"Good day, Barrister. We were hoping that it is we who can help you. We are a group of individuals interested in seeing to it that truth and justice prevail in this fine city. Anything that we may do to assist your cause, we are here to do."
Madeline, followed by Smith, moves into the room. Giving Master Kaple a polite nod as she settles demurely into one of the 'client' chairs.
At Master Grafft's words she politely nods as well to indicate her agreement with helping in the case.
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Kaple looks at Vaghn and replies, "Ah, well, that's good. The prosecution has decided to use three recent crimes as proof that the Beast is a horrid, murdering creature. They are using the murder of ten citizens of the village of Morast a year ago as proof, as well as the slaying of six children in the farming community of Hergstag over seven months ago. Finally, they are using the arson attack four 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. So far, they have evidence that the Beast committed these crimes and try as I might, I cannot find anything to the contrary. Do you think you could find clues to defend him? The trial starts tomorrow and I know that the prosecution is going to present evidence about Morast first. If you had something to counter their arguement, that would help immense... immense... immense ....immense"
Suddenly, Kaple stops speaking and closes his eyes. He bows his head and concentrates. When he looks up again, he says, "That would help greatly."
Vaghn looks on in concern as the man falters. "Herr Kaple, are you quite alright?"
Valen remains quiet on the way to the courthouse - taking in the "burning man" near the building with curious apprehension. The tone of the guards doesn't fill him with confidence about giving the Beast justice.
After meeting Herr Kaple and hearing his details, he also looks quizzically at the man's sudden ramble.
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"Umm... yes, I'm find. I suffer from an affliction. Sometimes my words get stuck. It can make defending people horribly hard. Generally, it it it it only happens when when I'm nervous. This case has me very nervous, too. I fear I will not not not win win win it."
"Then let us do what we can to put you at ease. It sounds like we need to head for Morast soon enough then." Valen cocks his head for a second, and then adds: "Have you had any success speaking with the Beast - could he share any clues of what we might find in Morast? Or is he mute or such?"
"Morast is a few hours away by foot. If we are to have time to search for evidence and get back in time for the trial, we do not have much time to spare. Of course, we could always purchase some horses..."
In response to Valen's questions: "Yes, I must admit I am exceedingly curious about what exactly the Beast is. May we be admitted to see it?"
Alexa looks to the others.
I can take the form of a fast bird and get there quickly. But that might not help you all. I think purchasing horses for the rest of you might be advisable.
"Well - with our recent reward, purchasing or borrowing shouldn't be an issue I would think," Valen adds with a shrug.
Valen gives the man nod of acknowledgement at suggestion. "Yes - that might give us some clues as to what to look for in our investigations."
"Yes, I think that would be best. Let us meet with the Beast, drop these books off at the University, buy some horses, and off to Morast."
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Herr Kaple nods at Vaghn's request and says, "Follow me then."
Kaple leads your group through a series of winding passages that eventually lead into the basement of the courthouse - which you quickly come to realize serve as the city's jail. The cells are horrid, damp, dark, and filled with buzzing flies. Here and there, you can hear some prisoner moan, but the cacophony of voices suddenly grow quiet when you reach the cell at the very back of the jail.
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.
Madeline holds a hanky to her nose, the best she can do against the miasma which wafts about the dungeon.
Upon confronting the creature she looks at it clinically and intently,
Alexa scratches her head, unsure of whether she has ever heard of such a creature.
Madeline makes a slight noise of disgust,
"Is there no way to clean the thing?" She asks, hand and hanky still covering her nose and mouth.
Alexa looks to the others:
Valen or Vaghn, either of you ever seen one of these? It looks like something created by a mage of some sort. I know it is not natural, obviously. And does not appear to be undead, unlike so much else in this land.
"By the gods!" Vaghn breathes, taken aback. "An arcanomoton! Er, more commonly known as a golem! That would certainly explain the Beast's longevity... but, Herr Kaple, are you certain it is indeed sentient? Such creatures are creations of powerful magical ritae, and are almost always mindless drones carrying out their master's will."
At Madeline's comment, Vaghn appears to notice the filth for the first time. He purses his lips in distaste. "Is this what our fair city has fallen to, then? Forcing a creature whose crimes have not yet been proven to live in squalor, it's execution a foregone conclusion? Surely we have not fallen so far from the ideals of justice! This is outrageous, and should be dealt with at once."
Valen - noticing that Vaghn has answered Alexa much more than he could - stares intently at the creature, somehow hoping to learn more about the Beast and it's strange nature. Seeing corpses is one thing, but a sort of animated patchwork like this is something he's not sure of how Pharasma would judge such a creature.
Without much preamble he speaks to creature:"Excuse me, good sir, but are you alright? We are here to assist, if you can speak to us." Vaghn's comment also echoes his own concerns to Kaple: "It doesn't seem right for him to be treated so."
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Kaple shrugs his shoulders and responds to Valen, "Sadly, I cannot stand watch over the Beast and prepare its defense. I am to.. to... tol... told that the guards tried to wash it, but it only screamed and tried to break its bonds. I understand they had to beat it back into submission."
As Kaple finishes this, the Beast lets out a roar that echoes throughout the basement, quieting the rest of the prisoners instantly. Even the flies, which seemed happily nested, explode into a buzzing cloud around it in response. A few seconds later, your group hears several guards beginning to descend into the basement.
Madeline steps back at the creature's outburst.
Given its state, she has no real interests in examining it any closer. She steps closer to Master Grafft.
"You say this is a construct? A mechanism created by magic? I admit that in my home country, animated constructs are possible but not very common Please, tell me more of such." She asks.
At his Mistress' hesitation and the creature's loud outburst Smith moves to step between her and it. Eying the thing in the center of the room intently.
...the Beast lets out a roar that echoes throughout the basement, quieting the rest of the prisoners instantly.
While surprised, Valen looks sheepishly at the others:"Ahh...well, I seem to have upset the poor being."
Hearing the trudging of the guards and worrying what will happen, Valen attempts to calm the Beast. "We mean you no harm - we are trying to find out what happened. If you are blameless in these accusations we to find the truth."
Madeline arches an eyebrow and looks quizzically at Master Grafft.
"Are such arcotronics supposed to show sentience?" She asks him.
"Since it just referred to itself in the first person." She steps closer, intrigued by this new development...
Smith turns to face the drawn weapons, again moving to interpose himself between them and the Mistress.
For the moment, Valen focuses on the Beast and less on Madeline's comment. "Anything bad? Can you tell us what you were doing when you were caught?" He also follows up with the question: "Do you know anything about a town called Morast?"
As the Beast speaks, Vaghn's jaw drops and he stares, for once completely at a loss for words. He inches closer, inspecting the Beast to see if it is in any way wounded.
"I... I know not what you call yourself, but you are the most amazing creature I have ever beheld. I am in awe of you. Please know that my companions and I are dedicated to defending you, and making sure that you are treated fairly, and justly. If... if your current conditions are uncomfortable for you, I can likely clean you with magic, if you will allow me." He looks over his shoulder at the sound of the approaching guards and calls out, distractedly: "No need to worry, we simply startled the prisoner. All is well."
"We believe you, and we intend to help you. Is there anything you can tell us that would help us to prove your innocence?"
To the guards: "We understand, and shall be careful. I am going to use a simple cantrip to help clean it so that you fine gentlemen do not need to endanger yourselves doing so again. Feel free to watch if you wish to make sure of my intentions."
Madeline edges closer to the 'Beast, clearing intrigued by it's words and manner of speech. She continues to glance towards master Grafft, following his educated understandings of such things.
"I don't believe there's any deception from the Beast - he seems honestly confused by all this," Valen says quietly for Vaghn to hear.
Alexa frowns at Valen's comment:
Perhaps part of the problem is that everyone is calling him the "Beast".
Alexa looks through the bars.
Do you have a name? Did your creator give you a name? And, who is your creator? I am Alexa, a druid who reveres nature. You do not appear to be a creation of nature, but rather a creation of magic. However, you seem to have a good heart which is more than I can say for many creatures of the wild.
Madeline watches on fascinated. Even pulling out a small note-book and scribbling down information.
"Yes. Yes, we are friends, and we are here to help you. We are going to Morast to find evidence that you are innocent. If there is anything you might be able to tell us to help your cause, we would be most delighted to hear." Vaghn cocks his head, looking at the newly cleaned Beast. "You cannot remember your name? Is there something you would like to be called then? Anything at all? And do you remember anything about the one who created you?"
A little concerned about overwhelming the creature with too many questions, Valen waits the Beast's response to Vaghn's questions. He gives a puzzled glance at Madeine - just now noticing her sudden fascination with the creature.
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Vaghn, unable to help himself, grins at the creature's unabashed smile. "I know. We're going to find a way to convince these other people that you didn't do anything. They're not bad people, they're just scared, but we'll make them understand. You stay here until then, and be good, okay? By the way, my name is Vaghn, and I would like to be your friend."