|
Eamon walks through the various stalls trying various foods and observing some of the entertainment. He stops at stalls selling 'lucky charms' and other trinkets and make sure he spends a little money buying some of the trinkets. He makes sure to negotiate a little as not to draw suspicion to his true purpose. Emaon constantly prays to Iomedea for guidance especially before he intends to engages another in dialog (but he does so out of their sight). When asked who he is Eamon says, Just a servant of Iomedae, my companions and I are on an important mission, we're here to recover certain artifacts rumored to be of Sarkorian orgin. Eamon elaborates.
Eamon walks around and talks to a lot of people. Keeping his eye out for suspicious individuals..especially those who may be observing him. Eventually, Eamon starts to ask about helpers.. That he's heard a couple boys named Tommy and Bint might be willing to serve as porters for a days work. He begins to ask a few of the younger stall keepers if they know Tommy or Bint and proclaims that he has some work for them.
|
Alessio heads to the beer garden. He's spent enough time in barracks brawling bars where aggression can get answers.
He strolls in and looks for a vulnerable target.
You there. I'm new to town. You're going to tell me what I need to know. Alessio leans into the kid for some time trying to find info about the accused.
|
Floria has the same intention as Huni, find Orug and ask about the circumstances of finding the body. The discrepancy she hears about his account and that of the two witnesses is of particular interest.
If she finds him, she'll try to win him to her side (unless she meets Huni on the way and he has already gotten the information) and get answers to her questions.
_____________________
The impromptu fairgrounds that have sprung up in and around Tent City are bustling with people. Buying, selling, playing.... its all happening, though friendly competitions of all sorts prove the most popular.
Sangkip feeds right into this. His nimble fingers quite adept at a little sleight of hand, he soon has a small corner of the field where he engages a bunch of locals, mostly young men, and a few women they are trying to 'impress', in a elaborate variation on three card monty... but without the cards.
Try as they might, the young men find themselves embarrassed to be picking wrong, over and over. Much to the delight and jeers of their friends.
But, even while he amuses them with his trickery, he listens to the conversations going on around him, most of whom seem fully convinced of the Pathfinders' guilt... especially given the Sheriff has written testimony from a witness to back it up. But unfortunately, most of the younger people there are more interested in enjoying the day, or their companions, than gossiping too hard, so he learns little else of note.
_______________
Kara ends up on a different track, as it's a little tough finding people wanting to talk about something beyond crops or the weather here. But eventually she lucks out, and ends up talking to a couple of young girls... probably no older then ten. When they find out she is not from anywhere near Dawnton... the questions start coming non stop, asking about places she's been, things she's seen. Those two kids are soon joined by more, until she has a whole gaggle of children asking her about pretty much everything they can think of.
Although the children themselves are not the best source of information, a few of the parents lurk nearby watching over them... and they chat among themselves as Kara talks.
Most of what she hears is just mothers worried about all the strangers in town, especially given that some of them have already murdered two people. Thought she does not a couple expressing concern over a tall quiet stranger, with a patch of hair missing, one of them ran into... who showed up about the same time as the Pathfinders, and who was asking more questions than what was considered seemly... "round these parts".
________________
Eamon works his way through the fair, finding all sorts of charms for sale, though the effectiveness of them is in considerable doubt.
When he starts asking around about the two boys, Tommy and Bint... and a desire or a porter, the reactions he gets are not exactly what he was expecting.
"A porter?" One old man responds. "What, yer legs broke? The town only goes from there... to there... any man worth is salt can carry his own bags that far."
"You mean Dalton's boy, and the Greeves kid?" Another lady says, with a puzzled frown. "Why, what'd they do this time? You'd be throwin' away money trying to hire them for anything. They'd as like take your coin, and steal your stuff... or toss it in the river."
He gets more of the same as he asks around. No one quite sure why anyone would need a porter in a town this small... and comments on the apparent past and future misbehaviors of what appear to be Dawnton's resident troubled youth.
Though, he will learn they are around somewhere, and even thinks he sees them once, lurking near one of the stalls, but the moment they see him coming, they take off at a run... clearly not wanting to get caught at whatever shenanigans they were currently up to.
_____________________________________
Alessio goes for a drink... overcrowded drinking establishments something he's familiar with. He winnows in on someone a local man, drinking quietly by himself to one side, and starts pestering him about the accused Pathfinders.
The man is instantly on guard, not liking Alessio's attitude, or his blunt manner, but the soldier corners him in, and gives him a look, that eventually has him deciding perhaps its better to just answer, so he can get away!
"Hey look, I don't know nothing! Those Pathfinders came in. Killed two people, then got themselves arrested. Its just like that." He says.
"Sure, there's a few what aren't so sure they did it. But that inquisitor from Kenabres put them in line pretty quick. She's got most everyone whipped up good." He waves a hand at the crowds everywhere. "People've come from miles around... all wanting to see some necks stretched."
He stops suddenly, giving Alessio a look. "You and her probably get along great."
He doesn't seem to know much else, and makes a break for it the first chance he can, throwing rather pointed glares back Alessio's way as he goes.
________________________________
Florio has no stomach for the chaos of the town fair, so instead decides to follow one of the earlier leads, and heads to the General Store. It is on the way there that she runs into Huni... only to learn he had no luck convincing the Sheriff to let him see the prisoners.
They go the shop together, and find the place doing a brisk business in the wake of the celebratory feel of the town.
A half-elven woman, working behind the counter greets them as they come in, and when asked about Orug, she rolls her eyes.
"Well, my name is Tessa, and that big lug of a man you're asking after, that'd be my husband." she says, mocking and prideful at the same time. "He'll be in the barbershop next door, thought probably waggin' his jaw more than his shears. He's probably still boasting to anyone that'll listen about how he fought those murders off with his bare fists."
She rolls her eyes slightly. "Probably has it up to half a dozen demon-possessed cultists and their infernal minions by now." She says, with a sigh. "So don't let him blow you too much air. We just heard it from inside. By the time he got out there, was just just shadows running off into the night."
"Terrible business that." She adds, "And right outside our shop!"
"Personally, I think the Tobias should be looking at Otto more closely." She offers, conspiratorially. "Everyone knows he's worshipping demons out there. Probably why the first one was skinned alive on his property."
She gets distracted by other customers, and you make your way to the connected shop next door, where a stout half-orc man works at cutting hair. Though it looks more like the barber stools are just a place to sit while he chats with whoever is in the room.
He takes almost no prompting at all, to regale you with the story of how he, personally, fought off the murderous Pathfinders, outside this very shop. Saw them with his own eyes, and fought them off with his bare hands, until he was overcome from behind by a cheap and cowardly blow!
Of course, given his wife's comments, Kara realizes pretty quickly that he is exaggerating for his audience... and a bit of pointed prodding eventually drops it down to 'perhaps a couple he chased off with a pitchfork' ... to eventually admitting that by the time he got out there, all he saw was a tall person running away in to the dark.
Though he is quick to then point out that one of the accused Pathfinders, the leader, had blood all over his hands and clothes when they caught him. Clearly from the young woman he found dead in the street that night! And that she would have probably been mutilated worse if he had not chased them off.
_________________________________
|
|
Alessio probably has a drink too many before going and beating up on the locals. Damnit, solider. Get your act together, the lives of Pathfinders are on the line. Before setting out again, he'll prepare a different type of chemical assistance.
Rallying with the team, I wasn't able to get much. Someone with a sweeter story may do better. How did you all do?
The fair continues for all the afternoon, though as the sun closes in on the horizon, people start to disperse... no one quite eager to be outside at night... given current events. By the time evening rolls around, only the Beer Garden is still open for business, and even that, mostly just the hardier souls, sitting around talking in low whispers.
You meet up back at the Inn, to talk about what you've learned... mostly just rumors and scuttlebutt... having had poorer luck on the actual investigation portions.
But, as you ponder such things, you notice a stern woman walk purposefully into the tavern, and looks around with an intense look, as if searching for something. The other late night patrons seem to notice her too, and most do their best to sink into their seats, avoiding looking her way.
She is barely five feet tall, with short cropped blond hair, wearing well maintained chain armor with the symbol of Iomedae proudly on display. Her youthful appearance is belied by her eyes. Eyes that look like they have seen far more than most, and not in a good way.
Eventually those eyes settle on you, and she frowns slightly, a grim look on her face, before stomping across the room towards your table. The other guests in the room seem to part before her like water before a prow, most of them trying to avoid her attention.
"You there." She says, stopping beside the table, her look inscrutable. "They said there were a new bunch of strangers in town... armed and armored... and now all huddled up, talking in whispers. Asking about things that should be none of their concern."
"I am Ekira Corum and I would ask what your business in Dawnton is?"
The look she gives Alessio is cold. "One does not need authority to ask a question." She says. "Though your answer speaks for itself."
"We are a peaceful town, of simple folk. A bunch of armed strangers march in, some of them far less than friendly... well... questions need to be asked. For our own safety. Especially in light of current events."
She eyes you all suspiciously, especially Alessio. "In fact, I see your kind here, and I can't help but wonder... if perhaps you lot are associated with those same murderers. Those Pathfinders."
She almost spits out that last name, then pauses, frowning. "Or perhaps you are Pathfinders yourselves?"
"Now, you're not Pathfinders are you?" She says, her voice charged with emotion.
You notice the people in the crowd gasp a little at that last question, and are now looking at you just as nervously as Ekira, perhaps more so.
|
|
Floria stands up and tries to disarm the situation.
"Ms Corum, please take a seat at our table and we can talk things through, I assure you we mean no harm to the people of this town."
If she sits, Floria will do so too (and lower her voice), but if not she'll continue anyway.
"To tell you the truth, we were pathfinders. We fought in the defence of Nerosyan, thrown together by circumstance and dire need. We slew many demons that day and took grievous wounds ourselves, but we were rewarded by the leadership with insults, ignominy and excoriation. The leadership of the society in Nerosyan seem to think that demons should be talked to rather than destroyed, and there wasn't a one of us who would stand for that kind of idiocy. We left not long after and found our way here"
She sighs. "I'm not sure what we are now."
"We are armed for our own protection as I'm sure you can understand, and it's true we have been asking around the murders. We mean no harm to anyone in this town, but it's prudent to make sure that the innocent don't hang wouldn't you say? Because if they were innocent a killer would be stalking around town"
Ekira does not seem remotely interesting in sitting down with you, as she continues to eye you all with a stern glare.
"I knew it." She growls, her tone almost accusatory, as Florio mentions that you are indeed Pathfinders... or at least were... apparently she is not overly interested in differentiating. "The Inheritor herself has warned me of your villainy. More evil, no doubt here to help your murderous cohorts."
She turns to the other bar patrons. "You hear that! They are in league with those murderers for sure. Pathfinders all! You would all do well to stay well away from this lot! They are not our friends."
A few of those in the room nod, eyeing you worriedly... and a few even slip out the door, apparently done with their evening, or off to spread the warning.
Ekira turns back to you all with barely controlled anger. "You can rest assured that your friends will hang for their crimes. Their guilt has already been proven. And should any of you interfere with Iomedae's justice, you will join them on the gallows!"
"You may have consorted with demons in Nerosyan... but the Diamond City was not the only front that day. I assure you, what you endured there, was nothing, to what we endured in Kenabres." Her tone, if possible, if even icier now.
There was a lot going on in the wake of the siege in Nerosyan, though you do recall hearing some early reports come in from outside the city, one of which seemed to imply that Kenabres was hit first, and hard... the entire city left in ruins. In fact, you recall Queen Galfrey herself mentioning it at the end of the siege.
There were later reports that the failure of the wardstone system, that preceded the attack on Nerosyan, started with the fall of Kenabres, and the rest a chain reaction from there.
|
Sangkip blanched at Ekira's bitter anger. "If you fought in Kenabres, then thank you. From what I heard, the fighting in that place was a nightmare on a stick.
"Look, we're not here for a fight; we're not here to break anyone out of prison. Right now we're just looking for some supper. If you'd like a drink, I'm buying."
Ekira scowls at Sangkip, "You know nothing about it." She says abruptly, her face hard to read.
"We'll have our eyes on you, Pathfinders." She finally spits out. "I'm sure your nature will betray you soon enough, and I look forward to letting you join the others when it does."
With that last barb, she turns, and leaves the inn.
But even though she leaves, the tension in the air does not immediately dissipate. Eyes that were mostly ignoring you before, now watch you with nervous suspicion, and many of the patrons leave at the first opportunity.
|
|
During her unhinged tirade, it was everything Floria could do to keep herself from transforming and biting her face off. After she leaves though she starts to think through what she said.
"Sorry everyone. I should have just kept quiet, but I'm proud of being a Pathfinder, if I still am one. I do my best to be good, to resist my ... heritage, but that might have just gotten three people killed"
While saying this she doesn't meet anyone's eyes, just stares down at her food, but then her head snaps up.
"Did you hear her say the inheritor speaks to her? Do you think she's just a poor woman fractured by trauma and not in her right mind, or could she be being influenced by something more nefarious?"
"I wonder if it's a shadow demon thing again? She seemed evil. Anyway Huni and I spoke to Orug, he admitted to not seeing nearly as much as he'd reported previously, only seeing a tall man run from the scene. That fits with what you heard Kara. I wonder if he had a disagreement with the barber, or at least perhaps the barber saw him around town, professional curiosity, I'll try talking to him"
If anyone mentions being a Pathfinder, she will reply that Queen Galifrey herself has forged an alliance with the Pathfinders and this Ekira is at best mentally unstable and at worst treasonous.
|
|
Alessio contemplates a next move. The eyes are on us now, we'll need to move carefully.
We must maintain the ruse that we used to be Pathfinders and stick to it. We were instructed very specifically to not divulge our status as Pathfinders. Although now our efforts will be further scrutinized. I can disguise some of our faces for part of the day if we want to continue our search. We'll need to be much more even-handed than we were before but at least we have some leads now. Alessio leans back in his chair for a moment.
We have surnames for the boys, which may yield some information. They may have seen something. Otto seems like it'll require less disguise, since he won't be privvy to our activity in town. We'll definitely need disguises to approach the barber at this point but he would have had direct contact with the suspect. Alessio rummages through his bag for anything else that might help but turns up not much more than what he's proposed so far.
|
|
Eamon is in utter shock at Floria’s Admission.. he says nothing and simply storms off to his room giving the woman a hard look. To the priestess of Iomedae he only says, if you’ll excuse me revered shield mother.. I need to go seek the Inheritor’s guidance. I may speak to you later as one of the faithful if you’ll see me.
Ekira does not seem swayed by Eamon's words, just looking at him with a frown. "Pathfinders sully the Inheritors name." She says angrily. "If you want her guidance... seek better friends."
That the demons began their assault there during the recent incursion, is not surprising.
__________________
Floria can easily duck outside and look across the street... and find the general store closed for the evening, the barber shop included. There are a few folks still lurking in the streets, though they are typically quickly moving somewhere, and few seem inclined to stop and chat. The few that do though, do not seem to recall this tall man she is asking after.
You wake up the next day, feeling refreshed, and ready to continue the investigation.
Unfortunately, the first sign that things are different today, you notice as you come down into the main common room. The patrons there, stopping and whispering, as you arrive... nervous glances hastily averted.
It would seem the news of who you are has made the rounds quickly. You recognize that getting information might be a little more difficult now.
|
|
In the morning Eamon gets up early saying his devotions to Iomedae. He doesn't interact with any of the rest of the party, instead going downstairs to have a quiet meal by himself. He decides his best coarse of action is to formally request an interview with the prisoners on the basis of representation of their council. Eamon knows something but, not much about Medev Law, and is hoping he can convince the sheriff , that as a priest of Iomedae and as a brother in arms with the condemned; that he should be allowed to interview the prisoners and comfort them in their last remaining days.
Therefore, after Eamon is through with his bowl of portage, gosh I hope that wasn't some peasants saliva I tasted in that murk they served me this morning! Eamon heads to the sheriff's office with the bold intention of asking the man for access to his prisoners. Eamon prays for guidance before entering the jail.
|
|
Kara Prestidigitates her very finest clothing and remembers as much of the courtly speech patterns that she's tried to forget, and tries to get ahold of Tommy and Bint on the pretext that the rest of her clothing is soon to arrive and she will need it ported around town.
She uses her best passive listening skills to glean from the locals what they don't think she overhears.
|
|
Alessio gets up and does his typical stretching to work out the kinks and get the blood flowing. He starts packing his belongings, including bottling up the extracts he let sit overnight. He walks down for a quick cuppa and a fist of bread and cheese.
He catches Kara heading out, Might I accompany you, Kara. I'm no good on my own and we should stick together.
Assuming no objection, Alessio accompanies Kara posing a sort of escort/body guard so at least when he pops off at one of the kids it is in character.
_____________________________________
Floria wanders across the street, looking for more information on the tall man they'd heard about the day before.
The place is actually open that early, though mostly empty, as both Orug and his wife are there, sweeping and wiping down shelves, and performing other such tasks, in preparation for what will likely be another busy day.
Orug looks up as Floria comes in, and frowns slightly.
"Well, if it isn't one of the Pathfinders." He says.
Tessa swats him with the broom, and he winces slightly.
"Hey now... I wasn't makin' judgments!" He quickly adds. "Hell, half the survivors that made it out of Kenabres were possessed by demons of one shape or another. I'm sure those friends of yours in the jail didn't mean to kill anyone... its the demon's fault, not theirs, right?"
When Floria asks about a tall man with a patch of hair missing, Orug ponders for moment.
"Come to think of it, there was a fellow came through yesterday, just before we closed. Gave him a trim, to even out a bit he lost in one of the fair competitions." The half-orc shrugs, "I remember him asking about you folks. But I suspect everyone will be, now that Ekira's running around tellin' folks your business."
"Anyway, didn't catch his name, from one of the nearby villages I think. Seen him around for the past few days I think."
____________________________________________
Kara wanders off, once again trying to locate the two local kids, Tommmy and Bint. Alessio tags along, not feeling comfortable leaving her on her own.
Finding someone who will talk to them though, that proves trickier, as most of the people who see them coming turn and go a different direction, or hastily cross the street to avoid them, eyes following them suspiciously as they pass.
But not everyone does... and luckily, pretty much everyone knows the two boys in question, and eventually you spot them.
You find them just on the edge of town, throwing rocks at chickens in a coop. They seem to be enjoying themselves, laughing each time the chickens run around in a panic, unable to get away.
Fortunately, they seem distracted by their entertainment, and Kara and Alessio are almost on them, before they notice. They seem to recognize Alessio from the day before, and both turn to flee immediately. But not before the two Pathfinders are able to hem them in.
"Hey!" The taller boy, with a shock of unruly blonde hair, yells. "Leggo! We didn't do nothin'!"
The second boy, shorter and more heavyset, with short-cropped black hair, tries to kick Alessio in the shins, to make him release his friend, but the old soldier is far too canny for that.
"Hey, its those Pathfinders!" He yells suddenly, a worried look on his face. "They's commin' to murder us, Tommy! Run!"
He does just that, darting past Kara in a panic, not unlike the chickens they were throwing stones at moments before, and runs off towards the town.
Tommy for his part, struggles, but can't get away from Alessio's grip.
_______________________________
Eamon gets up early, not feeling overly social, though finds his quick breakfast cold and tasteless, when it is finally delivered. Taking it in stride, he decides to go see if he can't convince the sheriff to let him talk to the imprisoned Pathfinders. Huni notices him heading out, and decides to go along with... which ends up saving some time, as he already knows where the sheriff's home is.
The two of them reach it fairly quickly, and find the Sheriff is actually still there, outside his house, giving orders to the guards. Huni will quickly notice there are twice as many as the day before, the three he met yesterday, and three newcomers, though they look more like burly farmers than trained militia. They are apparently taking the rumor of a potential pathfinder breakout attempt seriously.
One of the guards that Huni met the day before notices them approach, and frowns... whatever good will he'd gained with him seemingly gone. He says something quickly to Tobias and the others, and all seven quickly turn to face the two Pathfinders, hands near weapons.
"That one wove quite the story yesterday, sir." One of the guards says. "Clearly all lies. He was probably casing the place for the breakout!"
Tobias frowns, obviously equally disturbed by the duplicity and sudden appearance of Eamon and Huni... but he seems less prone to overreaction, and steps forward, his own hand still resting near sword at his side.
"Your questions make more sense now." He says to Huni, his tone carefully neutral. "So far, you ain't broken any laws... so I suggest you go. We don't want trouble, but we've more then enough room in the cell for you two as well."
Eamon quickly steps in, attempting to diffuse the situation with a few choice words. None of the guards relax at all, though the sheriff seems willing to listen.
"So what is it that you actually want then?" He finally says warily.
|
"First, Sheriff, guards, everything I said yesterday was true. I am a priest of Irori traveling the land in hopes of finding enlightenment and I do want to know what it is that caused them to do what they did."
"But We were sent here to find out what happened and to try and clear the name of the Pathfinder organization. We're not here to break them out, but would like to be able to speak to them, under supervision, to hear what they have to say."
Diplomacy
When Alessio starts to grill him, he starts blubbering.
"I didn't see nothing." He blurts out, though more because he thinks that's what Alessio wants to hear. "Didn't hear nothing either!"
When you mention the rumor you'd heard about them witnessing the event, he pales slightly, squirming for a moment to get away with new desperation.
"It was Bint's idea!" He finally cries when he can't get free. "I didn't want to say it! Honest! We just made that up. We thought'd be funny."
"Don't murder me, too!" He sobs, near tears, a small trickle of fluids starting to run down his leg. "I won't tell no one. I promise!"
_______________________
You tag along behind Florio, as she goes back to the general store, though she seems to have things in hand... or at least as well in hand as you could do.
As she talks to the owner, you wander the aisles, and come up to his wife as she sweeps, just as Orug starts to tell Floria about all the possessed survivors coming out of Kenabres.
"Ya, like Ekira." Tessa mutters under her breath, with a frown.
She notices Sangkip nearby, and stops talking, turning back to her sweeping with renewed interest.
Tobias gives Huni a pointed look. "Don't be cute with me." He says, with a scowl. "You were trying to deceive me, even if by omission. Lying's lying. Whatever enlightenment you're looking for... you clearly missed it."
He spits on the ground, then sighs, eyeing them both with a contemplative frown.
"But we're fair folk here in Dawnton." He finally says. "If you just want to talk, I guess we can arrange that."
The guards gasp at that, one of them starting to protest, only to be waved to silence by Tobias.
"But we will be watching you like hawks." He continues. "Any funny business, you go right in the cell with 'em... and can join 'em on the gallows in a few days."
He motions to three of the guards to come with, and tells the other three to keep an eye out, in case there were more of you lurking nearby... then leads Eamon and Huni into his home.
"We don't have a proper jail, so this is the best we could do. They've been treated proper, and well fed." He says, as he leads you through the house, down to the basement.
There is a heavy wooden door down there, with a couple of chains running through it, both large iron padlocks on them.
He unlocks the door, which opens into what was probably once a large root cellar, though currently contains just three cots, and three people.
One is a halfling, from what Venture-Captain Jorsal told you, the head of the team, Trip. The other two, both dwarves, would then be Lucillis and Horvit.
"You got visitors." Tobias says to them, as he waves you in.
|
|
Eamon nods his thanks to the sheriff and bids the three Pathfinders to take a seat. We haven't much time. Each of you tell me everything that happened from your own perspective....and leave nothing out..we're fellow Pathfinders here to aid you if we can. Eamon looks to Huni, and then returns his gaze to the three condemned, We cannot help you, if you're not honest with us. Pointing to the halfling, Eamon says, We'll start with you; but first I want to find out something.. Eamon then proceeds to cast Detect Evil, on the Pathfinders.
The second Eamon starts trying to cast a spell inside the house, weapons are immediately pointed at him from all sides.
"I said no funny business, mister." Tobias says, frowning. "You wanna talk, then talk. You try anything else..."
He leaves the rest unsaid, but all four of them are even more on the alert now.
|
|
Captain....I mean no disrespect..I am simply trying to call upon guidance from Iomedae ..to aid me..also with Iomedae can reveal if these men have evil intent or not... Eamon turns to face the captain and addresses him directly... Forgive, me captain..I was under the impression that the people of this town revered Iomedae, do you not trust her judgments and servants? Perhaps it's because of your towns lack of faith that this tragedy has befallen you..Now you can run me through if you like...but I intend to ask the inheritor if these men hold evil intent or not...Unlike the folks of this town I place my trust in the shield maiden not my own petty suspicions..and if there's any justice in this town..you'll let the Inheritor do her work and ferret out these fiends in your mist..
Now seeing how you made no effort to remove my weapons..I am sure you don't suspect me as someone trying to make a 'jail break' as it were.... Eamon stands close very close to the sheriff, My only conclusion then...if you trust that I cannot remove these men by force is that, you don't want me to get to the truth! I tire of these games! I will cast a spell to detect evil on these men. Eamon crosses his arms in defiance... know this if you strike me down you've struck down a loyal priest of Iomedae, and a Pathfinder in good standing... Eamon's expression become serious, What that means for your town and yourself, I'll leave it for you to measure...As for myself, I will follow the justice of Iomedea. Eamon begins casting detect evil...]
|
|
Outside:
"You're right, Sheriff. I did try to deceive you. I feared the response I would get if I had admitted to being a Pathfinder in the first. I was trying to make things easier and only made them worse. The path to enlightenment is not straight and I still have some distance to travel."
In the basement:
Huni moves to stop Eamon. Grabbing his hands around Eamon's which are on his holy symbol. "We are guests in his house. It is only polite to do as he asks and not cast a spell. Even one as benign as that. Surely the Inheritor espouses such basic respect. Besides, if we don't believe in our fellow Pathfinders, how can we expect others to do so?" Huni releases Eamon and steps back as best the guards allow him to.
|
|
We're not murderers, dummy. Neither are the Pathfinders set to be executed. If you have a soul worth saving you'll do what you can to exonerate the innocent in this endevour. If Bint saw what happened, let's go talk to him. Surely there's honor in you left, Tommy. Alessio impresses on Tommy the gravity of the situation.
|
|
"It may be that she's simply been traumatised, but she did say that "The inheritor herself" warned her about us. If she's hearing a demonic voice it might be impersonating Iomadae.
She rubs her chin while looking thoughtful. "If I could find an excuse to probe her mind, I could see if anyone else is tagging along up there. Though that might be difficult as she didn't seem as friendly as I'd hoped."
She looks sheepish.
"I'd like to talk to the sheriff I think. If these rumours about Otto are true he might want to know, or he might give us a reason to investigate more thoroughly. He also has written testimony or so I've heard, it would certainly be helpful if he shared some details about that"
"Let's hope the others have turned up something useful"
Judging by Tommy's reaction, Alessio is pretty sure his claims to not be a murderer are not believed. The boy continues to sob, sputtering out promises of not telling, and please to not kill him, interspersed with attempts to blame to his friend Bint for their lie.
____________________________
At the general store, Tessa merely shrugs, at Sangkip's comment. "You hear all sorts of things here at our store."
"Not that I'm one to gossip!" She adds hastily. "But we look out for each other in Dawnton, so helps to keep our ears open, right?"
"Few folk around here think she might be troubled that way." She adds, quietly, looking around to make sure no one is listening.
"Some say even an actual demon... just disguised as an inquisitor from Kenabres" She adds with a conspiratorial whisper. "There's been a rash of dead folks, near a dozen, up and down the countryside, I heard... but no one has the courage to speak up... less they be next."
___________________________
At the sheriff's house, things are not going quite so smoothly... Eamon's ego shines far brighter than his common sense, and he can't seem to fathom why anyone would question what he is doing.
Unfortunately, given the request/warning given only seconds before, he does not get the reaction he expected at all... though perhaps the one everyone else did. The guards go on immediately alert once more, and only Tobias waving them off keeps the man from getting skewered right there in the middle of the cellar.
"Since you have no respect for our authority or my home, you are no longer welcome here." He says, his face an angry scowl. "Get him out of here." He orders to the guards, who don't even wait long enough for Eamon to finish scanning the area, before two of them forcefully drag him out of the house.
"What about that one?" The remaining guard says, pointing to Huni.
Tobias stares at Huni for a moment. "Are you going to be as rash as your friend?" He asks, his tone clear that he'd more than happy to toss thim out onto the street as well.
The three Pathfinder prisoners sit on their cots, all three of them looking confused, not sure what is happening.
When Huni seems to show a little more restraint, Tobias nods, and steps aside to let Huni enter the room where the condemned await, before stepping in after him, and leaning casually against the door frame.
The last remaining guard takes up a stance in the doorway.
"Who're you?" The halfling asks, still unsure what is going on. "Did Jorsal send you?"