Baradlon slashes at Gibbs, hitting him along the throat in a cut that is an eerie echo the cut that felled Vigilance.
Gibbs drops his razor and claps his hands awkwardly to his throat as blood pumps through his fingers in crimson spurts. He drops to his knees but his expression is a malicious smile before his eyes roll back into his head.He slumps to the floor, bleeding out.
Baradlon leans down and punches Gibbs in the temple with his cestus to make sure he's dead. "Good riddance! Maybe with this servant of evil gone, we can concentrate on clearing out the prison..."
Before the angry elf can do anything permanent, the waiting priest intercedes to stabilize the dying.
"Hold, Nighteyes. He may have some information about the cult and the Professor's death. He will certainly be locked up for the rest of his life if not executed for his crimes. The town needs to be a part of this though."
His wounds are grave but his condition stabilises
The elf just sighs and shakes his head.
Good job Nighteyes!
Lament turns to the sheriff. "I almost certain his razor is what caused the wounds on our friend as well as the others. You can see on the wound it caused me how sharp the blade was."
Sheriff Caeller stands quietly panting for a while before lowing the crossbow.
Blood of the Gods, he swears quietly.
Search... yes, search the place
Trestleblade looks at Elidal wide eyed and panting but sense returns to him and he lowers his club
Looking up, Jaru nods his appreciation to Nighteyes. Turning to the Sheriff he notes, "Keep him securely locked up and closely watched. I think our questioning must wait until after we've cleansed Harrowstone. Once the ghosts are destroyed we may better see his true colors. I will ask Father Grimburrow for a hearse to move Vigilance's body. I can't say I was particularly comfortable with the fiend-blooded, but he was a loyal companion and deserves a decent burial."
The sheriff still seems a bit out of it but shakes himself and focuses.
Of course.
He hesitates then talks to Jaru in a low voice.
I'm... We're... All a bit sorry for what happened to your friend. We got to find out that he was some sort of investigator... And that's nearly like a watchman or a town sheriff, right?.
He swallows.
We're burying one of our own tomorrow. If... If you want, we can have the funerals together 'less he has some kinfolk who want to get the body. If you want, you can do the service. Old Father Grimburrow probably wouldn't mind and we'd not say any worse for you saying the words over our friend either .
Simeon taps his chin, nodding at Jaru's sensible suggestions, "In my opinion, Gibbs has been possessed by the Hean Feramin, or the Splatterman. He had a tendency to write his victim's name one letter at a time in blood, just like Gibbs here. 'V','E','S','O' are the letters so far, the first four letters of the Warden's wife's name. Significant? Perhaps. In which manner, I'm unsure."
Turning to the sheriff, "Vigilance was a man of singular mind, he will be missed. " he nods at the man's offer of funeral arrangements.
Jaru peers closely at the unconscious form of Gibbs. "That is a possibility," he allows after Simeon's speculation. "Yet, I still have difficulty feeling any mercy for the man. Pharasma will judge him in the end, I suppose."
To the Sheriff he responds, "I could lead the ceremony if you wish, but purging Harrowstone is our primary focus. Any delay might lead to more tragedy."
What do you wand for the funeral arrangements with your friend? Anyone going to sit with him before the funeral?, Sheriff Caeller asks intently.
Jaru looks slightly annoyed. "As I said, there is no time. I will speak to Father Grimburrow to see if an acolyte is available. I am sure they have warding spells to prevent any necromantic influences. Would that there were time for rituals, but haunts reform given time. We must return today or we may be back where we started or worse."
"I have no desire to see this wretch buried," Baradlon says, kicking Gibbs. "Vigilance wouldn't have wanted us to waste time watching him enter the ground either. If Simeon's right about Feramin, it's even more pressing that we clear the prison," he insists. "We should head back there as soon as possible."
Trestleblade gathers up Gibbs and slings him over his shoulders with a grunt and heads off to the towns prison. The Sheriff and Elidal sweep the cottage. There are a lot of empty alcohol containers, and a good amount that are partially full.
At length his dirty heavy mattress, which is on the floor, is pushed up to reveal a small stash of coins. 37 coppers, 25 silvers and a respectable 40 gold coins - a healthy sum of savings for a semi retired soldier. None of the coins are the sort that Jominda gave to you - they are all typical of the coins commonly found in Canterwall.
I'll take 10 of those gold coins to pay for your friends Coffin and customary funerary offerings. The rest we'll take into storage. If Gibbs found guilty then I suppose it will form a 'Weregild' for your friend, otherwise they'll be returned.
I don't think there is anything else to do this early in the morning - The funeral for your friend and Deputy Leromar is tomorrow. I do hope that you can preside over the rites but let me know later today. I still think one of you should watch over your friend tomorrow night but if you can't then I suppose watching two bodies is much the same as watching one.
He's right - it would be about 1am and you are all still weary. If you get to bed now and sleep in you will still be able to recover your full strength for magic and for your health... albeit not your sanity.
Unless there are any side tracks, you head back to the house.
Kendra is deeply upset by Viligances' murder and you see that she seems a bit lost, as if looking for a source of support that is no longer there.
You head back to bed and sleep until well past dawn, where you can see the weather has again turned to a soaking constant drizzle of rain from black and overcast skys.
"Thank you, Sheriff," Jaru replies rather curtly. "I am honestly torn between my duty to care for the dead and destroy the undead, but I cannot risk another life by allowing the tumor of Harrowstone to spread. We will try to make the ceremony if we are able."
The next morning, the priest remains in a somewhat sour mood as he eats and prepares for another foray into the ruined prison.
Baradlon is in an even worse mood than normal, and goes back to the Lorrimor house in silence. He stays out back, behind the house for a while working through a series of blindingly quick sword forms until his chest is heaving, and he's soaked in sweat. It's only then that he sinks slowly to his knees in the dirt and weeps silently, thinking about all the darkness. No matter how hard he tries, things just keep getting worse. Eventually, he is able to feed the anger, pain and sorrow into a burning flame of concentration and determination in his mind. A couple of hours later, he wipes himself clean, and goes back into the house. He moves quietly, so as not to wake any of his sleeping companions, and pouring himself a drink takes up his customary vigil by the fire. Once his drink is finished, he slips into a deep meditation for the rest of the "night".
There is a knock at the door as you clear your breakfast plates. Kendra, somewhat hopeful at the noise opens the door but returns downcast.
Its Councilman Hearthmount.
Terrible business! Terrible! Who'd have guessed how things have played out! - We're determined to have a trial today, justice, after all MUST be done. And Quickly by the gods!.
He scratches at his jowls nervously and then pulls out an inkwell, pen and paper.
I've heard many stories - can you tell me what you saw happen? I, errr... have the dubious honour of defending Gibbs and I have to do my duty by him. If you just want to give a single statement, then we can drop by and see the Sheriff.
Jaru just gapes at the others with an expression of pure exasperation. "Councilman, while I sympathize with your desire for a speedy trial, the sheriff was there the entire time. We found tracks and evidence that led us to Gibbs' residence and he nearly murdered Lament when we asked to speak with him. That is enough I am sure to keep him in jail until we finish this business at Harrowstone. Any further delays in dealing with the haunts there could be calamitous!"
Baradlon will spend a few minutes detailing honestly the transpirings with Gibbs, starting from the beginning with their discovery of the first bloody letter. He leaves out no details, but his hatred for Gibbs is clear throughout his telling of the tale. "Father Toth is correct. Normally I would offer to stand witness at the trial, but we have essential matters to deal with."
I do understand your...errr... point of view of course, he nods, many chins wobbling but..., he holds his hands out awkwardly. Your companion did find the tracks after all, and ummm, then there is the matter of who opened his dwelling - in some parts, thats reason enough to attack those who enter.
He stands.
I'll go now, of course but the evidence is compelling but not damning - the trial will be later this afternoon, 1pm and its best for all if we put this behind us. Cleanly.
Simeon had risen early, perusing the damaged spell book, hardly deigning to notice the others , so intent upon the mystical sigils.
The arrival of the Councilman rouses him to rise from his chair and stretch. With a glance at Nighteyes, Simeon says "While I commend the swiftness of your search for justice, I would state that not all of the facts are available, infringing upon Mr Gibbs' hope for a fair trial. Perhaps a stay until our work at Harrowstone is complete."
Simeon then returns to his book, muttering to himself at he tries to decipher a obscure notation.
Hmmmm... there is a desire to have this cleaned up among the Council - tongues wag like the tail of an dog with the palsy. We do not need any additional trouble in Ravengro.
He considers thoughtfully.
But we owe you a debt of obligation of sorts - IF, and I say IF it be something that you feel must be put aside for the greater good then I... we... will consider your service not long after your arrival and your service since a convincing argument to delay the trial, to say.... Moonday?
I'll go now, of course but the evidence is compelling but not damning - the trial will be later this afternoon, 1pm and its best for all if we put this behind us. Cleanly.
Jaru just shakes his head afterwards at the amazing pigheadedness of the locals. "One could almost think that they rather enjoy possessions, murders, and arson!" The priest sighs, considering. "It seems we may have to abide by a fools' schedule today. What is the hour? I would still like to clear the main floor. It hopefully will not take more than a couple hours."
It is near 9am Father Toth, reports the corpulent councilman. Remember too that the Sheriff will need your statements too - that will take some time.
Again, the offer is there - IF you feel it must be the case, to delay trial until Moonday - call it a recognition and a balancing of the scales - it could be done, but at that point we must press on with the trial!
Jaru looks to the others. "There appeared only to be a few more rooms to investigate on the main floor. I think we could finish by noon and still serve as witnesses..."
The funerals? Tomorrow I am afraid - Tomorrow morning, the councilman replies and then prepares to take his leave.
Sooo? Today or Moonday? Maybe decide among yourselves outside of my presence and then have someone stop by my house or the council halls with the message.
On the way out of Kendra's, this time leaving Lament behind to watch over her, you let the councilman know that he can expect you at 1pm. He advises that the trial will be held in the town square (given that the townhall is in effect, gone.
Its a dreary drudging march back to the jail, sitting atop the hill, brooding with a malice that is palpable.
You move through the old grim gates and head towards the Prison.
Through the drizzling rain visibility is much reduced and it is hard to see ahead... but elven keen eyes make out a wierd rolling movement on the steps among the rubble... many many rats, while Elidal is shocked to see a few stirges perched in the gaps of the roof tiles of the rickety house.
They all watch you with beady beady eyes.
"A sword's not going to do much to a swarm of rats. Anyone got any fire bombs, or magic that could burn them?" Baradlon says skeptically as he observes the rodents crawling everywhere.
Jaru pulls out a vial, "I have this alchemist fire for emergencies. More would have been better, but I do not think your blade will be useless."
"I didn't say useless, a blade is never useless. It will just take me some time to cut up so many vermin should they choose to attack us. Those stirges don't exactly looks friendly either," Nighteyes replies to the good father. "Do you have an idea for drawing down the stirges, Elidal?"
"I have no bow. Think you could hit one from here?"
"It would be advisable to deal with these creatures from a distance." Simeon says, refraining from any comment about an elf without a bow.
"I have no bow."
Jaru exchanges a glance with Simeon and shakes his head. He thinks a moment, "It is quite possible that the pipe we found belonged to the Piper of Illmarsh and could have some effect on the vermin. Though there is no telling if it would help or hinder us... I'm afraid only Lament would have been able to play it well anyway."
"I can take a shot at them and toss the fire if they approach. It might be worth it just to outrun them into the building as well."
The shot flies wide in the rain and hits the roof where it slides off and deeper into the prison grounds.
Surprisingly the stirges don't fly away in panic... they disappear into the roof between the gaps in the wooden tiles.
Jaru shrugs off the fortunate shot, "So it was fated. Let us hope our luck holds." He loads another bolt to try again for the rodents on the stairs.
Jaru sighs. "We will be here through Moonday at this rate. Here Nighteyes, take the fire flask and throw it when we get close. Perhaps they will scatter as well. If not, then we fight our way in."