Eochaidh picks up his shield and enchanted club and readies both. Asking the others, "How do we wish to respond?"
Jaxom stands up, stretching his sore muscles and glaring at the evil priest. The man had surrendered. Alden wouldn't kill him. Tymos?
"He needs to answer for his crimes, against his own people. They should rule on his fate once they know the full extent of his evil. Bind his hands and be sure he doesn't have any unholy symbols hidden. Might even need to check for tattoos...."
"Tymos? Who is in charge after him?"
Jaxom stands up, stretching his sore muscles and glaring at the evil priest. The man had surrendered. Alden wouldn't kill him. Tymos?
"He needs to answer for his crimes, against his own people. They should rule on his fate once they know the full extent of his evil. Bind his hands and be sure he doesn't have any unholy symbols hidden. Might even need to check for tattoos...."
"Tymos? Who is in charge after him?"
"Justice for his crimes should be decided by the people of this town, the ones terrorized by the marauding ghouls, the ones who lost family members to their rapacious hunger," Alden says.
He then turns to Berik and asks, "Where is the Shard? There is no point in hiding it any longer."
Once Kevan can move he gets up and moves around as if he hurts or is trying to limber up. "I think we need to put him in stocks till we hold the trial. So kids can throw stuff at him."
"That seems like the best idea," Rabbit says hesitantly. "A trial. Justice from the people."
The halfling side-eyes Tymos as he says this, unsure how the warrior will react to the group's proposition. He adds, a bit passive aggressively, "After all, a lord mayor should protect his people. Not feed them to ghouls. So he's not really much of a leader, is he."
"That seems like the best idea," Rabbit says hesitantly. "A trial. Justice from the people."
The halfling side-eyes Tymos as he says this, unsure how the warrior will react to the group's proposition. He adds, a bit passive aggressively, "After all, a lord mayor should protect his people. Not feed them to ghouls. So he's not really much of a leader, is he."
"Not in my opinion. We also need to ascertain if there are more ghouls in the city, how and where they were accessing different points, the true victim list, and other facts to present at his trial."
"And we can't forget the lady we saved. Perhaps someone with magic or healing skill can keep her from dying and becoming one of them. I'll bet he had her targeted specifically because she was causing him trouble." Kevan says thinking about the loose ends they needed to tie up.
"And we can't forget the lady we saved. Perhaps someone with magic or healing skill can keep her from dying and becoming one of them. I'll bet he had her targeted specifically because she was causing him trouble." Kevan says thinking about the loose ends they needed to tie up.
"As I said earlier I have some healing but I would need to pray for different spells."
"I can't do anything more for her today, but I healed her earlier enough that I hope she can make it through the night," Rabbit says with a twist of his hands.
Meanwhile Mr. Whisper is closing on Berik with a murderous gleam in his small beady eyes. Rabbit notices it in time to hurriedly scoop his rabbit up.
"Nono, Mr. Whisper! Nono. There'll be a trial. Um, shouldn't we search him to make sure he doesn't have other weapons? And maybe-- the dead ghouls too?"
Trusting that someone else is maintaining vigilance on Berik, Rabbit sidles away to start looking over the ghouls. He still feels a pang looking at their grotesque faces-- monstrous now, but once just.... people. He will do as he did before and try to set their limbs into some sort of order, close their eyelids, while also looking at their possessions.
”Good point, these fellas may have all sorts of cool stuff on them. Obviously, I’m going to check them for weapons but you never know when one of them may have pocketed a gem or two.” Kevan says in response to Rabbit and hurries over to Berik to pat him down and rifle through his pockets.
"I will go back down into the catacombs and retrieve the lady. At least one of us should remain and stand guard over Berik, to make sure he doesn't escape justice."
He turns to Jaxom and asks, "May I have my dagger back? I will need it to see down there."
"I will go back down into the catacombs and retrieve the lady. At least one of us should remain and stand guard over Berik, to make sure he doesn't escape justice."
He turns to Jaxom and asks, "May I have my dagger back? I will need it to see down there."
"No Alden. We have no idea how many more ghouls could be down there. First we deal with Berik, lock him up or whatever facility they have available, and then we will all go to retrieve the lady."
Alden nods, but is clearly concerned. "I hope we can secure Berik quickly, and get back down there before it is too late to save her."
The group searches Berik and the ghoul corpses. They find tattered leather armor and a mw dueling sword among the ghouls. Berik has his golden holy symbol, and as Kevan searches him he also discovers an ornate scroll.
Tymos looks down at Berik, scornful at the state of him. <b>"A trial can be arranged... some of the guard should also be detained. There were... lapses... that can only be explained by them aiding him."</b> he says in a low tone. He seemed shaken by the encounter. <b>"He will likely be sentenced to death, but you are now the lords of this city by our agreement. Do you intend to build a prison for those others who are complicit?"</b> he asks.
As the group discusses the lady and potential remaining ghouls Berik interject, trying to win some favor. <b>"You misunderstand!"</b> he pleads, <b>"I have hidden nothing. The gem is in my desk, and you need not worry of ghouls. No no no, they were all here. All of them. They retreated here."</b>
"We can search the desk for the gem, although I would suggest caution, since Berik here has already proven his word is worthless. It would not surprise me that if the gem is in the desk, the drawer it is booby-trapped."
Eochaidh aids Kevan in his search of the desk for any traps or locks.
"I know very little of city ways, governance, and the like. I'll defer to the others."
Jaxom takes the holy symbol away from Berik. "This is needed for casting your evil magics? It should be destroyed."
He hands it to Alden. "But I leave it to you Mayor Alden. Once the legal issues are resolved maybe we can schedule an election? And we should get the list of the survivors and their skills. We have plenty of land to be farmed but if there are many people we may need help expanding the fields. Might need to set up new farm steads too. Tymos? I assume that you will help with this? Do you have anyone in the ranks that is good with statistics?"
"I can assist with expanding the fields and the amount of crops we produce. Some of my magic will help what is planted grow faster."
"Ooo, a puzzle." Kevan says and moves to the desk to look it over. As he starts looking the desk over he starts to share, "Did I ever tell you guys about the time I had to solve an Emerald Empire puzzle box. Boy, was that exciting and in the end there was just a piece of hard candy in it."
The desk is not trapped as far as Kevan can tell, though it is locked.
At the question of Berik's holy symbol he nods. "I cannot cast without it, but even the good gods axknowledge and work with my lord. You should not destroy it." Berik says passively and calm before lowering his head. He then looms to the liquor cabinet to possibly indicate a means of opening the drawer.
Tymos nods to the mention of personel. When asked about statistics he give a long look at Berik, then lets out a long sigh. "The woman is from a merchant house." he says reluctantly, "Glass makers or some such. She has the hot air for it."
"Can one of you check the liquor cabinet for a key while I see if I pop this open myself. Gotta practice you know." Kevan says as he cracks his knuckles and pulls out his tools.
Assuming that did it...
When he hears the click, Kevan smiles. "That is a beautiful sound." he says as he opens locked drawer.
Eochaid searches for the key but is not surprised that it isn't need.
"Good work Kevan. Your skills are certainly to be commended."
"Why should we believe anything you say?!" Rabbit exclaims at the former ruler. "You're a monster. You collaborated with these dead... ugh, I don't even want to talk to you!"
Shaking his head as if to clear the noxiousness away, Rabbit aids with the search. "Is anyone else still hurt? I have some healing still."
The halfling gives Tymos a wary look but the man's assistance in the fight has earned him at least... some credibility, though Rabbit doesn't forget who the man is. "A merchant? Yes, maybe she can help with the figures. I.. can do some? I mean, I kept inventories for my... before. Inventories of ingredients and things."
Rabbit picks up the ornate scroll that Berik was carrying. "I wish I'd learned that little spell that lets you read magic," he sighs. "Hang on, I might be able to figure this out the hard way. If I'm-- well-- lucky, heh..."
Alden accepts the Asmodean symbol from Jaxom, and puts it in his pouch. "Consider this to be your disarmament while in custody, pending trial," he says to Berik. "There's a lot to do. Apart from meting out justice to this one, we need to find the gem, rescue the lady below, make sure all ghouls are accounted for and destroyed, and make arrangements for the city's surviving citizenry to make sure they are properly fed, clothed and housed."
Berik continues to demurely answer any questions the group has of him. Eochaidh helps Kevan, finding a small button behind one of the bottles and pressing it. Amusingly, when Kevan unlocks the locked drawer there is a distinct click as Eochaidh hits the button, and the lock pops closed again.
The druid then, thankfully, hits the button again and the drawer is unlocked. Inside, the halfling finds the shard. It was now rather large, adding a third colored gem to itself. The heart shaped pair was now made into a somewhat flat diamond shape with the addition of a purple amethyst.
"Honored ones." Delian greeted softly, followed by Deshrit. "So good to see you again lords." he added primly as always. The third gem was silent for a moment. "Greetings lords. This one is called Apachal." came the voice of a soft spoken young man. The gem was crusted with etherium, but not as much as from the last shining shard the party had merged with.
Also in the drawer was a tray with two rows of small pewter bird figurines. Kevan counted out ten of them.
Rabbit carefully looks over the scroll, discovering it to be a scroll of speak with dead.
"I doubt there are any ghouls left, but I will aid you in your search." Tymos concedes, "After which, the complicit guards... a prison... would you leave such matters to me?"
Regardless of the answer, the group is able to fully scout and search the crypts now. If there were any ghouls left they weren't hiding here. A wider search could be arranged later. The "lady" is still where she was left before. Only now she was conscious, sitting up on her knees and clutching her wound as she looked at the group with impassive features.
Toward Tymos she directed a scowl. "I am Syardis Verkirk." she stated primly to the group, and eyed Alden curiously while waiting for an exchange of introductions.
"I am Alden Cooperson of Erastil, m'Lady," Alden replies with a polite nod and a friendly smile. "I'm glad the ghoul's bite did not result in its corruption spreading into your soul. The former lord, Berik, was the villain behind the ghoul predations on the citizenry. It seems he saw you as a threat to his plans to remain in power. Rest assured he will face trial and justice for his crimes."
"Nice to make your acquaintance Syardis. Hopefully our healing types can help you get over the ghoul bite. You are obviously a very blessed person as the fates saw it fit to send us to save you. No thanks is necessary, though it would be nice. Say, have you ever heard the story of the lion who didn't say thank you?" Kevan says. "So once upon a time there was a proud lion who spotted a little mouse crawling around the grass. The lion pounced and caught the mouse. The little mouse spoke up quickly and said 'Oh please master lion, don't eat me. Let me go and I will do a favor for you some day.' The haughty lion said, 'You could never do anything for me. I shall have you as a snack after I have a cool drink.' So the lion walked down toward the water and SWOOP he was caught up in a net trap dangling from a tree. In the excitement he had dropped the mouse. He looked down at the mouse and said, 'Little mouse, you could climb up and chew the net apart and set me free.' But the mouse replied, 'I don't think so, you're not a nice lion and you were going to eat me.' With that the little mouse left and the lion became a decoration in front of a mantlepiece. Nice story, right?"
Rabbit looks nervously to the others to see if they will answer Tymos; if no such answer seems forthcoming then he clears his throat and gives Tymos a tiny nod of 'yes go ahead.'
He doesn't trust Tymos much still.... but if Berik conveniently 'escapes' then Rabbit supposes that will go a good ways towards settling things. There are worse tests.
Tagging along with the others, he gives the woman a hesitant smile.
"Oh good you're awake! I healed you, earlier, but it wasn't enough to get you conscious. Nice to meet you, I'm Rabbit."
Jaxom maintains his usual dour quiet as the group heads back to the crypt to recover the lady. As the others do introductions he maintains a watch for any dangers.
"Perhaps introductions should be completed out of here where there is no remaining danger. Lady? Do you have a home where you would like to go? If not, we could escort you to the inn on our lands where the ladies there would assist with explanations and any additional healing could be completed."
He realizes that he didn't introduce himself but figures that if it was important someone else could do it. He starts leading the group out.
Syardis remains very guarded, looking from one member of the group to the other. "I am grateful for your assistance." she begins carefully, "As to Berik, I discovered his treachery myself, as you likely can see. My only home is in Andor. If you're willing to take me out of this Chelish hellhole that will suffice."
"Gratitude indeed." Tymos says with a dour look, "Very well. If she is settled I suggest we enter the town through the manor. I'm not wanting to be shot leaving through the tomb. Much as I can't wait to get my hands on the soldiers who took part in this farce."[/b]
The former bodyguard turns and marches away, presumably to collar said soldiers and begin building the prison for them that very minute.
"Andoran, as you remember it, will likely never exist again, m'Lady," Alden replies. "Neither will Cheliax, Taldor, Galt, the Shackles, or anywhere else on Golarion. The world is slowly coming back together, but not along its original breaking points. At this point, the most we can hope for is to make a livable home wherever we find ourselves with whomever ended up there with us."
"That's an interesting thought. You know, we could be kings. I'd make a pretty good king. I'd definitely have to get rid of all those silly taxes. Actually, I ran across one tax that was a good one. It was a body odor tax. If you smelled too bad you had to pay. I think that's a good one. What kind of taxes would you keep Jaxom?" this conversation is held as they walk out.
Jaxom looks at Kevan, wondering about the little man. While many of his stories stretch credibility, sometimes they were funny.... "I wouldn't be a king. I have no interest in that kind of, power." By his hesitation you are fairly certain that he was about to say a different word.
As the group returns to the manor and makes their way out Tymos is quick to clap one of the guards outside on the shoulder. "Have all the men assemble here now!" he practically snarls, "The threat is ended and new leaders are in charge." One of the men looks with horror in Berik's direction and Tymos cuffs him.
"Do as you're told!" he barks, and both soldiers go running.
Rabbit trots along behind the others, offering a hopeful smile up at the woman every few seconds in an attempt to be reassuring. But more of his attention is taken up by the now tri-une gem shard.
"Hello again Deshrit! And Delian! And nice to meet you, Apachal. I'm not a lord, just a halfling, but a pleasure to make your acquaintance! I'll carry you all if that's alright..."
With the shards finally secured he breathes out a little easier. At least Berik won't have control of them. The grim logistics of justice aren't to his tastes, but he supposes they'll have to do... something with the man.
For now, he just hurries behind the others, watching the small drama of the soldiers.
"It may be difficult to ever trust anyone here," he sighs. Who knows how much loyalty the soldiers will bear towards their deposed ruler?
"These people have been through hardship and terror," Alden says. "We need to offer them mercy, but also the stability that comes with proper food and shelter. They are Chelish, but Cheliax is no more. They need to understand that, especially as it pertains to the small folk. They will need to participate in the work to sustain this new community, and not merely reap the rewards of others' labor."
Alden seems to be speaking as if making a mental list of matters to be discussed with the town's residents once they arrive.
”You know, once everyone starts eating then they are going to need some entertainment. A gambling hall would be nice. Speaking of eating, anyone else hungry? Seems like ages since I last ate.” Kevan said as he took a bite of cheese, musing about the possibilities.
The party discusses the future of the shard, to which Tymos pays little attention. As the soldiers come up at a trot the total number becomes evident for the first time. There were the six who accompanied Tymos at first, an additional five from the two different ballista, as well as the two guards outside the mansion for a total of thirteen assembled before Tymos.
The group was mostly men, with three women. Two of which wore the shame shabby or haphazard armor as the familiar guard the group has conversed with on the walk in and at the ballista post overlooking the graveyard. Timalt made eye contact, and couldn't help a wry smile seeing the group whole.
Lining up in two rows of six, the thirteenth man took a position before the formation in the center. He then faced Tymos and saluted. A salute that was returned by the stern bodyguard. He spent a long time giving this soldier a long, furious look.
The group recognized him as the sour dispositioned man when they had been manning the ballista. His posture and uniform were as stiff as Tymos. Though he grew increasingly nervous under his superior's glower. "Stay." Tymos instructed grimly, and rather than return to the formation the soldier stood before him.
"Tyson, Grimaldus." Tymos followed, "Stand before me." The entire formation grew stiff for a moment, and then two more of the soldiers trotted up to flank the first soldier and stand before Tymos.
"You three will be detained." Tymos said without flinching, "You will be given a trial before your peers. Berik will testify of your aiding him in trying to dispose of the rightful lords of this shard and the lady Syardis."
The men tensed, and the lead soldier's hand shifted as if to draw his sword. But then his hand went slack. They waited. "Step out of formation." Tymos ordered, and they obeyed.
"This shard and this city are now under the jurisdiction of these new lords." Tymos explained, "Though they plan to hold elections. There will be trials for these four, and new Ostenso will become..." There was an awkward silence as he realized he didn't know (or remember) the name of your village.
"These will be trying, but opportune times." Tymos continued, "Do your duty and you will be at the fore for the wealth and prestige that is to come. ...Rabbit. Step forward."
Rabbit's face takes on the look of a hunted deer. He clutches tighter to the gems, holding them protectively to his chest (whether for his protection or theirs is up for debate). With a wary look at Tymos, he slowly steps forward.
If he were a bolder sort of person, he might say As your new lord I don't take orders from you, but he's not.
".....yes?"
"It is before present witnesses and as my last act as marshal of New Ostenso..." Tymos begins, "That I recognize your owner, one mistress Malice as being lax in her reclamation of lost property. As such I reclaim you in the name of Cheliax."
There was a pause, and it wasn't immediately clear for what reason. "However, as is my understanding slavery is outlawed in Andor, and as the current rulership is..." He gave a look to Alden, and then to Kevan.
"Distinctly Andoran." he continued, "I hereby recognize your freedom, and welcome you to the citizenship. Trust that I will have the proper paperwork filed by this evening. There will be NO misunderstanding if we come into contact with lawful rulers of any Chellish shards."
Looking out over the men he cast a glance back to the party and then dismissed them to keep order and await further instructions.
Rabbit's face goes pale and there's a curious rushing filling his ears, nearly drowning out the soldier's words. I won't go back to being a slave! I won't! You think you can just CLAIM me, you think I'm a THING, you--
Tymos isn't done, however. The soldier keeps speaking, giving a grudging admission that Rabbit is not, in fact, currently 'subject' to Chelish law. The halfing breathes rapidly, his hands gripping the tri-gem so tightly his knuckles go white.
He is silent a dozen breaths after Tymos ceases to speak, and then manages to nod, curtly.
"I appreciate that you understand the current reality of the situation," he says with seeming mildness. "Laws, after all, can change and dissolve quite rapidly as new rulership comes into power. The lines of Cheliax and Andoran are drawn on maps, and those maps have all been torn to pieces. It is an intelligent man who understands how to adapt, isn't it, Mister Tymos?"
And if the Chelish ever regained control of this shard, you'd be just as happy to call me a slave again, wouldn't you.
Turning on his heel, Rabbit addresses his friends. "Let's meet our new inhabitants and put the worries they all surely have to rest by stating our intentions and the new model of government. We also must see that Talschornvox gets her share of etherium, as per our bargain, and... well. There's just an awful lot to do, isn't there."
Looking around at the men, and the state of their equipment Jaxom nods. "Fields to plow and plant. Armor and weapons to be made or fixed. Yep."
"Citizens and soldiers of New Ostenso, welcome. My name is Alden Cooperson," Alden says, addressing the assembled crowd. "Your shard of Golarion has joined with ours, the village of Passbog. We have arable farmland, and you have need of food. We need your help growing enough to feed everyone. If you are willing to work with us, for the betterment of all, we welcome you. If not, you may remain here, inside the city walls, and scrounge whatever you can from its remains, but any raids into our shard will be met with force.
The other issue at hand is your former Lord Berik. He, along with the members of the New Ostenso garrison under guard here before you, were behind the ghouls hunting within your city. He has admitted, when confronted, that feeding you to the ghouls was his solution to reduce the population, and extend the city's dwindling food supply. He, and his co-conspirators, have been brought before you to answer for their crimes."
Berik and his two conspirators among the guard are taken off by Tymos and six of the assembled soldiers. A pair flanking each prisoner as they turn back toward Berik's mansion. The five that remain go out at Alden's desire to speak to the people. They begin rapping on doors and calling out that the ghouls have been slain. That there is new leadership. To gather and listen.
The people that gather around look mostly haggard, wane, and some bear haunted looks. A rough headcount would put the civilian population somewhere between seventy and eighty people. They assemble cautiously, but reading the happy demeanor of Timalt and one of the female guards who also appeared recruited from the citizenry some of them relax. They huddle in a loose horseshoe around the group and listen.
As Alden speaks there are quiet whispers among the crowd. As he finishes one of the men eases his son back into his wife's arms and stands out from the group.
"You're of Erastil?" he asks cautiously, "Of old deadeye?" There is a murmur that follows through the crowd, less quiet now.
Kevan pats Alden on the back and then heads out into town. He wants to learn the ins and outs of the place. A nice city where a halfling can get lost from view is far preferable to an open field. Though he does appreciate the food. Still, he needs to get a feel for the new place, learn its secrets.
”I am, sir,” Alden replies. ”It is in his service, and in service to my neighbors, both old and new that I speak today. I understand Cheliax is a nation that has long served Asmodeus. I make no demands that you renounce your faith, only that you live in lawful and peaceful accord with the remaining citizens of your town as well as the people of our community. That being said, if any of you wishes to learn more about the Erastilian faith, I will be happy to share his teachings.”
The murmuring in the crowd grows louder, and the reaction grows mixed. Some people celebrate, while others just appear relieved. There is suspicion but also trust. It starts with a few people, but then the majority of those gathered begin to peel off. Going back to their homes to prepare for what comes of this.
Kevan finds it very hard to get lost in the people hurrying about town. Not only were there only two halflings in all of the shard, but they were both members of the heroes who killed the ghouls and liberated New Ostenso from tyranny. He is met with a mix of both gratitude and polite fear. Still, it was easy enough to get answers from people and also sus out the truth of what they were saying.
The group was free to stay inside the walls for the evening, with Tymos offering them the run of Berik's mansion. Or they could return to their home in Bogpass. The larger future was up to them.
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So now that this shard is essentially done we will officially move into down time. Most any events can be handwaved and resolved without the parties interaction. With that said, I will outline a few things the party can choose to play out if they so desire. There might be one or two events that happen regardless of your choices. I do have a different kind of encounter table setup.
Nothing world ending I promise. We should be able to move on to the next merging soon enough. I will say that the party has advanced in more than level by completing this merging.
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- Talschornvox's Tithe: The dragon awaits the agreed upon tithe. This is an important one and I would like to see the meeting because of the potential changes to the party's relationship with the dragon moving forward, but it can simply be a hand's off hand off of tithe.
(Fifteen percent of any wealth, of any of the shard metal, and an art piece or piece of knowledge of her choosing.)
- Construction Planning: You now have many new hands for construction during downtime. Some are even trained artisans. Lots of material to repurpose as well from the city. I know of a few npcs who would be industrious with this, but if the party had any buildings or features they would like to work on they could likely convince people to help. Pet projects?
- Elections: Given the Andoran folk in Bogpass, Tymos assumption that Alden will lead, and the party mentioning elections themselves it is fair to say that a democratic election will take place in the near future. Would anyone like to attempt to become an elected leader? Just how smooth would such a process be given the newcomers being mostly Chell?
Outside of these bullet points I am also curious what the party's individual aspirations are. Tell me what you plan to do with your downtime. Also, please figure out what you're doing with that marvelous cape!
Ps- I plan to recruit a fourth for the group AFTER discovering what your next shard will be. I want to give people a clear idea of the setting in story where they are joining.