"And more importantly perhaps, who would profit from these atrocities? Are they random, or are they linked somehow? We need to find answers to these questions if we think the Beats is not responsible, though it has perhaps done it, but forgot..." muses Falko, lost in thoughts.
Nalun frowns as the conversation has turned circular Vengeance. I would love to read poetry with you. But first, we have to save your life. We need to talk about what happened to Elsa and the Fire.
To Keppel Nalun says Can we speak with this Karl, the witness against Vengeance?
Y... yes. You can m... mee... meet with him, with more stuttering he gives you Karls address. A small hut on the outskirts of Lepidstadt.
"Okay, okay we won't talk about him then," Elidal replies soothingly. "We can talk about something else. Is there something that you would want to talk about?"
YES... WHY ARE YOU HELPING ME? ME WHO IS OUTCAST AMONG THE MEN WHO I AM MADE IN MOCKERY OF?
Emmett looks at the Beast squarely, his jaw setting: "We're not helping you. We're figuring out if you did it or not. We wish the right person be judged. If you did it, then Pharasma have mercy on your soul, for I'll send you to Her myself if need be."
Jaru's answer is a little more sympathetic. "I am not sure how, but whatever your origin, you have a soul of your own. I would see it properly judged. Here in the mortal plane as well as at the Spire"
I DIDN'T DO IT, he says simply.
ELLSA WAS MY FRIEND - SHE DID NOT JUDGE ME BY MY APPEARANCE - SHE GAVE ME A FLOWER. I KEPT IT UNTIL IT WITHERED BEYOND KEEPING. HER BEING BROKEN IS NO FAULT OF MINE, I COLLECTED HER BODY TO RETURN TO HER FAMILY BUT THEY FEARED ME AND WHAT THE THOUGHT I DID AND DROVE ME AWAY.
He stands chains snapping taunt under the pressure of his exerted strength.
, he roars, the sound of his mighty voice reverberating through the cell startling you all. I WOULD HAVE BUT FOR ELLSA.
He continues to strain against his bindings, a figure of terrifying anger.
ARRGH!.
Gaaah, the lawyer says He'll kill us all!!!
The beast struggles against his bindings, his hands seeking to crush and rend but he is unable reach yourselves or the lawyer.
"Yes, yes, you are indeed powerful , you could have broken them all.....but you claim you didn't. Cease with these dramatics and assist...or not, I care not." Simeon states in his lecturers voice, cutting through the Beast's hysterical cries.
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The Beast quietens and goes unnaturally still.
I DIDN'T DO IT, it says after a long pause in silence.
He despondently sits again in his web of chains and manacles.
SOMETHING ELSE WAS BREAKING THE CHILDREN OF HERSTAG BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT THING IS. I WAS NEVER IN MORAST OR AT THIS PLACE THAT BURNED TO THE GROUND... I AM NOT SURE IF YOU TRULY WISH TO HELP OR ARE JUST PRETENDING CONCERN UNTIL MY ANSWERS FAIL TO SATISFY YOU.
"Our concern is real and we will discover the truth, if it is so fated."
The lawyer leads you out of the dank dungeon and gives you directions to Karl, the assistant who was blinded in The Karb Isle Sanctuary fire.
H... He is in t... town... that seems fastest to in... in... investigate. The Sanctuary site lies without t... to... town.
He also tells you the Sanctuary lies some 3 miles north of Lepidstadt along the Lesser Moutray river.
"Let's get to it then. I'm now very curious about all this." says Emmett with what could possibly pass for a smile.
Indeed, a curious business indeed." Simeon says to Emmett, then turn back to their 'client'.
"Good day to you , sir. We now hasten to the work we need to do to determing the veracity of the innocence you proclaim. Take heart and reconsider your reluctance to discuss the details of your creation and creator." .
With a quick bow , Simeon strides to the door, obviously energized by the task at hand.
You are told Karl now lives in a small cottage by the river in Lepidstadt, and within 20 minutes you stand outside his door, knocking.
Coming, you hear a voice call and then the door opens revealing a middle aged man with horrible scaring to his face, a cloth strip wound across his eyes.
Yes? the man asks in a firm though friendly voice. How can I help you?
"Pardon for interrupting your day, good sir." Simeon says smoothly, "We represent Gustav Keppell, who has been pressed with the unfortunate task in defending the creature known as the Beast."
Simeon pauses for the man to absorb that , then continues "We've been tasked with investigating the accusations against the creature. Please, may we have a moment of your time to recount your experience at the Sanctuary fire?"
Well I am always grateful for visitors! I get them so seldomly. Do my ears decieve me or are there many of you? No matter! Come in, come in all.
I am Karl Stenhoven - as you've been told I am witness - hah - to the burning of the sanctuary on Karb Isle a few months ago
He moves to a side table confidently in spite of his blindness and fumbles a little with a large loaf of bread.
Come - let us eat together. I have a few bottles of wine around under my bed as well!
Indeed Master Stenhoven, there are a several of us interested in seeing justice delivered. Thank you for your invitation.
Nalun enters the home.
My name is Nalun Phlithmira, former student of the University and current seeker of truth. The one who spoke first is Professor Simeon Plavini. My other more silent companions are Elidal Zemiel, follower of the Inheritor, Emmett Escheus former guardsman, and Father Jaru Toth, a wonderful cleric of the Lady of Graves. We all wish to see those who committed the crimes of arson and murder punished.
Well then sirs, you need look no further than the Beast itself, oh yes
He begins with slow and careful movements to cut up the loaf of bread.
Excellent bread here - pray reach you under my bed for a pair of bottles... I have cups in the cupboard above the far end of the table - the bread is best dipped into the wine as a sop.
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.
My master, Doktor Brada, oft spoke of his poor uncle who had a tender heart for his family but was feared as one who had been touched by evil he explains.
I will tell you more but please - sit on my bed as you eat. The wine is a good one, yes? Suits the bread very well, yes.
He insists on you all sharing his meal with him before he continues.
That fateful month four months ago, I will never forget – The Beast came to kill my kindly master, Herr Brada – there was a great commotion and the sound of breaking. I saw a great hulking shambling figure attack the Doktor! During the fight, lanterns were knocked over, spilling flaming oil, and eventually Sanctuary burned to the ground, taking Brada and all of our patients with it. I was blinded by the flaming oil moments after I saw the creature and in pain I somehow managed to stumble outside and was spared.
" Thank you for your generosity In sharing your meal. I must ask though- you only describe a hulking figure seen amidst smoke and confusion. How can you say with certainty that that was the accused? Certainly there are a great many large and dangerous things in Ustalav."
Well friend, what else could have been? I mean even strangers must know that the Beast has always been ravening the edges of civilization, wreaking destruction and death.
He sighs.
I miss having sight and a worthy job to do but I will survive and do my best to thrive despite what the Beast has done to me.
Emmett remains silent for the moment, studying the man carefully, barely touching his wine.
The man seems very sincere and a little lonely.
Having taken the man's measure, Emmett coughs then asks in a polite tone: "I seems that the Beats did it, but we're also looking for who is responsible. For the Beast has a master, who directs it perhaps. So I'm wondering if your master had had any trouble, or conflict with another person, before the fire..."
Simeon watches Karl move about, eyes narrowed, listening to his story, trying to remember what he could of this Doktor Brada.
His eyebrows raise at Emmett's assertion, "Now, now, Emmett, we cannot come to such a conclusion. Our new friend here, by his own admission did not see the figure fighting the good Doktor clearly. Forgive me ,Herr Karl , but without concrete identification, I for one, cannot pass judgement. "
Simeon pauses for a moment thinking, "Karl, could not our defendant have been a patient at the Sanctuary in the past. He seems to fit the patient profile. Are there any surviving records from the Santuary available?"
Given all Simeons time at the University he knows many physicological experiments are performed at the faculty of medicine. Fresh corpses are always problematic to source... when it comes to unusual specimens, those deformed or malshaped - and the University of Lepidstadt has quite a few - they are rarer still. Simeon yet he remembers clearly a conversation with one of his collegues that confirmed the institution has seen a rise in the number of special specimens into the medical faculty. Such specimens would have had to come from somewhere... could they have come from the Karb Isle Sanctuary which specialised in treatment of such people?
Herr Doktor? No he was a kind and good man - he looked after those afflicted did he not? He didn't have an enemy in the world. Even those who hated his patients were content they were all on the sanctuary under the Doktors care, Karl says firmly.
There is always a motive. At least that's what I have been taught! Not that I cared much when on the Watch. Brings nothing but trouble, nosing does. But I'm not on the Watch no more...
Emmett tries to smile at the man, realizing only too late that there was no point to it, then ignores Simeon's words and continues: "Makes sense to me! Not a worry in the world... But might be that trouble went looking for him? What happened after the fire? Did they rebuild the place?"
Its only been a few months... its still lying there for all I know. Certainly I've not heard of anyone going out to it any more - most likely its abandoned.
Simeon nods vigorously, "Yes, yes! Questions must me answered, and my apologies, Herr Karl, you may not be the man to answer them."
He rises, "Thank you for the bread, Herr Karl. May we call upon you again, if needed?"
He assures you he will always welcome your company and gives you clear directions to the place.
Jaru gives Elidal and Emmett a hard look after they leave the cottage. "I'm not sure what you two are thinking. The defendant denied being at the site and I heard nothing to convince me otherwise. Whatever his creator called him, we haven't any evidence yet that the accused has done anything wrong. Vengeance or not, we have nothing other than the usual rantings of these superstitious fools."
Emmett nods at Jaru and replies: "Agreed. It's still possible the Beast doesn't remember, and that it is designed that way. A perfect weapon... If we think it's a weapon, then I want to know who's holding it. That's why I'm interested in knowing who gains. Sounds right?"
On their way to the Sanctuary remains, Simeon adds "Indeed, you may both be right... However, I am beginning to suspect that the so-called benevolent mission of the Sanctuary may have hidden a more sinister aim. I can recall, during my time at the University, discussing matters with one of the anatomy professors. Now, procuring cadavers can be somewhat problematic, but they managed. One thing this professor had noticed , was that the prevelance of cadavers showing marked deformities and disfigurements had slowing increased over time. I posit that these cadavers may have come from the Santuary where such people were offered refuge. " here he pauses, perhaps for dramatic effect, "My theory however, is that this was a mirage, that the good Doktor and others were in the practice of creating creatures such as 'Vengeance'. Most would have died and were sent off to the university. Perhaps, 'Vengeance' is just the last in a series of experiments. "
He takes a moment to gather his breath, "I think that 'Vengeance' may have been the first experiment to have awareness of it's condition and that may have precipitated the confrontation with the Doktor. Hopefully, there will be a clue or two at the Sanctuary. "
"We shall see," Jaru frowns hoping that damned beast spoke truthfully when he said he had never been to the place.
Though called an island, Karb is actually an isthmus and is connected to the mainland. It takes you about an hour to reach there.
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.
"Burned buildings and graveyards are becoming a bit of a theme," Jaru notes glumly.
Emmett walks across the burned ground, using his polearm as a sounding pole to check for holes or hollows. "If what the Professor says is true, I'm kind of glad this place is but ruins..."
Nalun assists his ?friends? or at the very least his erstwhile companions in their search
Any being who can quote Taldan poetry....well, they deserve more than the label "Beast".
Your efforts to search is enough to notice the 3-foot-wide hole on the south side of the ruins. The entrance opens into a long dark tunnel down into the earth, meanwhile Elidal sees charcoal smudges on the tombstones - not really eligible as words.
There is only one grave that has an inscribed headstone - 'Augustus Brada'...
Your wanderings among the ruins also turn up a badly charred and warped lockbox, its lock is fused.
Standing over the headstone, Simeon taps his chin , thinking "Brada...Brada..."
Then crouching by the lockbox, he points at the lock "This might be troublesome to open...I have an incantaion that may be of use, but it may be needed in the tunnel below..." he says, undecided.