Zhiden looked around suspiciously, and then said, "Wait, we're heroes? When did that happen? Did we step in something?" He made a show of checking the bottom of his shoes,he said it with a sincerity that left unclear whether or not he was joking.
"Zhiden, I am sure worried Gkirkan's fervor will catch hold of you. I will be hard pressed to keep you from rushing into danger rather than hanging back safely with the squishy magic-users."
Wood is quite adept at sarcasm, and it is difficult to determine if he is being serious or not.
Regardless of our likelihood to be "dragged" into "schtoff", we should see about getting the inheritance, and then I'd like to look into this effigy business and finish my book.
"Yeah, I kin sure use tha' gold. City's big enuf tha' I kin fin' summun ta make m' adamantite blade. Iffn I 'ave enuf ta cover it."
Rova, too, is fairly certain the addage "When others party, you'll have to clean up" will soon apply to the group...
Doctor Crowl says "There's not much mystery, we caught the Beast right here in the building. He can't have hidden the statue that well, or even destroyed it. It will turn up. Though if you're interested, please stop by after you've collected your reward. I'd be happy to treat you to dinner and fill you in."
He seems more interested in Eva coming to dinner, but the invitation does seem to be addressed to all of you.
He gives you directions to Judge Darmid's house. On your way, as you enter the Lepidstadt town square, you see a huge, man-shaped structure of cut timber standing over 30 feet tall. There is a pile of wood stacked against its legs and the locals seem to be adding more as they walk past it while workers coat the timbers of the structure in oil.
Judge Darmid is in her sixties, with icy blue eyes and grey hair pulled back into a bun.
"Welcome to my home, all of you. How can I help you?"
Gkirkhan, having been ignored once, waits from one of the more attractive and well-learned members to introduce the group.
No sense en vastink my breath. Vun ov dese schmott guys has ignored me, might as vell not make et two.
I think I remember reading somewhere that a judge by Mrs. Darmid's description being in the Order of the Palantine Eye... Perhaps we should approach this delicately.
On arrival, Vertielle steps forward.
Perhaps we could speak inside? she asks, rubbing her eye as if it were irritated as she taps the spine of her journal, hugged under her elbow.
Eva Replies to the Doctor
"That would be lovely as I would like to know about what happened."
Judge Darmid blinks in surprise at Vertielle's odd eye condition and invites you in.
"What an odd group. May I have your names and the reason you've approached me?"
My name is Vertielle, and I am an acquaintance... a friend, actually, of the late professor Lorrimor. He left some very... specific. Instructions in his will, you see.
She looks shaken briefly. "Oh. Yes. Poor man. Such a loss. I suppose, then, you have a delivery for me and for Dr. Crowl? Have you seen him yet?
Eva's face gains a slight mischievous grin.
Vertielle looks quizzically at Eva for a moment, but lets whatever went unsaid go quickly and returns to the subject at hand.
We were just there, in fact. Odd things going on there, as I'm sure you know.
Sense Motive:
Zhiden couldn't help but react at the realization that the Judge had had feelings for Lorrimor. He tried to surpress it, but still he flinched as though someone had told him something completely unexpected. Having reason now to change the subject, he replied solemly, "He was a great man. Far better than I was expecting."
"I am Wood, a wizard and scholar. I must continue the Professor's work of thwarting you know who."
Apparently convinced he wasn't going to be ignored this time around, Gkirkhan introduces himself.
"Hy am Gkirkhan. Hy keep Vood here from goink schplat and Mizz Vertielle lookink lovely by killink enytink dot vants to make her less so."
IN a rare display of good sense, Gkirkhan keeps his yap shut.
"I am Evangline Valeria Aurora, a priestess of Kurgress"
Well, if introductions were being handed out, Zhiden figured it was his turn. ["I'm Zhiden Enack," He said. He almost added that he was a thief if he was anything, but then he realized he was talking to a judge, so he quickly cut himself off, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Do you know of any good libraries in town?"
"Rova, Rova 11th. Just Rova is simpler.", Rova states, clearly a little nervous about the current situation.
"So, you knew the professor too? Seems like everyone did."
Vertielle stares at Rova with outright curiosity, but doesn't bring up the strange introduction in front of the judge.
"Thank you all for doing Petros this last favor. Please, sit down while I get your reward. Then, please, let me know what happened to him. I didn't even know he was ill."
She has a servant bring snacks and drinks while you filll her in.
After she seems deep in thought, then says "You seem to be a talented group, as one would expect from Petros' confidence in you. Perhaps you could help me as well. I'd be willing to pay you the same amount you just earned if you will do me a favor as well.
She pauses to consider her next words.
"I'm sure you've heard of the recent capture of the so-called 'Beast of Lepidstadt'. It - he - is being held for trial. I am one of the judges who will hear the case. I firmly believe in fairness and I'm afraid that the emotions involved will prevent a fair trial. Even it's assigned defence attorney believes in it's guilt. The townsfolk don't even want a trial. I want someone to investigate. As judge, I can't. I'm afraid it's being used as a scapegoat. I want it punished for it's crimes. I do not want it punished for someone else's. Will you do this for me?
"That is understandable, as currently everyone is thinking one way and can't look beyond the box they put themselves in."
"Umm... Ov course!"
From the way he's squirming, poor Gkirkhan is obviously uncomfortable about being an investigator.
"We'll see what we can do, and hopefully find proof of who the real culprit is, instead of hearsay"
"Any ideas as to where we should look?" Zhiden seemed eager to help, almost delighted in fact. He didn't mention that he intended to use his skills at breaking and entering to look for evidence.
"Would we be able to speak the Beast himself? That would help greatly."
"I would recomend that you first speak to his lawyer, Gustav Kaple. He should be able to fill you in on the details of all of the charges and arrange for speach with the Beast. Do not use my name. Any hint of my involvement would lead to charges of collaboration and negate any benefits or results."
"Understood."
"We can be discreet too." Wood instantly regrets appending the last word.
Off to see Gustav.
Vertielle smirks, finally having put the pieces together, and curtsies to the judge before taking her leave.
As they left, Zhiden noticed Vertielle's smirk, and said, "You look just like the cat that caught the mouse, what has you so amused?
To make up for his slip, Wood tells the doctor how the Professor saved the little boy before perishing in Harrowstone.
"He was a great man."
All of you head toward the building that serves as both jail and courthouse. The one they are building that effigy in front of.
A few quick questions can direct you to Barrister Kaple's office.
Upon seeing the sight
"Looks like everyone's made up their minds of his guilt."
Wood informs everyone Barrister Kaple is the worst lawyer.
"He managed to get the death penalty for his last 6 clients."
An interesting choice, then, made by whom?
"Prolly th' only one'd take th' case. Whaz he got ta lose?"
Rova calms after a few minutes away from the judge..
"So, now we're gonna help da thin' I was mistaken fer? I hope tha' turns out ok. So da beast was innocent, guess th' other big guy did it.."
"That's the funny thing," Zhiden said, "I haven't gotten a strong feeling that anyone actually thinks it is innocent, including the judge. I think she is just covering all possibilities." Zhiden kept quiet for a moment or two after that, he wasn't sure he liked being a wandering righter of wrongs. The worst part about it was that he didn't know if his concern was over the fact that he might be found out, or if it was lingering selfishness from trying to stay out of the jailor's grasp. He finally spoke up again, adding "If what Wood said is true, then I don't think we'll get anything of use out of the lawyer, unless he can set up a meeting with this thing."
Don't be ridiculous, it's just a golem.
"There's that too. I don't really believe the story about it becoming intelligent, but either the thing acutally is, or these people must be the easiest marks I've ever seen."
"But Vertielle, this Golem has sentience, therefore I think you should put aside your current knowledge as we are dealing with a outside the box case."
"Dere iz a box? Hy didn't hear enytink about vun ov dose tinks! Vhen vas hyu goink to tell me about dot?!"
Golems cannot have sentience. I'm sure it's a misconception, and the beast was being controlled from elsewhere, or else simply well programed.
Despite her obvious reservations about talking to it, that is where Vertielle goes. She'll need to see the creature and learn from its lawyer the charges against it.
"Well den, one way or annuder, dis lawyer is our next stop. Let's find 'is place. I dunno a thin' 'bout golems, smart'uns or dumb, so's we'll find out when we speak wid it."
Wood seems interested in golems.
"Golemry is a little out of my league, but I am curious how it works. Let's go see the lawyer."
"B-b-but where iz dis box Eva vas talkink about?!"
"It's a metaphor, referring to thinking away from normal."