Assuming we are out of combat, Pyron takes a chair and drags it into the other room, letting the chair hit every bump. He sits on it with the back facing Verik and rests against the back. He does not say a word.
"Wh-who are you?" The young man's eyes are wide with fear, and they widen further as they see the other three come stomping up the stairs. Seeing he is outnumbered and has been caught out of his element, he yells, "I yield!".
Surrender is more believable when you drop your weapon, Gaius says, touching his spear-wound with a grimace. He stows his own blade only after Verik has dropped his spear.
Sit down! You think you're doing a lot of good here, huh? Helping the poor by feeding them? Did you know that your stooges were blades for hire, serving their victims up as meat?
When it becomes apparent that Gaius (and the others) are not going to press the attack, Verik drops the shortspear. He sits back down on the bed, confusion and horror warring on his features as he listens to the inquisitor's questions and accusations.
"We ARE doing good work here! Who else is helping to feed the hungry of this city while the Queen and the other nobility sit in their holes, living fat as the rest of the city starves! We at least were trying...what?! What are you talking about?! We butcher pigs and cows for the populace! What you are suggesting is...no, it can't be!"
Yaknow just once I'd like to break someone with sharp pointy objects rather than words.
The former guard seems genuinely confused and horrified at the thought of those underneath him performing the despicable acts Gauis stated.
Tolenn charges into the room, just as Verik yields.
Advancing to stand by Gaius, she sheathes her scimitar and crosses her arms.
Sense Motive
"Explain yourself. At least how your men could so easily conduct such hienous acts under your watch." she states bluntly.
"What acts? I still don't understand what you're talking about, lady." His face betrays that he's not entirely stupid, that he understands what you are getting at, but he doesn't seem to want to believe it.
Daud simply raises a hand before pointing finger after finger up towards the ceiling as nonchalantly as possible. "Murder for hire. Rape. Cannibalism..."
Tolenn nods at Daud's recitation, then adds "And treason...for desertion of ones duty to the people of Korvosa."
She takes a deep breath, then continues "You have a lot to answer for Verik, the men under your command contracted out assasinations then fed the flesh of thier victims to your customers. All, save Karralo downstairs, now seek Pharasma's judgement. Your's awaits. Speak and your fate may still differ from thiers."
"Treason!? How about the royalty, for abandoning the people of Korvosa! At least I was trying to make sure hungry people got fed, while others were out stealing and rioting and fighting!" The man's voice is controlled, but his teeth are gritted in anger and frustration.
"What you say can't be true...that is monstrous. These were guards, for crying out loud! How could they do such a thing?" The last question seems more a cry of remorse and horror than true curiosity. While it seems he was unaware of what was going on, he doesn't seem to think it beyond his former henchmen.
It's true, and I find it hard to believe that you didn't know they were up to something nefarious. And what of your new paramour? Where is she?
The man seems to have all the wind taken out of his sails at that string of comments. "I admit, I've been staying up here more often than not after all the meat is handed out. I just assumed they were cleaning up and going out drinking or whoring. Are you sure about all this?" He is almost pleading at this point.
At the mention of the paramour, even more surprise. "I don't know what you're talking about. It was me and my four men operating out of this joint."
The second statement is true. The first is obviously false.
This one is a practiced liar... Gaius thinks, watching the man's face for tell-tale signs.
Don't know, huh? The men said you've been seeing your lady a lot lately. If you don't cooperate with us, you'll make it much worse for her in the long run.
"Alright, fine, I was seeing someone, so what? Just a place to spill my seed every now and then while I helped out the city."
Pinching the ridge of his nose exasperated "That was painful... Don't talk about someone you actuly care for like that."
The man seems to have all the wind taken out of his sails at that string of comments. "I admit, I've been staying up here more often than not after all the meat is handed out. I just assumed they were cleaning up and going out drinking or whoring. Are you sure about all this?" He is almost pleading at this point.
At the mention of the paramour, even more surprise. "I don't know what you're talking about. It was me and my four men operating out of this joint."
Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
The second statement is true. The first is obviously false.
Ahem. After everyone looks at Pyron, he stands up tall and looks down at Verik (unless Verik is standing and isn't too much shorter than Pyron). You are lying. You knew what was going on with the side jobs. Anarchy can make men money if you seize the opportunity, which is what you have done. You have performed dishonorable acts and must be judged.
Also, it is easy to tell that you are lying about your woman friend. If you are so righteous, then you would have no need to hide the known fact that you have a relationship with a woman. If you say you are just spilling your seed, then she must be a prostitute and nothing more. Both of you will be in trouble over that.
Pyron does as his training has taught him about how to safely disarm someone and to take Verik into custody. Once Pyron can successfully get Verik into custody, he talks to the others. We need his paperwork. Can someone grab them from his desk please? The queen's people might find out more information with the paperwork?
"... And of course he calls out prostitution as illegal right in front of the Calistrian..."
"... And of course he calls out prostitution as illegal right in front of the Calistrian..."
"I swear I knew nothing about the foul business you are speaking of! Hell, I would have killed the scoundrels myself had I known. We were here to feed the people, not kill them!"
You still need to come with us. We aren't the judges.
No more fight in him, he nods wearily at Pyron.
The man seems to have all the wind taken out of his sails at that string of comments. "I admit, I've been staying up here more often than not after all the meat is handed out. I just assumed they were cleaning up and going out drinking or whoring. Are you sure about all this?" He is almost pleading at this point.
At the mention of the paramour, even more surprise. "I don't know what you're talking about. It was me and my four men operating out of this joint."
Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
The second statement is true. The first is obviously false.
Ahem. After everyone looks at Pyron, he stands up tall and looks down at Verik (unless Verik is standing and isn't too much shorter than Pyron). You are lying. You knew what was going on with the side jobs. Anarchy can make men money if you seize the opportunity, which is what you have done. You have performed dishonorable acts and must be judged.
Also, it is easy to tell that you are lying about your woman friend. If you are so righteous, then you would have no need to hide the known fact that you have a relationship with a woman. If you say you are just spilling your seed, then she must be a prostitute and nothing more. Both of you will be in trouble over that.
Pyron does as his training has taught him about how to safely disarm someone and to take Verik into custody. Once Pyron can successfully get Verik into custody, he talks to the others. We need his paperwork. Can someone grab them from his desk please? The queen's people might find out more information with the paperwork?
Gaius' eyes flash with anger at Pyron's judgment of prostitution.
Physical acts of love are Calistria sacred gift to us. There is no shame in it, and certainly no law against it, whether bought with coin or not. As to this man's crimes--it seems ignorance is greatest among them. Give me a minute to talk to Verik alone.
As you wish. Pyron walks out taking the chair with him. He pats Gaius's shoulder on the way out.
Gaius keeps his voice low and approaches the man earnestly.
Some of my associates are more zealous in their pursuit of the law than I am. You don't seem like the men that were in your employ. I think you were preoccupied with your love interest, and in my eyes that's no crime. Why do you hide her identity? Tell me the truth of her tale and I will do what I can to keep her, and you, out of the Hellknights' clutches. If you don't help me, you leave me no choice. Pyron will bring the full weight of the bureaucracy down upon you, and your lady won't be safe for long. A terrible waste, when you two should spend your time together, away from all this. Help me, and accept the divine help that I can provide you. Gaius dissolves the illusion clouding his true form and reveals his holy symbol.
The man gazes at Gaius for a while, struggling, before sighing and shaking his head. "If it is true that they were doing those things, I am as guilty as they are, for I in my own way condoned it. Your mercy is accepted, and appreciated."
He thinks for a moment, then shrugs. "Not that it will do you or the guards any good. I haven't seen her since we started things up here, we've both been so busy. She's a Vudran woman named Vimanda. I admit, it was her idea for me to leave the guard and set things up here, but what we are doing is in good faith. People need to eat, and those Hellknights surely weren't interested in making sure the city didn't starve!"
And they're talking, and they're talking, and The Uprising is getting his bank account info and any other dirty little secrets, and they're talking...
Now that the building has been secured Daud will go and recover the bound Karralo and bring him into the hallway before the stairs. Finally he'll frisk him before laying him up aside the wall.
Karralo looks at Daud and the others fearfully, eyes wide as he endeavors to remain still, thinking that any sign that he might be struggling will resort in violence.
Tolenn stands outside the door, allowing Gaius the opportunity to question Verik.
Pyron will help Daud.
Once they get everyone secured, then Pyron will start rummaging around through everything to see if there is anything of value for himself or the group or worthwhile for the queen, such as documents.
Where can I find Vimanda? Her life is in danger as well.
"Sadly, I don't know. I haven't seen her for a few days now. And we met here, before then."
He's telling the truth.
Gaius responds, trusting the man's words. Ok, then--what does she look like? Give me a good description, then we'll see what we can do to get you out of here.
"Tall for a woman. Long brown hair, down to past the shoulders. A medium shade. Stunning green eyes. Dark, tanned skin. Slender, but with curves in the right places." Verik averts his eyes, as if he is doing something wrong.
She sounds beautiful, and you did nothing wrong. Except when you overpowered me and jumped out the window to make your escape, Gaius says quietly.
He tosses one end of a rope to Verik, holds the other.
Best climb down quickly and head out of the city where the law can't reach you. If I find your girl I'll send her your way. Go! he tries to show urgency while not speaking loud enough to raise the suspicions of the others in the other room.
The man hesitates only a moment before taking the rope and climbing out with Gaius' assistance. He looks left and right once at street level, then is gone.
Hmm, is there such a thing as quiet torture?
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