"What do you mean "watching our faces"...We arrived at the tavern after you left."
Casimir does his best to sound dumbfounded, hoping Grigori will be unable to resist the temptation to gloat.
Grigori sneers at Casimir.
Scrying spells are among the many I have mastered.
Kip will wait for his spell to expire before sharing what he has learnt, not wanting to waste any of the duration... And then he will pull the others aside and share. Preferably so that Grigori cannot hear him.
Kip will also ask the others if he should use the second scroll as well?
"Gone very differently eh? Convict, you wouldn't have been the first nor the best subversive to try to turn my order's charges against us."
The helm's gaze stays locked on Grigori but within Ricter's eyes glance at the fuse grenade in Casimir's hand. He thinks to himself:
Careful Statkari...you 'flexible legal system' is starting to look like private revenge. For now I will assume it to just be an intimidating ploy.
"Looks like you're in line for some earthly torture after all. It's too late to gloat now. Names. Locations. NOW!"
Grigori's head rears up as he spits on your plate armour, refusing to respond. In his mind, Kip is subjected to some very erotic memories as Grigori purposefully thinks about various sexual encounters the bard has had over the years, in excruciating detail. He seems to have marshalled his courage and is less intimidated now.
Casimir grabs the Grigori by the hair and pulls down HARD.
"Do you enjoy pain and suffering so much that you are determined to exchange your last chance for leniency for a few childish taunts. I think you place too much faith in the virtue of our Baron - but he is not her right now - I am. And trust me, I have no qualms about hurting you to get the answers I want."
Grigori yelps in pain, but although his face pales once more at Casimir's assured sounding threats he raises his face defiantly once more.
Kill me and be done with it! he demands.
Assumes we have learned what we can from Grigori, as we secure him again and the others come back into the other room.
To Fenna after Kip shares what he has learned, I think we have learned all we can from this creature. We should make the arrangements for the execution by hanging, today.
We should each take a shift helping to watch this scum until the execution is carried out. I must go talk to Varn now, Kalev, send someone for me when I am needed.
Thank you all for gaining what you can from him. I know it would be easy to torture this thing to get more information out of him but even though I want to see it suffer, this is not what Kardas stands for. The people will see justice done though, and in the end he will get what he deserves my friends.
Rictor, please walk with me...
As they walk, Well Rictor, we will hang Grigori this afternoon after we have had time to let the folk know. Just before dinner tonight we will hear what you have to say so we can consider what you are proposing. Again, I thank you for what you did for Kardas.
Casimir releases Grigori and steps back, arms crossed.
"You are not in a position to make demands. Answer our questions, or pay the price of defiance..."
Sensing that the time has come to let the prisoner stew, Ricter leaves with Malthir when he requests it.
"It was my duty, Baron. I hope it is the first of the many services I can offer to your kingdom should you take my up on my order's offer. Tonight we shall talk in detail. Until then, I will with your leave make use of the training area you have in this castle."
He walks a few more paces before adding
"If I may venture my oppinion, your Statkari have ruled in line with the most common laws against treason. Death by hanging is an appropriate punishement."
I plan on feeding his remains to the hogs...let's see them raise him from the dead then!
Malthir goes to talk to Varn, explaning the sudden situation they came back to at a high level. He let's him know that the traitor will be hanged later today in front of the fallen statue.
Malthir walked the halls deep in thought. It bothered him that this traitor affected him so deeply. Every fiber in his body screamed at him to go down there and beat him to near death before running him through. He would not take justice away from all of the others that he had hurt though, Vaysh, Kressle, Karina...
Who were these hags? What were their plans? He knew that what Kardas stood for was a danger for them and their evil goals. In fact Kardas was a danger to the entire River Kindgoms. Kardas would be a kingdom of Law and Good, different from most of the other Kingdoms that were mired in their own chaotic troubles. One day he would remedy that he thought to himself.
"Unfortunate that we could not learn more... perhaps our fellow Statkari might understand the significance of the images revealed to Kip." Fenna muses, shaking her head slightly.
"I shall find Sootscales so we can begin preparations for the execution. It may be best to ensure that security is tight, but subtle... there is a possibility that whatever few allies Grigori has left may reveal themselves in an effort to save him."
"You hope to use the execution as a trap? Interesting. What kind of subtle security do you have in mind?"
"You hope to use the execution as a trap? Interesting. What kind of subtle security do you have in mind?"
Heh, a trap...you will find that the Guardians aren't the subtle type Ricter.
I seem to attract every beast this side of the Tuskwater to attack me. I think it is my charming personality. he says sarcastically.It is in case of some type of escape attempt.
"In that case why take any chances? Ring the gibbet so tightly with loyal guards that even an invisible enemy will be unable to sneak through. Post you best archers at high positions and enchant them to see past spells of disguise. Stage the execution outside the city walls - giving townsfolk only a hour's notice of the change of venue."
I understand and agree with the need for precautions but I would rather our security wasn't so obvious. I should think it best that we don't appear too fearful of a single man. In front of our citizens... And it could serve to embolden his co-conspirators...
Kip steps forward and draws his dagger. He leans over and whispers in Grigori's ear, I do hope that an attempt is made. I would relish the opportunity to return your animosity. Kip smiles and then grabs Grigori's hair, neatly cutting a long length of it. And in case you are somehow successful, this should aid us in scrying on you!
Kip steps back. My vote is for execution. I repeat my offer to blind and or deafen the prisoner. These precautions are less obvious to casual viewing. Once done, we can hood the man for all save a moment of the execution.
No Ricter, we will follow Fenna and Kip's suggestion. There will be security, but only what is needed for the folk to feel secure. He will be hanged in front of the ruined statue to our fallen friend, another reminder of his fate when he decided to try to ruin Kardas and the guardians.
Malthir asks Kip to make sure there are no remaining magical aura's on Grigori, and then he also makes sure that all of his clothes are removed before he is taken to the exectution and he is dressed in some commoners clothes.
He shall go to the grave with nothing that marks him as anything but a common criminal...
"So be it. I will leave you to begin the preparations, unless I can be of further service."
Malthir talks with Varn for a short while then takes care of some kingdom business until near the time of execution.
Grigori is stripped and changed into commoners clothes just before the event, closely guarded by the Guardians. Kip then detects magic on him to make sure there are no remaining magical aura's on him. He is fed a last meal of soup and a little bread if he wants it.
The guardians, Rictor and a few guards escort him to the area where the ruined statue is.
A simple hangman's rope has been thrown over a crossbeam of one of the wrecked buildings and a large crate has been placed there for him to stand on. He is bound and gagged. Guards are set up around the ruined building and Sootscales/Mikmekk mill through the crowd trying to stay unnoticed.
Assuming you go to talk with Kundall about the Owlbear, he expresses a great deal of interest and would be keen to try and rear one to be useful for Kardas at a later date. However, it would require a significant investment of gold or resources to create an area where such a beast could be trained safely without risk to Kundall and his handlers, let alone the general public. This investment would be 500 gold pieces, or a single BP.
Kundall doesn't himself have much money since the werewolf days so has no personal interest in purchasing the cub; and his duties serving Akiros keep him too busy to treat raising the cub as anything other than a full-time duty.
It takes a mere single casting of your spell to render Grigori unable to see. When you ask Jhod about what you saw in Grigori's mind, his face pales a little.
Grigori has been to Heibarr then. It is the most sacred place in all of the world to Gyronna and her followers- the ruins of a town destroyed by the chaos her followers wrought in the accursed place. The ruins of the town have been sacred to followers of the Hag for centuries; I have little doubt that some of her most powerful priestesses maintain a vigil there, as well as true hags...
Blinded, blindfolded and with a bag over his head, Grigori is led to his execution through the streets of Kardas. The once-popular orator is jeered at and has abuse hurled at him throughout the walk and a large, grim crowd has gathered to see him die. The people of Swordhaven seem to be in a mood for blood, and their anger is palpable. Casimir received reports a couple of hours ago from his agents that the rumour that Grigori sent the Owlbear to attack Kardas has become prevalent throughout the capital, which likely explains the city people's extreme hostility.
The rope is set, and Grigori is placed upon a high crate, Sootscales stood behind him and ready to shove him off once the word is given. Sootscales looks a lot thinner than he usually does, and is clad in all-black leather armour, with a black hood hiding most of his features. He looks a lot more menacing than normal. Guardsmen of the city keep the crowd back and keep eyes out for trouble. Casimir surreptiously casts his detect thoughts spell but is rebuffed by the strength of Grigori's will.
Malthir steps up onto a crate as well, before the gathered masses...
People of Kardas, before you stands Grigori, enemy of all that is good and just in our land. A man so lost to destruction that what we are, what we so desire out of life, means nothing to him. So I say to you each of you....
Let it be known that those who plot to kill the citizens of Kardas, will not go unpunished!
Let it be known that those plan to destroy all we have sweated and died for will not go unpunished!
Malthir draws liberator, the blade clearing the scabbard, raised to the sky...
Let it be known that those who stand against Kardas will not go unpunished!
After a short time....
Kip, please read the crimes this creature has committed to so warrant this treatment!
Kip steps forth and unfurls a roll of parchment for effect and "reads" the crimes from it.
Let it be known to all those present... that this man before you, known as Grigori and more recently via magical disguise as Ilgruth, has committed the following crimes against the people's of Kardas:
Consorting and conspiring with known agents of an evil god.
Consorting and conspiring with the undead for criminal intent.
Conspiracy to commit murder of a government official.
Assault with compulsion magic.
Blackmail.
Assault with deadly force.
Conspiracy to kidnap.
Scrying with criminal intent.
Unlawful mining with intent to breach the security of Castle Swordhaven.
And finally...conspiracy to promote the destabilization and destruction of the peaceable Kingdom of Kardas!
Kip pauses and re-rolls his scroll before continuing. It is for these known crimes and for those crimes unknown, perpetrated against the peoples of Kardas, that Grigori has been sentenced to hang by the neck until he is dead! Dead! Dead!
With that pronouncement, Kip steps back...
Casimir stands a bit to the side, flanked by Kressle and Karina. He keeps careful watch over the proceedings, as well as the mood of the crowd, and even though Grigori resisted the effects, he maintains concentration on his Detect Thoughts spell. If he spots anyone acting suspiciously, he will focus the spell on them.
So let justice be carried out in a manner that fits the crime.
Malthir nods solemnly to Sootscales to move forward with the punishment.
With an casual and vicious kick, Sootscales sends Grigori off the crate. An audible crack can be heard as the mans neck snaps, but it is soon drowned out by the roar of approval from the crowd. Grigori's lifeless body hangs by his neck as he gurgles his last.
Malthir spends the remainder of the afternoon talking with some of the people in the town, assuring them that they will be re-building as well as moving against the trolls next.
Grigori's body is removed when the Statkari leave, confirming that he is dead. The body will be held in the castle for a short while while we determine what to do with it next.
He then retires back to the castle to meet with Ricter and wrap things up with Varn. He invites both parties to dinner with plans to keep the discussion on the lighter side until after dinner when he plans to excuse Varn and the Statkari can hear Ricter's proposal in private. This will give Varn his chance to meet Ricter but keep the two pieces of business separate.
To Varn he plans to formalize the trade agreement, with Oleg's help of course. The plan will be to expand the kindgom to link the trade route as Varn has suggested. He will also re-affirm his position for a loose alliance with Varnhold with a pledge to help defend each other in case of a threat to either kingdom.
Servants scurry about the castle in preparation for the evenings dinner. Maegar Varn is amenable to the terms of the trade route and is content with the loose plan you have agreed upon to link the two kingdoms by a trade road.
Varn introduces himself to Ricter with his full title, including Swordlord, but doesn't make any inquiries of the Hellknight and is content to keep conversation light.
When he is excused, Varn shakes everyone's hand and declares his intention to end his tour of Kardas early, in light of both recent events and some trouble in his own kingdom; nothing worth mentioning at the dinner table but he may be needed back in Varnhold. He thanks you all for the hospitality of Kardas and hopes the trip will put the foundations of a strong alliance in place.
Servants scurry about the castle in preparation for the evenings dinner. Maegar Varn is amenable to the terms of the trade route and is content with the loose plan you have agreed upon to link the two kingdoms by a trade road.
Varn introduces himself to Ricter with his full title, including Swordlord, but doesn't make any inquiries of the Hellknight and is content to keep conversation light.
When he is excused, Varn shakes everyone's hand and declares his intention to end his tour of Kardas early, in light of both recent events and some trouble in his own kingdom; nothing worth mentioning at the dinner table but he may be needed back in Varnhold. He thanks you all for the hospitality of Kardas and hopes the trip will put the foundations of a strong alliance in place.
Varn, we have enjoyed meeting you. We have fought together, bled together, and seen hardship together.
I see this more than just an alliance Lord Varn. I dare say that maybe this could be a friendship as well?I hope that we can visit your lands after the current crisis is over. Maybe we can visit you kingdom when te trade route is properly opened.
I do have one thing for you though, a gift.
This shield was crafted by my own hand, made of darkwood, and bound in steel with the crest of Kardas. I hope that you will enjoy not only its craftsmenship, but also its function. This is an instrument for defense. Malthir gives hi the shield and bids him a good night.
After his men are gone, Well Ricter, lets hear what you have to say, I am interested in why the Hellknights are interested in Kardas.
First though I want to know more about the man I am about to deal with.
Who are you and what do you believe in? Why should I trust you or your Hellknights? I know little about your order t be honest, I judge a man on his words and his actions.
Varn, we have enjoyed meeting you. We have fought together, bled together, and seen hardship together.
I see this more than just an alliance Lord Varn. I dare say that maybe this could be a friendship as well?
I hope that we can visit your lands after the current crisis is over. Maybe we can visit you kingdom when te trade route is properly opened.
I do have one thing for you though, a gift.
This shield was crafted by my own hand, made of darkwood, and bound in steel with the crest of Kardas. I hope that you will enjoy not only its craftsmenship, but also its function. This is an instrument for defense.
I thought we were all already friends here. Varn says with a playful smirk, graciously accepting Malthir's gift without commenting on his thinly-veiled hint. I would be delighted to receive your delegation at some time in the future, or indeed any of your Statkari; and i'll have a gift made for and sent to you in turn, my fellow Baron.
Varn pauses before retiring to give one last piece of advice.
Ware the Surtovans, remember Malthir. I do not envy your situation. they are not to be trifled with and they will be able to enforce their threats unless the political mess that is Brevoy explodes into fully fledged war very soon.
Once Varn is gone, Ricter begins to speak his peice. His words are measured and precise - he is clearly speaking on behalf of another.
"Lictor Uro Adom of the Order of the Chain has ruled that the 'nation' of Galt is a threat to the stability of it's surrounding nations and could concievably become a threat to Cheliax. The Hellknights must act to pacify it's lawless towns, but we cannot simply march from Cheliax. We need a staging ground. There are exiled nobles on the Galtan boarder who would gladly host an invasion force but their estates are barren and small. For what we have planned we need a prosperous region from which to purchase supplies and equipment and to host a major rallying ground."
"This is where Kardas comes in. What is envisaged is a sizable portion of the Order of the Chain marching into your kingdom several years from now. By that time I will have, with your permission, established a keep within your boarders and recruited further Hellknights from those amongst your population who share our ideals. The newly-arrived force will equip itself with provisions stockpiled in said keep, and within a few short weeks they will make for Galt."
"So why should you allow the Order of the Chain to build a presence in Kardas? For a start, the keep I establish will have the full support of the Order. Those recruited to it will have access to equipment and training far beyond what is normally available in the river kingdoms, and as citizens of Kardas will fight in it's defence. What's more, our presance will make Kardas vastly more resistant to sabotage and terrorism should you grant us power to enforce the law. Finally, there is your barony's prestige to consider. Kardas is know throughout the river kingdoms as a fair and good nation, but some may view those virtues as weaknesses. Association with the Order of the Chain will make it clear to the world that you are loyal to the rule of law as well as the cause of good."
Ricter seems to relax slightly. You guess he has said what he was charge by his superiors to say. However, it seems he has more to add:
"Of course, despite all this talk of politics I still haven't explained exactly what the Hellknights stand for. This meeting looks absurd doesn't it? A hellknight sounds like some sort of monster a Paladin of Iomadae would give his life to fight. I would stake my helm that at least one of you day dreamed during your childhood of killing warriors armoured as I am. Well, let me explain the name. Hell is many things, but one of them is a place where the guilty are punished. That is it's true function, and it has nothing to do with evil. We use the name of hell to sow fear in the hearts of the guilty, but we have no respect for the devils that infest it. After all, a farmer who composts weeds has no love for the worms that writhe in the heap. I carry the scars of a bearded devil's blade. I slew it in single combat, nearly at the cost of my life. I did so to prove that though I use the name of hell I wouldn't become a servant to it."
He takes a sip of water, wetting his throat after talking so long
"The hellknights enforce the law. That is our core creed. Mostly that law happens to be the law of Chaliax - reviled by many, I know - but it doesn't have to be. Any system that keeps communnities and nations running smoothly can count on us to defend it. Law means peace. Safety. Comfort. Progress."
"I think I've told you all you need to know. I should, however, mention one last thing. Every order has a speciality, if you will. A particular area of law that they enforce with particular vigor. Some of you may have heard that the Order of the Chain protect slavers and recapture slaves. That is true - in nations where slavery is legal. Our true calling is to enforce heirarchies. We keep servants, serfs, and citizens subserviant to their rightful lords. Lords such as yourselves."
Well said Ricter. I appreciate your candor as well as your respect for law. I too see the advantages of both law and good to guide our lands as well as the lands around us.
I will warn you though, the people of the river kingdoms are resistant to order and to strict law. Even the people of this kingdom have a fairly pioneering demeanor. Some in my order may think that my acceptance of that is a weakness.
But the Statkari's ability to see beyond just the law, to accept that good people can live within the laws even if they don't accept all of them may be the one thing that will allow Kardas to survive near all of this chaos.
You have a bold plan...one that will take us some time to think about. There are many concerns, some logistical but most are political. The first being...would your presence rally the other River Kingdoms together to strike against us for fear of what your, and in their eyes would become, our plans might be for them.
We cannot answer you today, maybe not even in a month, we must have some time.
I did promise you that I would keep an open mind and consider your request and I will keep that promise.
For now I would like to open the discussion up to the other Statkari so they can ask you any questions that might be on their mind about what you are proposing.
Kalev clears his throat before speaking. What you speak of, sir, sounds both grand and a little frightening. We have clearly witnessed what benefits law and order, especially when enforced by your Order, can bring, and I welcome those. Yet, as my Baron has just said, many would balk at too strict laws, unless those were bound in tradition. We are a free people and we appreciate some amount of liberty in the pursuit of our personal happiness. So any laws introduced would have to stem from the people, not a remote assembly of enforcers.
As to allowing a military presence in Kardas, I share my Barons concerns. I fear that if we marshal too large an army, even if it belongs to the Hellknights, the other River Kingdoms or even Brevoy might move against us in force.
-----
The next day, Kalev visits Kundall to talk about the owlbear cub, expressing that he would like to take part in the training, as much as it is possible.
Casimir adds his voice to the council.
"As Kardas continues to grow, so does our need for formal laws. I agree whit Kalev in that these laws should stem from the people, and incorporate the spirit of the River Freedoms in their foundation, unless we wish to have our own rebel against us."
He regards Ricter and contemplates his words about the Hellknights.
"I do not object to allowing your order to establish a presence and recruit from our population, on condition that they take up arms to defend Kardas if needed. I do not worry much about the signal this would send to our neighbors - an undefended realm is as much an invitation for hostile attention as one with a powerful force.
However, I am not wild about granting the order privileges to enforce the laws we are about to lay down. They are still outsiders, and I fear the people of these lands would not look kindly if we limit their freedom with one hand and then set armored foreigners to police them with the other."
"I believe that allowing foreign hellknights to enforce our laws may well be a mistake, though I would have far fewer concerns with the recruits from amongst our own people performing the same role," the small gnome comments to Casimir, before turning to regard Ricter.
"From what I have heard of Galt's recent fate," Fenna speaks slowly, watching the hellknight with a soft but steady gaze, "they are indeed in a tragic and dangerous situation... though I must confess to a certain confusion about the goals of your order, Sir Ricter. From what you say, local laws are to respected, but the laws of Galt change almost constantly. When your order does enter that land, would it to be with the intention of upholding the authority of whichever makeshift government happens to be in power at the time? Or would you take the responsibility of rulership upon yourselves, to protect the people from further chaos?"
Kip sits quietly during the discussions with Ricter, listening to everything that is said. He says nothing for the time being, content to let those that take interest in such matters, speak their minds.
Ricter nods in approval as the Statkari seem to come round to the idea
"Excellent. So you are open to the idea in principle. If you are content for us to merely offer martial defence, that is fine by me. I admit, perhaps our particular brand of law enforcement wouldn't be quite so well recieved here as it is in Cheliax. Of course, this is all a long, long way down the line. There is no need for you all to come to a final decision now. For the time being, I request only that I be allowed to travel with you on your missions to pacify the Stolen Lands. In this way, perhaps I can prove beyond doubt that a minor order of my kind would be a great asset to Kardas. I assure you, any hostility we draw from other kingdoms we will more than compensate for with the force of arms we offer.
When Fenna remarks about Galt, however, his face darkens. Even the mention of the chaotic 'nation' is enough to make him wrathful, it seems.
"It is the will of the Lictor that the eternal revolution be crushed. Make no mistake, we will not be mere peacekeepers. We will invade that cesspit and rule it with an iron fist until the animals that infest it remember what civilization means."