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Eris looks tired as they depart the Ash House. She had spent much too long the previous evening trying to convince her companions to stay up late. She had only relented after much cursing and chastisement from her fellow house guests.
She walks toward the execution with an uncaring attitude. "I have heard that the reason some executions are more horrific is because dying is not supposed to be the punishment--it's the torture that's the punishment, and the dying is almost a reward at the end."
She pats the skull at her belt.
"I think breaking on the wheel would probably be the worst. Anyone have any they can think of worse than that?"
"I don't buy it." Ingrid replied. "The point of torture, to me at least, is to send a message to those not being tortured. It's the point of any punishment, really To get the others." She motioned with her head towards the crowd. "To think twice before they make the same mistake."
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Brogol frowns, placing his arm around his mother and giving her a kiss on her temple. She was old, Brogol realized, with some discomfort, in a manner of clarity that sometimes is surprising when you see someone most every day. Grey hairs streaking her once raven black hair, her stature was decidedly smaller than it used to be, more birdlike, ephemeral.
"Ma, I'm not killing Caggin. I've never done anything like that, even for lawful purposes."
This was, of course, true, though Brogol didn't mention that if some of his recent scraps had gone better this would be a lie.
"And that's what this... justice today is meant to be. Caggin's cursed, Ma, infected with the beasting. He's the one that killed folks, Ma. And it is for the safety of all of us that what happens today will happen."
"But I won't do it, I promise yer that."
Slipping his cloak on, Brogol gives his Ma another look, and nods to his sisters. "But the other things I do, I do for us. Someday soon, we'll have a fine home, and servants, and you'll have the freedom to follow your passions. Until then, keep yer heads down, and know that I'm doing what's right in the eyes of the law, and don't believe anyone tells you different."
Sliding his hat on his head, the driver turns for the door, making sure that his sword scabbard is strapped tight to his belt.
"Love yer all."
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"Aye," Brogol says, nodding to Ingrid. "What happens to Caggin ain't about Caggin at all. Its about the town knowing that he broke the law, and there's consequences to be had fer ending up on the other side of the line."
At the execution, Brogol gives his companions a look, and pulling his hat low over his face, wanders among the crowd, trying to get a handle on the mood of the townsfolk, before settling on a spot to watch the execution with a good vantage point of the townsfolk and within earshot of plenty of spectators.
Brogol had about as much luck as the others getting a sense of the crowd, which is to say they all noticed the following:
* Sword Knight Allamar was at the edge of the crowd, though seemed to be keeping some distance
* Caggan's former employees were in the crowd and fairly close to the scaffolding, looking surly and angry
* Some of the crowd seemed more sympathetic and even jubilant, like they were at a picnic or circus
Somewhere, the archbaron, Razelago or one of their go-betweens had scrounged up someone with a snare drum who began to strike a sepulchral beat as Brogol was marched towards his fate with the ax man.
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Somewhat concerned about the reactions of the irrational masses, the Doctor had positioned himself outside of the main crowd. He sits now on a borrowed stool under the eaves of the nearest unaffilated business, observing the reactions of the townsfolk. Quill and parchment in hand, he focuses on noting individuals who have the surliest and angriest reactions.
As the drum beat begins, the Doctor stows his notes. It strikes him that it would be good for someone to remind the populace of Caggan's crimes, if only to give the execution clear legality in the eyes of the public. Of course, given the rather angry looking people up front, he refrains from doing so to attract their attention.
He looks to see if Allamar seems to have any more of her close supporters with her.
Brogol's hand wanders absently to the sap in his pocket, as the driver stays to his vantage point, eyeing the crowd. As far as he was concerned, it was not his job to read the sentence of carry out the justice. Looking about for Cando, a slight frown crosses Brogol's face. Surely the new sheriff would want to be the one to administer justice?
Brogol sweeps the crowd again, taking in their energy, looking for threats, jaw clenched, hand clenched around his hidden weapon.
Ingrid didn't take her eyes off of the crowd as she answered. "The worst way to die is being damned by yer god. Nay mortal pain can compare to what awaits us after we're judged. That. That is the worst way to die."
Karik is cheerful and upbeat after a feed last night and lounges over a railing near the chopping block.
Relaxed by the sudden alleviation of his cravings Karik is unconcerned by the possibility of rescue attempts and chooses to burn that bridge when he comes to it.
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Several of the archbaron's guardsmen are on hand to help with crowd control. Brogol senses there is a lot of tension in the square, like a pot ready to boil over. Some of it is directed towards the scaffolding and your group, while much of it is between the townsfolk themselves; those who are gravitating towards a more loyalist stance and those who remember the petty cruelties of the regime.
Cando and one of his men flank a shackled Caggan. The former barkeep spits on the planks beneath your feet and snarls, "All these years and it comes to this. Over what? Some spilled chili and heated words? You're pathetic."
Cando rams an elbow into the man's back, though the crowd's view of the maneuver is somewhat blocked by his deputy. He growls, "That's enough out of you, pig." Then to you, "Will any of you be making a speech, or should I just carry out the sentence?"
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"It's for murder, ye idiot." Ingrid hissed back. She then nodded to Cando and stepped forward, Caggan's words spurring her into action. The man's accusation stung, for it showed that he still did not understand why he was being executed.
"Good people of OUR town." Ingrid called out. "Many of ye know this man. Caggan has been a fixture of this community. But that is just what this is, a community, and what is a community without laws? This beast has murdered two men. Men who laid down their life to protect this community! What happens this day is a duty which none here relish. This is a duty that we all hope never needs performing. But it is our duty! And our duty is to protect each and every one of ye. So that ye can feel safe as ye go about yer business during the day, and so ye can feel safe as ye sleep in yer homes. Know this, one and all! Nobody is above the law, it applies to us all equally. Good people, know this! Justice is not blind, for we are her eyes!" She raised her mace in the air. The pommel containing an Asmodean pentagram inlaid with crushed rubies sparkled in the sunlight.
As she did this, she looked over at the crowd. Scanning to see if there was any sign of imminent danger.
She then lowered the mace and pointed it at Caggan. "Deputy. Carry out yer duty."
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A tear comes to Eris's eye as Ingrid gives her speech.
Bravo! It almost makes me want to die! Almost.
"I am not from here, but from Egorian," she says. "There, murderers are punished, and then people murder less. So, it must be."
I wonder if he tastes like ham or bacon.
Caggin's willfulness is grating, and Brogol shifts uncomfortably, weighing the need to berate the bar owner. Thankfully, Ingrid speaks up, and more eloquently than the driver would have. Turning his attention to Caggin's employees, and then to Allamar, and then back, Brogol looks for any intent to misbehave.
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The Doctor claps politely as Ingrid finishes her speech. An eloquent speaker if she wanted to be, which apparently, wasn't often.
Caggan on the other hand appeared utterly incoherent. What was this about spilled chilli and heated words? Certainly nothing that would earn an execution. As a deflection it was so weak as to be pathetic. Instead, it seemed to be a manifestation of some guilt. Something from earlier in his life perhaps. Or maybe he simply retained no memories of his actions while in the hybrid were-form.
The Doctor's fingers twitched. It was a shame that the man was to be executed. There were so very many interesting learnings that could have been extracted from him, over a prolonged period of study.
The crowd seems receptive to Ingrid's words, a number of them nodding in agreement. Caggan is shoved none-too-gently towards the chopping block. Briefly, he manages to yell, "Murder of a tyrant is no murder at all," before the haft of a halberd cracks against the back of his knees and sends him to the deck. As he is shoved into the position for the execution, there is a commotion from up the street to the north.
Suddenly, bursting into the square, comes a charging horse atop which is a figure in shining plate armor. Feathered wings rise from the back of her armor and her helmet is a silver mask sculpted with feminine features. She tugs violently on the reins, causing the steed to rear, then shouts out to the crowd:
"People of Longacre! Will you let another of your neighbors be murdered by tyrants, for that is the fate that befell Sword Knight Allamar! Butchered in the twilight by these thugs who now come to you with pretty words! The goddess Iomedae and the knights of the Glorious Reclamation are with you! Rise up! Save you friends! Save your town! Save yourselves!"
scream the previously quiet group of malcontents and Caggan's old regulars and employees.
yell those who had cheered Ingrid.
Within seconds, yelling turns to shoving and then to fisticuffs as townsperson turns upon townsperson.
Cando mutters a curse in infernal, draws his longsword and rests the point at the middle of Caggan's back, "Move an' yer dead." Still shackled and flanked by another deputy, Caggan has murder in his eyes but seems neutralized for the moment.
==Perception Rolls==
Seeing the Angel Knight on the opposite side of the unruly masses of unwashed flesh, the Doctor immediately decides that reaching her is out of the question. He considers his rather limited options. Trying to take her down in this position would be dangerous not only for the group, but also for the townsfolk. And yet this was a prime opportunity.
He looks through the malcontents, picking one that looks the least sure of their stance in this. He focuses on that individual and sows a thought in their mind.
"This looks like its about to get dangerous. I should run away, and take as many of my friends with me as I can before someone gets hurt!"
The Doctor sends the cowardly thought out, hoping it causes the malcontents to splinter.
"Magic disguise!" Brogol yells, pointing at the fake Angel Knight, and then the driver is off, leaping from the platform and skirting the outside of the crowd, sap in hand. Brogol, being a smite shorter than most Chels, finds himself thankful the "Knight" has made herself easily visible on horseback - of course, the trick would be getting her off that beast before the crowd beat him to death...
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Eris could also see the magical disguise.
"That's a pretty neat trick, fancy angel knight!" the cleric exclaims. "But we can all see it's an illusion!"
Though not necessarily wanting to escalate things, Eris tries to take advantage of the chaos swirling around them to cast lesser confusion on the knight.
”Do yer duty.” Ingrid said, motioning towards Caggan. She stood next to the condemned, ready to ensure that the execution went through regardless of the disturbance.
The doctor manages to send one of the would-be rioters fleeing, while the "angel knight" resists Eris's compulsions towards delusion and insanity. Instead, the knight gives out a rising call for valor, and three members of the crowd surge forward towards the scaffold, "We'll save you, brother!" yells one of them to Caggan.
One of them swings a club at Ingrid, but the blow uselessly swings wide. Two of them bring their wooden clubs down upon the manacles binding Caggan, but they prove completely useless and the poor men seem confused as they reconsider their strategy.
The crowd erupts into a general melee, with neighbor fighting neighbor though, for the most part, it seems limited to yelling and a few fists -- no weapons are visible apart from those who have charged the scaffold.
Cando growls as the crowd comes for Caggan. "Hold them off," he barks to his deputy before swinging his own halberd at the kneeling man. The blow is rushed as the sergeant is clearly surprised by the crowd's quick turn -- it is perhaps the sloppiest of execution strokes and only nicks Caggan's arm.
Meanwhile, Cimri slips into the crowd and begins making her way towards the "angel knight".
Rioters: 1 fleeing (sow thoughts); 3 charging stage (Inspire Courage)
Angel Knight: inspire courage
Cimri: Stealth DC 13
Brogol:
Eris:
Karik:
Franz:
Ingrid:
Caggan: prone; manacled; -4 hp
Ingrid glared at the man who had the temerity of attacking her. Still holding her asmodean mace, she hissed at him "Die like the heretic ye are!" And with that she fell upon him. She tried to fight with her mace, like a normal person, but her feral bloodlust soon overcame her and she lunged in with an attempt to rip his throat out with her teeth.
As the crowd rushes to Caggans rescue Karik gives Vaelor the slightest of nods and she leaps forward gleefully
With a single step forward Vaelor's chain lashes out gleefully.
Continuing to skirt the crowd, Brogol looks for the "angel knight," considering as he moves whether to go for the horse or the rider. For a moment, the driver finds himself next to Cimri as she slips into the crowd. "Oi. Circle round, we'll flank this fooker. Its an illusion - she's not the knight."
The Doctor clicks his tongue when the sown thought doesn't quite have the conflict ending effect he had intended it to. It was evidence that the magical tricks he'd picked up from his time in Geb were just that, tricks. Not the calibur of magic that would be able to shape this town up into something respectable.
Instead, he would have to use more mundane, practical skills.
"Subdue them please, if you can restrain yourselves." He calls out to his allies on the platform. "We'll be able to add to the proceedings." He looks for which of the three don't appear to be confused after Eris' wave and casts a spell upon them. A dry, wordless whisper carries through the air to them.
He follows by saying "Ingrid, if you'd do the honors. Upon the lower rear of the skull is a fine target."
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Ingrid: Killify
Karik/Valor: Trip (Red is Dead, moved to Orange)
Brogol: Double Move
Eris: Madness Channel -- Both fail; one self harm, one act normal
Doc: Sotto Voce; Combat Advice
Ingrid returns the futile attack of the rioter with one far more deadly. Her mace crushes into the man's chest. When that doesn't kill him, she leaps in and literally tears the man's throat out. The spray of blood across the stage sends screams of horror through the crowd and they begin to flee in a panic.
Karik stands back, supervising Valor as the eidolon whips her chain out and sends one of the rioters to the deck just as Eris's mad energy sweeps out. The guard who is still standing seems unaffected, while the one who had just been tripped by Valor takes his arm and slams it into the chopping block beneath Caggan's head with all his force, resulting in a sickening crack of bone.
Within the bedlam of the crowd, Brogol and Cimri continue to make their way towards the "angel knight". Cimri replies to Brogol, "Flank 'er? You got it!" In the chaos, Cimri seems to completely disappear, bobbing and weaving as she leverages her slight frame and considerable nimbleness to escape the crowd's notice. Brogol does seem to think, however, without such skill or luck, moving into the crowd is likely to result in injury from the sheer crush of bodies.
Back on the stage, Franz utters raspy words of advice and direction. Ingrid feels inspired, while the lone standing guard casts a quivering glance at the intimidating doctor.
The guard who isn't hurting himself, though shaken by the doctor's words and Ingrid's quick dispatch of their compatriot, screams, "Help us! Help us save Longacre!" A couple more emerge from the crowd -- Caggan's old employees -- but there is little more support to be found. "Hold on, Caggan!"
He then tries to get away from Ingrid while moving up to Eris and swings his club at her. Against the mad cleric's insane armor class... the blow glances uselessly against her armor.
Of the reinforcements, one charges towards the doctor while the other clambers up the stage in a suicidally bold confrontation with Ingrid.
From the back of her steed, the "angel knight" lifts a bow and... casts a spell on Ingrid. "Stop the slaughter and go to SLEEP foul demon of the pit!"
Rioters: 1 fleeing (sow thoughts); red dead; orange prone and harming self (-4 hp); pink acting normally
Angel Knight: inspire courage
Cimri: Stealth DC 28
Brogol:
Eris:
Karik:
Franz:
Ingrid: Combat Advice +2 to next attack
Caggan: prone; manacled; -4 hp
The Doctor adjusts his glasses with disdain as the faceless thug gets up close to him. "What are you hoping to accomplish?" He focuses and attempts to cast a spell while the fellow ponders that thought
He folds his hands together, uttering a few short syllables to drive fear into the fellow. If his victim becomes afraid, the Doctor takes the opportunity to deliver another helpful piece of advice to his allies
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Ingrid got to her feet, the thrill of the kill all over her face. She beamed with self satisfaction as the cowards fled. They were too foolish to see the blessings of Asmodeus! They were...awake. And suddenly she wasn’t.
Cimri in position, Brogol skirts around the melee and raises his sap, bringing it down in a succession of quick wraps into the midsection of the knight imposter. Spittle flies from Brogol's sneering mouth with each swing of the sap. Best bring this seditionist down quick! Things are getting out of control!
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Karik steps up to Ingrid and none too gently puts a boot into her ribs.
"Oh get up."
Having put one on the ground already Vaelor moves on to her next victim.
Moving up to pink she lashes out with her chain
Doctor: Cause Feat vs Teal (DC 16); Cimri gets +2 vs Angel Knight
Ingrid: Unconscious then wakened (waked? woken? I hate grammar).
Brogol: nonlethal strike, hit, 6 nl
Karik: Wake Ingrid
Vaelor: Trip attempt (fail)
Eris: Attack pink, hit, 7 lethal
Orange Rioter: Total Defense and Stand
The doctor tries to influence one of the rioter's minds to bring out the worst of the other man's fears but is utterly denied. "I'm not afraid of you, bones," the man growls.
As quick as Ingrid falls to the ground in an unconscious lump, Karik "gently" kicks her away with the toe of his boot. Brogol moves to flank the Angel Knight and cracks her with his sap. "Yeow! How dare you! That hurt!"
Vaelor tries to trip one of the rioters but the confusing scrum and tangle of limbs on the scaffolding thwarts her attack, though Eris has more success and draws a line of blood from the rioter squaring off with her.
Unlike Brogol, Cimri is not as inclined towards taking anyone alive and her blades slash out at the mounted angel knight. Her kukri slashes across the knight's abdomen while her dagger slices a tendon. Though the strikes don't kill the angel knight, having already been bruised by Brogol's sap, they're enough to send the knight falling to the ground. Now unconscious, the illusion of disguise fades completely revealing Riley Kels, the bard you originally encountered at Caggan's tavern.
Cimri glowers at Kels' unconscious form, then says through a curled lip to Brogol, "I'll watch him, you help the others."
With deadly weapons drawn and blood flowing, most of the crowd begins to scream in fear and scatters.
The rioters begin to unleash a flurry of clubs against Ingrid, Eris and doctor, but all of their attacks go wild and miss. One of them, wearing an orange sash, stands up.
Rioters: 1 fleeing (sow thoughts); red dead; orange prone and harming self (-4 hp); pink acting normally (-7 hp); teal normal
Angel Knight: inspire courage; -10 nl/-12 lethal
Cimri: Stealth DC 28
Brogol:
Eris:
Karik:
Franz:
Ingrid: Combat Advice +2 to next attack
Caggan: prone; manacled; -4 hp
"Keep him alive, Cim. He's got questions to answer. And hold onto that horse if you can!"
Diving into the dispersing crowd, Brogol pushes his way towards the stage, keeping his attention on the melee happening on stage. It would be a few seconds before the driver could help; if the bard's combat stamina was an indicator, the fight might be over by the time Brogol arrived. Scowling, Brogol pushes a townsfolk aside. Hopefully, that wouldn't happen. The driver still had a lot of aggression to unleash.
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Eris smiles happily as she cuts one of the rioters. She reverses her stroke and strikes him again.
"I don't hate you--so don't take all this personally. It's just that I need to see what's inside you that is making you do this," she exclaims.
So far, it just looks like blood. I'm holding out for unicorns.
Karik idly swings his mace at the rioter but doesn't put much effort into it.
"Vaelor, the fool didn't stay down."
Karik readies himself for Vaelor's input.
Fangs bared Karik goes for the throat
"Sorry Master. Lets see if he can learn."
Vaelor hisses in frustration and send a floating chain out towards the closer foe.
The hiss raises in volume and gains an unnatural edge.
Groggily Ingrid looked at the man with the green stripes on his shirt that dared to stand before her. No, not against her, but against Asmodeus! Letting her mace lie on the ground, she leapt at the man, all teeth and claws. For his sacrilege, he didn't deserve a clean death.
The Doctor purses his lips is distaste and glances at the melee for a moment. Speaking to the rioter attacking him he offers "You are digging your own grave. Desist and flee, and you may live to see another day. Otherwise..." He pauses at the sound of Ingrid's claws tearing away. "Zis is what awaits."
He raises his voice "Continue what you are doing, Ingrid, very good."
Brogol: Double Move
Eris: Hit Pink for 6 (dead)
Karik: AoO Missed; Readied Attack
Vaelor: AoO Hit and Killed Orange; Trip fails
Ingrid: Miss; Hit -8; Hit -7; Green Dead
Doctor: Total Defense; Combat Advice
Teal: Withdraw
The scaffolding is awash in blood as Eris slays one guard, Vaelor finishes off another, and Ingrid eviscerates a third. Caggan yells, "Enough! Stop it! STOP!" before one of the archbaron's men slams the haft of his halberd into the barkeep's back.
Cimri spares a glance at Brogol as he darts off and enjoins her to not murder the troublesome bard. Looking down at the unconscious body, she "accidentally" slams the side of his skull with her boot, then grabs the horse's reins and waits patiently. "Shhhhh, it'll all be over soon, you're fine." The horse seems unimpressed but not particular panicked, either.
The lone rioter still standing -- ready to swing his club at the doctor's head -- spares a quick glance at the scene behind him and pales with a horror the doctor's spell had failed to inspire. Dropping the club in panic, he tries to flee.
Rioters: 1 fleeing (sow thoughts); Dead: green, red, pink and orange; teal fleeing
Angel Knight: unconscious; -10 nl/-12 lethal
Cimri:
Brogol:
Eris:
Karik:
Franz:
Ingrid: Combat Advice +2 to next attack
Caggan: prone; manacled; -4 hp
Ingrid got off of the corpse which she had made, wiped her mouth and retrieved her mace. Looking around at the carnage she realized that they had crossed an important line. Now the town would either turn against them in revulsion, or it would fall in line out of fear. She slipped the mace into the loop on her belt. If they chose the former, then they would be ready.
Pointing to the guard captain, Brogol yells as he climbs the steps back towards the others. "Finish the execution. NOW!" Stuffing his sap in his pocket, Brogol draws his shortsword. Incensed at - well everything - Brogol would happily make Caggin his first kill if need be.
The Doctor sighs in relief as the final thug decides to flee rather than stick around to meet a grisly death. He was not unfamiliar with grisly injuries, pain and suffering, but mostly, it was other people's suffering and pain he was acquainted with. He preferred to keep himself unblemished.
While the rest of the group takes care of Caggan's execution, he slips toward the other side of the square and begins inspecting Riley's body. The illusion had been convincing. Perhaps too convincing for the bumbling bard.
The guards nod as Brogol barks, "Finish the execution. NOW!" The barkeep is centered once more with his neck on the chopping block and, with a brief prayer to Asmodeus and the Infernal Crown, a halberd's blade is brought down.
The strike is not the cleanest you've ever seen. Perhaps the guard was rattled by the explosion of violence and chaos. Nonetheless, the deed is done, and the last of Caggan's life spills out on the scaffolding, mixing with that of the rioters.
In the square, Cimri glances at the doctor as he comes over to inspect Riley. "Aye, doc. He's fine, 'less you want to make 'em not fine... which would be... fine." She continued to pat the side of the horse's head, as if she had just finished a ride in the country and there was nothing unusual happening.