Trollblood smiles, seeming quite pleased with himself. He motions for you to take the items, then beams as he sees your fascination with them. Here's hoping they do you good, Smaranda. Thank you for all you've done for us.
After a few brief, for they're in your mind temporary, goodbyes, you make your way to the Lepidstadt Courthouse - a large, squat building dominated by an enormous clock that overlooks the town square. A huge figure of wood, roughly man-shaped, stands in the square in front of the building.
You come to the main entrance, where ornate pillars support a balcony fifteen feet above. Beneath the balcony, wide steps lead up to a huge, ironbound door. Printed public notices are posted on a wooden board next to the door. Presently, these notices detail the ongoing trial in a long-winded legal language.
You enter, and find a large open room that looks to provide access to other areas. A heavy iron trapdoor sits in the floor. Behind a sturdy desk facing the doorway is a young guardsman, who is idly filling out forms. He looks up. Yes, may I help you?
Saying brief (and slightly awkward) goodbyes, she finally ventures outside the troupe's encampment and into Lepistadt, looking around at the buildings and the people from under her cloak hood. Following the main thoroughfares, it's not difficult to find the Courthouse, and she stares at the wooden construction in the square in front of it. It isn't difficult to divine its purpose, and the thought of someone being burned alive inside it adds another layer of determination to her resolve.
She paces for about half an hour in front of the building, pretending to read the notices while gathering up the courage to go inside. It's the chiming of the clock that finally spurs her on, after she spends a few moments straightening up her clothing as much as she can, and combing her short hair with her fingers. A knot in her throat, she ascends the steps and has only a moment of hesitation before pushing the huge door open. It slams loudly behind her, making her start and wince. She takes a step forward and freezes as the guard addresses her.
"..."
She opens and closes her mouth a few times, her heart hammering in her chest.
"Ah. I-I-I..." She clears her throat, the sound echoing loudly in the open room. "I'm to see M-mister H-heiger. O-Otto Heiger." She normally doesn't stutter, but this situation is so terrifying for her that she finds it difficult to get her voice to obey her.
"We will be as gentle as possible in dissuading anyone from taking justice into their own hands. If we have to resort to violence I believe we can make sure noone is killed." Silas tells the attorney.
Rufus nimbly dances about the rim of the vat to the other side, and runs through one of the creatures, killing it instantly. The creature falls down the outside of the vat, skimming its face along the surface of it as it goes. It's mask flies off, and you see a face of scaly, pockmarked skin and a mouth of crooked teeth and yellowed tusks jutting out.
Leeoli jumps down off of the vat and thrusts through one of the humanoids as well, putting down the last of these creatures willing to fight. The others mill about in the corner of the room, cowering away from the frightening combatants.
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The inevitable force that is Gur will not be denied. The hound lowers its front down and tries to drive itself back with its powerful back legs, but inch by inch it is drawn forward. Finally, its front legs go over the lip of walkway, and without those two additional points of contact, it is swiftly overcome. Gur drags and drops the beast; it falls, without a sound, to splash into the vat below.
Dura finally reaches Gur's position and, seeing his wounds, heals the orc.
The man above sees the frightening display of Gur's strength, and drinks one more potion, then brings his morningstar up and ready, its spikes glistening with some greenish fluid. After he drinks the potion, his cheeks puff up as if he'd just taken a deep breath.
Behind him, another, smaller figure appears, though he's still cloaked in shadow.
Zazaria, at the base of the ladder, moves to the side of Leeoli at the base of the vats. I think these down here are cowed, but Gur may need help!
The hound attempts to scramble up and out of the vat. It fails, and slips back down into the acid.
Leeoli
Gur
Dura
New Guy
Grine...supposedly
Hound
Zazaria holding
There is the barest flicker in Cassidia's otherwise neutral expression, as if she was insulted by the accusation that she would kill indiscriminately.
"I will defend myself accordingly should it come to that, but I do not intend to kill anyone. I hope, between the two of us, we can discourage violence." Cassidia says firmly and hopes that assuages the Barrister of their use in the investigation. She shuffles in her seat a little but doesn't stand, a thought occurring to her.
"Guard duty aside, do you feel somebody is stoking ire against the beast? Hmm, more than usual?"
Rufus crosses the planking to where the beast is struggling and addresses Zazaria and Leeoli. "You should both climb ahead. If the creature escapes the vat it will likely attack. I'll cover you and follow behind."
He then moves to put the creation out of its misery.
Gur pulls himself up fully and stands, picking his axe up from where he had lain it on the climb.
Leeoli is determined to help Gur, and takes off as fast as he could
If y...y...you'd like to speak to the B...Beast now?
"Certainly. I think it would be most appropriate. We'll need to see the layout of the building so we can accomplish both at the same time." Silas says.
He stands up with a jingle of mail as his armor shifts.
Gur heaves himself up, as does Dura behind him.
Rufus slashes down with his sword, but misses the flesh golem hound as it methodically scratches at the side of the vat. It's an odd motion, as it seems devoid of any fear or pain, even though the fluid inside seems to be sizzling its flesh off.
The man atop the walkway, who you can only assume is the other part of this pair - Vorkstag, belches out a gout of flame towards Gur and Dura, before taking a step back, his morning star ready.
The other fellow, Grine, also quaffs a potion of his own, and begins to climb up the wall, and then across the ceiling, upside down, towards Dura and Gur.
The hound begins to climb once again, trying to scramble out.
Zazaria, seeing the odd Grine come out onto the ceiling, and beings the words to a prayer. Now that he's out in the open, you can see Grine skin is a pale white, and red scars criss-cross his odd face. He has flame-colored, greasy long hair that hangs down from his head as he looks down at the cleric. There are several hand axes on his belt.
At Zazaria's call, a javelin of divine light appears in her hands, and she prepares to hurl it up at the climbing form above her.
Leeoli
Gur
Dura
New Guy
Grine...supposedly
Hound
Zazaria holding
The prosecutor not being there was good news for Smaranda, as she had no idea what she would do or say if she was face to face with him. She latches on to the last thing that the guard had said. How would someone who had legitimate business here act? What should she say?
Squaring her shoulders the way she saw Kaleb doing before a show, she puts more strength into her voice, speaking in a normal tone for once. "I wish to see the accused."
The lie by omission makes her very uncomfortable, as the prosecution most definitely did not send her to speak with the Beast, but it is true that she wishes to see... why is the guard calling them "it"? If they were intelligent enough to be put on trial, they deserved to be addressed as a person, not an animal.
Gur rushes through the flames to strike at his assailant.
Leeoli reverses direction, just realizing that the ladder went the wrong way. I'm coming
Rufus's sword clangs against the side of the metal tub.
When you reach the bottom of the stairs, you see a pale skinned thin woman with haunting eyes being directed to the very same trap door. The guard behind the desk stands up and walks over to open it up, showing a stair leading down. Headed down? We've got someone here with the prosecution as well...guess there's no harm in letting you all in together. Head down the stairs and you...well, you can't miss it.
The guard motions Smaranda to the opening, and you see two others at the trapdoor. The guard leans in to speak in a hushed tone. They're with the defense. Don't let them bother you, and let me know if they start any trouble down there.
A steep stone stair here descends into a large cellar, its ceiling some 15 feet above the flagstone floor. A narrow, iron spiral staircase stands in the center of the cellar, leading up to the prisoner holding room two floors above. Three iron cages line the jail's northern wall - each with a small cot but aside from that, empty.
In the southeast corner, there is a large cage that is currently home to the Beast of Lepidstadt, bound to a huge iron chair with 12 sets of manacles. The chair is bolted to the floor, and a towering abomination sits in it. 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 on its monstrous face.
One of the guards takes up position at the base of the stone stairs, idly watching you three.
As they reach the bottom floor of the jail, she frowns at the cages. The caravans she had traveled with did not have captive animals for shows, but she had seen others who did; common or exotic beasts, chained and muzzled and locked in cages, watching the world pass by with apathy that sometimes flared into rage. Wings beating at the iron bars, claws scratching at the boards until they left bloody furrows in the wood, fangs gnawing at the chains. Calls into the night, eerie and frightening, roars and whines and squeals and caws and screams, making you want to turn away, bury your head under your blankets and close your heart to their suffering.
Forgetting the others, she walks towards the Beast, hand outstretched as you would do when approaching a frightened animal.
"Hello."
She opens her mouth to say more, but seems to remember something, for she drops her hand and looks around, watching the guard and the two strangers.
Rufus slashes down, but once again his blade simply clangs off of the side of the vat. The hound's skin continues to sizzle and steam in the liquid below.
Leeoli moves, rushing to get into position as the humanoids below cower in the corner, fearing that he may change direction and head their way.
Gur, in the meantime, moves through the fire even as it singes his skin. He flies in to deliver a vicious strike at the skinless man, whose form seems to blur as he approaches. His axe strikes true, slamming into the man's side and cutting deep even as it cracks a rib. The man sucks in a gasp of pain.
Dura yelps as she's scorched by the flames. She grits her teeth, but unable to do much else, rushes forward, and puts his healing hand on Gur's back.
The skinless man slams his morning star across at Gur. The weapon hits, and the spikes dig into Gur's skin. The green fluid on the tips seeps into the orc's flesh.
The smaller man, Grine, whispers out a few words in a harsh, dark language, and a circle of darkness appears on Gur's position. The light inside goes from normal to dim. The man then skitters along the ceiling to the east, and pulls one of his axes to ready a throw against Gur.
Leeoli
Gur
Dura
Vorkstag
Grine...supposedly
Hound
Zazaria
The Beast looks up as Smaranda approaches, his face even and with an expression that is impossible to determine from its scarred features.
Gur shrugs off his enemies blows and continues to fight in an attempt to end this battle quickly.
Cassidia walks a half-pace behind Silas as the two are lead to where the beast is kept, finding the whole process suspicious and unusual - Gustav must have known more than he let on. She should have pressed harder and for more information. She would not let the opportunity pass should it arrive again.
Her suspicions are only compounded when herself and Silas are led to the chamber of the beast and find that they will be joining an individual representing the prosecution - and that nobody seemed to think it strange.
Something about the pale stranger feels off to Cassidia but she brushes it off as circumstances, what with the Beast of Lepidstadt restrained to an absurd degree nearby. She hadn't expected the beast to be so large.
Cautiously and with a wide berth to both the guards and the pale stranger Cassidia approaches as close to the beast as she deems safe and does her best to address the beast, opting for a neutral temperment.
"Can you speak?"
Brother Silas follows the guard down the stairs.
He is a tall, broad shouldered man. He wears heavy armor and a coat of mail, covered by a surcoat that bears an embroidered symbol of Pharasma.
His hands are empty and open, but a heavy mace hangs by a cord from his belt at his right hip.
When he sees the pale woman he slows for a slight moment as he recognizes what she is.
"Good afternoon lady." he says, inclining his head.
"My name is Brother Silas and this is my associate Cassidia."
Smaranda stares at the armored man as he addresses her, unused with such displays of courtesy and civility. She eyes the symbol of Pharasma with particular caution, remembering all too well that most followers of that faith consider her an abomination and wish her dead. Still, there had been a priest of Pharasma who treated her fairly, so she supposes that not all of them are like that.
After a few moments, she whispers hesitantly. "Hello." She places a palm on her chest, her eyes darting from the man's face to his hands. "Smaranda." After another hesitation, she adds. "I- I don't work with the prosecution. Lied to get in. Here to help." She gestures with her other hand at the Beast as her cheeks darken slightly.
Rufus elects to leave the beast to its fate and runs for the ladder, intending to help the others.
The hound attempts to climb out of the vat, once again. It once again falls back into the vat, and Rufus simply shrugs at its predicament, and moves on.
Zazaria hurls her javelin up at the scrabbling Grine, the projectile seemingly guided by her righteous beliefs. It flies out at the man, illuminating the dimly lit area as it flies. The javelin flies harmlessly by, hitting a wall and disappearing in an arc of light.
Rufus and Leeoli scramble up the ladder, their pace putting Dura's to shame. Leeoli nearly reaches the top. And Rufus follows right behind.
As they do, the seemingly unstoppable Gur moves in again, his axe slamming down at Vorkstag once again. It hits once more, this time nearly severing the creature's left arm.
Dura once again heals Gur, though this time it's not quite as powerful.
Vorkstag, for his part, seems quite concerned at this point. His face is repulsive, but is even more so now as it forms a snarl of pain. He steps back slightly, falling to a knee as he puts his good hand to the ground to steady himself. Stop! Why have you invaded our business?!
He pauses, awaiting a reply. Grine takes his cue and holds as well, his axe held high.
[ooc]Everyone is holding, including Zazaria, who holds another Javelin. Except, of course, the hound, who continues to try and climb out. It fails, and continues to melt.
Leeoli
Gur
Dura
Vorkstag
Grine...supposedly
Hound
Zazaria
The huge, scarred face looks up at Cassidia. It pauses, its odd mismatched eyes taking in these newcomers. With an impossibly deep voice, it says. Charlie...speaks.
"Charlie ... that's your name?" Brother Silas responds.
"My name is Brother Silas and I have come to help."
Cassidia raises an eyebrow at Smaranda's admittancce that she wasn't actually with the prosecution but says nothing, more focused on the fact that the creature had answered her so...personally.
Letting Smaranda's admittance slide for the time being she nodded in agreement with Silas. "We've been sent to help you."
"Body snatching, murder and arson, impersonating an innocent to throw off suspicion. Take your pick of the crimes you have committed, I only care that you stand trial and confess so the man you heaped your crimes on may go free. Past that your lives will be in the hands of the court. Or, we can continue this fight, I will promise a quick death before we go through the trouble of dragging a confession from your corpse." Gur flowers at the man, filled with certainty and a readiness to strike the fiend down if need be.
The guard here's that, and obviously tenses a bit.
Charlie. Such an innocuous name. Now that she's had a good look at him, Smaranda can see why the townspeople would fear him, and want to get rid of him. And her thoughts go to Trollblood, and the rest of the "freaks" in the travelling troupe. They're afraid of us, unless we entertain them. And sometimes, our deaths are the entertainment.
She doesn't trust these people who claim they have been sent to help. Why would they want to help? But so far they have not made any threatening moves, so Smaranda remains still. Watching.
The skinless man's features curl up in a sneer, and his voice comes out in a harsh whisper. You think you know so much...I don't know who you are, but you shouldn't have come. And, such accusations! We are protecting our business, and I'll make sure the council knows that when they consider the legal ramifications of this break in. Not that it matters, you'll be dead!
With that, he whips his good arm up, swinging his mace across at Gur.
Grine takes the cue, and hurls his axe at Gur.
The hound tries once again to escape the vat. It fails, and its skin continues to sizzle. One eye bursts, and fluid splashes into the liquid below.
Zazaria growls in frustration and moves towards the ladder, starting to follow up.
Leeoli
Gur
Dura
Vorkstag
Grine...supposedly
Hound
Zazaria
"I'm sorry Charlie, but you cannot leave yet. The people here are still questioning if you have done evil deeds." Silas responds to the beast.
"If you did leave now, before the trial is done, then you would convince them you have done evil."
"If you could leave, where would you go?"
Gur sighs as he swings his axe in a long arc.
Cassidia herself makes no movement save for a slight tilting of her head to surreptitiously glance about at the guards and Smaranda at the beasts - no, Charlie. It had a name - made it clear it wanted to leave, Certainly the guards were on edge at such a statement, but they were not her concern at the moment.
"Brother Silas is sadly right. You must remain here, for you own safety if nothing else." Although technically true she is worried about the guards and their cruel bias. Needs must, she supposed.
"Yes. If you were to leave, where would you go? We can go there, get help for you." She ignores everyone else and places her full scrutiny on Charlie in the attempt to learn as much from what it says and what it doesn't.
Easy, we'd blame Gur. The automatic analysis spits out from Leeoli's subconscious. Leeoli rejects the analysis out of hand, but he does wonder about the legality of their actions.
"We'll dissect that issue later," Rufus calls from below, continuing to climb up.
Gur moves in, and the wounded form of Vorkstag gets to his feet in defiance. He roars in anger at the implacable orc, even as the axe swings across to sever his head from his shoulders. The head tumbles to the walkway, then continues to fall, landing with a splat among the huddled workers below. As one, they sprint away towards the exit.
As Rufus and Leeoli make the top walkway, Dura looks up at the ceiling and points to Grine, then motions for him to get down. She hopes that the implied threat is recognized.
Grine looks at Vorkstag's body and his eyes flare with rage. Still, he's not willing to seek out revenge on his own. Instead, he turns, and rushes away, scuttling across the ceiling like the same spider on which the potion he'd imbibed had been based.
The hound, far below, finally succumbs and slips under the surface of the liquid in the vat. It seems to have given up, or been made unable to swim any more.
Zazaria holds her action, looking up at the walkway for direction. Should I stop these guys? She motions to the humanoids, who are sprinting away towards the exit, as well.
Leeoli
Gur
Dura
Grine
Zazaria
Gur moves closer to the edge of the platform and hurls his axe end over end at the man on the ceiling in one last attempt to bring him down.
Leeoli shrugs, perhaps confused by the whole situation and too much wine the night before.
Smaranda frowns at pointed-eared woman. Was she really trying to trick Charlie? And did he tell the truth about his innocence?