"The head? Sure, why not."
Cael turns to face the head and seem to concentrate. He raises his hand, pointing at the head. At the same time, the air in the room starts circling around him. As it gathers speed, you see a little arc of electricity moving up on his legs and body, and then along his out stretch arm. All of that energy concentrating on his hand that point toward the head. You can smell the sharp, fresh aroma of ozone in the air. Then, without warning, the energy is released and a bolt of lighting goes from his hand to the head. As it strikes the head, you heard a loud boom that resonates against the wall of the room.
Turning back to Melani. "There, that's pretty much it. I can do this as often as I want. If I want the boom, however, I need a few second to gather the energy. If I don't, I drain myself a bit. Nothing too drastic, but it limits the amount of time I can do it."
Melamine claps quietly. An impressive display Mr. Melum. As far as I am concerned you have earned yourself a trial run. Welcome to the team.
"Agreed; that was nicely done." Pava walks over and grabs a seat at the same table. "It could have been helpful a half-hour ago."
Pava steeples her fingers in front of her on the table, and looks up at everyone. "If we were to consider some kind of tactical strike to undermine the Glorious Reclamation, what that might look like? Assassination? Is there some figure we could work to discredit somehow? False actions in their name?"
"The head of the church is a Fourth Sword Knight I believe." Ahreni responds. "Low in the church hierarchy as a whole but significant enough. Taking her out though would almost certainly be blamed on us even if we did take her out silently. Unless..." she trails off for a moment, and then looks back at the group with a gleam in her eyes. "The Helmet! If we engineer a confrontation between the Sword Knight and 'the Angel Knight' and the Angel Knight either kills her, or denounces her to the people in public that could split opinion nicely. Might turn people away from the Reclamation if they see them critising the established local church..."
Vicenzo nodded at the display of power, "Well good then. I guess you're working with us. I like your drive."
He then added, "We need more info on the local Church of Iomedae."
With everyone accepting him in the group, Cael feels himself letting go of a breath he was holding. Even though Zaggar told him they were looking for someone, there was no garanty that he was that someone.
"Thank you, I won't let you guys down."
He listens to Pava and Ahreni plan the next move and tries to assimilate all the information. Fourth sword knight? Helmet? Angel knight? I definitely have some catching up to do before I can be of help here."
"You know, I think I've heard you guys talking about this Angel Knight, but I wasn't around then." Pava glances over at Cael. "If I'm confused, I can only imagine what he thinks."
"Maybe the new kids could use a refresher?"
Before anyone can really start in, though, she stands and interrupts. "But let's go introduce to Cael to Razelago. We're all agreed, right? He's in? If he's joining the team, he's going to have to earn his sash."
"We can talk Glorious Reclamation along the way."
Before leaving the jail, Pava seeks out some healing from the Sheriff's locker stash.
Before you leave the jail, you notice Anarxos is strangely quiet. Upon noticing your eyes upon him, he sighs before folding the letter and tucking it inside his vest. "A most unfortunate news... My old father is dying, and with my older brother missing thanks to this bloodied Glorious Reclamation, I must return home... effectively immediately, since this letter has already took too long to reach my hands."
You can notice a miss of feelings in Anarxos, most notably disappointment, but definitely not sorrow or sadness. The nobleman bows slightly to you before heading outside. "It was a pleasure to meet and work with all of you... I'll dearly miss the opportunity to further work with you and our benefactor. Please inform him of such unfortunate."
---
After leaving Anarxos behind, you guide Cael to the Scarlet Crown, the archbaron's manor on the outskirts of Longacre. A pair of rampant iron stags watches over the gate on the road leading up to the manor. Red glass shimmers upon the stags' horns, suggesting the source of the manor's name. Beneath the stags, a pair of grim guards keeps watch. Already knowing you, the guards make no effort to stop you.
The same halfling butler guides you from the front door to the archbaron's office, which is appointed in midnight ebony and crimson satin. Towering bookshelves, glassy-eyed taxidermic creatures, and curtained alcoves line the walls. At the far end of the room, a large desk and throne-like chair sit beneath a coat of arms displaying battling, bloody-horned stags. Behind the desk, a wide window overlooks the manor grounds, with the archbaron standing in front of them. "I've been informed that you've had already some loss in your numbers. It appears that it was providential of my part to send Pava here to assist you... now, it appears you are hiring more help?"
Ahreni surprises everyone, including herself, by giving Anarxos a brief hug. "Don't be a stranger."
----------------------------------
Ahreni bows to the Baron and speaks. "Unfortunately my lord Anarxos has been forced to leave your service by an urgent missive from Ergorian. This gentleman and an associate of his have performed a service for us and Mr Melum here seeks regular employment. Since we are losing the services of Anarxos, it seemed a hell-sent opportunity to ensure that our numbers and capacity were not diminished. Therefore we brought him here for your consideration."
Cael approaches Anarxos. "We don't know each other, but still I feel like I need to say this. Family is important, don't miss your chance to say your goodbye. You can't do that once someone is gone to Pharasma's Boneyard."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Cael walks toward the manor, he can't stop staring at the stags. Very impressive! Following the group in the manor, he tries to keep a confident face so to not give away his nervousness. Then he sees him. The man that will confirm if he has a job or not. His future in this town will come down to this moment. Hearing the tone that the archbaron use when he said the word hiring, however seem to rob some of Cael confidence. Oh great, I know I shouldn't have raised my hopes up. He is not pleased with the idea of the group hiring help.
When Ahreni presents him, he takes a step forward and bows to the noble.
"My lord, I humbly ask that you give me a chance to prove my worth to you and your cause. I've traveled a bit around Cheliax in the past weeks. I can say that not all town I've visited had the foresight to see these troubled times as something that must be addressed before it gets to be a bigger problem. The steps that you have taken were a sign for me that this town as the leadership needed to overcome those challenges and I would like to be a part of it, with your blessing of course."
Cael awaits permission to rise back up from the archbaron before doing anything else.
"Anarxos, as the new girl I feel like I haven't worked with you long enough to really know you, but I admired your astounding intellect from the beginning." She approaches the man, and gives him a firm, two-handed handshake. "Go take care of your family. Hell's Devils must have foreseen this need. They tried to give us Zaggar and we sent him away, but Hell doesn't give up so easily. Here on the day you receive your letter, we find Cael standing on our stoop. Hell be praised."
-------------------------------
Pava remains silent and respectful at the Archbaron's estate, and tries hard to look far more normal and at ease than she feels. Last time it was just that little devil Razelago; I've never met the Archbaron. He looks so…. Confident! I can see why he's in charge; he must be brilliant, too. She nods briefly and tries to suppress a smile when her own name is mentioned.
When the Archbaron starts to imply disfavor at Cael's hiring, Pava starts looking uncomfortable. Oh no, what should we do? He's responsible for everything that's going good in my life now. Please, don't be angry with us! But the girl is unable to muster the courage to speak, and remains silent, trying to blend into the background.
I felt we were kindred spirits Anarxos. Come back to us when your business is done. I hope the progress I have made on my church will make you proud.
The Archbaron looks intently at Cael, as if he could see through him, or perhaps judge his morals... or even read his mind. After and uncomfortable minute, the noble gestures the newcomer to follow him to the corner of the room and pulls back the thick curtains of a nearby alcove, revealing a golden stand gripping a chunk of black crystal that smolders like a gigantic, hellish ember, filling the room with a crimson glow the color of blood.
"If you are true about your purpose, Mr. Melum, then I must insist that you swear the Hellfire Compact. It is a formality and you don't endanger your soul. You must touch this crystal while swearing it... I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax."
Once Cael has swore the compact, the Archbaron dismisses you. "Continue to do as we agreed and I shall be pleased. I'll informa Razelago to include Mr. Melum in the payment you shall receive today as we agreed."
---
Leaving the Scarlet Crown, you are back to the Jail without any trouble.
Before arriving back at the jail, Pava bids her leave of the group at a side street. "My old friend Vernal runs a bakery down this street; his ear has always been close to the ground. He's with us; a strong ally for benevolent order. I'm going to see what he knows of the #$!(%" Pava spits "Reclamation."
She wanders down until she finds the bakery, and steps inside.
"Vernal, how are you!" Pava approaches the now-elderly man, coming behind the counter for an embrace. They make their greetings with the comfort and ease of old friends who no longer need to make a fuss.
She holds him at arm's length, studying the man. "I assume you know I've been back for a couple of days now. I should have come by before now, I know, but I didn't and that's that."
"It was kind of a whirlwind, I guess." Pava sees Vernal start preparing tea and instinctively wanders to the solitary table in the front of the shop to take her old seat, falling into old rhythms without a thought. Her voice raises in volume absent-mindedly to ensure he can hear as he works. "I'm working for the Archbaron now, helping to keep order. You'll know that, of course. What's the word on the street, Vernal? This Glorious Reclamation; what are they really about? More importantly, how can they be hurt? She lowers her voice as Vernal approaches with the tea and cakes. "Tensions are high, Vernal; we need to find an end to this."
Vicenzo clasped the man's hand and echoed his companions' feeling, "We can use your help here so get your affairs in order quickly and come back."
He then added, "And let us know if there's anything we can do for you."
-----------
The witch went about town trying to gauge the strength of the Iomedaen church. It was difficult for him to hide his disdain for these people but it was best to know more about them.
Ahreni parts ways with the group, firstly whizzing round town to check in on her various informants and then returning to jail to become Anya for the rest of the day. She leaves a note to that effect and invites everyone to the Drunken Huntsman later.
As Ahreni, learn about unusual activities within the town.
As Anya, set up for the evening and collect the local gossip.
Cael follows the Archbaron and he is more than happy to proceed with the ceremony. When he put his hand on the crystal, he doesn't react to the burning sensation. After years of working on sailing ships, his hands are numb from all the rope burns and sea salt.
Once outside, he keeps looking at the palm of his hand. Flexing it as if he doesn't realize that he is now part of a crew again. He walks back to the jail lost and he barely registers people splitting up until he is left with just the priestess.
"So, any suggestion of where we should start. I'm afraid I don't know anyone in this town, aside from the tavern, any good spot to get a feel of the city's pulse?"
It is way past the noon when you meet once more in the Jail after some wasted hours looking for information. Pava could not find anything more about the Glorious Reclamation with Vernal... as far as he knows, it has not arrived to Longacre yet. If he wasn't even sure if it was already looming over the town, he had no idea of its weakness aside from the fact that, if there is possible for it to have a representative in town, it would be Fifth Sword Knight Tileavia Allamar.
Despite his appearance, Vicenzo imagines that at least one quarter of the town worships Iomedae... obviously, it could be more, since many families are secretive about their practices fearing some retaliation from the Asmodeans. The fact that there is no church for the Dark Prince and the single temple in town is dedicated to Iomedae isn't a good sign.
Melani spends some time looking about town and asking about a general reaction to opening a small church to Asmodeans in the town. She tries to get a good idea for where might be best and if there will be a strong reaction to its founding. She spends time in two different areas before rejoining with the others.
Vicenzo shares his suspicions about the amount of Iomedeans in town. he spit in true disgust.
"If this Glorious whatever ever gets here we will have real trouble to keep the town orderly."
-------
Cael walks around town to find the general store. He looks into buying a replacement backpack and blanket. He also buys a shovel. Once he has everything, he walks back to the jail and pack all of his stuff in his new bag. He then rewrap the head in the blanket and drop it in the old backpack. Setting it aside in a corner with the shovel, he then walks back out and look for the tavern. Walking in, he tries to sit in a way that he can see and listen to any locals already there.
When he is done with lunch, he walks back to the jail to wait for the group to come back. Hearing Vicenzo's report, he turns to Melani.
"You might need to build your Temple sooner rather than later. Is there any empty building in town for you to set up shop?"
"I agree." Pava concurs with Cael. "We should work on increasing worship of Asmodeus, or any and all devils for that matter, in the town. Iomedae has too much of a foothold already."
Pava also addresses Melani. "Would we even need a church, here at the beginning? You could hold services in any public space, no?" Pava considers, and continues. "What if you held services in the square right in front of the Iomedean church?"
Pava gets a look on her face as if something has just occured to her. "Have we been monitoring that church for the rules about gatherings? We could make a few arrests there if they've been violating the Archbaron's decrees. And we could make worship of Asmodeus exempt from the decrees; it's Cheliax's national religion and that of the Thrune's, after all. That could help to shift numbers away from the Iomedeans."
---------------------
"Regarding the church." Ahreni pipes up. "There's another possibility. As Anya I've been negotiating with Doctor Rohalendi about buying up her hospice - if the Church of Asmodeus was to act as a business partner for this endeavour then the Church would have a place to set up and simultaneously take over the running/administration of the hospice. That would provide a place for people to come for care and healing which isn't the Church of Iomedae and prove that Asmodeans can be of use to the local community - both worthy goals. Better yet both undercut the Iomedeans without any unpleasantness or skullduggery." Leaning back she looks to Melani.
"So, want to come into business with Anya?"
When you started to look for places that could serve as a church, you've found a couple terrains where it could be erected, even if it would take quiet some time, and even a couple empty buildings, but nothing really grandiose. That was inside town. When you moved your search to the outskirts, you heard about an old and abandoned lodge of Erastil to the southwest as well as the luxurious mayor's house, also abandoned, to the southeast .
"Hum... I'm not sure if it is a good idea, Pava..." Cimri chimes in. "... I'm referring to the sermon in front of the church. I can see this evolve into a massive fight very quickly. Although, your other ideas are far more promising!"
Pulling out a piece of paper, Cael hand it to Melani.
"While I was exploring the town, I stopped to eat at the local tavern. The last something tavern, didn't really pay attention to the name of it. Anyway, there was a group of merchant talking about this flier here. Don't know if you guys saw this before."
"We might want to find who is spreading those and find out what they know about the Reclamation."
Responding to Cael and Pava Melani beams Both of you make me quite happy. It is my strongest desire to get this church under way. I have been investigating our options further and this is what I have found. In general the local population will at least tolerate my church here and pay lip service to the idea of joining but I have heard there are a few close minded Iomedaeans who made it clear that such "blasphemous" temple would not be tolerated. How can they expect to be allowed to worship as they wish when they are willing to deny others that same right? A righteous fury burns in her eyes.
As for locations, if we build from scratch there are a couple good spots inside the town. And this would be my long term preference, but we will need something quicker to meet the immediate need you mention. There are empty buildings in the town but none worthy of my lord. She pauses to consider. That leaves the outskirts of town. I have heard of an old and abandoned lodge of Erastil to the southwest (area 15 on the map). It would please me to rededicate that place to Asmodeus. There is also the abandoned luxurious mayor's house (area 13 on the map). We could explore both. before making our decision.
Responding to the note Melani's eyes darken. When she calls? I take that as a threat.
Pava beams at Melani's compliment. "I would love to accompany you to investigate both sites. I think getting anything off the ground first is important. We can worry about building a new structure later."
"Those sound nice, but out of the way. It would have been better to have something closer to the center of town. But I guess the important part is to get it started first. Just let me know went you want to head out there to check it out." Cael pauses few a second, then smile. "Hey, maybe when this is all over you can move into that nice temple that they have around the corner. It's not like we will have to worry about not upsetting them once the rebels are all dead."
After Melani is reading the note. "I agree, it is a threat. They are basically recruiting right under our nose. We need to find who is making the flyer and put an end to it." He then turns to the group at large. "Who run that tavern in town. If they are letting people use it to distribute those fliers, maybe they know something."
After Melani is reading the note. "I agree, it is a threat. They are basically recruiting right under our nose. We need to find who is making the flyer and put an end to it." He then turns to the group at large. "Who run that tavern in town. If they are letting people use it to distribute those fliers, maybe they know something."
"At the moment I do." Ahreni responds, deadpan. "The formal owner was removed from the town after attempting to attack officers of the law and will not be returning. As my alter ego, Anya, I arranged for the tavern to reopen with Caggan's previous staff - the idea was to provide somewhere to draw out any rebellious sentiment, which has worked rather well... I don't have any formal control though, I'm just the 'sponsor' of the endeavor, so if investigations are going to go on we need to plan it carefully. If we stage it well I might be able to 'defend' the workers and get in better with the rebellious crowd, they obviously haven't made you yet Cael so this could be an excellent opportunity if you appear to side with them too."
Vicenzo nodded at Ahreni's description of what occurred to Caggan and his establishment, "I think we need to keep that place open if only to listen in on potential trouble or trouble-makers. But we can't visit the place unless we're disguised. The locals have pegged us as enforcers of the Archbaron's decrees and are thus very wary when in our presence."
----------
With the end of the day, you leave the jail behind and move to the Ash House for som well deserved rest. It was a pleasant night... still a bit cold, but the cold nights of the winter were already giving place to spring. The sky was also clear of clouds, making it possible to fully gaze upon the countless stars above in the dark.
---
Another morning arises, once more a bright day with few clouds and an enjoyable temperature. Before leaving the Ash House, you notice five pouches in the parlor. Cimri already holds one of them, counting the gold coins inside it.
"Payment days, guys! 150gp as promised." She tells you, with a smile in her face. "So... have you decided what you'll gonna do today? There are quite a lot of options... plot the murder of the pesky Alamar, look for the pest distributing the pamphlets, look for a fine place to start a cult to the Prince..."
Pava hefts her pouch. "I definitely like this." She nestles the small leather bag into an inside pocket of her backpack, then sets the pack in a frayed armchair. Lifting her foot to the chair's seat, she leans forward to tighten her boot laces.
"What's our biggest problem--Longacre's biggest problem--right now?" She drops her foot to the floor, standing up straight. "I'm thinking it's the mood. The town is a drag right now, and it's because of the rabble-rousing."
"Breaking them means Alamar or these pamphlets. We need to shut down the message. Let's get Iomedae and this Reclamation out of their heads, so they can start to see normal reality for what it is again."
"I say we should find out who's responsible for the pamphlets, and see if we can find what else might be going on in secret in this town. That's what really worries me."
Cael picks up his share of the gold. Not bad for just one day of work!
"I'll follow your lead, you know more the town then I do. But we shouldn't push back the setting up of the Temple for too long. That's not a project that should be rushed and it will take some careful planning."
With that, Cael rolls his blanket and bedroll, stashing everything into his new backpack.
"Oh, before I forget. The head is still at the jail. We should bring it with us if we are heading outside of town to bury it somewhere. I bought a shovel yesterday for that. Also, what's for breakfast?"
Menani stews over the choices before offering First I will remind you that our lord is not a patient lord and we have dallied here long enough without dedicating a place of worship to him. I will not wait a day longer to begin that task. But It need not be the only thing I do this day. Let us explore one of the outskirts locations, say the abandoned lodge of Erastil to the southwest (area 15 on the map). Who know what we will find there. Perhaps even some of our adversaries have taken up there. This we should do first.
Moving about in growing excitement about the planned actions she continues. One problem is that its easy to make a martyr out of anyone we prosecute, even if they are clearly guilty. I am not for taking no action against the pamphlet distributor but we must tread with care here. We cannot torture people for the information we want. How do we best find out who is producing and distributing these? Ahreni is our best resouce for that information and we need more informants.
One problem is that its easy to make a martyr out of anyone we prosecute, even if they are clearly guilty. I am not for taking no action against the pamphlet distributor but we must tread with care here. We cannot torture people for the information we want. How do we best find out who is producing and distributing these? Ahreni is our best resource for that information and we need more informants.
"Melani is right, Marcellus has already been co-opted as a martyr to their cause, the last thing we need is to provide them more capital. I can set what informants I have on the scent but it will take time - much of the day I suspect and more if I want to try and acquire new sources. Cimri, can you look into that? Anyone we could lean on or pay for some regular information?" Turning to the rest of the group Ahreni continues. "Let us head to this lodge immediately then - if we can clear it quickly then we can divide our forces and start the rebuilding and the information campaign at the same time."
Counting his money once more, Vicenzo fixes his armband and readies himself to go to the old Erastil temple.
He asked, "So what exactly are we looking for to set up our temple? Is it location? Ease of access by worshippers?"
I'd like a grand place worthy of my lord and I'd like it to be ready to move into, or nearly so. That means an existing structure. These two places are not at all far from the walls but being outside the walls might allow worshipers worried about what their neighbors think to come more freely. Explaining her rational further the cleric adds And I suspect that there are dens dedicated to our enemy close by. This could be one of those locations. And even if not there may be items of worth inside for the taking.
Before you leave, Cimri nods at Ahreni's request. "I'll try... there are still a couple guys I could talk to..." Tossing her pouch into the air, Cimri leaves you to your thoughts.
---
With your decisions made for the morning, you leave the Ash House and, unlike every other morning, you don't head east towards the North Gate, but instead move south, walking along the west part of the wooden wall. You soon arrive at the Castle Gate, which remains closed, and then take the marginal road to your destiny, passing alongside Rohalendi's Hospice and a couple farms and orchards.
When you turn right on the road (west on the map), you find a small group of men and women surrounding what appears to be two men dragging a body. Before you are able to see more about the situation, you hear a couple rumors that Erastil is outraged by the developments in town and is now taking action against the archbaron and his agents... they don't notice you there initially, but when they do, they are smart enough to stop talking.
In the middle of the circle, you notice what appears to be a vagabond. His face is purple and there is a clear sign around his neck, suggesting the man had been strangled.
Cael moves to Melani and whispers to her. "You need to spin something here to bring these folks back to the fold"
He then walks over to the two men dragging the body. "You two please come with me, and bring the victim if you please." He leads them away from the group of spectators where their conversation will not be overheard. "Ok, lay him gently on the ground please." Once they do, he takes out his blanket and lay it over the body. Brand new blanket! Guess I'll need to get another one after this... again.
"Ok, we have a problem, and by we , I mean the two of you. We just found you dragging a body with no witness of how he died. For some people, that would be enough to give you a one way ticket to jail for some severe questioning. Accusations of murder could happen and that would be the end of you. Now, that's the worst case scenario. Now, I know that's probably not what happened, but here's what I could accuse you two of. Disturbing the scene of a possible crime and destroying evidence. That could make people believe that you are hiding something or covering for someone and made them question you in a very uncomfortable way."
He pauses to let his words sink in. But when they are about to start speaking, he interrupt them right away. "Now, to avoid all that, you need to talk to me. And talk fast before my college over there, start getting an interest in you. Who found the body? Why were you at the old temple? Why did you move him? Tell me everything"
By the gods, what has happened here? Melani questions. This man was impoverished and looks to be noting but a drifter. He was no threat. Its plain to see he was beaten and likely strangled as well. She moves to the man and checks his vitals, looking quite concerned for his welfare.
Looking up with a tear in her eye Melani pleads Who did this to this poor man? Is this how the followers of Erastil act? Whoever is responsible needs to be brought to justice. If this can happen to this poor soul it can happen to any of us. Please tell me what you know.
"His name is, was... Nobes. He's a local man, no money, but a firm supporter of the Archbaron and House Thrune. If someone wanted to send a message about supporting Thrune with minimal targets he'd be the best person to target.
After delivering her report in a whisper Ahreni heads towards Cael, pausing just far enough away to hear the conversation without ruining the illusion of privacy.
Pava slowly dismounts from Ramael, motioning the camel to stay put. She offers no words, only looking on as others begin questioning the townsfolk. She eyes them with suspicion, keeping her hand on her sword hilt.
Vicenzo frowns as information surges forth. Bad memories from his own childhood surface leaving an acrid taste in the back of his throat.
He waits patiently for the citizens to explain themselves and provide whatever information they had. This was something that he just expected now-a-days that he was part of the peace-keeping force in Longacre.
-----------
The two men that follow Cael cross their arms with incredulity in their eyes. "Hey, what are ya trying to say, boy? Are you accusing us of murder?" He spits on the ground, missing Cael's feet my mere inches. The other man, also enraged, shows Cael his fist. "You might very well try to frame us, you brat! We have nothing to do with it! The we just found the poor bastard there by the temple's entrance..."
The first one turns to the crowd speaking to the others and yells. "Ye folks! This one her is trying to frame us for Nobes' death! All the taxes aren't enough, it appears... now besides being responsible to bringing food to the town, we are also responsible for every sucker who drops dead somewhere!"
Meanwhile, Melani gets only a couple disconnected relates before the confusing starts. All she discovers is that the poor drifter was found beaten and strangled by the temple's entrance this morning.
Vicenzo doesn't notice anyone lying to you... it appears all the relates are true. The general commotion and anger is also pretty apparent.
A whirling torrent of air envelope Cael, it's quickly followed by some crackling arcs of lightning. He turns back his attention to the two that drag the body.
"You found a dead body by the temple entrance. And none of you thought off getting the local priest or the law enforcement? What were you going to do with him? Drag him in the center of town. Show him off as a curiosity? And you call yourselves follower of a just god?"
He then points at the man with the raised fists. "Are you planning to use those fists? I dare you. Swing once, and see what happend!"
Pava draws her greatsword in one smooth motion, the sound of it leaving the scabbard creating a ringing noise that resonates through the area.
"Nobody is accusing anyone of anything yet! But if your tempers don't calm down ," Pava—still standing near Ramael, at a short distance from any adversaries—uses the tip of her sword to point at the two or three loudest offenders in the crowd, "everyone here will be arrested for disorderly conduct."
Pava continues to hold the point of the sword forward, the threat apparent, but keeps her feet firmly planted, trying to illustrate that she'd prefer not to use the sword. "Devils of Hell, please don't make me use this today," she speaks softly, "more civilian deaths can only make this worse."
To the two men dragging the body Milani corrects First you show disrespect to a body by dragging in through the streets and not you threaten a lawfully appointed officer of the city? Do you wish to be jailed? Why don't you calm down, explain what you found and where you found it, and why you are showing so much disrespect to this poor murdered man.
As Cael is enveloped by whirling air, both men step behind with mixed feelings. They clearly don't want to back out, but are perhaps having second thoughts, since Cael seems dangerous for them. The one who raised his fist, withdraws it but continues to answer. "And what are you thinking we were just doing? We were bringing him to the Jail, as it is the custom in Longacre!"
Even if it appeared that the man would continue to talk, he is finally shut down by Pava. Not just him, but everyone around you.
The other man who was dragging the corpse approaches Melani, clearly shaken by Pava's threat. "W...we already told you what we know. When we woke up and left home, we found Nobes dead by near the temple. Then we decided to bring him to the jail... but you've arrived here first. We were not disrespecting him or anything... actually once we have reached the jail, we'd also ask for miss Alamar to arrance for his burial..."
"There, see? That was helpful, and now we can all talk."
Pava approaches the body, leaning down to examine it.
Pointing to one of the men who was dragging the body, Pava instructs him and a couple of the others. "Continue taking the body back to town. No need to stop at the jail; just go straight to Miss Alamar for the burial."
She stands and approaches the other man who approached Melani. "What was your name? Why don't you take us to where you found the body, and let's see if we can learn anything else there."
She looks to the rest of the people gathered. "The rest of you can run along; try to not make so much of a scene. I know we're outside the gates right now, but you're dangerously close to running afoul of the public gathering edict. Go about your business and be well."