"Ze book?" Esteriande takes it out of her pack. "If zis is 'is, written in 'is own 'and, zen it is all ze proof we need - as a magistrate 'is 'and will be very well known. We need to secure ze support of zose in power to deal with zose in power."
She scans the list for names she recognises, anyone who might know the magistrate, and also be open-minded enough to listen.
Knowledge (Nobility):
"What on Golarion did you do that for?"
"Monsieur Muchorak! Was it necessary to slay a foe already defeated?"
"in regard to Ironbriar, I can likely do something to force answers from him. It might be a bit distasteful, though. And I would need some time to prepare myself for it."
"I will not condone torture, mon amis, but if you know magics zat can reveal ze truth, I am more confident zan ever. I will not condone murder, eizer - 'ee must be brought to justeece, so zat ze people will know zat zey can 'ave evil arise anywhere among zem, zat zere are non above reproach. I will do zis alone if you do not wish to risk yourselves."
Ali's brow cutely furrows in concentration, as she tries to understand the high-browed moral and political debate among her friends. With a serious look on her face, that just ends up making her look more cute than anything, she says "Ali no understand all what her friends say, and she no care if bad mask man be killed now or no, but she will help pretty friend Es-ter-ande however she think is best way. Pack always stay together." and she gives each of her packmates a stern look in the eye, all but pouting and stamping her foot.
As far as the snakewoman was concerned, Ali had hardly seemed to notice or care at all. For while she had no intention or desire to eat the snakelady, she understood very clearly that it was much more humane to kill prey after you took it down. If you did not mean to kill the prey, then why did you hunt it in the first place? But she had nothing to say on the matter. She new their pack leader, well, the first one, Big Bear, not pretty lady, who wanted to be the new pack leader. She new Big Bear could answer for himself. Or not, for after all, the pack leader did not have to explain himself to anyone if he did not wish to.
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"If the Mayor is first on the list of those who were next to be murdered, he should be the first we inform of these crimes. His word may be worth more than that of the Magistrate, if we mean to keep him alive, and have some means of bearing him to the ground and transporting him to the Mayor's location without misadventure. It is also possible that, being so high on the list, that servants of these individuals are already en route to murder the Mayor, and it would be to our advantage to arrive before that happens, and not at such an inopportune time as to be framed for his grisly death..."
Marak turns to the snake-woman, wondering what sort of magic could have so transformed her, and why it has not faded with her death.
"Do you think, Roman, the mask may have affected his mind, and that he might be an innocent pawn in all of this? I can probe his thoughts, but I had assumed him to be a willing servant of murder..."
"I'm sure the mask affected his mind. It sure affected mine. But no good person would ever put it on again. He chose to. He likes it. He's evil straight through. There's no redemption for him. Why even take a chance on justice miscarrying?"
The Shoanti stands there firm in his belief, not moving his gaze from the prisoner, "It was necessary," He turns to Naria, "Demons cannot be 'saved' as some would think. They are what they are. Evil. Vileness manifest and all i've done is keep her from her ways and saved countless lives." He looks at Wolfspirit and smiles, "The spirits are with us on this. Even they have manifested to see this justice done and corruption removed from the land."
If it was a Demon it would have dissapeared the moment you killed ut."
A wolf pack is led by a dominant male and female, who are called the alpha pair. They mate for life and are the only members of the pack to breed. The rest of the pack is made up of their siblings and/or offspring. Below the alpha pair is a second-in-command, called the beta wolf. Next come mid-ranked individuals, and at the bottom of the heap is the omega wolf, the lowest-ranked individual. (The names 'alpha', 'beta' and 'omega' come from letters of the Greek alphabet - alpha is the first, beta the second and omega the last). The different ranks do not have different jobs within the pack, except for the alpha pair being the only ones to breed - all members of the pack help to hunt, defend the territory and raise the young.
She scans the list for names she recognises, anyone who might know the magistrate, and also be open-minded enough to listen.
Knowledge (Nobility): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
"in regard to Ironbriar, I can likely do something to force answers from him. It might be a bit distasteful, though. And I would need some time to prepare myself for it.""I will not condone torture, mon amis, but if you know magics zat can reveal ze truth, I am more confident zan ever. I will not condone murder, eizer - 'ee must be brought to justeece, so zat ze people will know zat zey can 'ave evil arise anywhere among zem, zat zere are non above reproach. I will do zis alone if you do not wish to risk yourselves."
Esteriende's reproach clearly stings Inikai. He drops his gaze to the floor and is silent for a moment. "He killed victims who might well have been helpless. If we were to do the same how could we claim to be different? I can't refute that."
"But even though you are undoubtedly correct that his handwriting should condemn him I still have no faith in the courts to try one of their own." Inikai then hestiates and rubs his chin in a contemplative manner before speaking again. "Unless" he says after a pause "Ironbriar has enemies or rivals on the bench or elsewhere in positions of power. And what man in his office would not have them? Presumably they would not interfere on his behalf and, in fact, might exert themselves to ensure that he gets what he deserves."
In the back of Inikai's mind a voice whispers to him with an edge of contempt. "You know that my power could wrest the truth from Ironbriar. In fact I know enough about the man that you would not need for him to confess his crimes. But you were so easily disuaded. It really is a shame that you cannot even find the will exert your power in a cause that is completely just. The harlot of Sheyln and the simple-minded barbarian are going to get you all killed.
Shut up, Valac! Curse you to go back to your Void! I might die soon but for now I am alive and can feel the world while you sit in emptiness. You are impotent without host vessel and I will not loose you in the world again! Now be silent!...silent! Inikai mutters this last word just audibly then clenches his mouth tightly. His face grows flush with the realization that he spoke just this last bit aloud.
Quickly he recovers and asks "Romon, do you know who would be set against Ironbriar?"
1)Ironbriar is not popular amongst the populace a combination of the usual resentment against authority and the fact that he is an elf
2)The Law in this town are the Hellknights and their Commander would recognise Ironbriars hand. The book alone would condemn him as a Norgrober Priest..which is a Capital offence in Magnimar.It also defines his relationship with the woman in the tower
3)There are a lot of notes on the mayors habits on the list it looks like a major hit was being planned.
4)Esteriande is not a freelancer but an authorised Church Agent and as such her word would carry some weight.
"We take ze evidence to the mayor," Esteriande declares. "I can gain audience easily through ze church, and I will go to 'im and present ze evidence directly. Mon amis, you must keep 'im prisoner 'ere a while yet. We cannot move 'im easily through ze streets wizout risking being apprehended by ze 'Ellknights," Esteriande grimaces, clearly having no liking for the organisation. "Let us say, we should avoid misunderstandings.
"With zese," Esteriande holds up the book and list, "I can convince ze mayor of ze danger and 'opefully 'is guilt."
She glances around the party.
"If any of you wish to accompany me we should go now, to ze temple of Shellyn first, then ze Mayor's château."
"I will stay with our prisoner," The Shoanti says as he begins to absent mindly pet Ursus.
"I'll come along." Naria responds following Est
Ali looks between the two Alphas, obviously torn as to whom to follow, finally though she approaches Big Bear and, looking up at him with her big eyes, obviously seeking approval, she touches his much bigger hand, nodding her head as she says gently "Ali go with pre..with Es-ter-an-de, ok? Ali only go with her because Ali think with her winged ones form she can fly back and forth fast fast if anyone need help. Ok??"
** spoiler omitted **
Muchorak gives the small hand a gentle squeeze, "Yes, you'll be safe with her and can keep her safe. We will be fine here." He looks to Lunas, "Will he be staying with us?"
Her immediate and grateful smile lighting up the room she nods again and says seriously "Yes, brother Lunas stay to help protect Big Bear and rest of pack and Ali no here to."
She then speaks a few words in 'wolf' to Lunas. He growls at first but then she seems to speak more sternly and finally, his tail tucks in and he lies down, head on his paws. He still doesn't seem particularly happy though. Ali bends down and strokes his head for a bit and this seems to help. She then stands again and says "Yes, Lunas do stay. Ali say and he understand now. All is happy good."
Whenever Esteriande is ready to depart, Ali flows to hawk and follows them down.
"I will stay as well." Inikai naturally expects Romon to accompany Eseriende to the temple of Shelyn. He hopes that they will return swiftly and with the desired results. As far as Ironbriar goes, Inikai hopes that he does not rant on about Norgober and attempt to rationalize these murders. Then he thinks It would be even worse if he raves about the bed and the snake-woman.
No traps no magic..apart from the War Razor and the Snakewomans weapons.
"Let us all descend then, bring 'er body and weapons too. She is some manner of monster I do not doubt - many creatures zat emulate ze form of ze 'uman woman above ze waist 'ave ze ability to enchant ze mind."
"many creatures zat emulate ze form of ze 'uman woman above ze waist 'ave ze ability to enchant ze mind."
A muffled snicker is that escapes Inikai's lips in response to this.
"I strongly approve of any plan that gets us down from here before the person with the wand of levitation leaves us..."
"If we roll the amazing snakelady over the edge, it'll be easier than carrying her and faster too," Romon replies seriously.
Then he flashes a quick grin.
But he is serious.
Wellard :
Ironbriars House is a Mansion in the richest part of town(Alabaster District) and is guarded by a select squad of Hellknights.
"You know, Randi. If we're going to the Mayor, Ironbriar's house isn't really that far away. We could stop there and look for more evidence against this guy."
Rolling Ms Snaketail over the edge might be more difficult than you think as she weighs quite a lot
"Perhaps you should make sure that the man's guilt is well and truly established before the Mayor, before being caught by lawful authorities whilst looting the Magister's collection of fancy wigs." Marak says dryly.
"You were ready to see if he could fly a second ago. Of course he's guilty. We just need a little more evidence to convince the mayor."
"Non, if zis book is in 'is 'and, ze Mayor will know, and it is enough to convict 'im. Ze list of names, zat is chocolate on ze éclair. If it is not 'is writing, zen zere are many questions 'e needs to answer, and it proves our intentions were just. If we raid 'is mansion, we will run afoul of ze 'ellknights. Let us forget zem, and 'is ome. If we need more evidence, we can demand a search of ze mansion. Do not forget, I am technically an officer of ze law myself."
Esteriande turns to the logistics of our descent.
"Naria, can you not use ze want to levitate ze monsters body and guide it down ze twoer with ze rest of us? If we 'ave not enough charges, I 'ave potions for myself and one ozzer."
"Worth a try" Naria uses the wand on the bodies and everyone else (assuming she has enough charges to do so.)
I think there were 15 charges..Romon can Spider climb or Feather fall his way down if he wants.
To cut matters short you reach the ground safely with the body and your still unconcious prisoner.
"Make sure to keep 'im gagged and bound. As a priest of ze god of murder 'e may be a powerful spell-caster," Esteriande cautions before she departs.
Once at the bottom Ali flows to Gnome form and accompanies Esteriande. Before she leaves though the little druidess runs over to Lunas and Big Bear and Little Bear and gives them all a quick hug, telling them to take care of each other while she is gone.
Inikai nervously shifts his weight from his left foot to his right and back again. He grips his sword tightly and fervently wishes that the others will return soon, hopefully not in chains held by a squadron of Hellknights.
Esteriande leads the way to the Temple of Shelyn, and calls for the High Priest despite the lateness of the hour.
Once you give the evidence you collected to the High Priestess things move swiftly.. Though Shelyn's Church in itself has little influence in the city it does give you the connections you need through it's dealings with the Church of Adabar to bring you swiftly to an Audience with the Mayor who conveniently happens to be hosting the Commander of the Hellknight detachment at dinner tonight.
The Mayor having recovered from an initial fainting spell at being told he was targeted for assassination imediately orders Ironbriars arrest.Esteriande returns to the clocktower with Paralictor Darean Halst and members off the squad who ironically were guarding the Magistrates house (after all they had nothing to do at the moment).
Having secured the Prisoner and the body of the creature Halst immediately identifies as a Lamia Matriarch, you are all conducted back to the Mayors Mansion..where you are left cooling your heels in an antechamber.
"Ze response of ze Mayor was ... positive," Esteriande explains to the others. "It remains to be seen if Ironbriar can wriggle 'is life out, but I would not put gold on it. But a Lamia ... zey are powerful monsters."
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"What? Who said anything about a lamia? That Hellknight brute? All they do is burn books, not read them, I wouldn't trust his expertise on such matters. I thought it was agreed that the snake-woman was a unique creature or a human woman transformed by magic or something?" Marak says, taking umbrage at the matter-of-fact assumption that he, and therefore his god, could have been wrong about the creature's taxonomy.