Professor Rokannon is attracted like a magnet to the desk, alchemical equipment and books of this room and happily pokes about examining everything there.
He glances up at Morbury's question before turning his attention back to the papers.
"Alpon? Oh yes. He is QUITE large..."
Karl looks uncomfortable when Bertholdt mentions Professor Lorrimor. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but Professor Lorrimor recently passed away in Ravengro. It was his funeral that brought Darren and I together. We lost many friends in the ensuing chaos there. He trails off quietly, lost for a moment in the memories of those who had come before. His reverie lasts only moments before he shakes his head and returns his thoughts to the matter at hand. Perhaps Vorkstag's papers will give us some clue as to this Whisperer.
Karl makes his way over to the desk, and carefully examines it for any nasty surprises before he begins to search its contents.
Karl thinks for a moment before he speaks, keeping his voice quiet. Professor Lorrimor was killed in the course of his investigation of an abandoned prison in Ravengro called Harrowstone. I, and Darren, as well as several others were summoned to Ravengro to attend the funeral. In his will, Petros left ample evidence that his death was not accidental, as most believed, but was orchestrated by a group called the Whispering Way, some kind of death cult. We investigated the town, and Harrowstone itself. The place was a den of foul spirits intent on escaping its walls to plague the living with the aid of the Whispering Way. We were able to defeat the spirits and confine them to that place, and protect the town from their murderous designs.
Karl looks about, then continues. The Professor's will also charged us to deliver certain books to parties here in Lepidstadt. In the course of that duty, we met Professor Rokannon, and took on the task of investigating the suspicious circumstances surrounding this Beast. If the Whispering Way had something to do with your abduction, I can only guess that it is connected with your relationship to Professor Lorrimor. More, I could not say.
Karl closely examines the desk for any potential traps before searching it in earnest.
Finding nothing to indicate caution, he begins rummaging through the desk's contents, eventually holding up a handwritten note containing some pertinent information:
-----
Devi Ilinica
Bertholdt Escheus
Morbury Dedlock
A.V.
-----
From the note's location amidst the chaos on the desk, and the dates on other papers beneath and on top of it, you would guess it was written approximately two weeks ago.
He glances up at Morbury's question before turning his attention back to the papers.
"Alpon? Oh yes. He is QUITE large..."
"Fascinating. Then I would gather you to be correct, Sir Karl. More than likely, if Sir Alpon is not guilty of a crime that he has been accused of, I would gather that the 'item' within the oak wardrobe is what was used to portray him. Which begs another question: Who was wearing it?"
As the news of Professor Lorrimor is revealed, "I am truly sorry to hear about the Professor. He was a kind man from what little I knew him. Upon my honor we will find his killer," Morbury vows.
Devi's face falls along with her heart to learn that the professor is dead.
He showed me my value. He taught me that it was ok to be myself. Lady of Graves! He even introduced me to the temple and accompanied me on my first barrow delve. How can he be gone?
Her spirit dripping wet, Devi maintains a sullen silence as she equips her armor and gear. She then retires to the deepest shadow in the room, Consecrates the ground, and kneels. She begins to pray.
"Pharasma, Lady in Grey, you come to judge us all in our turn. I humbly ask your good will on the good Professor. You know I would not be here to pray to you were it not for him. give him good greetings from me, and send him to his earned rest."
Devi's eyes open: a mask of flint and iron playing there.
"Lady of Graves, you abhor the living dead. Such abominations and their advocates, The Whispering Way, have some hand in this. I require that you raise my new friends and me in your palid, right hand, and use us as your shadowy dagger, that we might end this taint of unlife in Ustalav, and complete your dominion over death in this realm."
Devi shuts her eyes again, and begins to softly weep for the good Professor.
A good find Bertholdt. Hopefully these creature's riches will aid us in our search for knowledge and justice.
Karl bows his head during Devi's prayer, then puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. Hush now, he died as he lived. Seeking knowledge for the betterment of the people of Ustalav. He would not have us weep, but take up the work and continue onward, as we must.
After giving Devi some time, Karl looks to the others. Come, let's gather these skin suits, the skinless corpse who wore them, and of course, the odious Mister Grime, and return to the barrister's.
Morbury nods. "I shall gather the skinless one." Morbury proceeds to look for a covering of some sort to place the skinless man within.
Professor Rokannon's eyes are attracted to the vials of green liquid.
"What are these I wonder." He muttered aloud, smoke spilling from his lips. He picks one up and examines it.
He also casts Detect Magic on it.
Darren's eyes glaze over in anger at the discovery of so many skin suits. Shaking his head to free himself of the troubles, he draws his sword and kneels to the ground, forehead on the blade's pommel, where he says a quiet, private prayer to the Inheritor for the innocent whose lives were lost making additions to the store of uniquely evil deeds.
"We shall bring this discovery to the attention of Barrister Kaple. And if the Whispering Way has a presence here, we must find and route them as soon as possible, before more innocents are lost."
"Of course Alpon and his defense is still important, but if the Whispering Way is tied to the trial, I am failing to see how..."
"If this group is as elusive as their name suggests, then parading this suits around will send them into the woodwork. To bring them out, should we not make them think they are winning? A few may suffer, but it would be for the good of all."
"We will bring the evidence straight to the Barrister, and hear his advice. He may agree with you on keeping news of the skin suits quiet for now as part of his strategy for Alpon's defense."
"Very good...unless the Barrister is involved..."
Devi looks up, her eyes bright once again.
"It is all very exciting isn't it?"
Grine looks around, "Well, are you ready to leave now?"
Why so eager, Grine? Karl asks with a nasty grin. Maybe we should take a closer look around here...
Karl makes an in depth search of the room.
Morbury looks to the man curiously. "What troubles you so, Sir Grine?" he asks him candidly. "You seem anxious."
Professor Rokannon closely examines the vial of liquid using the tools available to him at the moment.
"Hm, hm, yes... viscosity is... interesting. And what is this? Conjuration? AND Necromancy? Well well well..." He leans back blinking.
"THIS is fascinating. It is almost like someone was trying to recreate," He turns to face the rest of the party.
"Human Blood."
He stands up.
"I think this substance was used on our zombies here. If we're done, we need to get the zombies to the university right away! There's a chance to cure them and I intend to take it!"
Darren's exhausted demeanor suddenly fades with Rokannon's news, "Excellent work, Professor! I can help carry the victims."
I as well, Bertholdt. Karl responds with a grateful nod. Perhaps Morbury or Devi would be so kind as to join us as well?
The group retrieves the "zombies" from the basement storage area then loads them into a wagon. You also load Vorkstag and Grine, though you make sure they are bound well before covering the back of the wagon to prevent curious eyes from discovering your cargo. Mongrelmen watch impassively as you go about your business - they seem strangely unconcerned about their former masters' circumstances.
The group escorts the wagon to the University, and it only takes a few minutes before doctors and alchemists are swarming around, discussing what you have brought them, and promising to care for the affected men and women to the best of their ability. A regal man appears and calms his associates down, introducing himself as a Dean of the school. After being apprised of the situation, he also pledges to see the people healed, and asks for your information to keep you updated about their progress. Relieved that they are in good hands at the University, you all gather around the wagon and head to the Courthouse with your prisoners.
You arrive and present your credentials, although your new friends are met with curious glances and questions, the guards let everyone inside after cursory searches. When you mention prisoners, the guards' moods shift. One of them agrees to locate Barrister Kaple.
Vorkstag and Grine are taken into custody, placed in heavy shackles, and based on your recommendations, locked in solitary cells that are magically warded for extra security. Kaple appears a few minutes later, "Friends, the guard said you brought in some prisoners. What is going on... and who are these people?" he says indicating your new companions.
"Yes, let me explain ourselves, good Barrister. First of all, that skinless monstrosity in there is Vorkstag from the alchemist's shop in town. He's some sort of fey creature that was killing people and stealing their skins, wearing them around like disguises -- there is endless evidence to support this back at his shop."
"The man we took into custody worked for him, his name is Grine. He's been helpful disclosing information, but he was still involved somehow in these horrible crimes."
"These folk," Darren points in turn to each of them, "Bertholdt, Morbury, and Devi, these folk were trapped inside the alchemist shop -- surely to be killed and turned into other skin suits -- but they freed themselves and were able to aid us in defeating Vorkstag and a few unluckily-zombified citizens. Thankfully, Professor Rokannon was able to identify a way to cure the afflicted, as their disease was not related to the undead but rather some alchemical curse. We took them to the university to be fully cured."
"All in all, a productive day, but I haven't yet told you the big discovery: one of Vorkstag's suits was large, hideous, and familiar: a disguise for Alpon, our charge to protect! It seems that Vorkstag may have been trying to frame our unfortunate defendant."
Kaple looks at Darren with wide eyes as he explains everything that was found at the Chymic Works. "That's... amazing! That's just great..."
He frowns, "But it's all circumstantial - do you have anything that ties these people you captured directly to the crimes? Is there anything - any shred - of evidence that we can present in court that would not be able to be explained away?"
Karl produces the Alpon/Beast suit and shows the rents in it. These wounds match the places where the Beast was struck on the night of the robbery, do they not Herr Kaple? Might that help the case a bit? Also, Grine said there was another who directed him and Vorkstag to kidnap and torture Morbury, Bertholdt and Devi. Perhaps we could find this other. And that statue that was stolen... We should ask Grine if he knows anything about that.
Kaple whistles and nods his head. "I understand. I think it's in everyone's best interests if we turn these men over to the guards now. I'll inform the court through the proper channels. It would be best if you returned to your rooms. I'll be in touch."
It takes several days for Kaple to contact you. He informs you that Grine confessed to everything, and a detailed search of their warehouse turned up evidence linking them to nearly 30 murders from both Morast and the Sanctuary on Karb Isle.
In a somewhat surprising turn, the three sisters who were scheduled to testify against The Beast recanted their testimony. Otto was furious, but without their accounts, he was forced to drop the charges related to the deaths of the children.
All in all, the case against the Beast has virtually disintegrated, and he is to be set free. He has asked for you to escort him out of town, two days hence. Before that, however, Grine and Vorkstag are scheduled to pay for their crimes. The Punishing Man does not willingly give up its victims.
You also receive a letter from Judge Daramid, surprisingly addressed to everyone. It asks you to pay her a visit before leaving Lepidstadt.
Bells then ring out as the courthouse clock chimes the late hour. The crowds starts to thin as people make their way towards the great courthouse square. Every street and avenue leading to the Courthouse is packed with people waiting to see the spectacle. Hawkers are working the crowds with cooked bits of meat on sticks, wineskins, and charnel cakes. From what you learn, it seems that whenever a criminal is sentenced to be placed inside the Punishing Man, the bakers of Lepidstadt make charnel cakes, small steamed buns, blackened with charcoal ash, that are filled with sweet marzipan paste. The bakers have outdone themselves this time – they have created a small dark bun for Grine, and a larger, red-hued one for Vorkstag.
The Punishing Man itself stands stoically above the crowd. This giant rough man-shaped figure's head is even with the clock tower of the courthouse. A huge pyre of wood has been stacked around its feet and lower legs, and through the crowd, you see men wearing the livery of Lepidstadt carefully and efficiently soaking the wood with what appears to be oil. Twelve guards in heavy padded armor stand in a circle around them with clubs in hand facing outwards towards the crowd.
The people are loud and raucous, reminding you of the mob you witnessed a week ago. As they begin chanting yet another off-color refrain, the doors of the courthouse balcony open and the three judges step out into the night air. The crowd almost instantly grows silent. A moment later, the main doors of the courthouse open and a line of guards forms a gauntlet through which Vorkstag and then Grine are led, kicking and screaming, towards the wooden executioner. Slowly, then rising to a great crescendo, the crowd begins to chant.
"Burn them, punish them! Burn them, punish them!" again and again.
As the chant continues, ladders are pushed up against the shoulders of the punishing man and the two convicts are hoisted up, bound hand and foot, struggling, by a pair of huge city guards. Small sections of the shoulder are removed and both are shoved inside, Vorkstag to the right and Grine to the left. The guards then manacle them to the main support beams and remove their gags. The guards quickly replace the shoulder sections, then climb down and remove the ladders. Vorkstag has stopped struggling and is, in a very unsettling manner, laughing. Grine, on the other hand is begging and pleading, crying, his face full of snot and sweat even in the cold, struggling against the chains.
The three judges approach the railing and you can barely hear Judge Embreth Daramid call out "Silence!" The crowd quiets down, but Grine continues his shouting. A woman wearing a gray robe emerges on the balcony and casts a spell, causing Grine’s words to disappear though his mouth continues moving.
Judge Daramid nods at the woman, then turns back to the crowd, "This court has been tasked with bringing justice to the people of Lepidstadt, to see that crimes do not go unpunished. For 885 years, this court has seen to this justice, ever since the fall of the Tyrant and the return of peace to our troubled lands. So it is that this court has been asked to pass judgement over one Vorkstag and one Grine for unspeakably terrible crimes of arson, fraud, kidnapping, torture, and murder." Judge Daramid takes a half step backwards as Judge Kasp Aldaar steps forward.
"The evidence was clear and confessions to the crimes were made. The accused were given fair counsel and the verdict against them was unanimous. The accused known as Vorkstag was found guilty of kidnapping, torturing, and murdering 10 people of Morast, guilty of committing arson and thus murdering 14 patients of Karb Isle Sanctuary and Doctor Brada, of blinding the good man Karl, and of kidnapping, torturing, and murdering 19 citizens of Lepidstadt and of impersonating them for fraudulent ends.
“The accused known as Grine was found guilty of assisting in the kidnapping, torture, and murder of 10 people of Morast, guilty of assisting in the arson and murder of 14 patients of Karb Isle Sanctuary and Doctor Brada, of blinding the good man Karl, and of assisting in the kidnapping, torture, and murder of 19 citizens of Lepidstadt, and of gaining fruit from the fraudulent impersonation of them in the months and in some cases years following their deaths at the hands of his associate, Vorkstag." Judge Aldaar then takes a half step backward and Chief Justice Ambrose Khard steps forward.
"For these unspeakable crimes you are to be given the gravest of punishments. In sight of all the people of Lepidstadt you shall be executed. As the fires rise up to consume the Punishing Man, so to shall the light of civilization hold back the dark around and within us. The pure fire of justice shall cleanse our lands, and shall defend our borders from the chaos that waits in the dark. The licking flames shall cauterize the wound that you have left upon the body of our people. We will listen to your last words with ears of stone. May you be judged and found dammed by Pharasma for all of eternity."
With that, the Chief Justice steps back from the railing and motions for the pair to be allowed to speak. The crowd holds its silence, even as a pair of torches are lit upon the courthouse stairs and passed along the two lines of guards towards the pyre.
Grine, blubbering and sobbing begins to pray loudly to Norgrober to punish the heathens of Lepidstadt and slay their children in their slip with knives and poisons. Vorkstag continues to laugh unsettlingly as he strains against his bonds.
After a moment, the Chief Justice steps forward again and glances down at the ground. He raises his hand, then drops it. At his command, a dozen torches are thrown to the pyre which erupts in flames.
Strangely, the crowd solemnly intones "Burn them, punish them!" one last time. And then silence, only the sounds of the fire and the punished breaking the warming night air.
Within a minute Grine's screams of anger turn to screams of agony the flames reach his body. Vorkstag continues to laugh until with one great high-pitched shriek he is silenced by the building inferno. Soon the pyre is burning so hot that the crowd retreats back with many hiding their faces from the heat. The guards appear unaffected by the heat, and judging by the reactions of the crowd around them, no doubt they have some kind of magical protection.
The first part of the Punishing Man to collapse is the left arm, crashing down into the pyre and sending sparks flying into the night air. The guards finally allow their vigil to lapse as they move several strides away from the Punishing Man. If any wish to brave the collapsing fiery structure, the guards have wisely decided to allow them their folly.
The crowd finally begins thinning at this point, some heading for home, others off to drink in quiet somber groups. The judges also choose this time to retire, retreating within the Courthouse and closing the balcony door. It seems the earlier festivities have passed along with the excitement, anger, and ashes.
Otto Heiger, your opponent only a few days ago, catches your eye. Though he has nothing to say, he knows it was you who discovered the ultimate fate of his brother, and he gives you a formal bow of thanks before continuing on his way.
Barrister Kaple sees you and hurries over, chatting amiably about the outcome of the trial, how he never imagined what would happen when he agreed to defend “The Beast of Lepidstadt”, and the chaos of the past few days. A particularly loud crash from the shattering wooden supports breaks his stream of commentary, and he glances back at the remains of the Punishing Man. Shaking his head slowly, he smiles at you all again, thanks you for everything you did, and takes his leave.
A few people stay to watch as the wooden man continues to collapse in on himself until it is no more than a pile of coals and embers, burning deep throughout the night and into the early morn.
Karl watches the spectacle for as long as he can, but turns away, sickened and sorrowful as Vorkstag and Grine scream in agony. I don't care what they did, he says in a low, small voice. That's no way for anyone to die.
He keeps quietly to himself as the group makes its way out of the square, nodding somberly to Otto when their paths cross. When the group encounters Kaple, Karl has little to say, los in his own thoughts.
At Bertholdt's query, the half-elf shrugs, somewhat uncomfortable with the idea. Perhaps, he admits at the suggestion. Then again, I suppose anyone could be in league with the "grey man" and the Whispering Way, even Barrister Kaple, or Judge Daramid. Frankly, the only ones I'm sure of at this point are we six, and Alpon himself. Karl's dark mood settles over him like a damp blanket on a cold autumn night, and a small scowl seems to etch itself on his lips. Justice should not be this way. I'm not sure which way it should be, but I know this is not it.
Morbury turns away from the scene, unable to watch, whispering a silent prayer for the guilty. Catching the words of Karl, "I agree, Sir Karl. I agree." Morbury nods solemly in agreement.
"I must say, I am curious as to the purpose of the Judge's desire to meet with us. I wonder what business she has left to speak with us on?"
Professor Rokannon watches the proceedings somberly, but turns away and makes his way out of the shouting crowd once the prisoners are brought out. He had no desire to see the conclusion to this... barbaric practice, no matter how deserved.
Out at the crowds edge, he pauses to light his pipe, but he stops and frowns at it for a moment before putting it away again. He slowly strolled back to his quarters, thinking.
Devi watches the executions with curious eyes. The emotional storm of the raging mob is clearly frightening her, but she is fascinated nonetheless.
She opens her mouth to say as much, but closes it again when the others demonstrate their disgust.
It seems I am still the odd one. No need to show them yet. It is nice to have friends. Try not to ruin it Devi...
Judge Embreth Daramid is dressed exactly as you expected – a long dark dress with a high collar and long sleeves. Her gray hair is pulled back and secured in a tight bun held by two precisely-angled hair pins. Her eyes, however, contain a certain sparkle. Seeing new faces, she introduces herself and asks basic questions until she understands your presence.
She welcomes you into her home and ushers you into her study. Moving to a side table, she produces several glasses and a bottle of dark liquor, ”Varisian plum brandy, the best vintage I’ve got. I have only had three glasses of it since I acquired it ten years ago. All three were to celebrate the conviction of notorious felons, this is the first drink I will have in honor of an acquittal. I know it’s early, but nonetheless, it would be an honor if you would share a drink with me.”
She fills the glasses for any who are interested, offers a short toast, then takes a sip. Those who do likewise experience a multitude of flavors and depth – the initial bite of the drink quickly disappears into the smooth tones of a plum.
She gives the group a smirk, then moves to the chair behind her desk. Placing her glass down, she opens a small box and removes a small scroll sealed with wax. ”If you take this to the courthouse, they will provide the funds we agreed upon.”
She sits back and regards everyone. ”After we had the confessions from those murderers, I went down to speak with The Beast with Barrister Kaple. I informed him that all of the charges were being dropped, and that he was going to be free to leave. I further recommended he stay put for a few days so I could try to convince all of you to accompany him.”
She leans forward again and takes another small sip of her brandy. ”He seemed extremely excited by the idea of taking a trip with his best friends. I asked him if there was a place where he wanted to go, if he had a home. The creature looked away from me, but he softly said he wanted to see the Count.”
The last word is spoken with some amount of disdain. ”There is only one person in this part of Ustalav who would be known as the Count. Alpon Caromarc, the Count of Vieland. He ruled these lands before the peasants here revolted nearly 30 years ago. In the ensuing chaos, his castle was sacked and the family was reportedly killed, leaving Lepidstadt without a ruler, and leading to the foundation of the representative system we have today.”
”Count Caromarc was a brilliant researcher and scientist, and he contributed vast amounts of both money and materiel to the University – it was his devotion to the scholarly arts that led our school to become the fine institution it is today. But unfortunately, his family had a streak of madness, and he succumbed like so many others of his line. He began to issue strange commands from his castle, refusing to leave to attend council meetings or formal events. His servants would enter town and confiscate all manner of strange goods without cause or payment, leading to outrage among the merchant class. His continuing spiral eventually led the leaders of the town to revolt. Noble titles have been abolished in Lepidstadt ever since, and nobody would willingly go by one unless they wished to be shunned from polite society.”
”So imagine my surprise at hearing from a creature who has been roaming the countryside for at least ten years that there is somebody out there using that title. For obvious reasons, I need to know who this person is, and how they are affiliated with The Beast. Everything I have heard tells me the Count is dead, but as you know, in the land of Ustalav, even the dead can come back to cause strife and mayhem.”
She pauses for a moment, considering her next words, ”I will warn you, if it is the Count, he is a powerful practioner of the arcane arts, and he is very likely insane. ”
She takes another drink, then continues, ”For performing this service, I will pay each of you 300 platinum pieces.”
Daramid stands up and moves around to the front of the desk, but looks down at the floor, ”As some of you may remember, Petros and I were very close. But he had other friends as well, and some of them would like to meet you and talk to you about his death, and the…”
Her voice drops to a whisper, ”people behind it.”
She looks up, and her face is set in stone. ”If you are willing, after you return from visiting Schloss Caromarc, the Count’s ancestral home, I would like to have you speak with a group of people who may be in a position to help you find the Professor’s murderers. Would that be acceptable?”
Karl, dressed in the formal clothes he acquired upon his arrival in Lepidstadt, accepts the plum wine and payment scroll appreciatively. He sips the liquor, unused to such refined refreshment, and hoping to avoid a spill.
Ah, your honor, could we not meet these friends of the professor's before we make our way to the ancestral seat of the Caromarcs? I must admit, I do not understand this need for secrecy...
He thinks for a moment, obviously collecting his thoughts. Has anyone been to the castle in the intervening years? I thought it was a ruin, a powerful arcanist who may or may not be among the unliving... Karl shudders. I will accompany Alpon, but I don't like the idea of walking up to that ruin, bold as you please...
…this is the first drink I will have in honor of an acquittal. I know it’s early, but nonetheless, it would be an honor if you would share a drink with me.
Professor Rokannon nods with approval.
”Thank you Your Honor. I will gladly join you in a glass.” He takes the glass and raises it to join in the toast before drinking. He goggles a bit at the wealth of flavor washes over his sense of taste.Hearing the Judge out, he nods in agreement.
”Yes of course I will accompany Alpon to visit this so-called ‘Count’. I am very curious to meet these people who can help us catch Professor Lorrimor’s murderers.”
Morbury respects the judge's wishes and takes a small sip before placing the glass down.
As he listens to her intently, Morbury is more than willing to aid in any way he can. "As will I, Your Honor. I shall also partake of accompanying Sir Alpon to visit the Count. And as far as aiding in finding who is responsible for the murder of the Professor, Madam, I shall do so in all ways available to me." He gives a bow of his head in agreement.
Judge Daramid shakes her head, "Unfortunately, Karl, they are not yet here. They are traveling from Caliphas, and should arrive in a couple of days. As for secrecy, in this land, it keeps people alive." she says with an odd note of regret.
"And the castle is supposed to be abandoned. I admit I have not visited the place myself, but as far as I know, it has been open to the elements since the uprising."
She listens to the rest of you for a moment before holding up her hand,
"Your pardon, but you all have said something about escorting Alpon to the castle? That is the name of the Count I want you to investigate - of whom do you speak?"