We are here to investigate on behalf of professor Crowl.
Sir Thomas gives the guard a smile expectantly.
The guard responds to the pair. "You will have to gain the approval of the court. Seek an audience with a Judge and gain a writ to enter and speak with the Beast."
And where might we find the judge?
Thom asks sighing with a little disappointment in his voice.
"Well, there are three in town. They have private chambers in the Courthouse, but each has homes and offices that they work out of around the city. It depends on which Judge you will be seeking out, to be honest." responds the guard.
"Could you perhaps give us a list of all 3 judges and their home of residence?"
Or direct us to one who is likely to be of assistance?
Gaarm waits by patiently as Sir Thomas tries the more diplomatic route.
I seem to recal there being a Judge Daramid, can you point me in his direction?
Sir Thomas leads the group to see the judge. As he is walking about town he tries to make menta notes about the place.
The guards snicker when Sir Thomas asks his question. "Of course, you can find Judge Daramid's home in the center of town. The Judge has quite the opulent home." they say as they point it out on your map.
---
You head to the manor house and knock on the door and an elderly woman answers the door. "How may I help you?" she asks.
We are here seeking the Judge on behalf of professor Crowl. We have a simple request of him but I am afraid it should not wait.
Gaarm leans in the doorway and winks at the elderly woman as he flashes a smile, folding his arms across his armor.
I hope this works. I don't want to use a less diplomatic approach on those poor guards.
The woman smiles. "Not very up to date, are we?" the woman asks rhetorically. "I am Judge Daramid. What could Prof. Crowl possibly want from me?" she asks, not inviting you in.
My apologies Your Honor. We were hoping to have an interview with The Beast. We are looking into what happened with the Seastone Effigy. We were hoping you could sign some sort of writ granting us permission.
The kobold tries to stay as much out of sight as possible. Not wanting to interfere with their negotiations
-Posted with Wayfinder
Gaarm lurches back and clears his throat. Might we have a few words with this beast before he is set on fire?
"If it's not too much trouble"
Sir Thomas pulls a book out of his satchel. I believe we had a mutual friend. Professor Lorrinor, willed this to you. Thom watches closely trying to discern any hints the judges facial expression may give away.
Did you know his well also Ma'am? Gaarm flashes his sharp fangs.
"Ah, well you should have led with that!" she remarks. "Come in, come in!" she says, ushering you in.
You crowd into her small receiving room as you all uncomfortably find places to sit or stand. Judge Daramid smiles at you as she informs a servant to fetch some tea for her guests.
Once everything is settled, the woman takes the book from you and looks at it lovingly. "Lorrimor always knew me best..." she reminisces aloud.
As to Gaarm's question, she smiles sheepishly. "I guess you could say that. But that was ages ago." she alludes.
"Either way, it appears that you, the protectors of Harrowstone, have already heard of the Beast and the Seastone Effigy. That is quite the good fortune for me, it seems."
She collects herself a bit before continuing. "Here is your 100 platinum pieces each for finishing Lorrimor's task." she says with a smile. "Yes, I knew of the arrangement."
"But, now I fear that there needs to be another arrangement." she continues. "There is a cancer in Lepidstadt, a darkness lurking behind the shadow of a scapegoat. For many years the people of Lepidstadt have laid all their ills at the door of a creature known as the Beast of Lepidstadt—murders, thefts, and terror have all been attributed to the Beast, but many of these stories are exaggerations or simply untrue."
"Some people have different stories to tell about the creature—about its kindness and humanity, of how it has rescued loved ones or helped those in distress. Now that the time has arrived for such kindness to be repaid, however, no one dares to step forward and challenge the Beast’s reputation."
"As a judge, I fear the Beast will not receive a fair trial. The people of Lepidstadt have blamed the Beast for too much and for too long, and they want it to pay for its crimes, whether those crimes are real or imagined. In addition, I have some concerns about the crime for which the Beast was finally apprehended—the break-in and theft at Lepidstadt University."
"The Beast’s capture at the university was not all it appeared to be, for why would a creature that is intelligent knowingly enter the university, where it was certain to be trapped? However, to publicly announce my suspicions could put me at great risk, both professionally and politically. As one of the three justices presiding over the Beast’s trial, I am simply unable to openly intervene, other than insisting that the Beast be properly defended in court."
With a deep breath, she finishes. "What I really need is a group of people without local bias to uncover the real truth about the Beast and its alleged crimes. The Beast’s legally appointed advocate, a barrister named Gustav Kaple, is hopelessly over his head and needs help—ideally someone to gather evidence about the Beast’s alleged crimes and stand up in court to be questioned by the prosecution. Such speakers must have bravery in spades and silver tongues to match, to ensure that if there is more to the Beast’s story, justice will be done. If the Beast is indeed guilty, then I can rest easier at night knowing that I gave it a fair trial."
"As the defenders of Harrowstone, I see no one better and I am willing to pay for it. I will double your bequest from Lorrimor if you can complete this task for me to the best of your abilities. However, this conversation and this deal never happened. Understood?"
Gaarm nods his head at the revelation.Understood Ma'am. He wipes his brow. Though, I got to tell you. Sir Thomas here is about the only one of us with a silver tongue. That and we looked all over the University already. So far all of the signs have not aided the beast at all. If someone is setting him up, they are doing a good job of it.
"I'm sure that you noticed that the Effigy is still missing and the Beast was apprehended in a rage. I doubt that the creature had the forethought to hide the artifact while destroying the exhibit room, especially well enough that we have not found it yet." Daramid says. "I cannot explain that without assuming that there is something else going on and that is what you must investigate."
Yes, we noticed that. Where do you think it could have gone? Gaarm inquires.
Naxx expresses his feeling sorry for her loss
..you were close?'
"Your guess is as good as mine. I just know that artifacts don't tend to disappear on their own." she says as she scribbles on a piece of paper.
She hands you the parchment. "Here. This should get you in the door. Look for Gustav Kaple and tell him that you wish to register as volunteer defenders."
At Naxx's question, her face appears pained. "We were... we were." she says, trailing off.
Thomas will ask where we might find Mr. Kaple and will seek to get started on this task before him.
Thank you your honor. It would please me to see justice done. With your permission, we will take our leave.
Gaarm grabs the parchment. Thank you.
Turning to Sir Thomas. Find Gustav and volunteer as defenders then go have a word with this so called Beast? He says as he waves the paper about.
The woman bows deeply. "Thank you for your aid and discretion." she says.
I would like to have a word with Mr. Kaple before we turn in.
Sounds good to me. Gaarm grabs the parchment and begins to head out to speak with Mr. Kaple with Sir Thomas.
Nizvit needs rest.... lots of it. Spells and all that.
"Nizvit go rezzzt and make time to focuzzzz in morning. Zzzzleep izzz needed for magiczzzz to work" he yawn widely before heading of to bed
-Posted with Wayfinder
Barrister Gustav Kaple meets you in the Defense Chamber after you present your writ. The down-at-the-heels barrister was chosen to represent the Beast precisely for his talents.
"Wh-What can I help you W-with?" asks the man.
His talents to stutter his way through a defense?
The Beast. We wish to help, if you can tell us everything you know concerning him and the missing Effigy. Gaarm requests.
If not can we possibly have a word with the Beast him / herself?
"Surely, it wouldn't hurt his case to talk to us? It might even help"
Naxx waits to see the response of the Barrister
"W-well, I see no h-harm in this." says Gustav. He recounts everything that you've heard so far about the capture of the Beast and the disappearance of the Effigy.
"The prosecution is using th-three recent crimes attributed to the Beast to convict th-the creature of murder: th-the murder of 10 citizens of th-the village of Morast a year ago; th-the slaying of six children in th-the farming community of Hergstag 7 months ago; and th-the arson attack 4 months ago at th-the Sanctuary on Karb Isle, wh-which resulted in th-the deaths of Doctor Brada and h-his patients and th-the blinding of th-the doctor’s assistant, Karl." he tells you.
"Th-the trial begins in earnest tomorrow, however, as th-the majority of th-the evidence for th-the th-th-three crimes w-will be presented over th-the next 3 days." he finishes. "Wh-why w-w-would you w-want to see th-the Beast?"
We wish to aid in his defense and see to it that he recieves a fair trial. Do you know the nature of the evidence that will be used against him. Did you conduct discovery? We need to know what will be used against him so we can counter these claims.
We wish to volunteer ourselves as Defenders. How can we help? Gaarm asks.
"I see..." he says, stroking his chin. "Perhaps, th-that is best. I h-have interviewed th-the main witnesses from each of th-the th-th-three cases to be discussed at th-the trial and h-have found th-that th-th-their stories are very plausible. I wish to see justice done, however, I am certain th-that without evidence in its favor, th-the Beast w-will be convicted." he tells you.
"First, let me take you to th-the Beast." he says as he fishes some keys from his pocket.
---
Gustav Kaple escorts you into the courthouse’s cellar jail to meet the Beast of Lepidstadt. A towering abomination sits in an iron chair, bound with no less than a dozen sets of manacles. Stitching holds together this grotesque patchwork of flesh and bone, beast and man, though the wires are so taut they look as though they may fly apart at any moment. Its mouth is twisted in a permanent sneer, and a shock of lank, dark hair clings to its scalp. The creature slumps in its chair, a despondent expression upon its monstrous face.
Seeing you, the Beast begins to snarl as flies leap from its skin at the sudden movement and begin to buzz in the air. It struggles a bit against the manacles, but the wrought iron holds.
"No reason to get upset, we are only here to talk"
Naxx tries to make soothing noises to try to calm the man down
Gaarm leans against the wall. We are here to help you. That is if you are willing to talk and let us know what happened.
Be at peace my friend. We wish only to talk. Tom says as he touches the beasts arm, laying on hands. + remove fatigue.
You have been accused of a lot, I hope to know if there is any truth to it.
The creature is behind bars so Sir Thomas is unable to reach the creature, however he doesn't appear to have any wounds that the man would be able to mend. Sadly, the gesture is lost on the raving creature.
it bellows in a rage.
Good, I would like to help you show that. Maybe save your life if I can.
Thom says soothingly.
Perhaps you can tell us where you were at the times in question. Put some doubt in the minds of the towns to your guilt.
"Just explain it us..and we might be able to help. How do you know you didn't do it..do you have an alibi? Anything we can proof? A theorie about who or what might have done it instead which we can investigate?"
"NO! I NOT DO IT!" he bellows, struggling fruitlessly against the mithril bindings. "GRAWR!" he roars.
Gaarm's shoulders slump. Seems he isn't going to be any help to us.... Trying anyways he asks. Do you at least know where the missing Effigy is at?
Sir Thomas looks into the purity of the beast's heart .
Naxx scratches his chin
"It doesn't seem like he will be able to tell us anything"
Naxx will then cast detect magic and try to see if there are any lingering magical aura's detectable, possibly giving a clue about this man being influenced beyond his control by outside forces.
Nothing in the room catches Sir Thomas' eye as he tries to determine the purity of the Beast.
At Gaarm's question, the Beast rages once more but you get the sense that it is more of a childlike response to the interrogation. "NO! I NO TAKE TINY STATUE! EVERYONE SAY ANDREW TAKE Tiny STATUE! ANDREW NO TAKE EFF-EFFITREE!"