The half-orc just looks at Zan, his dark eyes shifting back and forth at the three who now hold him captive. He shrugs and nervously says, "Is there some rule about being in these ruins? I wasn't aware that I was trespassing or had to answer to you. What are you doing out here in the dark anyway?"
It does appear that the prisoner has a few items on him and the dropped morningstar nearby.
Acacius fixes Zan with his gaze.
"Stop. Stop trying to fool us and stop trying to dodge the question. Now, start talking before I show you what I did to your troll friend."
"You're talking like I don't know more than you already. Stop making life harder for yourself. I'm a member of the militia and we're waiting here for you, stop acting stupid it only means you'll get hung sooner." Zan begins marching the half orc through town, happy to show Zirelle that they haven't come up empty handed.
Zirelle, watching the plague house lights through her window, suddenly realizes that they are getting closer. She quickly puts her shoes back on and runs out to see if her friends found anything. When she sees that they have a prisoner, she invites them into the house to question him there.
Nakoma narrows her eyes at the half-orc.
"If the only things out of his mouth are lies, he's not much good to us." Nakoma remarks.
As Zirelle reaches them and offers the use of her house, Nakoma glares at the half-orc a moment longer. "No sense allowing him comforts if he won't speak truths..."
The prisoner holds out for a bit, but its not too long before he cracks and gives in. "Ok, ok! What do you wan to know?" he says, his voice cracking a bit. "If you let me go when we're done, I'll tell you all I know."
"What have you been up to here? Why did you take the shepherd hostage?"
"Up to?" asks the prisoner petulantly. "I was meeting my contact in the plague house. Before you killed her that is." he raises an eyebrow at Acacius as he answers, as if to say --"shouldn't that be obvious".
"As for the witless boy? He just stumbled into the wrong place at the wrong time. After he'd seen us, I couldn't just let him go. And killing him didn't seem right. Though I had been ordered to kill him already. I assume you let him go?"
Questions:
1. What are you planning for the town?
2. How many people are involved?
3. Who are they?
4. What was the troll doing for you?
5. Why was the troll working with you?
6. Whom do you answer to?
7. Who killed Rodrik Grath?
8. Why was Rodrik killed?
9. What did the shepherd boy see?
10. How do you contact your superiors?
11.Who is the troll working for?
12. How did the troll get into town unseen.
13. What do the signs around town mean?
14. What was being dug for?
15. Does he have any allies in town?
16. Where are his allies outside of town?
Nakoma stays silent during the interrogation, her companions already asking all the questions she could think of and more. Instead she holds her star knife at the ready, poised to strike at any sign of the half-orc's attempted escape.
When her allies have no further questions she raises an eyebrow in surprise. Turning to glare at the half-orc she asks, "What's your name?"
"Where are you from?"
"Do you have family in Trunau?"
"There were four half-orcs in town who vandalized an inn called the Ramblehouse. They gave the names Ormr, Tindr, Vifill, Vorom, and Rishka. Were you one of them? Do you know who was? What do you know of their whereabouts?"
"There was a strange man in town. He was human. Middle age. Plain looking. Clean shaven, possibly with stubble. Brown hair that was long in the back. He wore traveling clothes, a long, brown cloak with a hood. He had a big sword strapped to his back, and a crossbow at his belt. He gave no name at the inn and signed only X. Do you know of him? Who is he? What is his connection to you? What do you know of his whereabouts?"
When no responds about his request to release if he answers your questions, the prisoner fumes, and sits in stony silence waiting you out. "I'll talk, and tell all I know for free passage. Otherwise why should I?" A slow grin spreads across his face. "I have time to wait you out. I think you'll want to hear what I have to say..."
Why should you? That is an excellent question. Let me try to answer that for you. This is a murder investigation. You are looking really good for the crime. If you don't tell us what is really going on and convince us of the truth, then we have no reason to think that you didn't do it, and if we turn you over to Rodrik's brother... well, I mean, he is a good man, but if we don't vouch for you, he's liable to be upset about his whole brother-being-murdered thing. The truth helps you just as much as it does us. Maybe you just get a few days in jail. If you say nothing, maybe you end up dead. I'm not in your shoes, sure, but I know which one I would choose.
The half-orc considers Zirelle's words -- you can almost see the wheels turning in his head -- and shrugs. "So, you'll punish me as the killer if I don't talk? I guess I should spill for leniency. I haven't killed anyone, even though I could have. If I talk, you'll stand up for me? See I get fair treatment at least? This town isn't fair to my kind often."
Provided you basically agree to that, he starts to answer questions.
1. What are you planning for the town? He looks at you for a long time. "Right to the point, eh? I like that. I don't have anything planned for Trunau, but I can't say that about others. Let's just say, things will be really messy, really soon if you're not on the right side."
2. How many people are involved?. He scratches his chin, thinking. "I don't really know. I only met one other person and Ghaer, my troll contact. There are probably others, but I don't know them."
3. Who are they? "The troll is dead, but her name was Ghaer. The other was a half-orc named Skreed Gorewillow. He hired me."
4. What was the troll doing for you? "The troll carried messages from Skreed through me to others outside Trunau."
5. Why was the troll working with you? "I don't know the answer to that. You could ask her, but she's dead. I just met her here and shared messages."
6. Whom do you answer to? "Not sure what that means exactly. Skreed Gorewillow hired me to be a messenger."
7. Who killed Rodrik Grath? "I heard he offed himself. Is that not what happened?"
8. Why was Rodrik killed? "I don't know anything about that. I heard he died by his own hand. Maybe you did it? " He may not know anything about Rodrik's death, but he doesn't seem to broken up about it either.
9. What did the shepherd boy see? "He was poking around in the ruins for some reason the last time I met with Ghaer. He saw both she and I. We caught him. Probably should've killed him then, but didn't have the stomach for it. Ghaer wanted to. I held him, but wasn't sure how that would end. He couldn't come back and say there was a troll in the Plague House, could he?"
10. How do you contact your superiors? "I don't."
11.Who is the troll working for? "I'd guess Pharasma now. Or wherever trolls go when they die."
12. How did the troll get into town unseen? "I don't think she ever went to town. I met her here but don't know where she came from."
13. What do the signs around town mean? "I think Skreed is making them, but not sure what they mean. You'd have to ask him."
14. What was being dug for? "I don't know about any digging. Skreed is looking for something, but he hasn't found it yet. I don't know what it is. It seems important."
15. Does he have any allies in town? "I assume so, but if he does, I haven't met them. Only Gorewillow."
16. Where are his allies outside of town? "I don't know that. Ghaer took the messages from me here and then went wherever she went."
What's your name? My name is Daktani. What's yours?"
Where are you from? "I live in Trunau now."
Do you have family in Trunau? "I don't have any family left. My father and brother were killed by the Trunau guard."
There were four half-orcs in town who vandalized an inn called the Ramblehouse. They gave the names Ormr, Tindr, Vifill, Vorom, and Rishka. Were you one of them? Do you know who was? What do you know of their whereabouts? " I have not heard those names or met anyone like that."
There was a strange man in town. He was human. Middle age. Plain looking. Clean shaven, possibly with stubble. Brown hair that was long in the back. He wore traveling clothes, a long, brown cloak with a hood. He had a big sword strapped to his back, and a crossbow at his belt. He gave no name at the inn and signed only X. Do you know of him? Who is he? What is his connection to you? What do you know of his whereabouts? "I don't know anything about the person you are describing. Never met or heard of them."
Yes, we will happily vouch for you if you haven't killed anyone, and you tell us what is going on. You'll get a fair trial.
Be clear. What do you mean by really, really messy? What exactly is planned for the town?
How did you contact Skreed, and do you know where we can find him?
"I already told you, I don';t contact Skreed. When he has a message, he contacts me. At my house. I don't know where he is. In Trunau somewhere I would guess."
"Can't you tell?" he asks, a fearsome grin spreading across his face. "The orcs are coming! They are going to wipe this town, as it is, from the map! I can't wait! It's coming soon!"
At Daktani's gleeful description of orcs coming, Acacius' eyes light up.
He looms near the half-orc, trying to maintain composure despite his growing rage at this insolent, traitorous wretch.
"What exactly do you know about an orc assault? When is it coming?"
"That I don't know," says Daktani. "Skreed and his band are looking for something in Trunau first, but they haven't found it. I think the orcs are not far away and will hopefully be here soon. Then I will run this place! Daktani will be first among the new order!" He laughs long and deep, his eyes thinking of that time when all the men of Trunau lie dead, and it's just a haven for orcs and half-breeds.
"I am a member of Trunau's guard. You will be brought back in my custody, and will be given a fair trial. This is what I will promise you."
---
As he speaks about orc armies invading Trunau, Nakoma clenches her hands tight around her star knife. She locks her jaw. Clearly, she's angry. Eventually she continues asking questions in a measured voice.
"Skreed Gorewillow. Describe him to me. Thoroughly."
"Have you met any of Skreed's band?"
"Have you met anyone in Trunau who's sympathetic to your plight? Who wants the orcs to raid Trunau?"
"Do you know of anyone else who has been frequenting the Plague house?"
"Do you know of any alternate or secret ways into Trunau?"
"When the orcs come, how will they know not to kill you?"
"What equipment have you seen Skreed's followers wearing, weapons and armour?"
Acacius grits his teeth and buries his anger. Likely poorly.
"What tactics do these invaders intend to use to attack the town?"
Zirelle remains silent, listening to the answers to the questions that the others offer, and then she excuses herself, running (almost next door) to inform Halgra about the prisoner and his news of an imminent attack. She is very apologetic if she has to wake her, but also insistent (not knowing how time sensitive the information is, but it sounds scary enough that she feels Halgra needs to know immediately), and brings her back (if possible) to ask her own questions.
Skreed Gorewillow. Describe him to me. Thoroughly. "I don't know," says Daktani shrugging a bit. "He's a half-orc. Green skin, long hair - dark blonde, I think. He wore a brown cloak hiding most of his face and hair. Tall and gangly. Wore a big sword on his back.
Have you met any of Skreed's band? "Think I already answwered that. Nope. No one, except the troll, who you killed."
Have you met anyone in Trunau who's sympathetic to your plight? Who wants the orcs to raid Trunau? "I don't know anyone else in town who is part of the story, though the way half-orcs are treated here its a wonder the town wasn;'t sold out years ago. If I have my way, it'll just be my people left here."
Do you know of anyone else who has been frequenting the Plague house "I don't know of anyone. Ghaer said she saw a man there once, but she didn't catch him. Might have been this Rodrik, by her description. Sounds like he's dead now. No one else I know of."
Do you know of any alternate or secret ways into Trunau? "No."
When the orcs come, how will they know not to kill you? "Besides the fact that I am in your prison? I expect Skreed will stand up for me. If not, I will tell them my story and take my chances. They're a lot better than yours!" He laughs at this in a grating way.
What equipment have you seen Skreed's followers wearing, weapons and armour? Daktani sighs. "For the hundredth time, I haven't seen any of his crew. I don't know for sure they even exist but I suppose they do from what he said."
What tactics do these invaders intend to use to attack the town? "Son, I am not a soldier. I don't know squat about tactics. I hope the burn the place to the ground. Or at the least, kill all the non-orcs. Use your imagination, boy. I hope it worse than that."
Zirelle rushes over to Halgra's waking the household, including young Ruby, who has just come of age. Breathlessly, the sorceress tells what she knows of the murder plot and how that became a much bigger story to destroy all of Trunau. Halgra listens, asking a short question or two for clarity, but remains calm and outwardly untroubled.
"You have done well, Zirelle. It seems we must find this Skreed Gorewillow and stop his plot. What he could be looking for, I have no idea. But our priority needs to be the defense of the town. You finish asking questions to your prisoner, Daktani. I will rouse the Watch and prepare the walls for an attack."
She stands and thanks you again. "The attack may come and it may not. Let's not alarm the populace until we know the orcs are coming. We have Rodrik's wake and funeral tomorrow and the town is already in shock. The Watch will be prepared, and we can have the rest ready on a moment's notice, but till then, we need to keep what you have learned quiet. Do you understand and agree?"
I understand, Halgra, although I think the attack will definitely come. The timing is the only thing in question. I guess I agree about keeping the information quiet, as long as whoever can defend is informed. Thank you for informing the watch, and sorry again for waking you.
She returns to her friends and tells them what Halgra said (out of the hearing of the prisoner).
If they are done questioning the prisoner, she suggests that the members of the watch escort him to jail and make sure he is secure, she buys them all something filling to eat at the local inn, and then they all need to get some sleep to be ready for tomorrow.
Zirelle invites her tired and hungry allies for a late meal, it is nearly midnight, if not after at this point. She heads to the inn to secure a table and make an order, and the others secure the prisoner in a locked cell in the Longhouse, under guard. The guardsmen are certainly stirring ready to double the presence on the walls or put away extra stores.
The group meets up and eats discussing the days events and the questions surrounding the revelations of Daktani and the orc raid. Once the meal is complete the group steps outside into the darkness of the wee hours and begins to say their farewells when Acacius sees dark shapes moving in the street. Before he can react, the shapes are on the party, attacking them with surprise.
Assassins in the Night - Surprise Round
21 Red Assassin
18 Nakoma (surprised)
15 Yellow Assassin
14 Acacius
12 Blue Assassin
11 Zan (surprised)
5 Green Assassin
4 Zirelle (surprised)
Before she knows what has happened, a dark figure holding a glowing blue weapon, stabs at Nakoma from behind, the blue blade cutting her as the assassin hits from behind. The blade cuts her deep, creating a serious wound.
Yellow Assassin is also on Zan before he can react, but luckily his armor turns aside the liquid crystal weapon.
Acacius accepts Halgra's request. He appreciates both the meal and the camaraderie.
In the street, he sees the shapes move, but only just before Nakoma is struck. Before he knows it, he is moving so he can strike at the attackers and protect the group's left flank with his polearm.
Assassins in the Night - Surprise Round - concluded
Spying the quick-moving killers before any of the rest of his crew, Acacius moves to his left to secure the flank with his reach weapon.
Blue moves forward, circling but staying just out of reach of the fighter's long weapon.
Green creeps up on Zirelle from behind, but while her blue crystal weapon is ready, she does not strike this round.
End of Surprise Round
Assassins in the Night - Round 1
21 Red Assassin (-2 to AC)
18 Nakoma (9hp dmg, poisoned?)
15 Yellow Assassin (-2 to AC)
14 Acacius
12 Blue Assassin
11 Zan
5 Green Assassin
4 Zirelle
Red Assassin, after wounding Nakoma with its poisoned blade, shifts targets to Zan, taking a short step sideways and pressing the ranger as its Yellow ally does the same. With Zan suitably distracted, and working together, Red is able to drive her weapon into the ranger's shoulder, just missing more serious wound. But the liquid blade rips through skin and muscle causing a painful injury.
Seeing that one of the assassins has lunged forward, Acacius moves up closer to Nakoma and swings his polearm at them. He aims to keep the leftmost assassin away from the others until they can be dealt with.
Nakoma gasps in pain in surprise as the assassins blade tears through her side.
After a moment of stunned pain, she manages to realize she's been stabbed. Her starknife is in her hands a moment later, spinning deftly between her fingers. Her wounds begin to glow with a holy light, and begin to heal before your eyes.
Assassins in the Night - Round 1 - continued
After the searing wound in her side, Nakoma can feel the poison working in her system, making her movements slower and clumsier. She calls forth the healing power of her faith to staunch the wound, but cannot expel the venom just yet.
Yellow attacks Zan with the liquid weapon, acting in concert with its Red ally but Zan is able to shift his weight to his other foot and drop his shield to make the blade miss. Yellow then steps to her left.
Acacius steps forward to guard Nakoma's flank, and then slashes at the Red Assassin with his guisarme. The force of the attack crushes the defense of the killer, and the blade bites through her, dropping her in one hit.
With Acacius attention in front, Blue drops in behind him with a 5' step and a stab into his back, drawing blood with the liquid weapon.
Zan moves forward to attack one of the pursue his attacker but isn't aggressive enough as he is determined to keep his guard up. Perhaps he can force them to focus on him to let Zirelle pull back.
Acacius has barely time to consider that he felled his target in one hit before his back feels on fire. He turns to face his new enemy. He briefly considers staying in place, dropping his pole-arm, and drawing his short sword. But this killer could still slip around him to attack Nakoma.
No, best to step back - and strike!
Acacius steps back and drives his polearm at the foe, though this time they are too nimble for him.
Assassins in the Night - Round 1 - concluded
Zan is able to draw his scimitar and step forward attacking one of the assassins, but his quick work mars the attack which is avoided by the killer with relative ease.
Green Assassin circles Zirelle stabbing at her while she is still flat-footed. The blade just does strike the sorceress, cutting a wound across her abdomen that begins weeping precious blood.
Zirelle 5 foot steps away, and casts burning hands at the green assassin, being careful to position her hands so that the cone of flame won't touch her allies.
Assassins in the Night - Round 1 - concluded
The poison begins burning in Zirelle as well, causing her to stumble a bit, but still release her burning spell in an arc of flame against the foe who just struck her. The assassin's quickness does not help her this time, and she is immolated in the fire, smoking and burnt, but not quite out of the fight.
End of Round 1
Assassins in the Night - Round 2
18 Nakoma (1hp dmg, 1 DEX dmg, poisoned)
15 Yellow Assassin (-2 to AC)
14 Acacius (6hp dmg)
12 Blue Assassin
11 Zan
5 Green Assassin (7hp dmg)
4 Zirelle (5hp dmg, 1 DEX dmg, poisoned)
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Nakoma eyes the assassins, and then her wounded companions. Clearly, she's torn. After a moment of hesitation, she intones a prayer in a strange language.
Then she reaches out to touch Zirelle.
Assassins in the Night - Round 2 - continued
Nakoma manages to fight off further effects from the poison. Seeing her wounded allies, she chooses to heal rather than attack. Calling forth the divine power of Desna, she lays a healing touch on Zirelle, binding the bleeding wound in her abdomen nearly completely.
Yellow Assassin steps around Zan, continuing to leave one behind the ranger, and attacks with its crystalline blade. The ranger is torn about which foe to defend against and drops his guard just for a moment as the killer darts and slices him across the bicep with her envenomed blade.
Acacius believes offense is the best defense, and steps back chopping at Blue with his long weapon. The wound slows him a bit however, and the assassin lunges to the side; the attack misses.
Blue Assassin works the flank, trying to turn it, stepping inside Acacius' reach once again, but falling short with her slashing flurry.