Galadan nods to the judge as he replaces his hat at the doorway.
"Which is why an investigation would prove fruitful. I believe we shall go find this solicitor and see if we can persuade the court to grant a few more days to allow the truth to rise to the surface."
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Courthouse
A large, squat building dominated by an enormous clock overlooks the town square. A huge figure of wood, roughly man-shaped, stands in the square in front of the building.
Designed primarily as a fortification, the Lepidstadt Courthouse is built of dark stone, with walls of reinforced masonry. The building is three stories high, with narrow, open windows only a foot wide. All exterior doors are strong wooden doors, while interior doors are good wooden doors. The exterior doors have good locks. In the square immediately outside the courthouse stands the Punishing Man, Lepidstadt's traditional method of executing murderers and other criminals guilty of capital crimes. The Punishing Man is a gigantic, man-shaped conglomeration of cut timber standing over 30 feet tall. Convicted criminals are placed within the figure's hollow chest cavity and the entire structure is then set on fire in a public ceremony. As the trial progresses, eager workers pile more timber against the figure's legs and oil its wooden limbs, while children play games at its side and throw grass, f lowers, and rubbish onto it.
Several guards ward the courthouse and keep watch over the prisoners held inside. Their former sergeant drank himself to death 3 weeks ago, and has yet to be replaced, leaving one of the guards, Acting Sergeant Dun, in charge. The guards are enjoying their newfound fame as the jailers of the infamous Beast of Lepidstadt, and delight in tormenting the Beast.
The only other person permanently in residence at the moment is Barrister Gustav Kaple, who has been charged with defending the Beast during the upcoming trial.
Wren examines the Punishing Man, this time feeling more personally connected to it now.
"Hmm...this seems a trifle more dramatic now, doesn't it?"
Wren enters the Courthouse and seeks out Barrister Kaple.
Maybe we can go visit the Beast after meeting the Barrister. I should wonder if the Beast speaks.
"Is Barrister Kaple available? We should like an audience."
Aldous eyes Wren nervously, remembering all too well what happened last time she spoke to a large assemblage of people.
"Perhaps it would be best to allow another to have a chance to engage in public speaking? Over the years I have had to deal with more than a few politicians and lawyers, so I dare say I could cobble-together a half-way decent closing statement..."
He then waits patiently to see whether Barrister Kaple is available...
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The Barrister
Barrister Gustav Kaple meets you in the Defense Chamber. Wearing his huge court wig, Gustav cuts an impressive figure.
Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving— Gustav has had several recent failures in the justice system and seen his last six clients hanged. In truth, the down-at-the-heels barrister was chosen to represent the Beast precisely because of his inability to defend anyone and for his stutter, which manifests itself when he is stressed. Although Gustav has no doubt that the Beast is guilty, he plans to defend the creature to the best of his ability, but he is struggling to find any kind of evidence in support of the Beast's innocence.
Gustav is happy to tell you all he knows.
"The prosecution is using three recent crimes attributed to the Beast to convict the creature of murder: the murder of 10 citizens of the village of Morast a year ago; the slaying of six children in the farming community of Hergstag 7 months ago; and the arson attack 4 months ago at the Sanctuary on Karb Isle, which resulted in the deaths of Doctor Brada and his patients and the blinding of the doctor's assistant, Karl."
Know (Local)
Wren smiles as she remembers what 'her little birdies told her' about the Barrister now that she has seen his face.
Wren is thankful that she will have the chance to indulge in this mystery and begins to formulate questions for the Barrister.
"May we talk to the Beast? Will he be allowed to testify in his own defense?"
Wren has more, but these are the first...she's can be an inquisitive little bird when she wants.
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Turning to Wren
"I will register you as my assistants and then you will be able to talk to the Beast yourself. Yes - the Beast will be allowed to testify - but I'm not sure how much this will help.
I haven't got much out of it and the spectators ... Well you know ..."
He looks around - starting at Wren - then Galadan, Kevin and Aldous.
"You know - people often like to judge by looks only. You need someone who radiates the right aura to make an impression on the spectators. Otherwise you might end up just be mocked or worse.
I'm sure some of you would do a lot better as the beast."
He seems to look to Aldous as trying to get help from him and to deflect the nosy Wren.
Galadan nods.
"I must agree with you on that. I represent Pharasma's will, and unfortunately must remain neutral. However, if death must come, it is advised that the death be fully deserved. This matter warrants further investigation than has been accomplished thus far, especially if a man's life hangs in the balance."
"I don't have any real questions at the moment, though I am curious about the specifics of this beast's latest crime. Is there someone to speak to about the precise details of this crime and the subsiquent capture, perhaps one of the men who captured the beast?"
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"You want to know how he was captured? Well - he left a clear trail of destruction. The beast entered through the back-door. This was a thick iron door. The door of course was locked but for someone with his strength ...
He then passed through the auditorium to the workshop where the Seasage Effigy was kept. Once the Beast had stolen the Seasage Effigy it carried on towards the auditorium - leaving a trail of desctruction.
Fortunately the guardsmen got alerted quickly and together with some watchmen they overpowered the Beast and locked him away.
They had been looking for him for a long while."
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"The first crime that will be heard tomorrow is the death of 10 Swampers of Morast. The Beast is accused to have been living in the area and killing them.
The village elder - Lazne - is a witness and he says they saw the beast and chased it away into the swamp where they saw that it had been attacked by a blood caiman. They assumed he didn't survive the attack as the killings stopped after that incident."
"This Beast what race is he? Half orc? Sounds rather strong."
You know..if this Beast is truely as awful as they say it seems to me that ten Guardsmen would not have been enough to stop him..I think this needs to be looked into deeply.."
Andrea sighs internally, it would seem her adventuring is not yet completed.
Wren listens the Barrister's words with a cocked ear.
"Does the prosecution have witnesses? Or people who have witnessed the attacks? May we speak with them?" Wren inquires.
"Tell me as well, does the court employ any sort of magic to compel or detect truth? Would such magics be appreciated or allowed?"
Wren takes a scrap of parchment and a penning feather (aka a 'quill') and begins to jot down some notes.
#1: Murder of 10 citizens of Morast. 1 year ago.
#1a: Did he really live in area? Where?
#1b: Speak with Lazne, village elder, witness.
#1c: What the heck is a blood caiman?
#2: Slaying of 6 children in (farming community) Hergstag. 7 months ago.
#2a: Who to speak with?
#2b: Survivors? Witnesses?
#3: Arson attack, Sanctuary on Karb Isle, deaths of doctors & patients. Arson? ARSON?!
#3a: Need to talk to blind assistant, Karl.
#3b: How did beast get to and fro island?
#4: Theft at University of Seasage Effigy. Destruction of property.
#4a: Find out more about Effigy.
#4b: Question: where is Effigy now? Why steal it?
#4c: Why destroy property?
#4d: Watchmen saw Beast, overpowered it though it has strength to tear open iron door. Talk with watchmen. Who watches them?
Know (nature) on Blood Caiman
"He was caputred durring the robbery? At the university we were told the Effigy was still missing. How is it still missing if he was captured just after stealing it? I assume it is not small enough for one to simply swallow?"
Wren nods at Nym's good point and adds that to her list.
#4d: Watchmen saw Beast, overpowered it though it has strength to tear open iron door. Talk with watchmen. Who watches them?
#4e: If the Beast was captured while trying to steal the Effigy, where is it?
Nym's a smart ol' elf, just like me.
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Barrister Kaple listens to you all
"Maybe it is best if you do one step after the other - or I'm overwhelmed here. Maybe I first introduce you to the Beast. Then - afterwards you could check if there are any further information at the university.
Indeed - I wondered myself what happened to the Effigy. But this isn't enough to sway the jurors. We need some information from Morast and we would need it by tomorrow morning."
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Gustav Kaple escorts the PCs 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.
Oh dearie, what is that?!
The usually welcoming Wren is somewhat startled by the creature's appearance.
Knowledge: Arcana
Knowledge: Dungeoneering
Knowledge: History
Knowledge: Local
Knowledge: Nature
Knowledge: Planes
Knowledge: Religion
Wren preens herself before addressing the Beast.
Knowledge Dungeon:
Aldous clears his throat, and then positions himself between Wren and the Beast, holding his hands up in a gesture of peace, and smiling in a friendly fashion.
"Steady on, my friend; we mean you no harm. We only seek to talk with you; we have been asked to find the truth, and to defend you, if you prove to be innocent. Tell me, what happened?"
Wren preens herself as Aldous speaks.
Oh, he's a charmer...just like me.
Always uncomfortable with the overly physical, Nym is initially taken aback by this "beast", expecting much the same as Kevin had guessed; a half orc, or perhaps at worst a full blooded orc.
"What are..." He stops himself, grimacing in shame, he clears his throat and begins anew. "May I ask your name, sir?"
Galadan follows behind Aldous, remaining silent but looking over the Beast with a critical eye. He takes a long time to ensure that his examination is complete.
He will also take the time to detect all the alignments to get a genuine feel for the creature's nature.
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You sense a whole number of feelings in the beast.
It is ugly and angry but you feel some kind and gentle touches in his voice and how he looks at you.
It seems to be terrible and incredible - but you also notice a noble streak and it seems frightful.
It's gamut of feelings seems to better fit to a child as to someone this Large and strong.
The creature must have been constructed out of multiple bodies and you can make out at least 7 different sources of body parts.
Wren coos excitedly, unable to remain (too) silent any longer.
'MixedMeatBag'? Nah. 'Abby Normal'? No.
"Stitches!? We should call you 'Stitches'!?" Wren says excitedly. "Do you like that name? I'm Wren the Feathermage, at your service, Stitches." Wren bows politely.
Galadan does what he can to soften his voice as he addresses the Beast.
"Stitches, these guards think you did some very bad things. And they say you stole an effigy, a small statue from the University. Did you do that?"
Galadans ears prick up (the point literally sticks out from behind the midnight black hair) when he hears certain words. He swiftly locks eyes with the Beast as he smoothes the hair over his ears again.
"Are there times when you are not sure what is happening to you? Do you have black outs? Problems remembering things?"
Kevin looks at Galadan as he drinks from his flask. "Does he black out? What kind of question is that, dosen't everyone?"
Wren looks at Kevin, confuzzled, then returns her attention to Stitches.
"Do you remember going to the university? What happened there?"
Cast Detect Magic, scanning Stitches for residual traces of magic.
"It's quite alright to be angry. The important thing to remember then is how to be calm again. Sometimes we have to look to the swamp inside us when the world around us is chaotic and confusing. Do you remember going to the University?"
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"The university?
He seems perplexed
"I didn't leave the swamp. It went black and I was in the large building. And then I got angry. I didn't knew where I was. The swamp is good to be calm. I try not to be angry as people get hurt when I'm angry. So I never go where many people are.
But so many people suddenly there."
Galadan seems perplexed by the enigma before him.
"What happens when you get angry, Stitches? I know you said that people get hurt. But how? Do you hurt them?"
Wren thinks upon things.
"This is a strange thing. Magic can *usually* not affect a 'man' like this. Yet his description of events makes it seem like he has been affected like such."
Wren moves closer, perhaps sensing a common bond of community-misunderstanding between them.
"Tell me, Stitches, what are your earliest memories? Where do you first remember being?"
Who or what created this thing? Or is it's spirit a manifestation of something else?
Galadan nods slowly at Wren's analysis.
"I will share my thoughts on the matter when we are alone. For the time being, tread carefully with your words. We do not wish to anger our new friend."
Galadan raises an eyebrow at Wren as his voice accentuates the word.
"Be careful what you are saying around him. We might not know who is listening, or what he might do."
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"If I get angry I get strong. I forget to think. Being angry is not good. People like to make Stitch angry so Stich stays away from people.
Children don't make Stitch angry. But children fear Stitch."
Stitch turns to Wren
"Stitch don't like to talk about that. Stitch now alone. Stitch now alone for long."