"Maybe we can extract information out of him. In riling up zis attack, he has already proven himself an enemy of ze state. A sliver of redemption could come from divulging what he knows." The Doctor looks over to Brogol and the rest "Any skill at binding and gagging among you? Zis fellow should be taken out of sight before anyone else comes looking."
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Eris spins and twirls her way toward Franz and Riley, holding her bloody sickle casually as if there hadn't been a battle and execution.
"La la la," she sings.
When Franz mentions binding the bard, she says "I spent the better part of a year tied up and gagged, so I'm pretty familiar with how it works," she says, pulling a length of rope from her backpack.
"Hee hee. Let's see if he likes to be tied up as much as I do," she says, cutting a few feet of rope and tying his hands behind his back.\
Turning the unconscious man over, she says "Now--I thought we already gave you a chance, and here you are totally un-redeeming yourself!"
The doctor believes it was an illusion of Disguise Self, a spell readily available to most bards.
Cimri watched Eris "dance" her way from the site of the execution, one hand instinctively returning to the hilt of her kukri.
"I spent the better part of a year tied up and gagged, so I'm pretty familiar with how it works."
"Huh, amazing anyone would want to keep you quiet and out of the way..." she observed drolly. Then she sighed and leaned in to help. "He's proved a coward and a liar, but tricky and foolish. Let me help tighten those..."
"Into the jail, or should we toss 'im on the back of the horse and take 'im someplace else?"
The deed done, Brogol turns to the remaining crowd, stuffing his sap back in his pocket. "Justice has been done, despite the best efforts of these foolish men. Go home, spend the day with your families." Brogol nudges the corpse of Caggin with his toe. "This one will threaten them no more."
Dropping back down from the stage, Brogol makes his way towards the unconscious bard flashing Cimri a brief smile at her joke. "Let's get this idiot to the jail. Do they have manacles there? He's a spellcaster, so we'll need to lock him down tight."
"Jail seems appropriate. We strip him of his instruments and gag him and he should find casting spells difficult enough." The Doctor nods. "Once we have him secure, I would be very interested in asking a few... pressing questions."
"Oh yeah, I got questions," Brogol growls, "Starting with, how dumb can idjit bard be?"
The remnants of the crowd-turned-mob-turned-observers mostly disperse after Brogol advises them to head home. Their expressions are mostly shocked with the most steadfast resisters having been quite thoroughly put down.
Riley's unconscious form is bound and carted off to the jail. As you arrive, the guards who remained on watch appear particularly alert and on edge. It doesn't take long to figure out why, as a familiar, rasping laugh emanates from the direction of the old sheriff's desk. "Seal that door behind you, won't you dearies?"
The voice is clearly that of Razelago's, though he would seem to be invisible as there is nothing to be seen.
Ingrid didn't question the order and closed the door behind the group. She then leaned against it, looking around to see where the voice had come from.
A little suspicious to come across Razelago here, the Doctor adjusts his glasses and asks "What business brings you? Something of urgency?" As he speaks he casts his magical focus in the direction of the desk "Your ugliness is vell known to us by now. No need to hide."
Brogol follows the others into the sheriff's office, nodding thanks to Ingrid as she shuts the door behind them. "Nice to uh, hear you, Razelago. I'm also curious as to why you've made the trek from the Ash House."
Brogol's voice is flat, lacking enthusiasm. It has been a long day, and he doubted the fiend was bringing good news.
Karik starts at the invisible voice, unsettled by his vulnerability.
He glares around the room in sullen silence.
Razelago flickered into view as he crawled his way out of the sheriff's chair and onto the top of the desk, his oversized insectoid-wings idly flicking behind him. A lecherous grin with a flick of its tongue was cast towards Eris, then he turned to Franz. "Ah, doctor, you know me well indeed, don't you?" There was a trilling buzz to his voice, almost a laugh, before he continued, "But perhaps I don't want every random clod wandering in off the street see me meeting with you? And maybe you don't either, hmm?"
The diminutive devil stretched its limbs, then settled back on the desk and continued, "I just wanted to say the archbaron is quite pleased with your work today. It was messy, but... suitable. As such, Fex wishes to reward you. I expect things will be heating up soon, and you'll likely need his generosity."
"I see." The archbaron's appreciation was a fine thing. Dangerous in some ways, but what wasn't in Cheliax? "I would be pleased to accept what funding he might provide."
Brogol's brow inches up, a bit surprised. The day had been too messy for the driver's taste. But, tastes were different, and in this case, that was a good thing. "I'm pleased that the Archbaron is pleased. I'd like a guard presence at my ma's house. No other reward necessary."
Pausing, Brogol adds onto his thought. "For me I mean. The rest of us, they've certainly earned something special."
Devils. Can't be too literal when dealing with 'em.
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Eris elbows Brogol in the ribs when he mentions foregoing the reward.
"Oh, please. We know you want the reward as much as the rest of us. Just start admitting it because it makes the rest of us look even more greedy than we obviously are! Hee hee!"
Turning back to Razelago, she holds out both hands. "Load me up, Beautiful One!"
"Aye. Rewards are good. It's what separates Asmodeus from the hypocritical Gods that claim to be 'good.' He rewards his followers and is open and upfront about it. Ye do the work, ye get the coin." Ingrid said. "But let's nay second guess his requests. The value of his reward is his own to judge."
Razelago half-purrs, half-hisses as Brogol and Eris's exchange, then says, "Coin it shall be for you, then... hire your own guards."
The devil then begins to pull various items from a small bag behind him. While the size of the bag suggests a limited volume, the amount of gear he pulls out of it suggests the bag has a magical nature to it.
"Now then..." Razelago sits back on the desk, wiping his chubby hands as if they had been dirtied by the common task of delivering things. "You've earned a rest, but you should also know the Castle Gate at the edge of town is open. I spent most of my time observing you and today's events in the square, and now I have to return to the archbaron, but you may wish to investigate."
It looks like he is about to teleport away, then his gaze rests on Riley and he pauses. "Hmm. What's your plan with him? Skinning? Quartering? Or worse... talking him to death?" He cackles at his own joke.
Ingrid didn't look at Razelago as she answered, given how enamored she was with the rewards that they had received. The ring alone would have sufficed, but the armor as well? It was enough to keep her eyes glued. "That really depends on how much he cooperates. If ye find him a drained husk, then it'll be on his head."
The Doctor sniffs "Riley has proven unstable, violent, and most importantly unwilling to learn a simple lesson. Ve vill talk to him, but beyond zat, hmm." Ingrid's suggestion sounds more than plausible, and a fitting punishment for an upstart of his caliber.
"Ze Gate is open? More foolish rebellion from the addled elderly operators, perhaps."
Razelago pulls a fine chain shirt from his pack, the armor's links polished and gleaming in the light of the sheriff's office, and lays it on the table. Next to it, he places a small, simple wooden chest. Brogol flips the chest open to find a simple bill of lading sitting atop rows of platinum coins, laid on their sides neatly as if poker chips.
Brogol picks up the bill of lading and reads it over slowly, his mouth moving as he scans the words. With a grunt, he folds the bill and lifting his drover's hat, places it inside the hat's interior band, and then changes his armor there in the office.
Turning to his companions, Brogol nods in the direction of Riley. "Let's give him some time to stew on just how fooked he is, and go check the gate out. When we question him, if he's not cooperative, he may be surprised to find he's going on a hunger strike."
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Eris claps with excitement upon seeing the rewards for their endeavors.
"Gifts are my love language," she says, winking at Razelago as she eyes a suit of full plate armor that could only be for her.
The armor appears to be made from several different sets by a maniac armorer.
The breastplate is dyed green and inlaid with a laughing demon inside an Asmodeus Archenstar, the spaulders are mismatched, one with a golden lantern and the other a firefly, while the collar of the gorget looks like a jester. One greave is dyed orange and the other purple.
"Now, I can tell how much you love me!" she exclaims. She runs over to hug Razelago, then kisses him in a way that could only be described as inappropriate in mixed company.
"I'll love you forever! Or--could you give that kiss to the archbaron for me? Maybe it's to share."
Don't worry, Father. I know what the archbaron has done--he shall pay!
Razelago doesn't seem particularly surprised nor offended by Eris's exuberant display of appreciation. His obscenely long tongue flicks about the woman's neck as if licking nectar from a flower, then says, "Oh, I don't think I'll share you with him. He's a bit stuffy, though that can be fun, too."
With everyone seeming satisfied by the archbaron's largess, Razelago disappears once more though those familiar with magic likely realize he teleported rather than turned invisible.
Cimri simply takes her sack of items and deposits them unceremoniously in a corner, then says, "Well, if you're keen on it, why don't you head over to the gate and see what's what. I'll get the bard squared away in a cell and ready for your return."
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Eris strips down and changes her armor, despite the mixed company seeing her in her smallclothes.
"How do I look?!" she asks, now arrayed in her splendid full-plate armor, forged in what could only be described as a "jester theme."
With Cimri handling the internment of the bard, Eris looks excited to investigate the open gate.
"It seems that no matter what we do, someone just tries to undo it. Ha! And then we have to bash some heads. So let's go see why people can't just fall in line and get with the rule of law! Come on, people!"
Ingrid shrugged as she followed suit. Having a suit of clothing under her old armor made the act much less revealing. Once suited up she smiled and nodded her agreement. "Don't ye love it when doing the right thing pays so well?" She asked, rhetorically.
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"How do I look?!" she asks, now arrayed in her splendid full-plate armor, forged in what could only be described as a "jester theme."
"Unmissible." The Doctor adjusts his glasses to reflect the light from the windows. "You'll attract plenty of attention, just as you desire."
He pulls a book from his pack and briefly pages through it before placing it back. After a thoughtful frown, he tells Cimri "Yes yes. Not like last time with the half-breed please. I wish to keep ze deaths of the town's law enforcement to a minimum if possible."
He follows Eris out, ready to tackle the gate guards. However, remembering the events in the square, he decides to take some minor precautions.
Closing the chest full of platinum coins, Brogol slides it into the sheriff's desk, intending to pick it up later.
Outside, he smiles, and wraps his newly upgraded scarf around his neck. His neighbors were proving to be quite willful. In their way, their behavior was admirable. Brogol was looking forward to crushing it.
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Eris turns her attention back to her doctor.
"Doc, you've had more time to observe and I still see you taking notes sometimes. But when do we go from clinical observation to--well, actual treatment? I feel like, if I could just take some baby steps, I'll get better. I'm willing to do the work! I'm in really bad shape! I'm prepared for radical new therapies! Just tell me what to do!"
Oh, I'm getting dizzy spells, nausea, cold sweats, and blurred vision just thinking about it!
”Heard that electric-shock therapy works wonders.” Ingrid said, dryly.
"Well my dear," The Doctor draws his notepad "Having reviewed your particular situation, I've come to ze conclusion that you are currently operating at a 'local optimum'. Zat is to say, you are a single hairs breadth from a psychotic break in either direction. While in more relaxed times, ve could pursue a long term treatment plan involving some combination of depatterning and ex nihilo persona formation, I must admit it would not be appropriate given our current pressing tasks."
"It vould be reckless to attempt a treatment." He pushes his glasses up his nose "And I always put my patient outcomes first."
"For all your overt instability, I vould say your current state is functional enough. Yes." He smiles coldly "Yes, be proud of your accomplishments. There is no need for you to change."
Cimri rolled her eyes slightly at the doctor's admonition. "That weren't my fault, doc. Nobody knew he was a werepig, 'less you got secret knowledge you're keeping from us. Riley is just Riley. A gag and maybe a couple broken fingers on each hand ought to be fine, right?"
As for Eris's mental health and ability to function in society, Cimri chuckled softly at Ingrid's comment but otherwise kept her thoughts to herself.
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Got your very own Harley Quinn! :-D
As they walk toward the gate, Eris looks disappointed with Franz. "Oh, come on, Doc! I just need something to work on--anything! Baby steps! Perhaps I'll have to have Ingrid treat me. Shock therapy sounds interesting."
She sighs and pats the skull. I'll have to start acting out now so he'll start treating me. Right, Dad?
As Razelago indicated, the weathered doors of the Castle Gate are unbarred. Further, one is wide open, squeaking quietly as the wind whistles through the opening. There is no immediate sign of the Gramels, the husband and wife who tended to the gate, and the windows of their nearby house are dark and silent.
"Hmph!" The Doctor does not look particularly surprised "Dereliction of duty. Perhaps even in interest of letting ze Archbaron's enemies into ze town. Let us find the Gramels and hear their pleas." He heads to the gate and nudges it closed before turning his attention to the guardhouse.
Ingrid shook her head at the low standards that this town was apparently comfortable with. She strode forwards the guardhouse to see if there was anyone inside. ”Be on guard. Revolutionary fookers might well be inside.”
Brogol unwound his scarf, gripping it tight, as he moved beside Ingrid. His eyes shifted back and forth across the area around the gate, looking for threats. "Fookers indeed. Looks like a trap."
With Vaelor in front of him Karik steps inside out of the sunlight.
"Then lets just deal with them and be done with it."
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Eris shakes her head.
"Tsk tsk tsk," she scolds. "They have let us down. We gave them a chance, and they don't seem to have taken it! Now, we're gonna have to show them how much we value rules and the following thereof!"
Hoping to try out her new armor, she takes the lead and opens the door to the guardhouse.
Franz goes to close the gate. While heavy and the hinges are rusty from disuse, he's feeling unusually spry, filled with vim and vigor, and manages to close the gate without much trouble at all. What a fit and strapping octogenarian! (Or however old he is.)
The rest of the party heads towards the guardhouse, leaving the quiet and dark abode of the Gramels for later. Eris reaches out to open the door and finds it won't budge. It seems to be blocked from the other side.
Brogol steps backwards to let the charging Eris through, a small, bemused smile crossing his lips once she collides with the door. Squinting, Brogol looks at the gatehouse; quick and agile rather than strong, he'd get nowhere trying to burst the door down, but perhaps there was a window or other means of entrance?
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"Hmm, why would ze door in be blocked?" While Eris tries the direct approach, he joins Brogol in examining the structure for other ways in.
Karik stands as close to the building as possible to stay out of the sun and listens for people in the building.
For her part, Ingrid stood near the door, waiting and listening for any sound within. That is, until a very excitable cleric ran straight into said door.
Eris seems imbued with remarkable strength as she lowers her shoulder and plows into the guardhouse door. The wood gives way with a cannon-like crack, splinters flying through the door, as she collapses to the stone ground on the other side with a wet, sickly slurp.
"Slurp?"
She finds she has landed in a small puddle of partly congealed blood. In the corner is the body of a man in the livery of the archbaron's personal guard.
Brogol sees a couple of small windows on the second floor, not big enough for a human to pass through, though the roof might be climbable.
As the others watch Eris's bullish display, there is a sudden shriek from inside the tower and a ball of fire can be seen through the doorway as coming down from the ceiling and towards Eris.
The flames hit Eris squarely in her back and their a faint whiff of singed flesh.
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Spotting the fireball but not seeing its source, the Doctor strides into the building. He briefly frowns at the dead guard before noticing the odd catlike creature up top. "If you are sensible, you will desist, little one." is all he says in a soft voice before waving his hand in the creature's direction.
Vaelor moves into the room at looks up at the creature.
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Eris maintains a full smile, despite being hit with the fiery blast, as she looks at the door hanging on one hinge.
"That was a spectacular entrance, was it not?!" she exclaims as she rises from the floor. "From now on, I'm in charge of opening doors! Hehe!" she laughs.
Transferring her gaze to the little creature upstairs, she says "Aww--why can't you come down and play with us? You're so hard to reach up there!"
A wave of madness blasts toward the creature from the cleric.