Robert smiles back at Bonita and says "I think we have numbers on our side, so yes I think we could carry it out. At least you are realistic enough to be honest enough to say you don't think you have anything to say that would keep us from tying you up. Now you are in a bit of a quandary as you are going to have to kill all of us and get on the run again, or let us take you back peacfully, since Tomos led us to you." He then turns to Gunnar and asks "What do you make of her Gunnar?"
Fezzan leans close to Robert and whispers, "Two. Thousand. Gold. Pieces."
She does seem to be telling the truth.
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Gunnar steps into the light and looks at her and says I must ask you Lady to please come peacefully for I cannot stand a bandit or thief regardless of the reasoning for it, and because you have been named outlaw by those of Abadar. However, I swear you will be given justice and not killed unless you here and now refuse my offer to come peacefully. Then I must bring you to justice by the Code.
Tomos erupts. ”No!! You don’t understand! She’s innocent of it all. If she goes in, they will kill her…” Bonita puts a hand on Tomos’ arm.
”Enough, Tomos. Peace. Sir knight, we seem to have reached an impasse. It was corrupt men of Abadar who named me outlaw, a pronouncement bought and paid for by the Lord of Skathen. If I return to captivity, then justice will not be done, despite your promises. I ask only that you forgive Tomos’ involvement in sheltering me: he had no choice by the customs and laws of our people, despite his shunned status as a product of orcish rape. You do not appear to be wicked persons, so I will not harm you, but I also will not go with you.”
"If what she say be true then you can't take her in for the justice. We as may well have invited chaos into our lives now, a conspiracy of a kind beyond our greater understanding and yet I don't think this has anything to do possibly with dogs being missing," Maria spoke. Aiding a supposed cannibal was one thing, but she feared that she may come in conflict with the group, one already having threatened to kill her once.
"Maybe we should make like Andoran's and vote?"
”Missing dogs? You’re here for missing dogs? I have taken no dogs, as you can clearly see.”
Robert shakes his head at Bonita "We are not here for missing dogs. As I said, we are here because Tomos acted so guilty about something. We were investigating dogs going missing from town and the surrounding farms. You may know how important dogs are to shepherds. We followed the trail yesterday to the west and were about to get back on it when Tomos's actions and body language here screamed 'Follow me! I'm up to no good.'"
"I don't see any bones or lost dogs anywhere Robert. Besides his present company I doubt he is some thief," she says with a hand at her hip.
”I am quite aware of that importance, yes, and I believe a westerly direction would prove fruitful for your search.”
Euda grows agitated throughout the exchange until eventually it boils over and she declares, "Wait. I don't understand what's going on here. She's innocent but Robert is going to attack her if she doesn't let us tie her up and then come with us? Why? And, Maria is against that because she doesn't want to get caught in the middle of the conspiracy, is that right?"
"Gunnar, can you actually promise that she'll get a fair trial, and be released if she's innocent? People've been told she eats people... its going to be hard to let her go after that? And, if there really are people above you in your church that are part of some conspiracy, will you be able to stand up to them, or will the rules make you to turn her over even if it means she won't get a fair trial?"
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I live by the code of Abadar which states that she will be provided justice or that she will be provided my sword if she refuses and that also if the court or land is corrupt then I just work to correct it, and in this case I will fight for her to protect her against such a thing, I swear it by the Code. Gunnar says simply and then says holding up his holy symbol and stating emphatically:
I will always protect the innocent, by helping them protect themselves where I can and stepping in personally where I cannot.
I will always act with honor and honesty. I cannot truly represent my faith if people cannot put their faith in me.
I respect all lawful authority and understand that different places have laws that I may not agree with, but work for those who reside within. If a law is unlawful, I will work to the best of my ability to show them a better law or way.
I am a protector of the roadways and keep travelers from harm. No matter their destinations or goals, if they are peaceable and legitimate travelers who harm no others on the road, I will ensure that they pass safely.
Bandits are a plague. Under my will they come to justice. If they will not come willingly before the law, where they can protest for justice in the courts, they will come under the power of my sword.
Corruption in the courts is the greatest corruption of civilization. Without confidence in justice, citizens cannot believe in their countries, and civilization begins to disappear. I will root out corruption wherever I find it, and if a system is fundamentally flawed, I will work to aid citizens by reforming or replacing it.
I am an aid to the markets. I ensure equitable trade between merchants and citizens. Theft on either side is intolerable.
I make opportunities, and teach others to recognize them. When I aid others, I open the way for them, but will not carry them—they must take responsibility.
This is the code, and I swear by it!
”Eat people!!?” Bonita exclaims in rage and horror. ”They, even they, dare to slander me with such an accusation…” She trails off in a snarl.
”Your knightly code is just and honourable, good sir. It’s a shame so few followers of Abadar actually follow those vaunted ideals. The flaw to your creed, however, is that it expends the individual for the society. Working to aid the people reform a corrupt court system does nothing for those few immediately before its block, such as myself. Your doctrine makes no room for mercy, for compassion, or for understanding of the unique. My people strive to balance the wants of the community with the needs of the individual. We fail at times, such as in how my people shun any among us with monstrous or orcish blood, but when individual disputes arise, we turn to impartial elders to adjudicate. You would have me return in chains to the very corrupt authorities who have slandered me and fabricated these charges, and yet I should expect justice because you are going to come along and tell them to be fair?”
"You bring her to town than she is as good as dead, regardless of whatever law, and if it is true we can easily find ourselves in much the same situation. A tough situation indeed, like that out of a book," she says somewhat troubled, furrowing her brow. Jervis could sense this, fidgeting under the cloak.
"Matters of 'justice' aside. There's a two thousand gold piece price on your head. Am I crazy, or does that seem really high for theft and assault?"
He looks at Gunner, "What's the local law say about defiling burial sites? Is Baron Mareto in the right here? Maybe we've just stumbled onto some of that corruption in the system you were just talking about and the Baron is trying to cover his tracks."
"Also," he says, eyes twinkling, "if the Baron is willing to pay that much coin to silence this woman, maybe someone would be interested in paying more to hear what she has to say."
Thinking of something, he frowns and turns to the fugitive, "Hey, supposing you're not full of dung and this is a diplomatic spat, why aren't you feeling towards Varisia?"
"Well," Euda reasons aloud, "if the problem is with Baron Mareto and the officials he bribed, is there another authority we could take her to? Maybe like a different Baron, or someone from Gunnar's church that's of a high enough rank to actually make sure she got a fair trial?"
Bonita simmers down and actually looks embarrassed by Fezzen’s question. ”Let’s just say there’s a reason I was selected to be an emissary to Taldor, and it wasn’t my charm and superb diplomatic skills. I’ve been very vocal in my ‘work to aid citizens by reforming or replacing’ our social taboos concerning half-orc membership in the quahs. Many in Varisia would be happy to ship me back to Mareto themselves.”
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Gunnar listens to his friends and scratches his chin for a long moment and says I wish I could set aside the code so easily and I understand your laws Bonita and that the individual has value, however, we are not in your lands but this land where Abadar and I have the lawful edict stated versus your statement. I have said what I will do and what the code is. I cannot set it aside.
Euda frowns when the handsome man ignores her. She almost lets it go but then sheepishly tries again asking, “but, Gunnar, what about bringing her to a different authority? Couldn’t you bring her to a different baron or a church official that hasn’t been accused of corruption?”
Maria couldn't care how handsome he was, "Set up a contract or something. A writ, whatever your faith allows. If she is suppose to be some representative sending her into the baron's hands is an injustice."
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I can agree to bring her to a separate representative of the law but which would you suggest as The laws of Taldor stretch quite far. Who will be an impartial judge with actual knowledge of the case and not mere hearsay or corruption? Gunnar says and then says it is the law of Taldor that has been broken. She is said to have stolen property and murdered under the law.
The Shoanti are a group of related clans native to Varisia. They’re often thought of as barbarians, are a nomadic people, fond of horses, and are known to be superstitious. They are insular and mistrustful of outsiders, and often at war amongst themselves. They are known for their elaborate tattoos. They are too fragmented to have a sophisticated system of laws, but rely on elder wisdom to settle disputes.
The Hawk clan are the least xenophobic of the seven and most likely to be tapped as foreign diplomats.
Robert sighs and looks at Tomos "You have put the town and us in a tight spot. We can't flaunt the laws of Taldor and her representatives openly. You keeping her here has brought danger to the whole town regardless of whether she is guilty of these crimes or not. No one here knew of the accusations against her and if you had kept her in your house the town would have gotten to know her and accept her. We wouldn't have know of the accusations until this inquisitor showed up. If she is upstanding and forthright some would have helped you hide her. Now anyone who sees her will have to report it to the inquisitor."
Robert then turns to Gunnar and says "I like you Gunnar but I find the local Adabarians to be greedy and self serving and they act like they have a stick up their arse. They act more self serving than serving of the community. Does this inquisitor actually have any authority in Taldorian law or does he simply represent the church?"
He turns to Bonita, "I don't what the right answer is here as all the alternatives I have heard have some danger for the town, you and or us. Your hideout is blown and you can't stay here and Gunnar isn't going to let you walk out of here even if you are telling us the truth and are not guilty of these crimes. If you are an ambassador don't you have some papers to that effect. If your people knew how you were treated would they not lodge a complaint with Taldor directly and skip this baron?"
”Like I said, my people may very well let Taldor have me to save face, and my official papers are locked away in Mareto’s offices, if not burned.”
Bonita thinks for a moment. ”Give me your word you will not pursue any legal action against Tomos for his part in harbouring me, and I will go with you peaceably. Tell your people whatever you want: you were looking for your missing dogs and found me hiding in these caves, but leave him out of it.”
”No, Bonita. That’s not right! I won’t…”
You will and that’s the end of it. His only crime, if you could call it that, was bringing food and supplies to his own sister. Do we have an accord?”
Robert nods and says "I can live with that. You come back with us peacefully and I can leave Tomos out of this. As you said he was only looking out for family. I bear you no ill will and don't know the truth of what happened. If you honor your word I for one will believe you. I will do what I can to insure you are treated fairly. Do you know who or what has been grabbing our dogs and where they are?"
”I do not know, but I have seen another person crossing these moors, a woman I believe. In the past, she travelled in the company of a wolf, but of late when I’ve seen her, she has been in the company of smaller, tamer canines. I believe she lives far to the west. The trail you had followed before was likely hers.”
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Gunnar says We can turn Bonita over to the inquisitor of Abandon and the cohortes who are above local government and should closer investigate the situation. Gunnar puts his hand on his face again and runs his fingers through his hair thinking for a long moment. Tomos, I find myself in a terrible place but my associates have negotiated a peaceful solution. I will take ten percent above my normal donation and donate it to the cohortes and their cause in the name of Abadar to atone for your crime in addition to giving another ten percent additional fee to fixing my father's carriage to care for you in the name of your sister and this peaceful resolution.
”Since I have agreed to return to town, are you wanting to leave tonight, will you do me the honour of accepting the hospitality of my home?”
Maria clears her throat, "I think we would be rather delighted to stay here if you don't mind us. Better than staying out in the cold," looking over to her compatriots reaction to the offer.
Robert smiles at Bonita and says "We will gladly accept your hospitality. No point in starting back this late. I for one don't know much about your homeland. As their ambassador what would you like to tell me about it?"
”Excellent. I would be honoured to tell of my homeland over supper. Tomos, prepare some dinner for our guests. Ladies, I don’t know your names, but perhaps you would be willing to assist me on a very serious matter: would either of you happen to have a hair brush, or maybe some shears?” She holds up tangled masses of hair that look like they’ve seen neither in many months.
While Bonita seems fairly sanguine about the new arrangement, Tomos is not, and glares at you all with hate and fury.
"I'm Eudamonia Solanis," the (still somewhat confused) young girl answers with a little wave, "and I do have a comb... I could try to untangle all that for you, if you want, but it would be easier if we had some olive oil or something?"
”Pleased to meet you, Eudamonia. I don’t have any olive oil, but if Tomos got me all I asked for…” she pauses to look through the food packet he had brought. ”Ah ha!” she exclaims, plopping down a small cask of lard.
By the time Tomos has cooked some sausages and millet, the girls are able to return Bonita to a presentable, if greasy, appearance. The Shoanti makes no comment on Gunnar’s insistence on watches, but neither does she make any move to escape during the night. After a bit of oatmeal for breakfast, you’re ready to return to town with your unusual prisoner.
After an hour of walking across the moors through a light drizzle, you return to the shelter of the forest. The gentle pitter-patter of rain droplets is a soothing sound, but is soon interrupted by a frightful roaring sound up ahead, accompanied by a man's shout.
Robert shakes his head "That doesn't sound good. We need to head in that direction and lend aid if we can." He looks at Bonita and says "If all you say is true this may be your chance to earn some goodwill and respect with the locals."
Euda nervously draws her dagger and follows about ten feet behind Robert as he moves forward.
Maria's lack of experience fails her as she is unable to really figure out what was that strange sound, "Someone is in trouble. I'm not sure what the in the Hell's that was," gripping her staff tightly.
Arming yourselves, but otherwise undertaking no other preparations, you make your way towards the sound. Tomos stays with you, drawing a pair of daggers, while Bonita…you know she’s of the clan of the hawk, but you don’t remember her facial features being so raptor-like.
Coming upon a large clearing, you see a large dark green dragon sitting in a big oak tree in the centre of the clearing. It’s attention is directed at a large fallen log to the east, behind which cower three humans, whom you recognize as Deputy Papus, Burria the trapper, and Marius the brewer’s son, one of the parties hunting for Bonita, who seem to have gotten themselves in a spot of trouble. Just as you emerge, the dragon breathes out a glob of acid which slams into the log, coating the area with corrosive, and hanging in the air like a cloud of mist. Clearly several volleys have already hit the area, as the townspeople are currently pinned down.
Other than Tomos, you are all up first. You may now look at the map.
Robert stops abruptly upon seeing the green monstrosity. "Sh!*" comes from his mouth and then he says "Looks like we all die together. You all shoot at him and I'll stand out front in case he comes down here!" He then moves forward to stand in front of the group.
"Karthos protecta nostratta," familiar words came from the half elf woman as she cast Mage Armor, a spell that gave her added magical protection from threats on her typically unarmored person. She'd then rush near towards Robert.
She recognized the creature now as she laid eyes upon it, "A drake farm boy, not a dragon at all. Still dangerous however.
Fear flashes across Euda's young face.
Sir Eustus said I should find a dragon's horde... I don't think he meant so soon... gods, I hope he didn't mean so soon...
Not wanting to seem a coward in front of her new acquaintances, she steels herself and does her best to make good on Robert's instructions.
I suppose this is no time to hold back... hopefully everyone will be too distracted by the dragon to notice what I'm doing...
Holding out her free hand, she begins to whisper to the flowers around her. Suddenly a cloud of blossoms and pedals begins to swirl around her and a moment later she points at the dragon and they soar towards it.
I forgot to specify that the drake is sitting on a branch 10 feet off the ground. To hit it with a pole arm, you’ll have to be right underneath it.
"We have to helps them!"
Fezzan pulls out his crossbow and moves closer, trying to find an angle to line up a shot.