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"Aye, good people of dawntown, you did vote with a clear conscious on the first murders, no doubt deceived by this false prophet's honeyed words, telling you just what you wanted to hear in order to find the justice that this poor child and your town richly deserves. But now you have the opportunity to see this deception, and make it right before it is too late."
"You see, everyone here is familiar with the accused. A halfling and two dwarves. Diminutive folk, like me. Except the issue is there are several tracks leading to and from Otto's farm around the site of where the body was found. All of which are far to large to belong to someone of my stature. They could only have been made by someone much taller. But the dagger's you say! The daggers belonged to the pathfinders! Well we have already shown this man's penchant for blades, but the most important piece of information is what Sun discovered about the blood."
Pooka waves his hand as if presenting the aging druid for the crowd, a spectacle of knowledge in the arts of physiology and healing.
"Me is betting he is to be having shirt with button matching strange button we were to be finding where child was killed."[/b]
Xûll flicks the button to the guard examining the body.
The guard grabs the button out of midair. Another guard moves his torch closer to Dalton's dead body. Missing the fourth button from top, the guards can clearly see that the button the Pathfinders have is a direct match to the others.
Tobias intones, "The Pathfinders showed me this button yesterday, it was surely not lifted tonight."
Otto adds in, "I saw them pluck this from the ground. It had been in the ground several days."
Ekira looks stunned at what is happening around her. She grabs the torch from the guard and bends down closer to Dalton to see for herself. "I don't understand. I just don't understand."
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"The amount of blood found at the crime scene at Otto's farm, where we found the button Xull just flicked to the guards, was not enough to coincide with the killing happening at the farm at the time the body was found. Imagine cutting your hand on a pitch fork or slicing yourself on accident while chopping some vegetables. Picture letting the blood run but not stopping it right away. That was about how much blood we found at the site of the body. Now picture the poor stabbing victim with multiple DEEP stab wounds. The amount of blood that would have left the body would have been drastically more than what was found at the site." Sun explains patiently to the crowd. "Further, the body continues to leak blood so to speak for moments after death as the pressure within the veins of the body depressurize and try to flow downhill so to speak. Just like tipping a bucket of water over. Most of the water flows first, but if left alone the rest of the water will come out eventually especially if there are little holes in the bucket."
@ Sun
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"Augustus-Aeyon-Though-Everyone-Call-Him-August-For-Short, do not be forgetting to tell where tracks are going and being coming from..." Xûll mentions briefly after Sun's excellent analysis.
Unlike the other Pathfinders (with the exception, perhaps, of Sun) Xûll doesn't feel hostility towards Ekira, only pity and sympathy. Perhaps it comes from constantly quenching the bloody rage that is ever coursing through his veins and threatening to break free. Ekira has been deceived, so Xûll fervently believes, and the deception runs to the core of her identity - who she believes she is. She is thinking she is chosen of god, but is instead plaything of murderous tricksters.
Xûll slowly rises and comes forwards as Ekira exaimines the button. He kneels down besides the inquisitor and places what he hopes is a friendly and calming hand upon her shoulder. "Me is not to be knowing muches about Kenabres, but me is being familiars with betrayals. Me is also knowing for facts that Pathfinders are being organization primarily for goods - many Pathfinders are to be dying in crusades against demons. Is most likely Pathfinders were being present in Kenabres because it is being staging point for crusades against Demons of Worldwound. Me is thinking whatever this voice is that you are being hearing, it is fueling desires for revenge and bringing lies upon half-truths to be being more believable.
"Me is sorry to say that Ekira is not being as close to Iomedae as Ekira was to be thinking. Me is sorry to say that Inquisitor Ekira has been used as tool to do both evil and injustice. Me is happy that it is looking like we are arriving here just in times." Xûll pauses a moment to allow Ekira to see that his condescension is gone, but genuine sympathy remains, "If Ekira is wanting to be facing truths, me is being ready to face truths with her, and helping her to be killing of deceivers who are playing tricks.
"When done, perhaps Inquisitor Ekira can be going to Kenabres to be discovering of more truths with eyes open. Peoples so close to Worldwound are always looking to be finding demon slayers. Even if you are not to be successful demon slayer, perhaps you are to be taking some demons out of world with you. If penitence is being enough, perhaps also you are to be hearing true voice of your god."
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The young man nods to the towering shoanti, and looks back to the gathered crowd. "As my friends were describing about the tracks we found and mapped at the farm... the tracks were by someone about the size of an adult human," he pauses looking back toward the daggermaster's body on the ground nearby.
"We found and discussed with Otto, that the body of the victim was brought to the farm from somewhere else. After we four followed the tracks, marked their progress, and mapped their direction... the tracks were found to both begin and end in Dawntown. Meaning, the kill occurred in Dawntown, the body was hauled to Otto's farm, and the killer, or killers, then returned to Dawntown,"
"Sun already made mention that the amount of blood at the scene was far too small for the heinous acts inflicted upon it," August again reiterates their points, trying to make sure those gathered fully grasp the facts. "Again, this is because the kill did not happen at the farm, the killer, or killers, brought the body from Dawntown to the Otto's and then returned back again."
"Based on the upon the amount of time required to make the kill, desecrate the remains in such a disgraceful way, and then transport said remains to Otto's farm," the young man pauses confidently, attempting to make his final point more impactful. "The timeline suggests that the kill occurred before the three pathfinders even arrived in Dawntown."
"Thus, not only were we four falsely accused, but so were the pathfinder that you will shortly..." August pauses, managing to keep himself from using the word 'murder'. "...punish for a crime they did not commit."
Tobias adds in, "The Pathfinders arrived the day the boy was murdered at Otto's farm. What the youth says is true."
Many heads nod in agreement.
Ekira, still kneeling in the dust next to Dalton, intones, "I just don't understand. Iomedae spoke to me. Told me. She has never led me astray before. Why now? There must me something wrong, something not right. You show evidence for this," she points to Dalton, "And you have evidence from the first murder that clears your friends, but what about the second? Orug witnessed your friends, his dagger was found in the victim." As she says this she starts to smile and giggle, starting to act a bit odd.
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"M mwute na m dị mgbe m chere na ị nwere ike gbapụtara, ị ara ara Anụọhịa," Xûll mutters to himself, uncharacteristically using his native tongue amongst those who do not understand it.
Leaving the maniacally giggling inquisitor alone, Xûll faces the crowd and once again takes the opportunity to speak first. "Note that is being written in Dalton's hand accusing Pathfinders is accusing for both murders. Is silly woman really thinking he is to be committing one murder and framing Pathfinders for it... then also thinking that, by coincidences, Pathfinders are actually being murderers and murderer of poor flayed boy, Dalton here, is happening to be witnessing second murder? Then Dalton is to be sending note that is correctly accusing Pathfinders who he has been luring here to be framing them, at same time as note is falsely accusing them? Then further Dalton is coincidentally stealing dagger from Pathfinder and planting on exact same style murder scene as one that other Pathfinders actually did before? This is sounding so strange that me is having trouble describing. Silly, silly woman. You are clearly losing mind completely.
"But if Inquisitor-Giggling-Madly-Ekira is wanting even further proofs that all is being conspiracy, we are having it," the big man lets out an even longer sigh than before, "When we are finally getting past Orug's exaggerations and cutting to truth of matter, he is to be having fight with "one of murderers". This person is being not so large as he was previously to be describing, but still of regular human height. Accused Pathfinders are being two dwarves and one halfling. Not to mention what Orug is actually managing to do to murderer..." Xûll provides his companions with a segue.
All eyes turn to Orug, "Well you see .... it kinda was like ... um ... I guess I didn't quite ...."
Tessa begins screaming at him, ""
Orug crumples in a blubbering heap.
A voice can clearly be heard, but no one can see who is saying it. "Bastards. You killed Dalton and now took Ekira away from us. Vengeance will be mine."
Ekira's head whips around in a furious arc. "Who said that? WHO SAID THAT?"
An imp materializes behind Sun.
Sun Fortitude DC 14 vs Poison
Tobias springs into action, "Get these people out of here."
Tobias and the guards begins to move people out of the area, hoping the Pathfinders can fend off the little imp.
Ekira, recognizing the voice of the imp as 'Iomedae', turns around and vomits.
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Pooka almost smirks when he sees Ekira wretch, but pity takes over first. Even that is a quiet hum in the background of his mind, as his martial training kicks in to respond to the threat materializing behind his druid friend.
"Demons, finally revealed in their hatred! You cannot stand before the pathfinders, not here, not in the worldwound!"
"Luna, Ya!" Dog and rider lurch forward. The halfling reaches down and pulls the lance from its straps on the side of the dog, quickly setting his arm, prepared to lean in to the strike.
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"die fiend!" Pooka leans into the charge, the exhilerating rush of wind howling past his visor for the few brief moments that they move past the imp.
for
-Posted with Wayfinder
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The young man studies the imp for a moment, his teeth clenched in a ravenous, unnatural smile. He steps closer to the creature, while drawing is back on his mighty greatsword, all the while grinning with pleasure. It seems clear August is basking in the unshackled freedom to kill and revel and enjoy himself, rather than attempting to use his words to try and logically discuss a disturbingly biased system.
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Sun, feeling the claws dig into his back, stumbles forward in pain from the sudden attack. Eyes ablaze in both pain and anger, he raises his arm and points at the Imp, releases a volley of lightning at it.
The lightning jumps directly from his outstretched arm and latches onto the limp for the briefest of moments, the crackling of it hurting his ears. Lowering his arm, he winces as his shirts pulls on his new wounds.
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Like Pooka, Xûll doesn't have any idea or care for the difference between devils and demons, nor is he aware that the imp falls under the former category. He has heard that cold iron hurts demons, and so he unslings his lucerne hammer and lines it up to deliver what he hopes is a devastating strike against the imp. As always when he enters battle, his eyes flare red - not just the hue, but also the magical glow behind them.
"For Iomedae!" Xûll cries, not even quite sure why he does so.
The goddess that isn't even his own has answered his prayers, it seems!
The imp goes down as the Pathfinders channel all of their pent up frustrations into it's tiny, evil body. Ekira stares as if in a dream. She walks over to the imp, and skewers its lifeless body with her longsword. Turning to the Pathfinders, "I have been deceived. I know not what I have done to anger Iomedae, but I will seek reconciliation with my lady. It seems that you and I were part of a misunderstanding. I shall try to be a better, listener, in the future. I have much to ponder." Turning to Tobias, "It seems that it would be best if I leave Dawntown. My path of redemption may bring me through here again, and I pray that if it does so you will accept me, for I only had Iomedae's and the town's best interest in mind."
Turning to the Pathfinders, "As difficult as it is for me to say, you seem to have carried out my Goddess' will, while I have been deceived into furthering this, creature's, nefarious designs. For that I am grateful. Go forth and do no evil." She turns heal and make her way towards the inn.
Tobias, weapon drawn, nods as Ekira leaves. He strides up tho the Pathfinders. "Boys that was mighty impressive. Wish you were with me when I fought in the Worldwound. You have my gratitude, and all of Dawntown's. I will personally release your friends tonight, and cover all expenses you incurred here in Dawntown. If there is anything that I can do, just ask and if it within my power, I will make it happen. Letters will go out with all haste to your Venture-Captain, commendations for your fine work here. You have much to be proud of."
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Xûll finally manages to shake the sensation of déjà vu and shakes the mayor's hand.
"Me is thinking that, yes, me will be visiting worldwound," Xûll seems inspired by the Mayor's reminiscing, "It was seeming that imp-beast was resistant to cold iron... is perhaps other metals me should be getting to be fighting such things? Or are demons of Worldwound being susceptible to cold iron?
"Inquisitor-Ekira," calls Xûll after her, "Be giving serious thought to redeeming self by fighting off demons that are to be threatening Mendev. It is seeming most fitting way of saying 'sorry'."
Xûll hugs his companions, "So, who is to be wanting some of Otto's goat's milk before we are to be asking Venture Captain for mission to fight demons?"
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"Good girl Luna. Hup"
Luna then obediently trots to her master's side, he having dismounted after so quickly dispatching the evil creature. Pooka nods to Ekira as she goes through the obvious internal struggle, dealing with her failures.
"No one is perfect Mi'lady. Surely Iomedae recognizes that. Do not despair. I believe she understands your heart. I hope now you can see the value of our organization, and judge with a more open mind in the future. Do not hesitate to call on us, should you need help in the future."
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Watching Erika walk off, both of them lost in thoughts, Sun's breath is squeezed out of him by Xull's massive bear of a hug. Doing a fit of fake coughing when finally released Sun pounds his chest. "Xull my friend, I'll pass on the milk from goats. It has always been too creamy for my taste. But I would like some of that fine spring water you seem to enjoy so much. As for the worldwound, that seems a bit out of my league. Demon's and all that," Sun shudders.