So let us get this corpse bundled up and brought back, I might be able to use magic to question it.
You are able to bundle the corpse up and toss it over one of the horse and head back to town without any problems.
When you return the guards will inform you that the woman you captured is currently sitting in a cell. If you ask they can also tell you that the loudmouth is drinking at the inn again.
Finnegan looks at Andrea, then asks, "How much time will you need to prepare to question the corpse? I can take a patrol to the burned house and see if I can recover the body from the cellar - you might be able to question that one, too."
One day for new prayers.
Looks like I'm headed back to the Inn. You can handle this? He says to Andrea. I'm not much use in speaking to the dead. The tall man chuckles. But, hopefully, I can turn the people against this drunkard.
Give me a list of questions to be asked. I can ask three.
Finnegan and his patrol are able to recover the body. Being down in the tunnel, it was untouched by the fire that raged above ground.
Andrea will secure the bodies and prepare for the next day's questioning.
Alexander will make his way back to the Inn and prepare himself for another speech.
Once Finnegan returns with the body, he says to Andrea, "We should ask this one who was on the other end of the communication ring, and where we can find any other cultists of Gyronna in our kingdom. Best to round them all up now instead of allowing them to fester."
Othniel will throw on an inconspicuous cloak and travel separately to the inn, Once there, he’ll try to blend in with the crowd, moving to cut off any possible escape route once Alexander arrives. He’ll also keep an eye out for anything odd, and any cohorts the man might have in the crowd.
I will keep those questions in mind Finnegan.
Othniel succeeds at blending in without being noticed. You do not notice anything odd or out of the ordinary.
Alexander, your entrance obviously gets some attention. Grigori is holding court from one of the back tables, drinking ale and lecturing all nearby on the proper methods of running kingdoms. Several townsfolk hanging around, look at you a bit sheepishly, as if embarrassed to be caught listening to this guy and slowly make their way out of the inn. The ones at the table with Grigori glare at you, clearly agreeing with him that you are the root of all the troubles in the kingdom. The majority of the people in the inn seem rather indifferent to the fellow and are just listening to him for the sake of entertainment.
Alexander enters with a smile, nodding confidently to the townsfolk near the door.
I see you've made yourself at home in our town. Do you like the ale? It's quite good here. I hope you don't mind me stopping by to listen to your...speech. Alexander chuckles as he continues, I've been told it's quite entertaining, if a bit too fanciful. I imagine it's because you don't have any actual experience with such things. It helps, I'm told. The tall man shrugs, You could go to the theatre, in Voronakholm, if you like. The writers there are quite good. Perhaps you could learn a bit more about satire from them. Hone your craft, so to speak. You're certainly clever enough to join the cast. You could even be good, with some work. Just a bit...crude...at the moment. Alexander finishes with a helpful smile, But, practice makes perfect.
"Perhaps I just adjust my performance to match the audience? Nevermind, at any rate the ale here is certainly good and I've found a receptive enough audience for my recitations of your and your fellow lords various misdeeds and inept bumblings through the forests. I've no desire to go any farther into this county for now, at least not until someone is capable of taking charge and making is safer for non-militant people like myself. Someone else can venture into Voronakholm, if they haven't already...."
Grigori seems to be attempting to taunt you while keeping those taunts above the level of comprehension of the common folk at the inn.
Alexander chuckles confidently, Seems like you're losing this crowd already. He shrugs, But, you're welcome to make your own mistakes.
Radomir glowers at Grigori, tightening his grip on his glaive. "My lord, do you wish me to end him?"
"Yes, please. Go ahead and show your populace how you deal with any complaints regarding the welfare of the common man."
Clearly Alexander's words hold more sway than Grigori's and the people remaining at his table choose to get up and leave, deciding they have no further interest in listening to his stories.
Grigori looks a bit frustrated that he's lost his audience. "This doesn't matter. I won't be the last one to spread the truth around here."
Alexander chuckles, Of course not, Sir Radomir. We don't kill people for being poor performers. That's what the critics are for!
The tall man looks around the Inn with a smile at the audience. It seems we're done here. At least for now.
Grigori frowns. "Yes, we are done here for now. It appears that it is time to make my leave of this backwater town."
Unless someone stops him, Grigori heads up the stairs to and make his way to his room where he will collect his belongings, go back downstairs to settle up his bill and then make his way first to the stable and then out of town, heading North-eastish.
As the man leaves Alexander gives a discrete nod to Othniel.
Radomir waits, ready for the order to strike.
Alexander gives a slight shake of his head, No. Not here.
Grigori takes about an hour to get all of his things packed up. Then he'll head down to the innkeeper to settle up his tab and then heads over to the stable. He'll have one of the stableboys saddle up his horse while pays the stablemaster for the time spent here.
Once he has his horse, he'll mount up and head on out of town, alone.
Andrea sets the body up in a side room and arranges the candles and other material components of the spell. Humming a low prayer, Andrea calls upon the dead woman to answer her question.
Who was on the other end of the communication ring? Where we can find any other cultists of Gyronna in this kingdom?
After they leave the Inn, Alexander looks around to find Othniel. Follow him out of town. Take him to your friend. I want to know where he's from and who sent him. She can have what's left.
Othniel nods curtly. "At once, milord." Othniel hurries out, looking for the nearest patrol of guardsmen.
Alexander smirks humorously, No guards, Othniel. No one can know. He looks around, Radomir and I will go with you. And, Mr. Rook if he's around. But no one else can know that this happened.
For what purpose were you and your fellow cultists in this kingdom?
Andrea casts her spell and asks her questions....
And the spirit of the cultist resists Andrea's summons and declines to answer any of her questions.
Alexander casts invisibility on Radomir. Otherwise, I imagine you'll give us away. As it is, let's hope he's a deep sleeper and doesn't hear you coming.
Andrea pouts. Blasted cultist.
Radomir nods and follows the others after the bothersome bard.
As he approaches he quietly whispers a proclamation against the Bard's deeds, declaring him an enemy of the state for speaking out against the rightful Lord of this place, as well as trying to sow discord amongst people.
When the man awakens, Radomir martials all of his strength and power, glaring down on the bard and willing him to break. He gently rests his weapon on the man's neck. "Come with us peacefully, or you will be ended.
Surprise round
Swift: sentence (Justice)
+1 if chaotic
Round 1
+2 more if chaotic
Oh who is a cute owlbear? Is it you? Is it you? Yes! Such a fluffy tummy! All cute and rolly!
Grigori remains asleep during your approach and awakens to Radomir's weapon against his bare neck. "What is this? What do you people mean to do"
Othniel guards the likeliest route the man might use to flee Radomir, a smirk on his face. "You made that too easy, fool." he says when the man wakes up.
Alexander chuckles darkly, Well sir, we mean to kill you. Just...not yet. You will not speak again before we ask a question. If you do, Sir Radomir will cut out your tongue. Nod if you understand.
Does Schmooples want another snack? Your tum tum will get all big if you have another. Aww...Just one more.
You think that the man nods in understanding, though it is a trifle hard to tell with how much he is starting to shake.
Let's get moving. It's a bit of a trek to where we're going. Alexander helps strip the man of his possessions and let's Radomir tie him up. We don't return to the city in order to make sure that no one sees him disappear for good.
Oh look at those little toesies! Fluffy toes! Schmooples has fluffy toes!
Andrea seems to have taken her brain off the hook.
The Dancing Lady is more than happy to greet your group (especially Othniel) and is also happy to have a new prisoner. She will ask what it is that you want down with him.
I want to know where he is from and why he came. What is left of him after that, is yours to do with as you please.