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The sheriff and Ekira both nod as Sheela shows the letters. The inquisitor seems more reluctant but cannot deny the writing seems the same.
"It was THEM!" shouts Dalton Krunne. "They wrote all those letters and are now using them to deceive you! Remember, demons and their servants are often clever in their evil!"
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"It was THEM!" shouts Dalton Krunne. "They wrote all those letters and are now using them to deceive you! Remember, demons and their servants are often clever in their evil!"
"With how bad you are at covering your tracks Krunne, I highly doubt that."
"Krunne has no fashion sense, but he does wear fine clothing. It's so fine, in fact I bet he's the only person who would ever wear clothing with these buttons. We found it on Otto's Farm, near the bodies of one of the poor victims. Oh look, the button matches Krunne's outfit!"
"As my friend here said, how could we murder anyone before we actually arrived? Krunne here is an awful murderer and a terrible liar. But he lays defeated at your feet."
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Vrothum has to think fast and comes up with a quick lie to hopefully cover up his lack of people skills.
Sheriff did you ever get the description of the killer? When we spoke to Orag he said it was a tall male with a bald patch on the back of his head, he also said the guy was running through the alley and tried to eat the second victim, like cannabilism. But I believe this Krunn isn’t a human at all but a demon from the abyss! Time to stop hiding behind you lies, and admit that you’re a phony! You can’t fool me I can smell the brimstone from here.
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The disguised Vrothum fails miserably to convince the people surrounding him and his friends of the connection between the button and Krunne. His accusation of Krunne being a demon is dismissed by the sheriff yet pointing out Orog's testimony causes Luin to nod:"Now that you mention it, all of those Pathfinders are rather low of stature... Orog will need to be questioned!
While Krunne protests one of Luin's officers fetches the half orc who confirms Vrothum's words. Even Ekira seems upset by his testimony... if true it would mean the convicted Pathfinders were innocent all along after all!
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Luin considers Vrothum's request for a moment before nodding:"There are basically 4 pieces of evidence against these people.
First. The murders began the night the Pathfinders came to town and ceased as soon as the Pathfinders were arrested.
Second. At the scene of the second murder, I found a dagger belonging to Dakota Spire, one of the dwarven Pathfinders.
Third. All three Pathfinders were seen at Otto’s farm just hours before someone found the first victim there.
And fourth. Ekira received an anonymous letter from a concerned but frightened citizen identifying the Pathfinders as the murderers.
Aye. To this day I don't understand how I could have lost it. It was with me before we went to bed, I swear. And we were all in our rooms sleeping when the second murder happened!
"What did Krunne attack us with? Idril, he almost skewered you with something. Was it Dakota's dagger?"
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"My brother, Sigurd, is also into Iomedae. He says her voice is absolute, but he has trouble understanding it. I don't blame him- divine beings such as a goddess of order, punishment and justice must be difficult to comprehend. Ekira, I think you are onto something, but are you certain her message is clear to you? After all, you are only mortal."
Sheela plants the seeds of doubt in Ekira's head. It's a fun trick she did to rile up the overly religious- claim the god is infallible but mortal is incompetent.
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Another stranger, this one tall and quiet with a patch of hair missing from the back of his head, has been in town for about as long as the Pathfinders have. He sometimes asks more questions about the accused than is considered seemly in these parts.
A tall and quiet stranger with a patch of hair missing from the back of his head, has been asking questions about the newcomers who visited Tobias Luin and the prisoners just a day ago.
You do a very thorough search but nothing and no one seems to be on the second floor. You are almost ready to give up when a tall balding man materializes behind Idril... and stabs him in the back!
"And haven't you been a naughty man?" Sheela pinches Krunne's cheeks. "You've been asking around town, about Pathfinders lives and their details. More than is usually considered polite. Why are you so obsessed with Pathfinders? Are you trying to get their details right, so you can frame them properly?"
She turns to the mayor. "He's been trying to frame Pathfinders for his grisly actions all along. He's trying to make fools of you, and Ekira. Don't fall for it."
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Sheela's words cause Ekira to cast a doubtful look at the man called Dalton Krunne. She then sighs and nods:"Very well. In light of the evidence you provided it seems like I was too hasty in my conclusions. As things stand, I admit we can't hang those meddlesome Pathfinders and, much as it pains me they should go free. We'll be keeping an eye on them... and you, though!" the inquisitor proclaims but as soon as she does...
"NO!" Krunne shouts "This won't do! I'm having too much fun to let you ruin it now! So I guess we'll have to get back to where we were before those boring speeches began!"
So saying the man pulls out a dagger from one of his boots and prepares to attack while the mob panicks! Ekira and Luin try to stop them before someone gets trampled to death and you are left facing off against Krunne again!
Krunne jumps forward and tries to stab the nearest pathfinder... Azrael!
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Yet in his bloodlust Krunne fails to connect with the mysterious vigilante!
Round 01 - Bold may act
Krunne -25hp
???
Titus
Vrothum
Rogar
Azrael
Idril
Valentynne
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"There you go, Ekira. You're finally starting to make-"
Suddenly Krunne lashes out!
Sheela begins casting Summon Monster II to call forth Queen Rainbowprance, a celestial horse!
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Azrael wounds the deranged killer but Rogar makes short work of him, executing Dalton Krunne on the spot, witha swift slash of his blade!
As the man falls gurgling blood you seem to hear the flutter of leathery wings in the air. It's just a moment though, soon everyone is screaming and trying coming to grips with what just happened.
After witnessing Krunne's bloodthirsty nature it becomes clear he was the real assassin and Tobias Luin personally frees your captive brethen.
On her part Ekira seems pretty conflicted about the events. She still feels distrustful about the Pathfinder's Society, but on the other hand she cannot deny the pathfinders were not behind the heinous crimes she accused them of having committed. Besides she cannot hear "Iomedae's" voice anymore and this worries her to no end. Perhaps you could convince her the Pathfinder's Society is not the gruesome collection of meddlesome criminals she thought it was?
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"While our gods work in mysterious ways, evil does not, you were tricked by Krunne into believing the Pathfinders are worse than they really are. As long as you stand in the defense of good the Society can make for steadfast allies, or if you want to keep fighting evil, you might need them on your side."
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Sheela finishes her casting, and Queen Rainbowprance appears! "Quickly, distract the crowd for a bit."
She turns to the party. "Hide the body. Well, I mean get the corpse out of the way. It's going to make a scene."
Once the crowd clears, Sheela wipes the sweat off her brow. It isn't easy managing herself in a society. "As you can see, mister mayor, Krunne is- was- quite bloodthirsty. He was behind the murders. Not the Pathinders."
Sheela is sure to shake the Pathfinders' hands when they are freed. "As I mentioned, Mister Jorsal never forgets."
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"Ekira, may I sit down with you?" Sheela uses her Mage Hand to dust some debris away before sitting on a pew. "Beria Kolphan. She was blessed with divine blood, but she was gullible. She was manipulated easily. One day, a merchant man whispered into her ear and she was off. Brother Sigurd distrusted the man, but she was stubborn." Sheela looks at the floor.
"My other brother Darius did his detective work and learned the merchant had been killed years ago. A demon had taken his place. Beria had been married for years, her children..." Sheela trails off. "He used our family name and the merchant's riches to help twisted cults summon more demons. When she learned the truth, she was deep with guilt. So much guilt... she leapt from the tallest tower. Grandmama was hurt the most."
"I'm sorry for rambling so much." She turns to Ekira. "Iomedae will guide your actions, but maybe not so directly." Sheela places her hand on Ekira's. "Make sure to talk to the villagers here, rather than shout at them. Listen to everyone's voice. Including the Pathfinder Society. Some members are better than others."
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Vrothum does as asked and hides the body, and sees to the crowd ushering them along and calming them down, then he goes to the mayor apologizes for not leaving him alive for their punishment and shakes his hand. He personally apologizes to the captives, shakes their hand and invites them to travel back with them. He lets the others talk to the lunatic Erika, seemingly uncaring how she feels after what’s transpired.
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Valentynne and Sheela's words finally manage to breach the wall of Ekira's zealous biases. She realizes her mistakes and the fact she was manipolated by some unknown forece that certainly was not Iomedae herself. The inquisitor seems contrited and apologizes profusely for her mistakes almost costed the lives of innocent people. She personally releases the prisoners and accompanies them to Starrise Spire. Once there Ekira formally apologizes for her actions and offers to assist the Pathfinder Society in the future as a means of atoning.
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"As long as you are willing to work with Pathfinders... like us." Sheela finally shows Ekira her wayfinder. "We will get along swimmingly." She has a shake, a peck on the cheek, and advises her on how to word a letter of introduction to the Venture Captain.
She turns to her allies. "Valentyne, your halo is magnificent. Azreal, you are a man of few words but of great action. Idril, I'm glad that madman didn't skewer you. Rogar, stick to the faith and keep your heart open. Titus, it was a pleasure seeing you."
"And Vrothum." She reclaims her hat of disguise. "You are beautiful on the outside and inside. Let no one tell you otherwise. I'm sorry you had to hide yourself from them. I hope one day everyone can see the beauty inside of you the way I did." For a moment, you see an earnest expression of regret and pity, before she perks up again and summons Queen Rainbowprances.
"Grandmama is calling me yet again for some singing lessons, so I must be off. If you are even within earshot of the Kolphan Estate, feel free to say hello. But now I must be off!"
Sheela mounts the celestial horse and with a huff they ride off into the sunset.