Megan's Carrion Crown

Game Master Megan Robertson

The Judge in this case is one Embreth Daramid, and directions may be had to her house.

You can see it on the map

"Excellent, thank you for the directions." Sorin discusses the approach with the judge while we all walk. "From everything we've heard, she should be fair with us. I think we should just be straightforward and tell her that we're assisting the defense in following up on some questions for the witnesses and that we'd like to have the opportunity to interview them and see any of the other evidence."

Barret just nods to Sorin. Unless this was going to be a trial by combat, he was not going to be much help.

"Honest approach eh?" Dillan smiles at the remark, "Didn't seem to work for the beast. I mean his intelligence should be enough to set him free or perhaps they think by putting him down they are helping him."

"Let us be quick, it is evidence she will require." says Tre grimly.

You find the house easily enough. Judge Daramid lives in a fine townhouse surrounded by art in the centre of Lepidstadt. From what you can gather on the way there, she's well-respected for her even temper and fairness. As well as being one of the justices of Vieland and a magistrate of Lepidstadt, she is also said to be a member of the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye, a secret society of elite thinkers and scholars with a tradition of mysticism.

Judge Daramid invites you into her home when you arrive. She is in her sixties, with grey hair pulled back tightly into a bun and icy blue eyes.

Do you want to deal with Lorrimor's bequest at this time, or are you going to stick with the matter of the Beast?

I think we should explain the entire reason we're here. Beginning with Lorrimor's bequest and how we've been drawn into this Beast situation.

I think we should explain the entire reason we're here. Beginning with Lorrimor's bequest and how we've been drawn into this Beast situation.

Happy with that, but Tre expects someone better with words to lead the conversation.

Barret would also like to fulfill Lorrimor's request.

"Judge Daramid, we're here to speak with you on the matter of the Beast, but we also have a private matter related to our recent travels to discuss as well. Do you have someplace we could speak discreetly?"

"Do come in, then."

She leads you into a parlour, all wood panelling and artworks on the walls, several flower arrangements and comfortable chairs.

"Please be seated. Would you care for any refreshments? A glass of wine, perhaps?"

When everyone's settled with whatever they'd like, the Judge continues.

"Now, how may I help you?"

"Thank you Judge. The five of us are all associates of Professor Lorrimor." Sorin's voice takes on a somber tone. "I'm sorry to tell you if you haven't heard already that the Professor passed away about a month ago. We all became acquainted at his funeral or for those like myself that received word the terrible news late, the strange days that followed." Sorin pauses to gauge the judge's reaction and give others a chance to add their thoughts.

"He was an honorable man. I regret not having the chance to fight by his side."

"Oh. Oh dear. No, I had not heard... how terrible," says the Judge, clearly upset by the news. "I am very sorry to hear that. Were you tasked with letting his friends and associates know, then?"

"We were. And we were also tasked with presenting you with this book. Tre, can you get out the book for the judge?"

Dillan takes a place back from the group, a way to observe the room without appearing to be to nosey...

Perception 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27 +4= 31 vs. hearing conversations, finding traps, concealed or secret objects

Tre delves into his backpack, searching through the various contents, until he eventually brings out a rich purple book with an eye set in a brass scarab in the centre of its cover. Judge, the professor bequeathed you this tome, 'Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye'. He did not give us a key to the clasp, I assume that it is with you. The professor is greatly missed, I was a pupil of his once, he touche many peoples lives for the better." Tre bows, and passes the book over.

The Judge nods, brushing away a tear.

"He will indeed be missed. Have you delivered the other books to the University, to Doctor Crowl?"

"We have. We thought you might be busy with the trial so we visited Doctor Crowl first. We didn't expect to learn that the Antiquities Department was also connected with the Beast. Doctor Crowl seemed to think that the Beast had taken something called the Seasage Effigy."

"In that case," says Judge Daramid, becoming all business again, "I believe you are due this."

She digs in a chest and produces a bag which clinks.

"The one hundred platinum pieces the will states you should receive on delivery of all the books to Doctor Crowl and myself," she explains.

"Now that this sad duty is done, I am in need of some assistance. If Petros trusted you, I am inclined to do the same. I see you have already heard about the Beast. I believe that there is a cancer in Lepidstadt, a darkness lurking behind the shadow of a scapegoat. For many years the people of Lepidstadt have laid all their ills at the door of the creature known as the Beast of Lepidstadt — murders, thefts, and terror have all been attributed to the Beast. I'd imagine they'd claim he had soured milk if they thought it would be believed! However, the evidence suggests otherwise. Many of the stories are exaggerations or simply untrue. Moreover, some people have different stories to tell about the creature about its kindness and humanity, of how it has rescued loved ones or helped those in distress. Now that the time has arrived for such kindness to be repaid, however, no one dares to step forward and challenge the Beast's reputation.

She sighs.

"As a Judge, I have always tried to be fair. I have a keen sense of justice, and I fear the Beast will not receive a fair trial. The people of Lepidstadt have blamed the Beast for too much and for too long, and they want it to pay for its crimes, whether those crimes are real or imagined. In addition, I have some concerns about the crime for which the Beast was finally apprehended — the break-in and theft at Lepidstadt University of which you already know. I am convinced that the Beast's capture at the university was not all it appeared to be, for why would a creature that is intelligent knowingly enter the university, where it was certain to be trapped? However, to publicly announce my suspicions could put me at great risk, both professionally and politically. As one of the three justices presiding over the Beast's trial, I am of course unable to intervene openly, other than by insisting that the Beast be properly defended in court."

She leans forward.

"What I need is a group of people without local bias to uncover the real truth about the Beast and its alleged crimes. The Beast's legally appointed advocate, a barrister named Gustav Kaple, is hopelessly over his head and needs help — ideally someone to gather evidence about the Beast's alleged crimes and stand up in court to be questioned by the prosecution. Such speakers must have bravery in spades and silver tongues to match, to ensure that if there is more to the Beast's story, justice will be done. If the Beast is indeed guilty, then I can rest easier at night knowing that I gave it a fair trial.

"I'll be blunt. If you will take on this task, I will pay you a further 100 platinum each. But you must expressly keep me out of the equation, as any hint of collaboration in their investigations would put my legal objectivity into question. I will deny any involvement in the matter if pressed, but if they do get to the bottom of the matter, I will be very grateful indeed. What do you say?"

Dillans focus changes at the sound of the coins, then again at the mention of a hundred more, "We will need to know all the evidence that is against him. If there any suspicions of anyone who has to gain from this?" He pauses, "What if the beast followed someone into the library? Or saw someone enter and thought to rescue someone within? Perhaps I should get back there to check the grounds, along the outskirts for tracks?"

"We would most certainly be willing to help. We'd already had our own suspicions that there was a rush to convict the Beast and to hear you explain the history leaves me with even more grave concerns. Would you at least be able to fill us in on the events of the trial today? And perhaps grant us access to the witnesses?"

"Thank you," says the Judge. "I thought anyone held in such high regard by Petros might be willing to help..."

She sighs again, it's clear that news of his death has hit her hard.

"Evidence is by and large circumstantial, eye-witness accounts of the Beast's presence in the area of the three crimes that are being proffered by the prosecution rather than clear evidence of actual involvement... how much have you picked up so far?"

"Not a lot yet I'm afraid. We spent quite some time looking around the Antiquities Department. There is clearly a big hole in the suggestion that the Beast took the Seasage Effigy. I mean, they apprehended the Beast at the Antiquities Department, but they didn't recover the Effigy from his person. Furthermore, we looked at the display where the Effigy was kept. Absolutely no damage was done to that case and there were many small and delicate items present. We did find one interesting thing though. The gentleman showing us through claimed that the windows in the room where the Effigy was kept were sealed up and hadn't been opened for years. But, we found that one of the windows had all the grime cleared away. Would have been tough to open but not for someone determined to get in. Its pretty clear to me that someone else broke in and stole the Effigy. Perhaps they used the Beast for cover in some way, but that definitely wasn't him."

One thing I'm not clear on is whether there was even any sign that the Beast went through the room where the Effigy was kept. Clearly we could see the sign of his boots other places in the Department, but I don't think we saw any broken doors in that area or any sign that he had clomped through.

"Indeed, I've seen this Beast. He is not capable of these crimes he is accused of. He does not have the cunning or the dark heart to commit them."

"You confirm my thoughts," said the Judge. "As you know, the trial pivots on three crimes attributed to the Beast over the course of the past year or so. The first is the killing of ten people in the village of Morast, which is about eight miles away from Lepidstadt. The village headman, Lazne, is due to give evidence tomorrow. I understand the prosecution is putting him up at The Broad Face, an inn down the road from the Courthouse that is popular with both lawyers and actors. Whether anyone else from the village has any light to shed on the matter I do not know, only Lazne appears on the docket for tomorrow."

"When we spoke with others earlier, it sounded like there is a process for getting witnesses approved to speak at the trial. If we found other witnesses who could shed light on the matter, how would we go about getting them approved? And what are the procedures for other types of evidence?"

"It is a requirement that the Court be informed in advance, by prosecution or defence, about the evidence that is to be presented. So if you find additional evidence or witnesses, your best route is to speak with prosecution or defence as appropriate. Sometimes I feel the adversarial approach is not the best way to discern the actual facts of the matter," said the Judge, sounding rather sad.

"What can you tell us of the other witnesses scheduled besides Lazne? It sounds like speaking with him would be a good place to start. That and possibly visiting the village since it is only eight miles away. But, if there are other scheduled witnesses, we should e sure to speak with them as well."

"Only Lazne is speaking in the matter of the deaths at Morast. The second incident is at Herstag, where six children died. Evidence will be presented by three sisters who operate a windmill nearby. The final incident is a fire, believed to be arson, at the Sanctuary hospital on Karb Island. The sole witness is the director's assistant, Karl, who was blinded during the fire and now lives in Lepidstadt. That is as much as I know right now."

"Are the three sisters here in Lepidstadt or is their windmill near Herstag?"

"Should we split up or approach them all together?"

"We can each take a location. I can speak to the sisters."

"The windmill is near to Herstag," says the Judge.

"I'll speak with Lazne. Since he is due to provide evidence tomorrow, it sounds like I should make haste to learn what he knows and what he plans to say. Barret, I think its a good idea for you to speak with the sisters. Will any of you volunteer to speak with Karl?"

"I will do so then."

"I'll talk to Karl," Dillan looks about the group, "Any care to join me?"

Want to plan on Tre coming with me? Or could join Dillan? I'm good either way. I suppose having Tre assist Dillan or Barret might be the best move mechanically, but Tre might have more intellectual interest in a particular witness.

Once you are decided...

I think Tre going with either of you two would be for the best.:)

Let's send him with Dillan so we can go the aid another route.

Works for me.

OK, so who is going where?

Options are:

1. To see the witness Lazne, believed to be staying in The Broad Face Inn here in Lepidstadt.

2. To visit the 3 miller women from near Herstag, who as far as is known are still there at the moment.

3. To visit Karl, formerly assistant to the director of the Sanctuary hospital, who lives in Lepidstadt.

4. To visit the 'scene of the crime' in Morast.

5. To visit the 'scene of the crime' in Herstag.

6. To visit the 'secne of the crime' on Karb Island (Sanctuary hospital).

Of course you can do more than one of these, it's still only late afternoon!

To remind you: Lepidstadt environs map

Barret will see the 3 miller women. So #2.

Tre' and Dillan to see Karl #3.

Tre would go with Dillan...

Right, and Sorin is going to call on Lazne. So...

Barret has about an 8-mile ride out to Herstag and will then have to find the mill. Best get going!

Tre'duinne and Dillan need to make their way across town to where Karl lives. (It's shown on the map of Lepidstadt.

The Broad Face inn isn't marked on the map, but it's on the main square near the courthouse. When Sorin gets there and asks in the main taproom for Lazne, the barman scowls.

"Just as well them legals are paying for 'im to have a private room, 'E stinks and 'e's surly with it!"

Barret will get going then, finding someone to rent him a horse for the trip.

The Judge will lend you one, a big grey that makes you wonder why she has him: surely he's a bit big for her.

Excellent. Barret will ride off them to meet the sisters.