Maria cuts down the wounded Green, then turns with the force of the blow and slams her blade deep into Blue.
Jack steps up and sinks both his blades deep into the blinded Yellow, who slumps dead without knowing who slew him.
Blue drops his weapon and holds his hands up. "I give! I'm not being paid enough to risk being butchered by a Paladin!"
Cyan grunts as he is tripped over and has a heavy body land on him.
Purple tries to stand up and only slips helplessly in the grease.
Gadren & Cedric can now act.
Maria growls to the surrendering man. "Then keep your hands up and step inside the courthouse. We'll talk later."
Gadren moves out of the courthouse towards Lazar, taking out a bit of silk rope. "Good work, you can use this to tie him up." He scowls at the man floundering. "Stop resisting and come along quietly."
Cedric will move to tend to the ones downed by jack, hoping to keep them from passing if possible.
Lazar quickly ties up the man's hands and uses a piece of cloth to fill his mouth, then he helps him get into the courthouse. He hopes the measures are enough to stop him from casting any other spell.
You end up with three prisoners, two of whom are obviously cheap hired muscle. The third man, bound and gagged by Lazar comes back into view as his potion of invisibility ends.
He is better dressed than the thugs and glares at you furiously but futilely from his helpless position.
Loot:
The Rogue.
Potion of gaseous form.
MW rapier.
Mithral chain shirt
The Thugs.
MW breastplate (6).
MW greatclub (6).
MW brass knuckles (6).
Cloak of resistance +1 (6).
100 gp (6)
The leader.
Potion of darkvision.
Mithral chain shirt.
MW light crossbow with 10 bolts.
MW rapier.
MW thieves’ tools.
800gp hidden in a money belt.
What are you doing now?
"Lets bind and gag the rest of them before locking them up. We need to lock that door again and check the perimeter, this could have been a diversion. I'm going to check on the defendant."
"These enchanted cloaks may help you resist magic, we'll have to hand them over in the morning as evidence but given how well equipped they are there might be spell casters on their side who might show up later on... I think it reasonable to don it for now." Unless someone wishes to join him or has something to say he'll go downstairs and check on 'the Beast' and check the area with detect magic.
Maria nods to the wealthy man with the gag and says "If we have any more uninvited visitors, the first thing I'm going to do is to make sure the three of you can't cause any more trouble. You first. Will more come?"
Cedric will help collect the items and set them aside before gently tapping Maria on her shoulder.
Maria, if you would give me a moment. He asks her to follow him a bit away from the hooligans, and if she does so, whispers.
If you give me 15 minutes to prepare, I can aid our questioning with magic, which hopefully would make it harder, or impossible, for them to out right lie to us.
Maria nods while gathering up the items. "Alright then. I don't want him lying anyway."
Cedric will take some incense and perform a small ritual taking abut 15 minutes.
What questions are you asking?
Once Cedric has cast his spell, Maria begins pouring on the questions. "Are there any more of you clowns coming to the courthouse tonight? And whose idea was it to try to lynch the beast?"
Cedric would have Maria bring them in one at a time. If you help us, and answer truthfully, I promise you a more lenient sentence.
Lazar whispers at Cedric's ears. "Hey, ask him if this is all a trick of the Whispering Way or whatever the name of those necromancers was."
The leader looks extremely ruffled and glares at you. "I have no idea what you are talking about. If anything you are the dark cultists here! Attempting to keep your pet monster free of rightful justice!"
He is lying, mentioning the Whispering way worried him.
What now?
Cedric sighs, both in annoyance at the failure of his spell, and that this man may not only have ties with the necromancers, but is being quite stubborn. He gives a small, almost sad smile to the man.
My good sir, we both know that The Beast is innocent of all crimes he has been accused of. I offered you a chance for lenience, to help us stop a deep rooted evil that has been festering in these lands... It seems that evil has already reached you. I am sorry, truly.
He turns to Maria and speaks to her, but loud enough that the man can still hear him.
Sadly, it seems my spell may have been ineffective. I can't be certain, but I don't think that was the truth. If he is truly associated with the necromancers of the way, I relinquish him to you. Do as you see fit, just leave his face mostly intact. If he won't tell you in life, he will tell me in death. However, if he has a change of heart before then, please, get me.
Cedric turns away from the man as he speaks, for his words cause him to make a face similar to one that had eaten the sourest of fruits. However, it must be done.
Maria nods and approaches the man, drawing her falchion. "Perhaps you do not take us seriously. I assure you, we do not joke. It seems you have been entirely corrupted. May Iomedae have mercy on your soul." She raises her blade over her head with both hands.
"Wait! Hold on a sec there, Maria, if you would. Just one sec is all I'm asking," he says with an open hand and in an defensive posture. "If I can't help you convince him to talk, then you're free to kill him, no harm no foul," he tells her, simply shrugging. Once it appears she somewhat relaxes, Jack turns to the captive and leans in. "Okay look, pal, if you know what's good for you, it's probably wise to answer our questions. Because trust me when I tell you this, she's normally not in such a good mood. But, hey, if you enjoy being cut into a multitude of pieces, that's up to you. And if that's your choice, let me know how that works out for you, hm?" he says, clapping his shoulder and nodding before rising and walking away.
The man now looks a great deal less sure of himself. "You can't kill a man for simply wanting justice!" He protests weakly.
Seeing that his words are not convincing you he panics. "Look, all I know is a man heard me calling for justice in the Boar & Spear and agreed something should be done. He was the one who gave me the coin to make sure the Beast burned."
What now?
"When did this happen? Would anyone else there be able to give us more detail on the man? And is anyone else going to attack tonight?" Maria plies her questions aggressively one after the other.
At the man's desperate defence, Lazar replies with a disdainful gaze. "You obviously don't know s$*+ about Justice."
He elaborates, trying to settle down the matter. "Your justice is someone pays for some minions to assassinate a still to be proven guilty creature, due to the fact that the trial doesn't go as he would have liked to go. Meanwhile, the true author of these crimes is in jail, we offer the possibility of executing him instead, but you don't care, because "the beast" is different. What you call justice I call hatred." He shrugs. "Best we can do" he says to the others "is call it a night, and tomorrow we'll take this one to the magistrate so he can tell him all he knows. Hopefully for him, this can buy him his life."
Morning dawns and from the surprised looks on several faces among the crowd the continuing presence of the Beast is a shock to some, uncomfortable mutters flow through the onlookers. Made even more unsure by the absence of a particular loud voice. One that had been regularly heard calling for the Beast's execution.
While the crowd is still angry and determined to see what they call justice take place toe failure of the crew who attempted to attack the courthouse has made many realize that they might need to put themselves in danger to get the result they want. Something that cools their desire more than a little.
The other reason the crowd is angry is due to it's decreasing numbers, as the trial has continued and the evidence has shown the Beast is not responsible for the crimes he is accused of the more level headed have faded away, leaving only the blind and bigoted to carry on.
Day Three: Sanctuary and the Final Verdict
The atmosphere on this final day is frenzied, with the remaining locals determined to see the Beast burn. The clerks arrive early, with other members of the court arriving as the time approaches 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.: The final day of the Trial of the Beast begins. Chief Justice Khard reminds the crowd of the penalties of violence, and tells them that he will clear the entire court if they do not behave. He also warns them that mobs do not rule Lepidstadt, and that should anyone threaten violence to any of the defense, he will have the person whipped out of town or hanged.
He then requests the prosecution to describe the alleged events at Sanctuary.
10:30 a.m.: Witnesses for the Prosecution.
The prosecution details the arson attack on the hospital of Sanctuary on Karb Isle 4 months ago. Otto alleges that the Beast set fire to the building, murdering Doctor Brada and his patients in the process, and states that only Brada’s loyal assistant Karl survived.
Otto calls Karl to the stand to give his evidence.
12:30 p.m.: Witnesses for the Defense.
Gustav calls on you to present any evidence you found at Sanctuary.
Evidence: Based on your investigations at Sanctuary, you present the following as evidence to the court.
Getting Karl to admit that Vorkstag & Grine were
occasional visitors to Sanctuary .
Describing the Shambling Man skin from Vorkstag’s
Cabinet of Skins and Faces to Karl, who recognizes it as the attacker.
Establishing that Brada knew Vorkstag & Grine, either through his papers or the bleach vial.
Using speak with dead on the head of Doctor Brada shows the truth of
what happened at Sanctuary.
2:30 p.m.: Closing Statements.
The prosecution asserts that the Beast is guilty of the murders in Morast, Hergstag, and Sanctuary. Otto claims that the Beast is a danger to society, and is a monster that should be destroyed. He recommends punishment in accordance with traditional law—execution by burning in the Punishing Man.
Gustav asserts that the prosecution’s evidence is not enough to prove the Beast guilty of any of the crimes in Morast, Hergstag, or Sanctuary. He recommends the Beast be freed immediately.
3:00 p.m.: Close of the Trial.
When both prosecution and defense have made their closing statements, Chief Justice Khard announces that the trial is over, and he and the other justices depart to deliberate.
The Verdict
An hour after the justices leave to deliberate, they return looking grim. The Herald calls for order, and the crowd immediately hushes. Chief Justice Khard stands and announces the verdict.
“We have heard the evidence presented before us, and thank Pharasma that we did so, for without this trial there would have been a most terrible miscarriage of justice. There are many cruelties in the world, but to lie and blame another for one’s crimes is the most terrible of sins. We have asked ourselves a
question—who is the monster here? Is it this creature before us,
with its broken body and terrible form, or is it we, the people of
Lepidstadt, with our bigotry and lies? The Beast is innocent!”
When the Beast is found innocent, it thanks you for your help, calling them its “best friends in all the world.”
The Beast confides that it wants nothing more than to go see its “father,” who lives at Schloss Caromarc.
The Beast tells you that “Father doesn’t usually like visitors,” but invites you to visit it there in a few days. The guards escort the Beast through the baying crowds to the edge of
the city, and release it into the Dippelmere Swamp.
Trial over, lots of unhappy people denied seeing an execution. You have a few days to rest up. Spend some money. See if you can find out anything about the paymaster of the attack on the courthouse? Then it's off to scenic Schloss Caromarc.
Maria smiles softly, just the smallest upturn of the corner of her mouth. "It's good to see justice in Ustalav. Too rare a thing." She turns to the others. "Well we should stock up on supplies. For one, I know what Gadren has been tinkering on something magical for me which should improve my ability to focus on Iomedae's light. Anything else we should prepare before we go?"
Gadren will request that the captured equipment of the criminals be given to them as compensation and reward for their efforts.
"Not much longer Maria though given the haste we've had to proceed and the commotion of the trial I'd request three days of respite before heading out. The more spells I have in my repetoire the more aid I can be on the path ahead of us."
Maria smiles softly, just the smallest upturn of the corner of her mouth. "It's good to see justice in Ustalav. Too rare a thing." She turns to the others. "Well we should stock up on supplies. For one, I know what Gadren has been tinkering on something magical for me which should improve my ability to focus on Iomedae's light. Anything else we should prepare before we go?"
Amazingly enough, Jack just so happens to look in Maria's direction when the tiniest of smiles cracks her face. Squinting, and positive he saw what he saw, he grins and points. "I saw that! Yes I did! Did you guys see that?! Oh yeah, I'm fairly certain I saw the minutest," he holds his forefinger and thumb barely apart, "of a smile," he tells her, grinning wryly. "Marking that one down in my mental notes," he points to his head. "Okay, fellas, make sure you note this day down. We may need to bring it up from time to time just to keep her in check," he says, giving a wink.
"Jack don't make a fuss, she often smiles... though not quite as much since we met you- and not while you're around." Gadren smiles softly.
Jack can't help but bust out laughing. "Okay, okay, my good man, well played. That was good. Gonna have to stay on my toes with this bunch," he says with a grin.
"Okay, justice's done, but..." Lazar begins, "people doesn't seem to be happy about it. I know, I know, but in order to prevent that this becomes the breeding grounds for the Whispering Way to use the crowd, we should leave the people settled. They want an execution, a public scorn. And we have just what they want, don't ya think?"
Lazar goes to see the Magistrate, and talks about his thoughts, proposing another public trial, this time against Vorstag. Given the facts, it should result in an imminent execution. "I know Justice is not a public show, Magistrate, but I think we should think also about the well-being of the community. We're not failing to apply the law, while we're giving the folks what they want."
Other than that, Lazar smiles when Gadren talks about magic belts, and accepts the more than convenient trade. "Just don't hurry up, take your time. Enjoy the colorful and welcoming Ustalav" he says with a wink.
Judge Daramid listens to what you say with agreement, she asks you to go to Schloss Caromarc in search of the Beast and its creator.
She is interested in the Beast’s history, and thinks the Beast might still be dangerous. If you can find its creator, perhaps you can learn how to control the Beast, or convince its creator to keep a tighter rein on the creature.
But Daramid has also heard rumors that the townsfolk are planning to track down the Beast and overturn the court’s verdict on their own. If you want to protect the creature, you should hurry.
On your way back from Judge Daramid’s house, you notice a large number of people gathering on the streets with torches and various weapons and farm tools. If asked, the townsfolk tell of their plan to go into the swamp, find the Beast, and “give it the justice it deserves, once and for all.”
Whether the Beast is guilty or innocent, you must get to Schloss Caromarc before the mob does.
Schloss Caromarc lies some 24 miles north and east of Lepidstadt in a rocky gorge at the edge of the Dippelmere Swamp. The Beast heads straight through the swamp to get to the castle, but a road also follows the western bank of the Lesser Moutray River, leading directly to Schloss Caromarc.
Once you've done any shopping, and public speaking you can set forth on the journey.
Lazar nods to the Judge's words. "Off we go, then." He then transmits the conversation to his friends.
Maria turns on Jack with a cold stare. "I smile more when childish fools aren't around." Then she saddles up her horse and prepares to head back out onto the road again. If justice demanded travel, well Iomedae had given her a horse...
Jack breaks out in laughter once again. "Ouch. I gotta confess, I'm stung. You know, good ol' Jack's got feelings, Maria. You gotta be more careful or you might just hurt them. And then where would we be? I mean, things would just be awkward between us and who wants that?" he says with a shrug, grinning wryly. As she ignores his annoying glob of claptrap and moves away to tend to her horse, he leans in close to Lazar, "Think she's warming up to me?" he asks, clapping him on the shoulder and giving a wink.
Seeing the crowd, Jack inquires what the gathering is for. Sighing heavily, "Okay, okay, people. Haven't we been through this? Okay, I tried to do this the nice way but now you've just gone and pissed me off. So now I'm going to try something different. Okay, how about this:
Realizing he's talking to a wall, he shakes his head and waves off the crowd in disgust. "You know, you pathetic bunch of people need a hobby; because anything's gotta be better than dying," he comments as he turns and walks away with the others. Once they made some distance, "Well I think that went well," he states as a matter of fact, grinning ever so slightly as he straightens his shirt.
Lazar had a real hard time trying not to smile when asked advice by Jack. "Totally" is all he manages to say.
Then he watches Jack trying to give a b!!&@+*ing to the crowd with little to no success. "Well, life for certain ain't gonna be boring" he thinks, before moving on with the preparations for their journey.
If you seek any information of Schloss Caromarc before heading out.
Schloss Caromarc is the dwelling of Count Alpon Caromarc, the former ruler of Vieland who abdicated his position when the Palatinates threw off the heavy yoke of the aristocracy.
An eccentric recluse, Count Caromarc has built a dwelling that both attracts and deters visitors. Known as the Hanging House, Schloss Caromarc lies to the northeast of Dippelmere Swamp, and is actually several buildings built into the walls of a gorge above a waterfall.
Although the lower parts of the house are as luxurious as one might find in any city, the further up the gorge one goes, the more treacherous and inhospitable the buildings become.
Paranoid about his experiments and discoveries being stolen, the eccentric Count Caromarc has, it is rumored, trapped parts of his castle to prevent theft, and constructed numerous guardian creatures to serve and protect him.
Schloss Caromarc:
The fens give way to a deep, rocky gorge at the northern edge of the swamp, where a peculiar building, or rather group of buildings, clings to steep cliff edges above half a dozen plummeting waterfalls.
Beyond a fortified gatehouse, a stone bridge arches gracefully over the raging torrents below. Perched precariously beyond this is a fine, fortified manse and a ruined building that appears to have partially collapsed into the river below.
A slender rope bridge, replacing the fallen remnants of a stone bridge, links to a strange tower pierced with beautiful stained glass windows depicting bizarre beasts. A further building teeters to the north of this, but how it is reached is impossible to see from here.
Far above, a great tower rises from an isle of stone to the sky, ending in a great steeple topped with a huge lightning conductor.
What are you doing now?
Maria shrugs. "Well I suppose we should cross this thing but I don't like the look of it."
"I've hear a little about Count Alpon Caromac who has his residence here. He abdicated his position of ruler of Vieland when the Palatines took over."
"He has built a dwelling that both attracts and deters visitors. Known as the Hanging House, Schloss Caromarc, stands before us and is actually several buildings built into the walls of a gorge above a waterfall. Although the lower parts of the house are as luxurious as one might find in any city, the further up the gorge one goes, the more treacherous and inhospitable the buildings become."
"Paranoid about his experiments and discoveries being stolen, the eccentric Count Caromarc has, it is rumored, trapped parts of his castle to prevent theft, and constructed numerous guardian creatures to serve and protect him... strong likelyhood he's the 'Father' we are looking for."
Maria nods. "Sounds like him, from the rumors I've heard."
Lazar shrugs. "Well, we mean no harm, so... I guess we just knock on the door?"
"Agreed, just be careful if you wander off..."
F1. Outer Gate
A two-story stone gatehouse leads into the castle, topped with a crenellated tower at each corner. The main gate is closed.
As you draw closer to the gate house what seemed to be lumps of trash and vegetation stir and rise, sniffing the air hungrily. They now look like misshapen and monstrous dogs?
Trollhound
N Medium magical beast
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dex, +4 natural), regeneration 3 (acid or fire), Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +1
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +8 (1d10+6 plus disease and trip)
STATISTICS
Base Atk +4; CMB +8; CMD 19 (23 vs. trip)
Feats Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +8, Stealth +5, Survival +1 (+5 scent tracking); Racial Modifiers +4 Survival while scent tracking
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)
A trollhound’s saliva is an infectious brew of contagion. Creatures bitten by a trollhound are often afflicted with bloodfire fever, a disease characterized by deep internal pain, as if the victim’s blood were on fire. Additional symptoms include loss of muscular coordination, pus-filled blisters, and overall lethargy and fatigue. Trolls and trollhounds alike are immune to bloodfire fever, even though trollhounds often exhibit the pus-filled blisters that come with the disease.
Bloodfire fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 14; onset 1 day; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Str damage, 1d3 Dex damage, and target is fatigued; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.
You won initiative, so the party goes first.
Maria mutters "Abominations" as she charges forward, slicing sideways with her falchion at the nearest disgusting creature.
"A warm welcome indeed!" Lazar shouts.
Lazar remembers vaguely some references to these creatures. "Careful, they regenerate! Use acid or fire!" Then he steps forward to widen his line of sight and shoots a pair of arrows at one of them.