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Shanoa hesitates, a look of concern on her face. "I know you must be tired, living a life as you have. But this is a large world, and I've traveled enough of it to know that people aren't the same everywhere. If not here, perhaps there's somewhere else that will accept you, where you can live in peace. But you'll never know if you give up now."
She pauses for a moment. "I really do want to help you, but I also can't force you one way or another - it's ultimately your choice and your life. If you don't want to talk to me, I'll respect that decision, but know that if you ever change your mind I'm ready to listen."
She steps forward, tentatively, and reaches through the iron bars to touch his arm. She whispers a single word and allows a measure of divine grace to pass through her to the pitiful creature, smiles, and turns away, making ready to leave.
Roland has been taking notes in the back,keenly interested in the meeting but otherwise keeping quiet to this point. Indeed, he looks a bit pale and nervous in it's presence, but his curiosity has overridden any anxiety.
The Beast is indeed a marvel of science and magic, he thinks to himself. A true masterpiece.
And yet shunned and rejected for its appearance if nothing else.
Assuming, of course, that is indeed innocent of these crimes.
Roland scribbles some more notes, then begins attempting to sketch the Beast for future reference.
After several seconds, the creature responds, "Only this."
He reaches up and pulls the crude "shirt" he wears down to reveal the area over his upper left chest. Stitched into the creature's skin is the word, "Alpon".
"Why would you want to try to help me? Why should I trust you? Why are you different than every other adult I've ever met?"
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Without turning back to him, Shanoa reaches up and pulls her long dark hair in front of her, revealing the large image of a rose on her exposed back. "I can't imagine it's anything like what you've faced, but I grew up an outcast too. I would've done anything just to feel like I belonged, or that I just looked like everyone else. I at least know what it's like to be different from everyone else, and the pains of being alone."
She turns to face him before continuing, now showing her exposed back to the rest of the room.
"That was my life until I met a man who became my friend and taught me much about the world. He's likewise had an impact on every one of us here, and while he is no longer with us, we're all trying to do our part to help those around us just as he helped us.
"Yes there are many bad people in the world. But there are others who retain some of their childhood innocence and strive to see the good around them. There is good to be found scattered among all the hate."
Darren works up the courage to say something to the beast, having been staring dumbly and listening to his companions verbally work on getting some information. "I am sorry to put this so bluntly, but you should trust us because you will see you have no other choice. What is the worst that could happen, if you help us get to the bottom of all this? The worst possible outcome is that everyone's suspicions are confirmed and it is proven that you truly are the monster that you've been accused of being. That's the worst possible outcome, and, realistically, it will be your only option if you don't help us. We are not here to determine your innocence or guilt ourselves -- our opinions don't matter -- but we are here to guarantee that you receive a fair trial, and that job will be much easier with your cooperation. A fair trial will be how you can prove your innocence."
A deep growl issues forth as the creature hears Darren's words. The sound reminds you of rocks being ground against one another. After a moment, the monster stops making the sound, and closes its eyes.
Opening them again, the Beast looks at Darren, "Hergstag, I became friends with a young girl there. She was killed by a swarm of bees that left no marks on her body. I took her back to town, to show them what happened - but nobody listened to me. They started attacking, calling me murderer. Murderer! As if I could harm a child, much less one who called me friend."
"Go to that horrible village of inbred simpletons. Go to Hergstag."
Through clenched teeth, he continues, "Her name was Ellia, and I did not kill her. I give you a chance to prove yourselves to me. Prove that you want a fair trial, and I will cooperate."
"Hm. I understand that town has been abandoned. I suppose that will make it easier to look for evidence, but harder to talk to witnesses."
Abandoned? The whole village? When did this happen? Why did it happen? Karl looks incredulously at professor Rokannon, but keeps his voice down. If its been abandoned, we should get there sooner rather than later. I don't like this one bit. Karl nods to the construct. We will travel to Hergstag, Alpon. If there is something to be found, we will find it. I do not know whether you are guilty or innocent, but you will have a fair trial.
Professor Rokannon arches an eyebrow at Karl and takes his pipe out to answer.
"Why yes. It was in an article in last month's Journal of the Royal Geographical Society. It has been abandoned... several months at least."
The timing seems to coincide with the murders that Alpon is accused of committing.
"A sad tale it was too. Many families moved away after they lost their children. And with the rumors that a monster was roaming the area killing people, no new people moved in. The rest of the villagers simply drifted away.
"And as I recall, the dates seem to match those of the murders the ... Alpon is accused of."
Frowning, Professor Rokannon takes out his Journal and leafs through it.
"Ah, I thought I had recalled that. Several of the witnesses from Hergstag now live in Lepidstadt. Perhaps they won't be as hard to find as I had surmised."
He resumes smoking contentedly, considering ways to locate and approach them.
"An abandoned town to explore... excellent," Darren says, "At least we've already some experience dealing with abandoned structures and the like. Should we find those witnesses first and then make our way out there, or go see this place with our own eyes, first?" Darren ruminates over his own question a moment or two, rubbing his chin, then says, giving a short but meaningful look to Alpon, "I'd almost rather get out into the field and see for ourselves what there is to see before we talk to the 'witnesses'... perhaps it's better to approach the scene of the crime without our own beliefs being contaminated by the words of others, first."
Professor Rokannon listens to Darren Cayle and nods.
"I am inclined to agree. I would like to gather more in the way of data; get a sense of the scene of the crimes before questioning the witnesses."
Karl nods his assent as well. And, if any of the witnesses lie to us, we will be better prepared to catch them in their falsehood.
The ranger turns to Darren, Wise that we procured those mounts. It should only be a few hours to arrive at Hergstag. Professor, Franc, Roland, Shanoa, do you have the means to ride?
He pauses for a moment in thought, and takes the others in with a look. We should return to Dr. Crowl's to retrieve our weapons before we depart.
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The road leading to Hergstag becomes little more than a trail after an hour. Eventually, even the narrow trail becomes difficult to follow as weeds and undergrowth obscure the path. As you continue to push through, a faded and broken sign is revealed through the overgrown foliage - you have found Hergstag.
You pass the sign and emerge on the top of a small hill with Hergstag lying to your north about a hundred yards away. Tall corn grows wild in the fields, and an eerie silence covers the small village. Nearly twenty buildings can be seen from your position, and all have been abandoned to the elements. Most appear to be houses, but some are obviously barns or storage sheds, while a few bear signs indicating businesses such as a smithy and stable. On the top of a larger hill to the west, you see the sad remains of a scarecrow hanging limply from its perch.
Professor Rokannon glances about, opens his journal to a new page and methodically sketches out the village overview.
Survival
"It's quiet. Unnaturally quiet..." Darren says, sitting atop his new steed. "Where are the animals? There aren't even birds in that corn field," he points, a look of concern crossing his face.
He dismounts alongside Shanoa, a wary eye cast out for trouble. "I suppose, if we're going to investigate Alpon's statement, we should be looking for a hive of killer bees. I don't know the slightest thing about something like that, though. Professor, have you ever heard of similar attacks in the area?"
Perception
Not even the meanest rat, Karl agrees with Darren. Alpon said he brought the girl back to the village. Let's search the structures, I'll keep an eye out for any of his tracks, and maybe we can follow them back to where the wasps stung her.
Karl rides his horse down into the village and begins searching for clues. He dismounts to enter buildings, but otherwise stays atop the beast.
Professor, have you ever heard of similar attacks in the area?
Professro Rokannon smokes as he tries to remember anything of the kind.
Karl leads the way into the village, using his horse to push through the tall grasses.
About twenty feet in, a loud "click!" precedes the metallic SNAP! of a bear trap as it clamps down on Karl's horse. The creature screams, rearing in terror and pain as the metal trap tears into its right foreleg.
"Hm. No, nothing springs to mind. Aside from the stories of the Beast of course."
Seeing the trap spring on Karl's horse, Professor Rokannon halts his horse and looks around uneasily.
"What? Who puts traps in an abandoned village?"
Karl holds onto the high canted saddle for dear life when his horse rears up in pain. As soon as he is recovered enough to do so, he rushes to the animal's aid, attempting to soothe it before he goes to work dismantling the steel jaws of the bear trap.
Everyone stay back! he calls out. There's a trap up here, and there might be more!
Seeing the horse at risk to injure not only itself, Karl too, Franc calls on his divine powers to calm the creature. As he chants a blue mist begins to settle over the rider and beast.
Darren rushes to Karl's horse and tries to help him calm the animal.
Handle Animal (aid)
The horse is calmed down enough to stay in place, though the wound it suffers is deep and serious.
Upon inspection, the bear trap appears old and rusted - it was obviously set in this location some time ago. At least months, by your best guess.
The nearest building is twenty feet away and appears to be a small temple, and a graveyard overgrown with weeds and ivy can be seen to the north of the stone structure. Several markers are visible, but two stand out from the others - they appear much less weathered and damaged. Though they are not clean, they appear to be the most recent additions to this tiny cemetary.
"I thought that the Beast..." Darren hesitates, "I mean, I thought that Alpon told us her name was Ellia, but this grave here says Ellsa -- does anyone remember differently?"
When the group presses on to the temple, Darren crouches briefly and puts his hand on his heart, despite the holy place's desolation and disrepair. He bows his head solemnly and says a brief prayer quietly under his breath. "Blessed Inheritor, guide my hand through this madness so that this place -- once called 'home' by innocent souls too young to be corrupted by this uncertain world -- can return to its former glory. No temple of good and justice deserves such catastrophe, and please show me how to mend its undoing." He stands, with a respectful nod to Sarenrae's holy symbol, and begins kicking around through the rubble looking for anything of interest.
Perception
As the group moves around the graveyard, a slight gust of wind blows through the area, causing some of the branches of a nearby tree to scratch eerily against a building. Glancing around, you see what you thought was a "s" on the marker reveal itself to be a stray ivy shoot that falls away in the wind. An "i" lies underneath.
The name was not Ellsa, but Ellia.
After his mount is calmed, Karl takes it back to wait with the others, then returns to scout the graveyard and temple with the others.
As the group leaves the temple, his ears twitch. Sounds like someone crying, to the west. he whispers to the others. Should we investigate?
"A citizen, perhaps?" Darren says anxiously. "Yes, I think we should see what's the matter. Lead the way, Karl."
I thought our new friend Rokannon said this place was abandoned months ago... Best to be cautious. Let me scout ahead, stay back a bit and stay low. I'll be back soon.
Karl picks his way toward the the crying sound, using the buildings, trees, high grasses and scattered detritus to move closer undetected. He stays wary for more of the bear traps, or other hidden dangers.
Keeping his magical blade sheathed, Franc looks about as they follow Karl's lead toward the strange sound of weeping.
Inside the building, a small humanoid shape huddles in the middle of the large central room. Its flesh is rotting and putrid, and its skeleton shows through in several places. Most disturbing are its eye sockets - glowing with a malevolent red light. With a lump in your throat, you realize that you have discovered one of the missing and murdered children of Hergstag.
Karl sneaks back to the others, horror writ large on his face.
Once back to the group, Karl relates what he saw.
It was terrible... A rotting horror, with the body of a child. The eyes were red, glowing like the fires of hell. I don't think it saw me, but I don't think we should leave it there for some unwary traveler to happen upon. He swallows hastily and adds I think it was one of the missing children of Hergstag.
As Karl relates the horrible discovery he made, each of you forms an image of as he describes what he saw...
The ghastly creature you describe is one with which I am acquainted, Karl. They call them wights and we will have a battle on our hands if more than one is present."
Darren's face turns grim, and he draws his sword. "Then we must end its poor miserable existence. Which house is it exactly, Karl?" Now that their enemy is known to be evil and an abomination of life, his resolve is hardened and he strides toward the house confidently, determined to put down the poor child's body and let its spirit finally go to rest. "The people should have never abandoned their homes and their duties in this way... what's become of this poor child, now?"
Professor Rokannon nods.
"Yes of course. I wish there was some reliable way to question it though. It could have witnessed something of use to us."
Karl pulls out his bow. My thanks Shanoa. I'll try to avoid being touched then. Will arrows harm it? If so, perhaps I can strike from outside the house where it is hiding, and draw it out into the open.
Karl fits arrow to bowstring, and begins leading the group to the house, but before they reach their destination, he pauses, and looks back at the others.
And the crying? I am not well versed in these matters, and despite its horrible countenance, the more I think on it, I cannot help but see an abandoned child. Franc, Shanoa, Darren, Professor? I look to you for guidance. If you say strike, I shall, but something holds me back. I know not why.
Gathering the others close Franc cast bless then bull's strength on himself. "May your strikes be true and glory be to us all. May the hand of the five winged lord guide us this and allow us the strength to save what may be left of the young one's soul. Let him give us the power to exact vengeance upon the fiend seeing utterly destroyed. Go forth my brothers and strike true for the power of Ragathiel is with us all!" With his sermon complete Franc draws his bastard sword and leads the way into battle.
Professor Rokannon thinks on Karl's question.
"Well, I believe such creatures usually howl and attack, taking the decision out of your hands. I think it will be easier than you think."
Karl nods, Very well. Let's be done with it then.
Karl moves quietly into position near the window with arrow on bowstring. He waits for the others to position themselves as they will.