Luin nods, then turns to you. "Pathfinders, this is the time when you need to convince us of your innocence, and prove who committed these crimes. Show your evidence at your leisure."
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"Friends...we arrived here several days ago in an admittedly covert attempt to investigate the murders our fellow Pathfinders are accused of committing. Because we are both proud of our affiliation with The Society, and because we are inherently honest people, it didn't take long before we were identified as Pathfinders. Once we were, a fact we never lied about mind you, we were immediately accosted by Lady Erika; who claims to speak on behalf of the same Goddess who speaks through me. It is my belief that, through no fault of myself or my companions, she has an axe to grind against Pathfinders and thus her otherwise good judgement is clouded with anger. Confirmed by your very on Orug...who admits that there are plenty of folks in this town who question the Pathfinder's guilt but are afraid to speak up for fear of Ms. Corum's wrath."
"Not to mention this gentlemen has not escaped suspicion from citizens of this town. Farmer Otto disclosed to me that a stranger fitting this man's description arrived in town around the same time the first group of Pathfinders did and has been asking questions about the accused that border on 'unseemly.' Once we placed this man at the scene of both murders we received word that he was asking after us!"
"After reviewing the letter from the 'anonymous' townsperson that accused our imprisoned Pathfinders of the murders, we discovered that the handwriting was identical to the letter sent to our superior summoning us here...proof that someone was indeed setting a snare trap for us. And to add insult to injury the note we received earlier today, the one that drew us to the building where this man was waiting to ambush us, also matches the handwriting on the first two notes."
"Most telling of all, however, is this small, obsidian button I found at Otto's farm. A perfect match for the button missing from this man's coat; a fashion that is quite atypical in this region I might add."
With that last bit of physical evidence Rhydderch rests his case.
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The mob is silent, in awe of the paladin's honeyed -yet just- words. Ekira nods, and renders her judgement.
"It appears you are right, Sir Rhydderch Dawnbringer, when you say I let my personal grudges against the Pathfinders obscure my judgement. I am glad Iomedae put you on my path to open my eyes, though I deeply regret it took me so long to do so. The evidence is staggering, and this man should be put into arrest immediately."
As she points at Krunne, the latter draws a dagger and rushes at Rhydderch in a mad attempt to slit his throat before the paladin can react. However, Sheriff Luin and Ekira immediately act and join you in a swift retributive combat against Dalton Krunne. He's left unconscious on the muddy ground, and will be executed in the days to come, after the revision of the unjustly imprisoned Pathfinders' trial. Eventually, they will be set free and allowed to return to Nerosyan, escorted by Ekira, who wishes to apologize directly to the Pathfinder Society and atone for her severe misjudgement.
During your journey, you get to know her a little better, and she explains the reasons for her bias against the Society. She was first trained in the wake of the Third Mendevian Crussade, infamous for its witch-hunts to detect an inside enemy. While many other inquisitors changed their ways after the Crusade, she did not and remained ever watchful of treason. When Kenabres fell and Nerosyan almost did too, she learned that just prior to those events, Pathfinders had come en masse to Mendev... and thus were the cause for these ill times when demons return to invade Avistan.
Once you arrive in Starrise Spire, you are able to report to Venture-Captain Jorsal. Ekira chooses this moment to kneel in front of him and humble herself beyond compare. She formally apologizes for her actions and offers to assist the Pathfinder Society in the future as a means of atoning, kneeling and humbling herself in front of you all.