Grimm is actually licking his lips in anticipation.
More likely he's p!ss@d at being made a battery fer yer homes magics. Ain't read the contract but that seems a low honor for something that powerful. Not free'in the Tiefling's coulda done it too. Devils never break thier deals. But humans do it alla time. That's why tall folk shouldn't deal with em.
He wondered at the weakness of men. Then refocused on the fact they all may well be trying to fight a Major Devil.
Andrea notices the look. One last question, was Sascar Tilneros, a lady who attended the Cornucopia at the manor when the explosion happened?
After the answer
It looks like we have a good start on information on how to fix this. We should escort you to the Dottari, no doubt they will have you patched up and give you a nice brandy. John, isn't it your duty as a Hellknight to extend your protection tot he mayor and see he is escorted to safety?I hear House Tilneros wishes to extend an offer of protection Protective custody that is.
"Spit it out. Unlike the rest of this lot, I ain't afraid of stinking Hellknights and dottari."
Grimm is offended. Oi! Mind yer tongue pup. Been fighting and killing just as much as ye since I signed on.
He looks squarely at the mayor.Yer own story ain't the whole I'm betting. If ye don nought wrong yeself. Why ye runnin'
Grimm limbers his weapon arm.
Grimm is offended. Oi! Mind yer tongue pup. Been fighting and killing just as much as ye since I signed on.
"Fighting and killing is easy. It's standing up for your cause that's hard for some us", he says with a glare at Andrea.
"I m..mmean, I'm the mayor, they will want a scapegoat. Ruin my family that is what the other nobles will want to do. Sully my good name...I didn't put that beast there...Thrune did." He looks at John "your a Hellknight you must protect me and escort me the MAYOR to a ship. You know I'm favored by Thrune." He grimaces as he says those words.
"I haven't seen Ms. Sascar since last night. Oh...and you mustn't let that scoundrel family know my whereabout they are trying to overthrow the government, Mr. Hellknight." He is clearly grasping.
Grimm is offended. Oi! Mind yer tongue pup. Been fighting and killing just as much as ye since I signed on."Fighting and killing is easy. It's standing up for your cause that's hard for some us", he says with a glare at Andrea.
Let us not argue here about standing up or backing down. We need to make sure the mayor is under the protection of the Hellknights and given the safety his rank deserves. ;p
"Right. He'll be safe with the Hellknights alright..." Truk said with a scowl.
"Do what you want with him but I won't be part of handing him over to their like."
He squirms at the thought of going to the Hellknights. I could offer you gold if you let me go, I mean I don't have it one me but I could write you a note to take to the moneymonger."
"I m..mmean, I'm the mayor, they will want a scapegoat. Ruin my family that is what the other nobles will want to do. Sully my good name...I didn't put that beast there...Thrune did." He looks at John "your a Hellknight you must protect me and escort me the MAYOR to a ship. You know I'm favored by Thrune." He grimaces as he says those words.
"I haven't seen Ms. Sascar since last night. Oh...and you mustn't let that scoundrel family know my whereabout they are trying to overthrow the government, Mr. Hellknight." He is clearly grasping.
Andrea watches him twist himself further onto the hook. My goodness Lord Mayor, so many traitors here in Westcrown, why if so many are seeking to despose you and Thrune's rightful rule(*cough cough*) This needs to be taken to the highest levels! Perhaps have Queen Abagail listen to your words so she can properly punish those responsible. I'm sure she would spare no expense tracking down those responsible wether they try to flee on land or water
Andrea pauses. Or are you just exaggerating things? Mispeaking in your exhaustion and dismay? You really didn't intend to leave the city while it is in a crisis, or try to outright bribe a Hellknight. Fear makes us do hasty things. If so, a nice lie down in a nice safe place with an honorable man like Lord Tilneros would be in order. I'm sure that he would see that you would come to no harm, we know that no matter what, he would treat you fairly and respectfully. That would be best..don't you think? Compared to the alternative.
Truk stays silent, his only reaction is to cross his massive arms across this muscular torso.
He considers Andrea's offer but like politician wiggles another solution, "I'm more than willing to permit you to have anything you can scavenge from the ruins of his home or the treasury inside the house. Just let me go. Turn your heads for a few moments, its all I ask."
Andrea is just quiet for a few momments.
I guess that is what I get for trying big words.
Andrea's face and voice becomes like ice. Do you think that going on a boat would help you? When any priest of Asmodeus worth their salt could find where you are and send a devil to haul you before them? Did you think you would get the same amount of Mercy I was extending to you? A chance to use the LAW you love to use so much for your benefit, to actually protect you? I see my answer is a resounding NO!
Andrea backs up some and spits on the ground. Killing you here would be an act of mercy, a chance for you to escape yet again and mercy is no longer something I am willing to give you. Since you won't walk out as Mayor of Westcrown, then be carried out as a prisoner. John Deos, Hellknight of the Scourge! Do your duty and arrest this discrace of a mayor!
Grimm acts if John doesn't.
He gives John and lauches into an attack on the mayor, making two attempts to trip him.
*Mayor gets an AOO.
With (hopefully) the first attack successful, Grimm calls, Grab im Tin Man!
Disgusted with Andrea's actions, Truk wanders off.
Orsin's fist is tightly clenched. You asked him before about Gregorio and he said he didn't know...but can you really let him get away if there's even a chance that he's the one responsible...?
The bard readies himself to attack the mayor if he tries to escape. "You're not going anywhere, murderer."
He not fighter, he flops down as he is tripped by the dwarf. "Ugfffffffff"
Just how the hell do I do the right thing? I can't figure this city out! Andrea gets some rope out. Help me hog-tie him.
I need to talk to Alistar, I haven't gotten any kind of guidance at all. I'm trying so hard but now Truk is mad at me, Duncan can't help and Orsin has doomed himself.
As soon as the mayor is tied up and gagged Andrea points to the door. Let's get him back and then we should talk to the others about this. Andrea waves at the contract.
When there's a moment, Orsin grabs the mayor by the collar.
"I asked you at your party if you knew anything about the tenor Gregorio Ardiavinci. If you have information about him, we might be persuaded to show leniency and speak well of your character in court should the need arise. Answer wisely."
Lucrezia darts after Truk before he can get too far from the group and makes sure to keep the others in eyesight.
"You ok Trouble?"
Truk's scowl softens when he sees that it's Lucrezia chasing after him.
"Yeah, I'm fine Beautiful. I just hate to see the Children going down this path. The damned Hellknights threw Orn in a dungeon and now Andrea's throwing their name around like it's holy. The Hellknights are part of the disease that's rotting this city."
"It's like she doesn't believe in the sh@t we're going through and she's afraid to stand up for what she believes in."
"Agreed, the dottari were looking for him, we should bring him to them then deal with the infernal engine."
Hold, Truk. It may not be to yer likin, but would ye settle fer turnin him over to the Paladin? A goodly folk would see him punished with enough pull to see it done. Law's kept, he broke a contract. Thrune don't take kindly to that. Everyone's happy. Cept the mayor here o course. If he tries to get away, John would be forced to use hard meanse ta bring him in. A mistimed blow could be fatal, sending him ta hell anyway.
"She's just saying whatever is needed to scare the Mayor into talking to us. I'm kinda hoping after we get everything useful from him we could just kill him. I don't want him telling anyone we went after the devil."
The mayor is bound when Orsin talks in his ear, his eyes are wide with fear."I know who you seek and much more, get me on a boat and I talk. Gregorio Ardiavinci's death does not need to for naught, your answer is within your grasp." His eyes flicker to across the room.
"No, you are going to the Dottari, that is going to happen."
"What about the noble fop with the shiny armor? Is there anyone she's willing to stand up to? When rough men come knocking on the safehouse doors, do you think she'll take a stand then?"
Orsin and Grimm hears the noble since they are now in his face. John and Andrea can roll a perception check. Truk and Lucrezia do not hear him.
"We didn't have time to take a stand Trouble. We could have ended up in a jail cell when we need to be out finding a way to stop this devil from causing anymore death and destruction. We can only pick one battle to fight at a time."
Andrea covers her face with her hands. Orsin will never forgive me if I deny him the chance to find out about his kin. He has sacrificed too much for me to deny him that, especially after what he has told me.
Andrea rubs her face. I heard that, if I didn't know hat I do now I would have never agreed, but for Orsin's sake I am open to it. Aberian Arvanxi, will you agree to submit to a Zone of Truth in regards to the knowledge of Orsin's kin? John, I know you must follow the law but Aberian is correct in that he would be dead before any trial happens and thus law would never be served. So would you agree to allow him his boat as long as he tells us everything about Orsin's kin?
"Yeah, we compromise and kiss ass to get sh@t done. But how long until we're the ones towing the line and responsible for Westcrown's problems? It's time to stop pretending that we're making a difference and mean it."
"I don't trust her. She's no better than Arael. That bastard was willing to sacrifice Orn without a second though. I think she'd sell us out in a heartbeat too."
Truk shakes his head angrily.
"I'm not here to tell Andrea she's making mistakes. If she and the Children of Westcrown want to get in bed with the Hellknights, that's on them, but I'll be damned if I let those bastards put another hand on you or my brother."
"I do not like this. I would prefer to take him in, but you would fight me if i tried wouldn't you? We do not need that now we have to deal with the devil and fight you would take time we don't have and would cause us to be weakened when we need our strength. I will have no part in this. Ask him your questions, and when you are done, do what you will just know the only place I will escort him is to prison. I also plain to tell the Dottari how he plains to escape town once the matter witht the devil is dealt with."
With that John will leave the room.
Andrea just silently stands in the room with Orsin,Grimm and Aberian.
This better be the truth Aberian. If not I'll stake you out for the shadowbeats. They will drain you dry and leave you an empty shadow screaming for eternity.
When Orsin is ready, Andrea will pray for a Zone of Truth.
Orsin head swims with this information, overcome by a crisis of conscience. The group seems divided though and if he doesn't take advantage of this opportunity, it may never come again.
"Do it," he mutters to Andrea.
Hearing the Hellknight statement,"yes, yes I agree we have a deal."
Andrea settles to the ground and clasps her symbol.
Calistria, please help this troubled priestess. My wound is so deep and I struggle against sorrow and duty.
Andrea then moves next to Orsin and Aberian and casts the spell. Seven minutes.
Orsin casts heroism on himself before he begins his questioning.
Who commissioned the murder play that killed Gregorio and where can I find them?
Was anybody on stage with him directly responsible for his death? What about those in the audience or otherwise in attendance?
Who else might know about this?
The mayor being a long time politician is familiar with broken deals says, "I need to be on the boat before you question me. There is too much anger here but I do swear I will be completely forthcoming."
Orsin. if you cannot promise to the mayor, would to you promise to me not to kill him if he tells the truth? I do not have the rage you do.
"I truly don't believe that Andrea would ever sell us out. I think that all the recent events have been very stressful on us all. I can only hope that after we deal with this devil threatening the city that we can all then try to sit down together and actually discuss what our plans are rather than just dealing with everything as it happens."
"I am going to be very upset though if we end up letting the mayor free.
"I wouldn't worry about that. It sounded like she was going to hand him over to the Hellknights."
Orsin's eyes are like furnaces as the mayor clumsily attempts to leverage the situation. "Listen here you sad sack of sh*t, you'll answer my questions now or be taken off in chains to answer my questions later. Don't think for a second that you're with one with options. If need be, my friends and I will interrogate your dead spirit after you've been executed for treason by the Hellknights. We have that kind of power at our disposal. If you want even a hope of escaping this city, tell me what you know about Gregorio now."
The Mayor says nervously, "Your a frightening guy, I'm sure you can kill me, or do any number of nasty things to me including turn me over to the Hellknights but that is the only information, that I see, which is keeping me alive. So do it, turn me over to some authority Hellkight, Dottari or even Lord Tineros, as the current Mayor and the House of Thrunes chosen puppet, I will take my chance. Rest assured, I have to dance with frightening people everyday as Mayor, folks who try to persuade me to bend to their will. But let me cooperate and tell you this Orsin Bessatte, your dear friend, Gregorio, spiraled into the nine hells, and was on borrowed time, then he got way over his head with a very prominent noble family. I do believe he made a contract, does that sound familiar? Do you know of anyone other actor who willing makes contracts with Garius, Hell's Auditor for a chance to live a little longer? I had nothing to do with his employment, or that production, but I did watch him die and I know his last words....do you?"
Grimm had also had enough. He maintained his strong grasp.
Group has made it's position clear. Neither John, meself, or Truk are willing ta let the rat go free. Ye wanna beat on him fer info, fine. Offer what concessions ye can get getting outta here ain't one o them. He is a leech an a muderer and letting him go sullies yerself wit is crimes. Be better than that Orsin. He AIN'T being released. If e won't talk, we can question the corpse later.
Orsin's struck by the mayor's words and struggles to keep his little wits about him. He sputters angrily, incoherently, raising a fist to strike the man...but he doesn't. He leans in close instead and whispers in Aberian's ear, "Pray that they kill you swiftly, piggy. We'll continue this little chat once you're bacon."
He stands, dusting off his doublet and turning away. "Just...get him out of my sight."