Elder Lazne looks very troubled. "You bring bad tidings. Best you be going now. And you bring that thing -" he indicates the skin-face " - to the judge so's we can add it to the Beast's crimes."
"Of course, sir." Ismene says as she rewraps the grotesque thing and packs it away. "Let's be on our way then." She suggests, making her way back to the boats.
Trying to sound merely conversational, she adds. "Do many folk come to Morast periodically, for foodstuffs, supplies and whatnot?"
He gives Ismene a cold look.
"Not folk like you."
==========
It is about 7 pm when you leave the Boneyard.
The trip in the boats back to Morast is about as long as it was getting here - although you're more experienced with the boats, it has gotten darker.
Old Mother Corl has your horses. They seem well enough.
You can conjure Light easily enough, so will not be overly slowed getting back to Lepidstadt. The horses had plenty of time to rest so will not have trouble with the late journey.
Still, it is about 11 PM by the time you get back to Lepidstadt. You show your writ at the gate and are allowed in.
You could try to find an inn or tavern for the night (there are multiple options, and by the noise level as you pass by you can surmise that at least a few innkeepers are still awake), or else head to the Crooked Kin's wagons. Where do you go?
"Might be worth a trip to the pubs to scrape for local sentiment, friends, but...I'm bushed. Let's head back to the wagons, no searching needed." Despite the trip back, Quinn's feeling quite noodly-armed after several hours of rowing bookending an hour of shoveling. On the plus side, his arms are going to be looking incredible.
Several of the Crooked Kin are still up, entertaining locals around a fire for a few more coppers.
Trollblood's fire-breathing act looks most impressive in the middle of the night, and he has drawn quite a crowd.
The extra-limbed clowns (Gerik, Josef, and Tam) are trying to get the rubes to pay a full silver each for admission to the Midnight Dance of the Vudrani Princess, which takes place in a tent nearby.
Lidia, the towering Bearded Lady, sees you. "Kaleb's down for the night, but we can take you. Hap, get the horses." The hunchback leads your horses to a nearby stable, and then shows you to a wagon.
The noise of the crowds keeps going until quite late, but you are all so exhausted that sleep comes easily.
Fortunately, the trial starts at a sane hour, so you can all get enough sleep to be rested (and even have enough time to prepare spells).
You have about an hour before the trial begins. Time enough to visit with the Beast if you wish, or Barrister Kaple.
Ismene offers her thanks to the Kin for their hospitality. Once she has prepared her extracts and cognatogen for the day. He manner is distany as she tries to gather her thoughts on how to best present the evidence. She mentally formulates questions to ask the Beast.
First, she summarizes what they found for Barrister Kaple in the hopes that he has some thoughts on how the information may be used in the defense's argument. "Will the Beast be present for the entire trial, only brought in when it is time to hear his testimony, or not at all? It may be helpful to demonstrate the Beast's dexterity or likely lack thereof. Also Elder Lazne claims to have heard the Morast attacker speak, so the sound of their voices may be different." She asks the Barrister, then she requests to interview the Beast again.
She softens her tone again and slows her pace, making sure to pause and give the Beast time to listen and reply, though she does have much to ask.
"Hello again, I need to ask you some more questions and I believe your answers may help convince the people in charge that you are telling the truth. Please stay calm today, you can be very scary when you're angry and people don't make good decisions when they are scared or angry. Alright?"
"You said before that the guards here hurt you. Did they just cause you pain or did you sustain wounds such as cuts or bruises? When your flesh is damaged, do you shed blood? Do your wounds heal on their own with time? Do you have any old wounds you can show us? Any scars on your skin other than your stitches?"
She will show the Beast a rough sketch of a blood caiman. "This is a kind of predatory reptile that hunts in water and swamps. Have you ever been attacked by something like this?"
"Am I correct that you see quite well in the dark? You do not need a light to see by at night?"
Finally, she asks, "Have you ever seen another creature like yourself ? If so, where?"
Theodore trudges back through the hinterlands of backwaterville with the others. The Pharasman tempted to have Her ignore these, perhaps even send them back to try again ....
He merely looks important as the actual investigator does her thing...
Barrister Gustav Kaple is evidently quite nervous. Through his stammering, he manages to respond to Ismene, "The Beast will be there the whole time. Shackled to an iron chair. Yes, they will allow it to speak, if we can keep it calm. But I do not think they will unshackle it enough for it to display dexterity."
"You will go down to see it? I... I must prepare here."
==============
It soon becomes evident that the reason for the Barrister's aversion is not the Beast, but rather the guards. They jeer as they see you.
"Aww, come to say goodbye before your friend meets the Punishing Man? How sweet."
Barrister Kaple seems nervous enough without facing this harassment.
The guards hang back, seemingly uninterested in your conversations with the Beast and only there for security.
They do shout out time checks, knowing that it is almost time to take the prisoner to the courtroom.
===============
The creature is sullen, but reacts well to Ismene's calm tone and great patience.
"I... I will try." There is great sadness in the golem's voice.
"Most times it is just pain. Sometimes I get cut. I have a... pendant? Necklace? It crackles and sparks. The guards took it. It makes things that I punch get hit like by lightning. But if I am wearing it and I slap myself, it makes cuts go away."
Ismene recalls that flesh golems can be healed by electricity.
It shows an old scar on its forearm. "That was from a troll that was eating people in the swamp maybe two years ago. I killed it. It bit me and there was blood. The necklace healed it."
So, yes, the Beast's wounds can heal in a way, but some scars do remain. As to blood, from what she knows of golems and what she can tell looking at the creature, she guesses that there is probably some alchemical fluid in the creature's body. Not natural blood, but something with preservative qualities.
The troll bite on the forearm is nothing like a caiman bite - the shape of the jaw is all different, and the Elder described the caiman's bite as being on the shoulder. The Beast does not have such a scar on either shoulder.
"Yes, I have seen gators like that. Swamp people catch them to eat or sell. I have had to fight them sometimes. I've lived in the swamp a long time."
"Yes, I can see in the dark. Not as far as I can in the daytime, but still I can see. Even when there is no moon. Even in caves."
"No, I have not seen any other creature like me."
Tiff dismisses her mount giving Hap a genuine smile, "I got mine!"
She frowns at the Beast's plight.
1st: Shield,
2nd: Darkvision, See Invisibility, Cat’s Grace, Eagle’s Splendor
Theodore furiously takes copious notes as the Beast explains the situations relating to Ismene inquiry.
Trolls. Yuppers. That tracks.
Quinn takes his own notes as well, less furious but no less copious, and further notes to compare notes when they have a spare minute to breath.
Otherwise, he gives Ismene a pat on the shoulder with an encouraging, "Good questions, good line to present to the court." He makes sure to have his nice - if still slightly threadbare - suit on, and he finds a quiet corner to spend a few moments going empty-handed through the motions of sword katas to center and focus himself before entering the courtroom.
There is commotion from up above. Leaving the Beast, you go to see what it is.
It is just the crowd reacting to the arrival of the justices. Three black coaches pull up to the courthouse.
The first to step out is a very old and dour man, Chief Justice Ambrose Khard.
The next is a tall middle-aged man with military bearing, Judge Kasp Aldaar.
The last you have met already, Judge Embreth Daramid.
A warrior in black half-plate armor, a full-face visor keeping their identity secret, leads them into the building. This is the Herald of the Court. "Make way! Make way for the Justices and the Holy Sister!" he (probably, by voice and build) announces as he clears a path.
Following the justices is the Holy Sister of Justice, a grey-robed priestess of Pharasma.
Gustav Kaple finds you. "I am sorry for the rush. We have but a short time before the trial begins. You were away all afternoon and evening so we could not talk then. Did you find much?
Let me tell you what you can do today.
My role is to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and clear the Beast of any wrongdoing. You cannot take over opening or closing statements for me, or cross-examination. But you can present the evidence that you found. And I can ask questions of you that will allow you to answer in such a way as to present a theory. You are better speakers than I am. So I would ask you do as much as the Court allows."
"So what have you found? We need to submit the evidence to the Clerk of the Court before 10. That is... soon."
Ismene opens up her notes and begins detailing their findings.
"The people of Morast were suspicious to the point of being nearly xenophobic. But perhaps a warranted outlook given how many losses they have suffered in a relatively brief period of time. A bit more than a year ago, they lost five folk to circumstances connected to a flood, drownings, a home collapse and a broken leg that became infected. We found that the graves of these unfortunates had been disturbed and their bodies taken. Elder Lazne supposed the Beast might have been eating these corpses and began grabbing citizens of Morast when the supply ran out. It may be worthwhile to ask the Beast what he eats on his own if it can precede the Elder's testimony. Once they came to understand that something was taking their people, they set a trap to ambush the attacker. I sense he is proud of this event, as well he should be, encourage him to give details of the damage they saw inflicted on their attacker. He claims that "Beast" was badly burned and that a Blood Caiman 'nearly tore its whole shoulder off'. This information is not consistent with any scarring found on the Beast currently in custody. I think we must consider that there is another with form similar enough to the Beast for a mistaken identity. This supposition will not be well received, unfortunately." She says with a sympathetic look at the Barrister.
"That's a good summary and strategy, but there are more details. In terms of what we actually plan to submit to the court, I suggest we focus on a few things:
6 graves were disturbed, and the ones unearthed were missing their bodies.
The Beast does not bear the wounds that Elder Lazne described, but shows other scars.
We found a used extract of darkvision on the island. The Beast can see in the dark innately.
We found a boat. The boat had within it an oar, a face that had been removed from a victim, and a bag containing travelling clothes. The clothes would likely not have fit the Beast. A further parcel had been dumped off the boat on a rope and contained more rope, a gag, a lantern, three heavy knives, and a shovel. The boat was also covered in blood. The Beast does not bleed, at least not blood. Some of the items may have come from any victims though. It may be worth asking Elder Lazne what each of the 6 graverobbed victims did - the clothes were those of an artisan."
"As much as I agree with Ismene that this may point to someone trying, and perhaps, succeeding, to create something like The Beast, I think it also points directly away from The Beast. That is a more firm foundation. The Beast sees in the dark, and so would not need a lantern or an extract of darkvision. The boats we took were barely stable enough for two of us - I suspect one would have trouble supporting The Beast. And while perhaps this is non-admissable speculation, the sum of the equipment points more towards a skulking kidnapper than the brute that people see in The Beast."
Theodore frowns at his pages of copious notes as Quinn and Ismene begin expounding upon the facts as found.
He shuffles his papers nervously.
My findings are as presented by my most esteem colleagues.
The Pharasman does add that nothing speaks of ritualistic other than the preservation of a face.
Ismene pulls out the items to present as Quinn brings them up, unwrapping the leathery face to display. "I do not fully understand what purpose this might have. A ghastly trophy, perhaps. Obviously, you could not wear this as a mask and be mistaken for the person from whom it was taken. But it may be used in conjunction with some strange magic to achieve that end. Elder Lazne recognized this face as belonging to one Nan Klebem, a trapper who periodically visited Morast to trade. He said she has not been seen since the attack. If that is because the perpetrator left this..." She swallows, her disgust clear on her face. "...component behind, it may be that this person moved freely about Morast under a false guise for months beforehand. But I fear that theory is too far afield from our purpose here today, indeed, it may only serve to confuse things." She shakes her head trying to focus her thoughts again. "In relation to the defense, I think it's plain that this was removed with a precise hand and carefully preserved. Neither of which does the Beast seem capable."
"I collected what samples I could of the dried blood purportedly shed by the Beast of Morast. What dissimilarity we might show between this and the alchemical fluid that sustains this Beast's tissues, I cannot be sure without further research."
She chews her lip nervously as she reviews her notes again, anxious over possibly missing something. "Elder Lazne also described hearing Morast's Beast yelling profanities when injured. This doesn't seem in character for the Beast imprisoned here. You could follow up with him as to whether the voice is different than he remembers." She hesitates over this last point, feeling a bit petty, even hypocritical, over pointing it out but frustrated over trying to build a stable defense with such flimsy evidence as to be comparable to a house of cards. "They chew a type of swamp weed in Morast. It has some mild narcotic effect. If the Elder seems very determined that the imprisoned Beast is the one that attacked his people, despite the inconsistencies, it may be possible to cast doubt on his assertions by bringing this point to the court's attention. I do not know if the substance could impair cognition or memory retention, but similar substances often do."
"Hmmm, is there a way to demonstrate his darkvision? Perhaps a crate open at both ends and a blackout cloth." She wonders out loud.
Barrister Kaple takes notes and collects the items (the skin-mask and the empty vial of Darkvision).
"The lack of a caiman bite scar will be most convincing, I think."
"The Darkvision extract may be convincing as well."
"The grave robbery doesn't fit, does it? Can't see why the Beast would do that. It does not need to eat. I suppose it could for the experience, but I have not seen it do so. I will shape the question so you can make this point without directly embarrassing the Elder. I will be the one to suggest that the Beast might have dug up the bodies to eat them, and you will reply that it doesn't need to eat."
"The blood in the boat is not wholly exculpatory. It could be blood of a victim. And the clothes and items do not seem to be those of the Beast. They could be those of a victim, stored for some unknown reason, but seem more likely to be those of some other individual lurking on the Boneyard. The shovel strongly suggests this was the grave robber, and the clothes do not fit be Beast."
"The face of Nan Kleben... I don't think we can really tell a story with that, only speculation about how it might be used. Still, the care and precision with which it was removed does not fit at all with how people view the Beast, so that angle might work."
"The swamp-weed? No. It is foul and addictive but it does not really dull the mind. Besides, we are hoping that the Court does believe his memory is correct about the bite marks and the voice."
"As to the voice, yes, that is interesting. Profanities, you say? I have never heard the Beast speak that way, even when enraged. We can even put a prison guard on the stand as a witness to testify to that fact."
He hands the items and a copy of his notes to the Clerk of the Court just in time.
So you can make five possible checks (Diplomacy or Profession-Barrister). One at an extra +10, two at +5, two at +2.
Who will start, and with which piece of evidence?
At precisely 10:00 AM, the Trial of the Beast begins. A trio of guards leads the Beast into the court and shackles it to the large iron chair in the center of the courtroom to the jeers of the crowd.
Ten minutes later, Chief Justice Ambrose Khard commences proceedings by laying out the rules of the court in a lengthy speech, interspersed with gong-strikes by the Herald.
Khard concludes his speech by announcing that the good people of Lepidstadt have suffered many acts of terror and barbarity at the hands of the Beast of Lepidstadt for many years, and that while the Beast is doubtless responsible for numerous murders, the prosecution has chosen to focus on three recent cases to prove the Beast’s guilt during this trial.
Opening statements follow.
Prosecutor Otto Heiger outlines his case. He alleges that the Beast is responsible for the murder of 10 people in the village of Morast a year ago, in addition to two other horrendous crimes that will be described as the trial continues. His speech is eloquent and confident, peppered with lurid descriptions of the savagery of the creature.
Barrister Gustav Kaple then makes his case for the Beast’s innocence, a halfhearted attempt full of stutters and awkward pauses, all the while being jeered and booed by the baying mob in the gallery. He tries to note that the evidence incriminating the Beast is flawed, incomplete, and circumstantial, and that the prosecution must prove their case and will be unable to do so.
A 11:00 AM, the witnesses for the prosecution take the stand. Otto first brings three locals from Morast, two young women and a man, to the stand. The trio describes events as they saw them happen—that over a series of nights, the Beast came to the village and took people away; that a trap was finally laid for the Beast; that the Beast was driven into the swamp, and, they assumed, killed.
Otto then calls the village elder, Lazne, who led the mob that drove the Beast off. He confirms the events related by the other three villagers. Upon questioning from the Prosection, Elder Lazne confirms, "Yep. That's it. That's the Beast."
Kaple's initial cross-examination is not very successful.
"How-how-how sure you are? It was d-d-d-dark, was it not? And a-a-a year ago?"
"Oh, I-I-I'm sorry M-M-Mister Kaple." This earns a roar of laughter from the crowd, but a reprimand and a warning from the Chief Justice.
Elder Lazne continues. "Look, Barrister, how many 7-foot monsters that look like they was made of patchwork do you think there is in the swamp? That's the Beast we fought, I tell you."
Gustav Kaple gathers himself and seems a little more confident with his next line of questioning.
"Tell... tell me again about the the Blood Caiman. You said it hurt the... the Beast, and then the Beast cur... cursed?"
"That's right, got the Beast by the shoulder to drag it under. Clamped down hard, lots of blood. The Beast said -" he looks to the Chief Justice nervously "- well, it cursed a lot. The judge said no cursing."
Barrister Kaple's elocution seems to improve with his confidence.
"Your Honor, I request permission to allow the witness to testify as to exactly what the Beast said. This is material and relevant."
The Chief Justice reluctantly agrees.
Elder Lazne then recites the various profanities and vulgarities that the Beast uttered in the fight. They seem to have made quite an impression.
There are shocked gasps from the gallery, then the laughter resumes, as some of the profanities were quite creative.
The Chief Justice nods to the Herald, who bangs his great gong and shouts
The crowd stills.
"Your honor, in light of this revelation, the defense would like to call an extraordinary witness, Acting Sergeant Dun."
The Chief Justice nods. He seems curious as to where this is going.
"What? I ain't part of the defense! I'm not helping the Beast escape justice!"
"SERGEANT DUN!" thunders the Chief Justice, "you will take the stand, you will swear a holy oath, and you will answer the questions truthfully or you will be hanged at sundown!"
The man reluctantly complies.
"Act... Acting Sergeant Dun, how long have you been guarding the Beast?"
"Since it was captured at the University. Two weeks."
"In that time, have... have you seen it angry?"
"Many times."
"Why was it angry?"
"'cuz we caught it and are going to destroy it."
"Not because you poke and prod and stab it?"
"Objection!" "Sustained."
"I withdraw the question. When the Beast is angry, how does it act?"
"It roars and thrashes like an animal. Sometimes it laughs asking 'Why?' It's mad."
"Has it ever called you a poxy whoreson? Have it ever wished a blight on your mother's... nethers?"
"Objection! Barrister Kaple is not maintaining decorum!" "Overruled. Answer the question, Acting Sergeant."
"I don't know."
"Are you saying you would not remember anybody insulting your mother in that way?"
"...I don't know."
"Acting Sergeant Dun, you are under holy oath to Pharasma. She will judge your soul. Has the Beast ever called you a poxy whoreson, wished a curse on your mother's nethers, or spoken any form of creative profanities?"
"...no."
"Thank you, that is all."
The Justices all look intrigued.
Prosecutor Otto Heiger looks furious.
Elder Lazne looks confused.
Acting Sergeant Dun looks terrified and guilty.
Witnesses for the Defense are next!
Ismene indicates that she is prepared to testify. She will be most confident speaking on those matters she feels well informed, relating to the Beast's fundamental nature and alchemical subject matter. The vial containing residue from an extract of Darkvision which would be useless to the Beast. The nonexistent scars from the blood caiman despite the fact that he bears other scars. The Beast's lacking blood or a need to consume food. Finally the correlation between six bodies taken and that being exactly the number required to create a flesh golem similar to the Beast.
If given leave to do so, she will begin by providing her credentials as a graduate of the Sincomakti School of Sciences in Rozenport.
The cognatogen probably would be frowned on, and doesn't last long enough to go through the whole trial. You also might want it for this afternoon's expedition to Hergstag, and not want to take the 1-hour delay to brew another.
"You are a very eloquent speaker, Ismene, so I think we can trust you with some of the evidence where we need to be more persuasive. Let's start with the grave robbery. Why the evidence means it is unlikely to be the Beast, and what the evidence might mean."
Ismene is called to the stand, sworn in, and gives her credentials.
The cognatogen probably would be frowned on, and doesn't last long enough to go through the whole trial. You also might want it for this afternoon's expedition to Hergstag, and not want to take the 1-hour delay to brew another.
Ismene nods, happy to be prompted. "Elder Lazne informed us that after the posse at Morast sprung their ambush, the creature fled through the water to the burial grounds. When the blood caiman attacked, the creature bled from a serious wound. I asked to see the site so that I might collect samples of any physical evidence that might remain. When we arrived, we discovered the abandoned coracle containing a leather travel bag with articles of clothing and most disconcertingly, a detached and preserved human face. There was also a sunken sack tethered by a rope that held more rope, a gag, a rusted lantern, three heavy knives and a rusted shovel. At the old campsite, we found remnants of wine and trail rations as well a vial with the residue of an Alchemical extract that confers Darkvision to the user. These items seem consistent with the goal of premeditated kidnapping. However, none of them would have done the Beast any good." She delivers her opinion with conviction.
"Almost by happenstance, we noticed that six of the graves appeared disturbed. Thus with Elder Lazne's permission and under the eye of a Cleric of Pharasma, we attempted to exhume two of the bodies only to find they were entirely absent. The Elder confirmed for us that all six would have been recently deceased around the time of the disappearances and the ambush. Again, this does not really align with the Beast's usual pattern of rampant destruction. Nor can I discern any purpose it might have for acquiring fresh bodies. Though there is a purpose for which they might have been collected..." She paused here for the Barrister to question her further about her hypothesis.
Theodore stands ready to confirm the reports, presentation, findings that Ismene has begun relating....
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The Barrister is a little taken aback by the flood of evidence and says, "Let's... let's start with one... piece... of evidence. The disturbed graves.
You observed that six graves seem disturbed?"
Ismene confirms this.
"Elder Lazne granted permission to exhume two?"
Ismene confirms this.
"Theodore Samuel Walden Carter, priest of Pharasma, supervised the exhumation?"
Ismene confirms this.
"You observed that two graves were empty, concluded that the others likely were as well, and departed?"
Ismene confirms this as well.
"Miss Albus, what reason might the Beast have for digging up recently-deceased bodies? Would it seek to eat them? If not, who would have a reason to dig up six recently-deceased bodies?"
@Ismene, please write your reply to that last question, then make a Diplomacy check (using Orator if you like) with an additional +5 bonus.
Ismene shakes her head slightly as she begins to speak. "I can think of no reason for the Beast to have disturbed those graves, nor to have taken the bodies of the deceased. This Beast," She says, pointing clearly to the bound defendant, her voice beginning to rise. "Has no need whatsoever for food. Though someone who camped on that Island clearly did. Unfortunately, I must share with the court that there is a purpose for which someone might use six, recently deceased and relatively undamaged corpses to achieve. That is the creation of a Flesh Golem, potentially very close in form and ability to the defendant there." She pronounces dramatically, though she remains composed.
There are murmurs of alarm from the gallery at the thought of a second Beast being unleashed on Lepidstadt.
"Objection! This is pure speculation and has no basis in fact!" shouts Prosecutor Otto Heiger.
"Overruled. The Court will consider this evidence and hypothesis."
Prosecutor Otto Heiger directs a question to Ismene. He is composed but also a bit smarmy.
"Miss Albus," he drawls, "since it seems we are now engaging in idle speculation and mere hypotheticals," - this draws an irritated look from Judge Embreth Daramid - "is it possible that the Beast could be trying to create another creature like itself? And therefore could it have taken the bodies for that purpose? Even if it lacks the ability or skill to do so, might it have the intent? In your expert opinion, of course."
----
"Your next witness, Barrister Kaple," announces the Herald.
Quinn makes his way to the stand.
When Ismene returns to their seats from the stand, Quinn whispers a game-plan to her. "Izzy, real nice job up there, it's a strong start. I'll talk about the face. If you handle the darkvision extract after that, I can build on it with the boat items, and then you can finish strong with the scars. You'll do better with that, and if we can get permission for you to approach the Beast, I think it'll be good for the Jury to see a young lady confident and courageous next to the Beast as you point things out. That make sense?" He looks for her input, rather than just a perfunctory agreement.
Quinn approaches the stand unhurriedly and confident. He presents himself as "Barrister Quinn Harwood, of Caliphas," and sends a laconic smile in Prosecutor Hieger's direction. He shows a brief moment's hesitation in swearing an oath to Pharasma, but carries on composed afterward.
When prompted, he discusses the face found in the boat. "Once we reached the graveyard island, we discovered a small boat - the coracle that Miss Ismene alluded to - hidden away in the reeds. We recovered a number of items in the boat, including a human face, carefully removed and preserved."
Barrister Kaple prompts him to continue. "And w-were you able to identify who this face previously belonged to?"
"Not personally, but I do by way of respected Elder Lazne, Barrister. The face was so well preserved, so expertly removed from its previous owner that Elder Lazne was able to positively identify the face as that of Nan Kleben, a frequent visitor to Morast."
"And did you find evidence that this face was removed by the Beast?"
Quinn takes a moment to think before responding, "I found no evidence of who removed it, but this type of fine work ain't consistent with the wild rampages this Beast is accused of." He nods over toward the Beast in the iron chair. "Those oversized mitts are more meathooks than suited for a taxidermist's scalpel."
The judges seem less impressed with Quinn than they were with Ismene. Even so, Judge Embreth Daramid listens with interest to his explanation, Judge Kasp Aldaar looks dismissive, and Chief Justice Ambrose Khard inscrutable. Both Aldaar and Khard had looked more interested in Ismene's prior testimony.
The cross-examination is a little rockier as Otto Heiger seems to regain some confidence.
"You can't tell me who took this face, or why? Only that it exonerates that monster? I fear you are grasping at straws, Barrister. Perhaps in Caliphas one advances in the legal profession by family connections or politicking, and not by the logical rigor of one's arguments. We hold ourselves to a higher standard here in - "
"Barrister Heiger, do you have a question for Barrister Quinn or do you merely wish to insult him?" interrupts the Chief Justice.
"No further questions, Your Honor."
"You can't tell me who took this face, or why? Only that it exonerates that monster? I fear you are grasping at straws, Barrister. Perhaps in Caliphas one advances in the legal profession by family connections or politicking, and not by the logical rigor of one's arguments. We hold ourselves to a higher standard here in - "
"Barrister Heiger, do you have a question for Barrister Quinn or do you merely wish to insult him?" interrupts the Chief Justice.
"No further questions, Your Honor."
Quinn favors the prosecutor with his Laconic smile again, but turns to face the Chief Justice. "Your Honor, I am happy to answer the question that Barrister Heiger did ask. I was not there when the face was taken and can only speculate as to the why, and in Caliphas we prefer to focus on the undeniable facts of the case. But logically, I cannot see a way or a reason that this Beast before us, in a fit of mindless destruction, was the one who so carefully removed this face so as to still be identifiable. I did not say the face exonerates The Beast, only that I don't believe The Beast performed this particular operation, but if those are the words that Barrister Heiger would like to use, I won't argue the record."
He takes his seat again.
"Miss Albus," he drawls, "since it seems we are now engaging in idle speculation and mere hypotheticals," - this draws an irritated look from Judge Embreth Daramid - "is it possible that the Beast could be trying to create another creature like itself? And therefore could it have taken the bodies for that purpose? Even if it lacks the ability or skill to do so, might it have the intent? In your expert opinion, of course."
Ismene "Intent is a very personal matter, best posed to individual in question themselves. Fortunately, the Beast is available for you to ask. But since you asked my opinion, I will say no, I don't believe so. The Beast's existence is not an enviable one. I doubt that it would wish to inflict such upon another being. And certainly the resources involved, both magical and material, would be beyond the Beast."
Ismene readily agrees to Quinn's plan and observes his testimony approvingly. "If an ad hominem argument is his best retort, you did quite well indeed." She assures him.
Taking the stand again, Ismene reviews the discovery of the Darkvision extract. "I want to be clear that this is not a potion I am speaking of, which could be created by a wider variety of magic users. This was an extract that was created by a practitioner of the Alchemical Arts. Generally, they are not transferable to other persons though their are some exceptions. Still, it narrows our scope tremendously when considering who our grave robber might be. It very likely was an Alchemist or someone with close ties to one."
Kaple then asks why she is sure it wasn't simply the Beast who consumed the extract of Darkvision.
"The Beast already has innate Darkvision. It would have no effect whatsoever."
Theodore furiously fusses with his copious notes as he prepares to help when called....
The Cleric of Pharasma looks a bit green....
Ismene again gives a very impressive testimony.
Otto Heiger does not see a good avenue of attack, so has no questions in cross-examination.
Quinn takes the stand for a second time and lists out the other items they discovered. "Within the abandoned coracle, we found a number of items beside the preserved face. The boat had within it an oar, and a bag containing clothes, like those of an artisan. A further sack had been dumped off the boat on a rope, likely to hide the contents. It contained more rope, a gag, a lantern, three heavy knives, and a shovel. Tools of malfeasance, combined as a set."
Kaple asks, "Were the clothes the Beast's?"
"Couldn'ta been, they were far too small to fit that frame. We could hold 'em up if you'd like. They could have been a victim's clothes, but I would have noticed either blood or grave dirt. The boat was covered in blood, but the clothes weren't. The apron would have been useful to someone practicing alchemy though, I suspect."
"But the tools were used in the Beast's crimes?"
"As a set they do present a nefarious picture, but I would not say they were The Beast'st. The knives, and the gag, for similar reason to the preserved face; that's not how The Beast operates. And the lantern for the same reason as the elixir of darkvision. The Beast has no need of a lantern. Since the Beast would have no reason to have the items, that means that either one of the victims was carrying a brace of knives, a gag, and a shovel to the graveyard, which I find unlikely, or there was someone else there perpetrating these crimes."
Otto Heiger's cross-examination is withering, and the judges seem to take his side.
Ismene returns to the stand for the last piece of evidence.
Ismene returns and approaches the Beast. She makes no move to interfere with his bonds. She merely exposes the scarred flesh the Beast informed them of earlier displaying no hesitancy in being close enough to touch the creature. She addresses the Beast first and then speaks to the court.
"I'm just going to move aside your tunic to show your skin, ok? As you can see, while the Beast's wounds do not heal like a normal humanoid, they do leave behind marks. This scar here on the forearm was from a Troll bite, you told me, correct? Yes, I can see the imprint of teeth. This troll was eating people, you said, and so you risked yourself to stop it?" She gives the Beast time to nod in the affirmative.
"So we all heard Elder Lazne's report of their brave ambush against the creature attacking Morast. And yet, we can see no sign of the burns or the bite of the Blood Caiman. I therefore conclude, that this Beast cannot be the one who harmed the people of Morast."
Shouts of "Fake! Fraud!" echo from the gallery until the Herald commands the courtroom to order.
The judges look carefully, leaning over. Then all three of them come down from their seats to look more closely at the Beast, shackled in the iron chair.
The Beast manages to sit still, keeping calm; it does understand that its life depends on this trial and has managed to avoid outbursts to this point.
All three judges go back to their seats without a word.
At about 2 PM, Chief Justice Khard brings the first day of the trial to a conclusion, ordering a Recess.
Otto Heiger looks down at his papers, frustrated, shuffling them back and forth.
As the Beast is led away, the crowd jeers. "Burn the Beast! Flog the outsiders!"
They direct particular venom at Ismene and Quinn. "Shame on you! Shame on you!"
Otto Heiger looks up at this, and frowns towards the gallery. He gives a slight nod to Gustav Kaple and leaves the room.
===============================
Gustav Kaple meets with you briefly in the Defense Chamber. "Otto Heiger... he will fight hard to win the case, and will do what he can to cast doubt on your credibility. Do not take it personally. You did well presenting the evidence and facing him. We may have convinced the judges that the Beast was not responsible for the tragedy at Morast. But the Beast was definitely present in Hergstag, although the story is muddled. I would suggest you go there now. I have arranged quarters for you at the University for when you return."
He gives you an address of a townhouse on the University grounds, and a key.
"You will pass by a windmill on your way to Hergstag. Three sisters from Hergstag live in a house there. They will be in court tomorrow as witnesses for the prosecution. You may visit them to ask questions, and that may help your investigations in Hergstag, but of course you cannot harm them or influence them to change their story."
Hergstag was a small religious farming community in the Dippelmere Swamp, about 10 miles northwest of Lepidstadt. It was abandoned 7 months ago after the attacks.
In between Lepidstadt and Hergstag is the site of the third crime, the burned-down asylum known as Sanctuary. You could stop there to investigate on your way to Hergstag, potentially doing two sites in one evening.
"I lived near there. Ellsa was a friend. She and other children were killed by a ghost who stole their souls and walks at night.
I saw her die.
I couldn't hurt the ghost. I tried. It couldn't hurt me either. I tried to bring her body back to her family.
They thought I did it. Chased me. But it wasn't me. It was the ghost."
Tiff rides an emotional roller coaster as she witnesses the trial but she keeps her mouth shut, in a moment of self awareness she realizes that were the case left to her the Beast would already have been executed.
She listens as Gustav describes where they should focus their investigations and asks, "Maybe we should bring snacks?"
Quinn broods a bit, mentally kicking himself over his performance during his last cross-examination, and the jeers of the crowd start to slip in through the cracks Otto Heiger made. He thinks for a second, just how easy it would be to scare the wits out of every single one of them.
But that wouldn't help their case here. More importantly, that's not how a true Knight of Lastwall should conduct himself. He shrugs it off. As they make their way out of the courtroom, Quinn's strides just seem to place him right in between the gallery and Ismene.
He's grateful for the University quarters, and takes the key. "Thank you, Mr. Kaple. Hopefully these townsfolk are satisfied enough with yelling. Thank you for the tip about the sisters, we'll talk to them on our way."
Tiff's question takes him aback, and he asks her slowly, with great solemnity, "Do you think you could handle that for us, Miss Tiff?"
At the announcement of recess, Theodore let's out a long, baited breath of relief. His green tinged skin becoming more his normal pale, sun hating color.
That went well. Off to the Hergstag! Three sisters! Sounds quite original. How exciting. Perhaps we could visit that sanctuary also? Night time is the best time to explore those anyway.
The Roaming Exorcist smiles.
Well done both of you too. This lawyer business is brutal.
He winks at Tiff.
We'll stick to spectres and ghosts. Haunts and stumbling bumbling zombies with skeleton chaperones.
Tiff nods solemnly at her task, "You can handle all that Sammy. I'll get the pies." She wanders off to find a bakery.
But that wouldn't help their case here. More importantly, that's not how a true Knight of Lastwall should conduct himself. He shrugs it off. As they make their way out of the courtroom, Quinn's strides just seem to place him right in between the gallery and Ismene.
Ismene gives Quinn a sheepish smile in gratitude for his protective maneuvering. "I think Tiff has the right idea, we'd better stock up before we're blackisted. Master Kaple, where might we find a shop that sells spell scrolls, potions and the like?"
She urges for collection of their book delivery funds and some timely shopping before their journey.