Megan's Carrion Crown

Game Master Megan Robertson

"Er no... we don't open these windows. Actually I think they're all stuck," says Mayson.

Sense Motive to get a sense of whether he seems genuine 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
"Stuck? Yes, of course. Well, once Dillan here finishes have a look around, let's go see where the Beast came in and rampaged."
Dillan might still be out of town. Did the results already take his Take 20 into consideration? If so, we can probably keep moving.

I'm at my new temporary sandbox home, but at least I have moderate internet. :D So please is there anything to be found with the take 20?

The high–ceilinged workshop/library is lined with mostly empty shelves, and a trio of great leaded windows looks out over the university lawn. A staggering array of books, scrolls, maps, and curios, including shrunken heads, tribal masks, and bits of pottery, lie scattered all over the floor, apparently pulled from the shelves. The room is otherwise crowded with overturned tables, desks, and cabinets.

As mentioned earlier, despite the mess in the workshop, you notice that one area in the room appears to be untouched, in stark contrast to the damage seen elsewhere in the department. Indeed, the pedestal that once held the Seasage Effigy is crowded with small fetishes and delicate mother-of-pearl fish carvings that are undamaged. The workshop's windows have clearly not been opened for many years, as evidenced by the build-up of grime around them. However, the centre window, though now shut, has no such grime.

Sorin reckons Mayson is telling the truth about the windows, and when pressed he confirms that the window was shut when the guards arrived to capture the Beast. He goes over to demonstrate, and isn't able to budge them. However, observing closely, Dillon can see that it has been opened recently and reckons that it just needs a lot of force - poor Mayson just isn't strong enough!

Mayson says that the Beast came in the back door and went through the auditorium to get here to the workshop - but it was only here that it made a mess. What would you like to inspect yet?

Sorin takes a closer look at the small fetishes and fish carvings. Knowledge (Religion) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
I'll have him detect magic in the room also

Sorin, there's quite a lot of low-level magic here, but nothing particularly stands out. The fetishes and fish carvings seem quite primitive and anamistic. You think that they might come from the ulat-kini or skum, primitive aquatic hunchbacked, green-skinned humanoids which have a wide, frog-like head but a mouth more akin to that of a toothy fish. Believed to have been created by aboleths in the distant past, they now live in crumbling underground ruins of former glories. Barring accidents, they are near-immortal but fortunately they cannot breed - only male ones exist. They are not particularly bright and many have forgotten their heritage.

"How many have traced it's footsteps from entry?" Dillan asks as he looks in the direction of the auditorium. He then carefully moves to the Effigy's old place of residence and begins his search...circular in motion from center going outward...

Taking 20 again if allowed.

"There were four guards summoned," says Mayson, "And then since we have had people in and out although not actively searching for anything.

Clearly basic crime scene procedure is not taught at the university!

Dillon, there is no more to be seen in the workroom/library than you have already discovered, however much you poke around. Do you want to see where it got in?

"Let's go see where it got in."

Yes ma'am; that is the plan, start at its 'objective' then work my way outward to the point of origin.

"Right," said Mayson. "It broke in through the back door and came through the auditorium... this way."

The door from the workshop to the auditorium has been broken off its hinges. Panelled in oak, the auditorium contains a sunken, 5-foot-deep central area lined with books, tribal fetishes, and curiosities. A small stage and lectern stand in the center of this area, which is edged with a low oak rail, worn smooth from the touch of years of students gazing into the Master's lecture room below.

The door out to the back foyer has also been broken off its hinges.

Dillan will examine the entire room and the broken doors.

"Impressive. This creature is strong then." Barret will help Dillan examine the room.

"Looks like he might be able to give you a run for it in a wrestling match Barret. That is some show of strength."

In the auditorium, Dillan finds many deep scratches, of the sort made by hobnail boots. There's also a scent of beeswax in the air.

Are the boot scratches along the logical path taken by the Beast?
"Beeswax? Are there usually candles in here?" Sorin asks Mayson.

"Is the beast booted?" Dillan asks as he examines the marks...are they marked as if someone was walking, being dragged, or perhaps any signs as too if there was more than just one set?

"Probably the polish the cleaners use," says Mayson, not sounding that interested.

The marks look like someone clumping along in heavy hobnailed boots. Just the one pair, you think.

"You're probably right Mayson. Do you know who all of those things in that central area belong to?" To Dillan, he adds, "Think we'll have to talk to someone else about those boots Dillan. Shall we take a closer look at the back foyer?" Moving on to the back foyer unless someone wants to look closer at all of the books, tribal fetishes, and curiosities.

The back door to the Antiquities Department was originally locked with a superior lock, but it is clear that the door was recently damaged. The 1-inch-thick iron door is currently locked with a makeshift padlock and only crude repairs have been made.

The back door was clearly forced open from the outside, and Dillan discovers the remains of fine silver wire and a tiny bell attached to the door. While several people have walked through the area since the break-in, the tracks of a large, heavy creature in iron-nailed boots are clearly visible.

Dillan holds up the silver wire and bell, "Assuming this was for the entrance?" The rogue stands and looks around, "Well perhaps its time to get a look at this beast and perhaps gain the opportunity to speak with it?"

"Yes, this was an unexpected finding. I would have suggested delivering the rest of the books, but now I'm curious. Let's go see this Beast."

Merian continues following the others around, still lost.

Still here, but investigation is not Merian's bag, and she's still completely at a loss for what to think about the Beast.

Pretty much me too.

The Beast, you are told by Mayson, is incarcerated in the gaol under the Lepidstadt Courthouse.

If you recall the map, the Courthouse is north of here (the University), just the far side of the main square.

"Well, let's go see if we can see him. North I think?" Sorin heads north with everyone else.

"Indeed" Dillan follows behind Sorin, so how are we going to gain an audience? Dillan begins eyeing the structures around them as they walk, taking in their general style, craftsmanship and quality. Perhaps there may be a way to slip in the back?

Along the main roads, newly-built high quality buildings. In the back alleys, older more run-down ones.

Do you want to go straight to the courthouse, or do anything on the way?

I think we're ok going straight to the courthouse. We still have a delivery to make, but I think all of us have our curiosity piqued after the last stop.

straight there, but eye's out to observers...

All right then... you make your way to the Courthouse. Most of the street chatter that you hear relates to the trial of the Beast, of course: it's a hot topic of conversation.

The Courthouse itself is a large, squat building dominated by an enormous clock overlooking the town square. It's 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 look to be strong wooden doors. A huge figure of wood, roughly man-shaped, stands in the square in front of the building.

"What's the figure out in front. Shall we have a closer look?" Assuming everyone else is in agreement, Sorin will move up to see what the figure is.

"That's... a Wicker Man, isn't it?" Merian asks uncomfortably.

"What is a Wicker Man?" Other than a terrible movie..

A fellow who is adding wood to the base of the figure is happy to enlighten you.

"This here's a Punishing Man. It's our traditional method for executing murders and other vile criminals. The chest is hollow, see, we put the criminal in there then set light to the lot. Big public show."

The Punishing Man is a gigantic, man-shaped conglomeration of cut timber standing over 30 feet tall.

"Youse come for the trial? I hear the trial's first day detailed a long list of crimes against the Beast, three of which are to be used as the basis of its execution. That fool barrister Gustav Kaple is defending the creature — he can't even get a whole sentence out without stuttering! The Beast is as good as dead! I've heard that the prosecution's case is watertight —murdering those poor children in Hergstag, killing all those swampers in Morast, and burning down good Doctor Brada’s hospice. Hurrah for Prosecutor Otto Heiger!"

"They place him in it?" Dillan does his best to hide the horror from his face then switches to elven, "What a horrible way to go."

Sorin's eyes narrow and he stares fiercely at the man. He speaks flatly, his voice trailing off as he finishes, "A show. Just, a show." Forcing his anger down and a realization that maybe there is a worse fate than being staked out in a swamp for demon's to toy with. With more than a touch of sarcasm he adds, "They aren't going to add rampaging through the Antiquities department to that list?"

"What, the place where the Beast was caught? No, that's a mere footnote in its felonies. Or so the Judge said, anyway," the fellow replies.

"Let's get to the trial, best not let it get this far. We can help the lawyer maybe." Tre says quietly to Sorin. Under his breath Tre mumbles, Sorin hears, "..barbaric.."

"I think you're right Tre. Maybe we can speak with him." Sorin joins Tre entering the courthouse to see if we can observe the trial or locate the lawyers.

"We should see this beast as well. I know little of your laws, but I think that he has little chance here."

There's a guard at the courthouse door who asks you your business. He adds that the trial is over for the day, although when it's in session the public is admitted.

Sorin acts quickly, "Ah, yes of course sir. We should have known we were running too late, but you see, we got hung up going over some signs of the Beast's rampage over at the Antiquities Department. I don't suppose we're here in time to catch Prosecutor Otto Heiger, are we? Heh. I suppose that buffoon Gustav Kaple has already left though, eh?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"I believe everyone has gone, Sir. Judge Daramid has left, for sure. One or other of the barristers may be around..." The guard turns his head, spots someone inside and calls out "Sarge! Are Heiger or Kaple still here?"

The figure comes out into view, a burly greying fellow with a red sash over the regular guard uniform.

"Afternoon. Acting Sergeant Dun at your service. How may we assist you, sir?"

"Sounds like we already missed everyone. We were delayed over at the Antiquities Department, but had hoped to catch one of the barristers here. Hey, I don't suppose you know where they reside do you?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

"I can direct you to the Judge's house if you wish to see here, not sure about the barristers but I think Barrister Kaple is still in his office. Grig, go see if Barrister Kaple's in and and if he'll see... um, who did you say you were, Sir?" said Dun.

"I'm Sorin Szekely and these are my companions Barret, Tre, Dillan, and Merian. I suppose we could stop by and see Kaple before going to see the judge. I hear things didn't go too well for poor Gustav today. You don't need to trouble yourself or Grig. Just point us in the right direction and I'm sure we can find him."

"No trouble, Master Szekely. Look, Grig's back already. Well, boy?"

Grig, a young guardsman with a red face and tousled hair, says "Barrister Kaple will see the visitors, Sarge."

Dun smiles. "Grig, show these gentlemen the way."

Grig leads you in through the main entrance, with ornate pillars holding a balcony above wide steps leading up to a huge ironbound door. Through there, it's remarkably work-a-day, with the rest of the guards taking their ease before a fireplace and a spiral stair leading up to the courtroom proper on the 2nd floor.

Up here it's all wood-panelled and fine, as Grig leads you into the courtroom itself. This grand room is paneled in dark oak and its vaulted ceiling is 25 feet high. Three thronelike chairs with built-in lecterns for the presiding justices stand in front of the east wall. The witness stand is directly in front of them. Two polished mahogany desks, one for the defense and one for the prosecution, stand facing the justices' chairs. An iron restraining chair with six sets of masterwork manacles for the accused stands in the centre of the room, specially created for this trial. Behind the accused, two rows of a dozen seats each face the front of the court. To the west, the public gallery overlooks the room 10 feet above.

There are three doors in the north wall, and Grig leads you to the easternmost one and raps smartly.

"C-c-come in," says a rather harassed-sounding voice. Kaple proves to be a rather shabby fellow, sallow-featured and with a bald head - although a fine wig is on a stand on the desk, which is strewn with papers and books.

"H-how can I h-help you? I am a l-little busy now, is it to d-do with the t-t-trial of the B-b-beast?"

Tre bows to the man, his arm indicates that he waits for Sorin to make the introductions and lead the conversation.

As Sorin does the introductions Dillan makes his way casually around the room, peering here and there, looking for anything written, or just visual that sticks out to him...

Perception 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17 +4= 21 vs hearing conversations, finding traps, concealed or secret objects