Danica focuses on the individual who said those words that incited the crowd.
Before seeking the relative safety of the balcony Tolvan asks Andjela I could drop an Obscuring Mist on us if you like? And if violence erupts I'll be seeing how the mob does in a stinking cloud.
Once in position Tolvan will ready to cast a Stinking cloud at the first sign the of violence from the crowd or if the first member of the mob steps up onto the courthouse steps.
He will call out, trying to assist Andjela.
The trial is not over. No verdict has been reached. You are premature! Go home and trust your justice system. To do otherwise risks the ire of a wizard!
If you do not believe me, then perhaps you shall trust in the power of the gods themselves. I bring forth Holy Light that you may remember your true selves.
The Beast is secured. You have my word, he shall harm no children. Not yours, not anyone's. Now allow the clergy to step into The Light.
Andgela opens her arms slowly... allowing light to pour forth from her core, and eminate outward, pushing back the darkness and revealing faces..
The mobs eyes widen collectively at the show of magic, but the words of the inciters were too compelling, their faces re-hardening and no one leaves. Danica was able to spot 4 voices when she looked for the ones calling out, but a fifth voice remains elusively out of sight. The crowd is slowly working itself into a frenzy, keeping the clergy away from the doors and pushed to the edges of the large plaza, if not right escorted away. They do refrain from harming them however, whether in response to Andjela's warning or not, its hard to say. The crowd seems to be working itself up to a boiling point, surging forward and back, bolstering each other to greater heights of frenzy.
Kimberly comes up beside Tolvan on the balcony. che is dragging a chair and sets it up next thim. climbing up on the chair so she can see better over the railing of the balcony.
looking out over the mob of people her heart sinks. her face saddens at the turn of events.
she signs the symbol of Pharasma over her heart.
she looks to Tolvan I am a child, and I am not hurt, maybe I should say something.
Looking back over the crowd, she screams to get the attention of the people..
a pause to catch her breath
Please, The Beast means no harm to anyone. He will not harm your children. I am but a child, an orphan, with no family, cared for by kind people that took me in from the temple of Pharasma.
I have been with the beast. alone, without the aid of strength or magic. yet here I stand, unharmed. I chose to share the kindness shown to me with the beast. and in return he has shown kindness back.
each of you, please, look into your own hearts, because on your final days, when you stand before the lady of death in judgement. You will answer for the choices you make today.
Are you civilized people honoring truth and justice or are you the sort that is no different than the animal you claim the beast to be?
Please return to your homes or wait patiently here. allow those you have chosen to represent you hear the truth and allow them to do what you have entrusted them to do.
Kimberly then looks on hoping she has moved a few people .
Anna mingles in the crowd, and discretely saws at the rope attached to the grappling hook so it will snap the moment any weight is put on it.
Kimbery's impassioned speech, on the heels of Andjela and Tolvan's words, win back those few who were nearly swayed the first time, and those people quietly slip away, reducing the numbers in the mob a little.
Anna's inconspicuous action goes completely unnoticed by those in the crowd, too engaged in the chant which has slowly gotten louder and louder. "KILL THE BEAST. KILL THE BEAST. KILL THE BEAST."
Finally, one of the ringleaders screams out, "CHARGE!!" and a portion of the crowd surges forward, the four battering rams suddenly raised overhead. A handfull of crossbows suddenly appear in the hands of the inciters in the crowd.
Anna
Tolvan
Andjela
Kimberly
Danica
Mob x10
The defenders all sense the charge right before it happens and spot the crossbows before they're brought to bear.
- Danica
- Andjela
- Tolvan (Haven't loosed your action yet as they haven't gotten to the steps yet. Change or keep it as you like.)
- Kimberly
- Anna
- Mob
Rolling a Fortitude save, in case Tolvan unleashes that stinking cloud.
Do NOT harm the townsfolk! No lethal force!
Andjela merely takes a defensive stance when the time comes.
As the mob starts to move toward the courthouse Kimberly takes hold of her holy symbol.
Please, Lady Pharasma, I pray to you on thier behalf. show lienency in judgement of these people. help me to show them, to guide them true.
she holds up her symbol. and a small black ray of energy erupts from the small necklace and just over the heads of the crowds (far enough away to not cause damge but close enough to let them know Pharasma has spoken through Kimberly).
The ray ends over the mob and explodes in burst of sound the Word "STOP" echos from the explosion of divine energy.
The Lady Pharasma will be very dipleased if you continue! Go home now, Please she yells hoping to turn a few more away.
Danica raises both fists in the air, calling forth the Inquisitor's judgement (Destruction) and says loudly, "I am the wrath of Sarenrae. Continue....and your downfall will be your doing. You have a choice to retreat. I am an extension of the DawnFlower's wrath. It is time to feel it."
Seeing the crossbows and the rams coupled with the call to charge is enough for Tolvan. He will cast the Stinking Cloud to one side of the mob such that it almost hits those on the porch. If he sees anna in the mob he will target the other side as long as the two sides are equivalent. But even it means getting Anna he will target the side with the most mob members and crossbows.
The Stinking Cloud obscures vision beyond 5'completely. Its a DC 18 Fort Save to not be nauseated for as long as you are in the cloud and 1d4+1 rounds after you leave. It will last for 6 rounds and you must ave every round you stay in it
This is a general idea for where he is targeting - trying to block/protect as much of his friends as he can. Remember its a sphere 20' in radius so its 20' high.
!____..___!
.........XXXXXX
.......ADXXXXXX
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.........XXXXXX
.........XXXXXX
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Cloud is designated by the xs. A and D are Andjela and Danica. I had to use periods for spaces because the spaces go away.
Casting Magic Weapon on monk's unarmed strike; as allowed by spell description.
Danica casts a spell to enhance her striking ability but otherwise holds her ground.
Andjela merely takes a defensive stance when the time comes, keeping calm and collected. "Do NOT harm the townsfolk! No lethal force!"
Seeing the crossbows and the rams coupled with the call to charge is enough for Tolvan. He will cast the Stinking Cloud to one side of the mob such that it almost hits those on the porch. If he sees anna in the mob he will target the other side as long as the two sides are equivalent. But even it means getting Anna he will target the side with the most mob members and crossbows. The noxious cloud smothers one side of the area in front of the courthouse, people retching and crying out in the midst of the disgusting cloud. Two of the crossbow wielders are caught in the edges of it, and it's all they can do to stay on their feet.
As the mob starts to move toward the courthouse Kimberly takes hold of her holy symbol. "Please, Lady Pharasma, I pray to you on thier behalf. show lienency in judgement of these people. help me to show them, to guide them true."
She holds up her symbol and a small black ray of energy erupts from the small necklace and just over the heads of the crowd (far enough away to not cause damge but close enough to let them know Pharasma has spoken through Kimberly). The ray ends over the mob and explodes in burst of sound the Word "STOP" echos from the explosion of divine energy. "The Lady Pharasma will be very dipleased if you continue! Go home now, Please!" she yells hoping to turn a few more away. The folks, many already blinded and nauseated cringe away from Kimberly's spell, but no more disperse.
Anna pulls out her sap and brings it down on one of the crossbowmen, the ringleader unprepared for the blow. He reels to one side, but does not fall, cursing at Anna, who suddenly finds herself in the midst of a hostile and aware crowd.
The charging mob caught in the cloud (except the ringleaders) drop to the ground and begin crawling away to the relative safety of the crowd, none of them stopping or looking like they want to return. A couple battering rams are left behind. Those unaffected turn on Anna and try to expel her from their midst, glancing with open uncertainty at their missing compatriots but still full of enough anger to partially continue the attack, and their inexperience leaving Anna the opportunity to bring her sap to bear on the first of the mob to approach her if she chooses. Three bolts are fired at Anna before the mob pushes her to the steps, a sea of hands and angry faces with scarcely enough room for her to move. The nearest crossbowmen manages to get a bolt past Anna's armor, piercing her side.
Overall the efforts to repel this first assault are successful, too many of the mob affected to continue, the ringleaders back to screaming to rally their troops. Their words spurring courage back into the hearts of the mob, the entire crowd shying away from the stinking cloud. Slowly the crowd starts to move, starting to circle the courthouse with sheer numbers, but giving the porch a wide birth. The ladders are hoisted overhead and the battering rams raised as they circle, their chanting starting to build and build towards a crescendo once more. The ringleaders melt back into the crowd, but their voices are very much heard, screaming and prodding the mob to kill the Beast and protect their children. There looks to be a little over 40 folks left in the mob, not including the 4 ringleaders.
Danica will go in the same direction as the crowd moves out of the stinking cloud.
Anna is shoved up to the courthouse roughly. She clutches her side and winces as she escapes the press of the crowd. Phew! What a stench! After Grine's, I was looking forward to giving my nose a break.
She staggers over to stand woozily next to Andjela and Danica. Wish I didn't leave my big crossbow behind. You still feeling all merciful?
Anna! Tolvan calls down from the balcony. Hope I did not catch you in the cloud. I looked for you but you must have blended in too well as I never spotted you.
Andjela reaches to hold Anna's hand. Merciful and tolerant. Welcome back.
Danica moves 2 squares to the left coaxing the mob to come to her.
I will defend my post to the death... And I'm not planning on dying tonight. So why don't you ask the cowards you call leaders to step forth? They're using you.
If you want to know who killed all those folks, put down your weapons. And I'll tell you.
I only have so many spells that do not kill. When I run out of them I will be forced to us the deadly ones. You should listen to the Paladin.
Kimbrly looks down at the mob tears start to form.
why, why do they behave like that? They are no different than the what they accuse the beast of being.
She looks down to the crowd again please, good people, i beg of you, return to your homes, justice must be givin a chance, you would demand no less if it were any of you or your family accused of such evils.
Her voice of pleading child asking for mercy from an angry parent
The powerful words of Kimberly and Andjela overpower the hate in the hearts of several in the mob, and they slink away, working their way out the back of the mob in shame. The entire mob looks unstable, their numbers have been visibly thinned and the unexpected, stout defenders and their pleas for peace taking a toll on the anger and single-mindedness of the crowd. You get the sense that it may not be able to sustain itself much longer.
The ringleaders are relentless, charismatic townsfolk determined to see the Beast destroyed and not trusting in the fickle hand of justice. The chanting starts up once more in the crowd, and with a sudden roar, they leap forward to attack again. Ten folks hoist two ladders at the front of the courthouse, clearly hoping to reach the balcony where Kimberly and Tolvan sit. Ten more head towards the public entrance on the west side of the courthouse, the last two portable rams clutched in hand. Sensing their anger coming to a peak, you defenders anticipate the moment of action, and are ready to act first.
- Danica
- Andjela
- Tolvan
- Kimberly
- Anna
- Mob
If they enter the courthouse, RELEASE THE BEAST! LETHAL FORCE against any inside!
Seeing that the mob is edging towards violence again, Tolvan arms Kimberly with Thunderstones and flash powder and tells her to throw them to disperse people. Thinking for a moment he adds a few Alchemist Fires to the mix. These burn for a couple rounds and should discourage passage. Use them as a last resort. You could use them on the tops of any ladders before any people are at the top.
Immediately when it is clear that the entire crowd is not dispersing Tolvan casts Shield on himself and uses his Dimensional Shift to join his frields below. As the people begin to surge forward he casts his second Stinking Cloud centered to stop ones with ladders and as he pulls his sword he says Stop those with the rams. I will hold here.
Danica moves over to the ones with the rams and makes her last plea.
"Final waring. From here on this will get messy"
She know her words falls on deaf ears so she makes her first non-lethal attack. She aims at one of the holders and throws a jab.
Danica shouts out "Use the tanglefoot bags we found at the factory."
As the mob gathered its strength for another surge, Anna seemed nervous and withdrawn. While she looked up and nodded to Tolvan when he called out to her, she stayed silent and wary. She studied each face in the crowd, but she seemed unsatisfied with what she saw in their furor.
When the crowd moved in for another attack, a cold look crossed her face as she drew her hand crossbow and shot the nearest ringleader with the battering rams.
Kimberly looking out over the balcony. she is now alone up there since Tolvan went back down stairs.
Please don't come any closer somebody might get hurt. she holds a thunderstone in her hand.
looking for any group that looks like they intend to climb up to where she is.
Danica's jab knocks the rage-crazed and unprepared ram holder out cold, dropping the poor fellow to the ground.
Andjela stands her ground, stating a warning for the incoming attackers.
Tolvan, now down at ground level, creates another stinking cloud from a bit of rotten egg, and the entire attacking unit around the ladders drops like kittens. It's all they can do to crawls away, retching and moaning at the horror of the nauseating and blinding cloud. Those near the unconscious ram bearer suddenly realize they are not getting past these defenders, and nothing is worth the physical and magical beating they are getting. Also the promise of real harm has finally penetrating their fear-addled brains and the spirit of the mob breaks. Seeing their supporters break causes the ring leaders to break as well, running with all speed in several different directions along with the dispersed mob. The gathering silence around the courthouse is profound, as folks with murderous intent suddenly become bakers, butchers and normal people concerned with self preservation and their own lives. Ladders, the rope, and the battering ram, as well as torches and crude weapons litter the ground, abandoned by the mob. Five heavy crossbows also rest amongst the abandoned weaponry. The only folks not running away are those 10 people still stunned by the stinking cloud (they are crawling at the moment), and the man Danica knocked unconscious.
Now that the mob is dispersed, the sounds of dozens of booted feet come from the north, set to arrive on the scene in a very short time.
Anna, it would stain the perception of our intent, when we explain. Let it go. These folks are witness. Might wanna tie those wretches up, I'm no good with a rope.
We should probably check on the Beast. Were any "guards" inside, barrister Kaple?
Though she can easily imagine her bolt sinking deep into his thigh, Anna checks her shot and puts the crossbow away.
She notes the impending arrival of the guard, and flips up the hood of her cloak. Well, I'm not so keen on getting arrested for doing the right thing, so I'll meet you back at the inn. If any of you want to loan me your purses for bail money, I'll keep good care of them. She smiles, then disappears into the night.
Andjela is grateful, placing a hand on Anna's shoulder and giving her a peck on the temple.
Tolvan visibly relaxes a little and goes to collect the heavy crossbows while waiting on the militia. I'd rather the next mob not have these. he explains.
In what seems like a suspiciously long time from the start of the assault, 40 members of the Lepidstadt militia, led by a sergeant-at-arms. The woman is double-timing her troops, and pulls up in front of the courthouse, looking at those at the door suspiciously, but without hostility. She takes her eyes off of you to bark a few orders and a handful of troops set about shackling those townsfolk still about, taking them all into custody. While that's being done she strides up towards the door and stops a few feet away, her voice hard and angry, "You are the Beasts out-of-town defenders I take it. This your handiwork?" and tosses her head over her shoulder to indicate the leftovers of the mob.
Andjela's look is cool, unimpressed. Special Witnesses for the Defense, we work for Barrister Kaple and by extension the Court.
By who's authority are you here, tardy or otherwise? None shall pass into this building until I am satisfied of their intent.
The sergeant tilts her head to one side, regarding Andjela with a mixed of impressed incredulity and amusement, "By the authority of the Municipality of Lepidstadt. I commend your desire to protect the Beast, heaven knows no one else is, but if you interfere with my duty to secure this area, I'll take you all into custody along with this rabble right now." The womans tone alerts the militia nearby and they all turn their full attention to the pissing match taking place on the steps.
You seem to be... fixated on a particular prisoner, sergeant. Fear not, the area is secure.
The guards, if that is what they are called disappeared, abandoning their posts and duty either corrupt or spineless. So you see... Where there is smoke, one should consider fire.
Andjela shifts her stance.
You don't seem spineless. I'll clue you in on how this will go down. Tomorrow, when we address the court, the municipality and people of Lepidstadt you will either be part of the problem... Or, part of the solution.
We defended this courthouse, its prisoners and the official evidence it holds. We would have defended it, Beast or otherwise. The odds were greater than ten to one. They had crossbows of which five are there. Battering rams, ladders and most importantly, ringleaders. I never drew a weapon.
I humbly, peaceably if not strongly suggest you dispatch a runner to fetch someone of authority that is known to us.
Kimberly makes her way back down to the stairs. arriving as the milita and Andjela are conversing.
looking at the authorty figures in discussion she remains quiet. it is unlikly that they would care what she had to say anyway (at least the milita leaders).
deciding that there is little she can offer there she goes to see if there are any wounded townsfolk that she can help.
If possible Tolvan would like to have looked in to make sure the beast was safe and not threatened during (or after) the conflict. He will use his shift power to avoid the stairs and check quickly.
Danica approaches her paladin friend and says to the sergeant, "We handled the mob as best we could. There was no loss of life. We are glad you showed up when you did but how come you reveal yourself after the "first punch is thrown", so to speak?"
Danica continues, "As for the individuals you have arrested, please for mercy sake, they were being coaxed by mob reingleaders. Those leader should be arrested, not the regular towns folk. Maybe a night in jail will make them think otherwise in joining a mob. If you would like I can describe some of the ringleaders that I spotted."
The sergeant grits her teeth at the frustrating situation for her, her feathers ruffled, "I, and my men are not errand-boys, fetch your own authority figure if you want to feel warm and fuzzy. I do not like being dictated to by strangers in my city, however well-meaning." She turns her gaze to Danica, her face getting more upset, but this time it doesn't seem to be directed at your group, but rather something you pointed out. "I came as soon as I was able and I'll take your words about these folks under advisement. I'll have my second take statements from all of you."
She squares up to the door, "Now I'm going in there to check on the prisoner and the guards. Interfere and you'll be taking into custody immediately and thrown in prison. Now step aside!"
About that time Barrister Kaple opens the main door to the courthouse, looking frazzled but miraculously not stuttering at the moment, "Sergeant Philven! Thank goodness the militia has arrived! Please do come in!" and he gives those at the door shooing motion so as to allow the sergeant inside.
Those who checked on the Beast shows him happily playing with Teddy, holding the small bear up to his face and bouncing it from side to side and enjoying the interaction. The guards who remained at the courthouse were in the room with the Beast, and are quite grateful to see your faces instead of that of an angry mob.
Those arrested are led away, the mob-born items collected, including the crossbows as part of the evidence collection process. Your statements are taken, as well as those of Kaple and the guards who remained behind.