"I don't suppose you'd be willing to administer some rites to what the spider left of this little girl, would you? We are taking her back to her family, and they might appreciate some kind words from a religious sort like yourself."
. allow me to offer some healing.
Clw
Tibor smiled at the blonde halfling woman, "I don't mind milady. I have seen better days and I indeed feel like I might as well be one of the walking dead. I assure you however that I am not."
"I will accompany you there and once there I will also perform the last rites for the poor girl. Her family should be present for that."
After the healing from the bearded man he offers him a smile, "Thank you. I will still need some rest but this makes it considerably easier for me."
Kendra makes the acquaintance of the new adventurer and suggests that the road is always safer with a larger party.
Back at the caravan, the performers are distraught about the loss of their fellow member, but are extremely grateful for the return of her body. Her sisters respond "At least we now know, and she's not out there suffering. Thank you."
The caravan leader hands you a dagger with a silver skull hilt. This dagger will help you, it is designed to seek the hearts of evil men. The reward is a +1 bane (human) dagger. Might we travel the rest of the way with you? We are ill prepared to take on any more challenges on this road.
You have a two more days ride until you reach Lepidstadt.
"We'd be happy to accompany your group on its travels. We are heading to Lepidstadt ourselves, so we can offer our assistance at least until we get there. I'm truly sorry for your loss."
"I'm not a priest of Desna, but I recognize her hand when she decides to involve herself," Awnara says softly. "I'd be glad to share the road with you. I have some skill at the cookpot, and would be glad to pitch in with the evening meals."
Let me know if you'd like to do anything else on the trip, otherwise, we'll shift back into gear!
Vachordi happily says they can travel with them, he attempts to teach them some of his tribes chants and dances along the way.
"I will travel along as well. I am a priest of our Lady of Graves and I would be honored if you would allow me to perform the last rites for your fallen." He pulled out the cord around his neck spoke. From it dangled a holy symbol of Pharasma.
"Then it is a pleasure to have you, Mister Sokesh."
The two day ride passes almost blissfully as the party weaves in and among the jovial members of the Crooked Kin caravan. The misty mornings and gloomy afternoons almost seem pleasant.
You arrive midday at Lepidstadt, passing the tall standing stones known as the Spiral Cromlech and in through the east gate.
This small sized city seems to bustle with excitement. News hawkers spread information about the "Trial of the Beast" - a major event occurring at the central courthouse. The main thoroughfares are newly bricked roads, with quaint neighborhoods showing their advanced age spiraling off of them.
Major sites: The northwest is the strange standing stones.
Courthouse is in the central hub of the city.
The university is in the south end.
The northern edge of the city is walled, while the east side is on the Moutray River.
Kendra reminds you that you have two tasks: Delivering the Professor's chest of books to Dr. Crowl at the university, and the strange book "Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye" to Judge Embreth Daramind at her townhouse, on the south side of the central hub. It is the judge who will make the final payment once the items are delivered.
Lets go finish our job. Deliver the books.
"Of course. Business before pleasure, eh? Let's deliver the books to the university first before going to the judge. Mister Sokesh, will you be accompanying us or going off on your own?"
"I agree. Let's get these tasks done quickly. Awarna and I have a bit of sightseeing to do around here, if we get a free second," she says with a nod at the Mage! knowing they both were interested in seeing the "monster" if at all possible.
[ooc{ shel should take both[/ooc]
"Yes! The Beast of Lepidstadt! At last, its terror will be at an end!" Awnara's eyes suddenly grow wide, and she turns to Shel with an excited look in her eyes. "Oh! The Judge! She might be able to get us a look at the Beast in its captivity before it is consumed by the flames!"
"I will need to pay a visit to Gravecharge, the temple of Pharasma, while I'm here but I'm otherwise free to join you. It has been quite a while since I have been at the university, I'd enjoy coming along." The last time had been with the professor and he'd still been a kid in those days. It'd be good to visit the place again.
The enthusiasm over the killing of someone, or something, struck him as odd. Especially since it came from Awnara, who he'd found to be rather friendly, "What did this beast do that you so eagerly seek it's death?"
Vachordi is also taken aback at the bloodlust
"I don't know exactly the crimes it's on trial for. I've only heard the legends like most I'd assume. It's supposed to be ten feet tall, and weigh as much as an oxen. It might have one head, or three, and it's supposed to have huge fangs. It's supposed to be a murderous thing that all parents warn their children about."
Unless you're a native, you likely don't have an assigned residence. There are several inns that would fit the bill.
If anyone has knowledge local - a check could tell you which inn is best and possibly information about the Beast.
Otherwise you could hit the pavement and scrounge up some rumors on it.
Know local
Shel wracks her brain, trying to recall if she had heard much about the town, any interesting sites, or good stories.
"Terrible things, Tibor," Awnara says, barely suppressing a shudder. "Of which I will tell you over a hot meal. My cousin Manifred Puddyfoot lives here and works at a splendid inn not far from the University. I'll be happy to tell you all about it! Follow me!"
The Bronze Bottom Pig is a well known inn with a great reputation (and a delectable roast pork recipe). The rates are not outlandish- 1gp/day individual or 18 gp for a suite.
Are you stopping at the inn, the university, or the Judge first?
university
"After we get our deliveries done, we can find a place to stay for the evening."
"I'm certain dear Manifred can spare us some rooms. Let's hurry-scurry to the University!"
Dr. Montagnie Cowl is a well known professor of Antiquities. He's currently the talk of the town, as it was his department that was broken into by the infamous beast of Lepidstadt, and what lead to it's capture.
You find him in his library and workshop, which is still a mess from the break in. He's sad to find his friend has died, and accepts the books without questioning their content.
Thank you for coming. As you can see, it's been an upsetting week for more than one reason. Fortunately, despite the mess, only one object is missing- and not a particularly valuable antiquity. Still, it is troubling that the stolen statue wasn't found with the Beast. Can I help you with anything else? The robed professor queries.
Well perhaps we can help you, what is missing? And can you tell us anything about this beast?
diplo
Tibor clung to the background for most the trip, seemingly satisfied with the answer to his query about the beast, at least for the moment.
When he sees his new Shoanti companion struggle a bit, appearing rather more rude than he intends, he steps up, his voice calm and collected. "What my friend means, is what was it that the Beast supposedly stole? It seems odd that if the Beast was the actual thief that he did not have it on him. Has it's lair been found yet?" What he says sounds more like clarifying the words of his companion, not like he is dismissive.
"Do you know interest the beast would have in your works? Or that particular statue, for whatever reason? Seems strange for a mythical creature to focus on."
The professor informs you of the local lore behind the beast: The Beast is well known as the terror of the city- murders, destruction, and even minor ills have been laid upon his shoulders. He's a monster- a construct sewn of many parts, and somehow animated. No one knows exactly where he was created, but since his arrival there have been innumerable problems. He faces trial for this break in among his other misdeeds. Found guilty, he will burn.
Ah, the stolen object? A small statue of unknown origin. Hardly valuable, but unique. Some sort of tribal totem, perhaps? It was labeled as the "Seasage Effigy"- but how it became a part of my collection, I have no clue. Even more strange is why the Beast would want it- but clearly the path of destruction leads straight to its case, and it's the only thing missing (and not destroyed)!
"The Seasage Effigy, you say? Strange name, that's for sure." Shel considers that name for a bit, trying to recall anything she might have heard about such a totem.
Know. Dungeoneering
Know. Local
You have no knowledge of the Seasage Effigy, other than what the professor can tell you about it's strangeness and uniqueness.
You do know that it's not likely a magical item: something magical or dangerous would have been identified earlier. The fact that it remained unidentified means that it couldn't have been particularly dangerous.
Awnara's nose wrinkles as the professor describes the Beast. "Is the trial open to the public? Or are they closing the proceedings in order to ensure a fair trial for the creature?"
"Do you think it's even possible to give it a fair trial, seems you and everyone else already determined it's guilt despite apparent lack of evidence." It was pretty obvious he was annoyed by the whole thing. Murder was a horrible thing but so was convicting someone, or something he guessed, without proper investigation. Pointing fingers was never a good idea.
"I still say we go check out the proceedings. Maybe you can make sure the trial is fair somehow, Tibor," Shel says, hoping to persuade him, while she and Awnara got to at least take a peek at the beast.
The Professor chimes in: Oh the trial will be very public- there's nothing more that the mob loves than a good burning. The beast has long been a plague on our city.
You are welcome to examine the scene- most of the mess has been cleaned up. Judge Daramind will try to keep the trial as fair as she can.
"Our thanks, Professor. You've been greatly open to us and I hope the statue is found soon."
Turning to the others, Garin says, "And we can ask about the Beast when we speak to the Judge, considering she is who we will be going to next. After we investigate the scene, of course, if you still wish it."
Vachordi nods and follows thanking he prof on the way out
Shel nods, thanking the Professor as well, as she follows the others out the door.
Awnara raises an eyebrow when the Professor mentions examining the scene, but remains silent. She also thanks him for his assistance, and follows her friends. "Lepidstadt's such a progressive place! They let just anyone investigate crimes here! Do you think that gets troublesome, if criminals investigate their own crimes?"
"This country is definitely different, Awnara. Locals customs are different all over, I suppose. Besides, I like investigating things. Keeps my mind off the Professor."
The museum is open to all who are interested in the anthropological mysteries of the globe. The crime scene is in plain view. You appear to have your wits about you- and as friends of Professor Lorrimor, I assume you're explorers of a high caliber. Me, I just want my statue back- and moreover to understand its purpose. I may be an expert at antiquities, but I am completely bamboozled by this crime. It makes no sense! What would the Beast want with it?! Dr. Cowl begins to get irate, yanking on his wispy hair.
your right it doesn't make sense. Perhaps this is a set up to cover the real criminal
The trail
of the thief is easy to follow—the thief broke in through
the back door, then passed through the auditorium on
his way to the workshop where the Seasage Effigy was
kept. The back door to the Antiquities Department
was originally locked with a superior lock,
but it is clear that the door was recently
damaged. The 1-inch-thick iron door is
currently locked with a makeshift
padlockand only
crude repairs have been made.
The simple wooden door
leading from the back door
foyer into the auditorium has
been broken off its hinges, as has
the far door leading to the workshop.
Paneled in oak, the auditorium contains
a sunken, 5-foot-deep central area lined
with books, tribal fetishes, and curiosities.
A small stage and lectern stand in the
center of this area, which is edged with a
low oak rail, worn smooth from the touch
of years of students gazing into the Master’s
lecture room below. The high–ceilinged workshop/library is lined with mostly empty shelves, and a trio of great leaded windows looks
out over the university lawn. A staggering array of books,
scrolls, maps, and curios, including shrunken heads, tribal
masks, and bits of pottery, lie scattered all over the f loor,
apparently pulled from the shelves. The room is otherwise
crowded with overturned tables, desks, and cabinets.
Perception
One area in the room appears to be untouched, in stark contrast to the damage seen elsewhere in the department. Indeed, the pedestal that once held the Seasage Effigy is crowded with small fetishes and delicate
mother-of-pearl fish carvings that are undamaged. The
workshop’s windows have clearly not been opened for
many years, as evidenced by the build-up of grime around
them. However, a DC 15 Perception check reveals that the
center window, though now shut, has no such grime.
Survival
You also notice scratches on the wooden rail, with the smell of beeswax.
Judge Daramind invites you into her home. She wears long robes of her magistrate office, and her grey hair is pulled up into a tight bun. She greats you with a stern face, and piercing icey blue eyes. She is older, yet maintains an almost ageless air (you'd place her around the professor's age).
She accepts the strange purple tome from you, and inquires whether you've completed the details of Lorrimor's will. After you tell her of your journey and fulfilling your duty, she discharges you from your task- each PC is handed a bag of 100 pp (1,000gp).
Before you leave, I wonder if I could discuss with you one more job. It is clear that Petros trusted you, so I am willing to trust you. There's a cancer in Lepidstadt. For years, we've blamed the Beast for any number of ills- failed crops, accidental deaths, murders, thefts, you name it. I believe these are exaggerations- I have heard a number of tales of the Beast's kindness and gentle heart. However, no one has stepped forward to vouch for him.
I fear that this trial is tainted by public opinion. The mob wants the Beast to burn, regardless of his innocence. We need impartial investigators to seek out the truth- and present it fairly at trial. His lawyer, Gustav Kaple, is in over his head.
The group willing to stand up and speak the truth 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.