"It is truly haunted," says Castiel seriously. "Or was. If we did our job properly, the haunting has been supressed or dispersed."
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“I am more interested in seeing Lepidstadt’s famed justice system in motion than in watching a beheading,” Castiel answers Kaleb, before looking to Larissa. “Execution does seem the most likely outcome though … if even one in three of the stories told of the Beast turn out to be true, then a clean death is the best it can hope for, and perhaps more than it deserves.”
"Yes, to see the trial," agrees Castiel, "though we have other business in the city that would have meant us travelling there soon enough regardless."
Castiel will not take the dagger himself, but raises no objections should one of his companions wish to claim it, given the insistence of the carnies.
“Oh … hello there,” Castiel says to the dog-faced boy. “It is good, solid armour, it has saved my life a time or two … though I shall need to get those phase spider fang holes repaired when we reach Lepidstadt …”
Subtract 4 from hit and damage if its not evil.
Castiel focuses Iomedae’s justice on the spider, then dashes past Alinya and Larissa, sword in hand He strikes two-handed at the creature. damage:
Alinya casts Spectral Hand and pulls her dagger.
Castiel nods and grips the hilt of his sword with both hands.
“Does anyone know of any way to find or hurt this monster while it is out of phase?” Castiel asks as he watches for the creature’s reappearance.
Still readying action ...
Castiel moves to K18. He readies an action to take a five foot step (if necessary and possible) and attack the spider if it reappears within his reach.
Hearing Alinya's cry and subsequent explanation, Castiel calls, "it attacks by ambush then; stick together!" He turns and moves back up towards Alinya, drawing his sword as he goes. Move to I 16.
Castiel moves around (half speed) to F15.
Castiel begins picking his way through the mud around the edge of the pond towards the tree.
Rightio ... take it slow and steady.
"Maybe I scared her ..." Castiel starts carefully down the hill towards the pond.
Castiel looks down the slope for any sign of the crying woman, or any trouble. “Are you alright young lady?” he calls out. “Your sisters and Kaleb sent us to fetch you back to the caravan.”
“We’d best hurry,” Castiel murmurs quietly to Rholf. “If the girl is simple, who knows what manner of trouble she may have found herself in.”
Castiel rides up close behind Rholf towards the gypsies. As he dismounts, he takes the time to detect evil on the howling dog boy, aware of tales of werewolves in the northern reaches of the country.
Castiel occasionally glances over in quiet concern at Alinya and Edwin's obsession with the professor's book. Despite their fascination in the tome they have not yet shared with the group anything of interest they have discovered within ...
Having found himself come across too pushy and holier-than-thou, Castiel asks the others if they would ask about the amount of travellers.
"About here in Tamrivena? I have no reason to suspect so, though we encountered their handiwork down in Ravengro."
Castiel asks around, trying to determine if this amount of travellers is typical or unusual – and if unusual, is there some event, occasion or disaster that people are heading towards or fleeing from. He’ll also enquire of the state of and dangers along the road betwixt here and Lepidstadt. If Castiel finds himself talking to someone who seems both knowledgeable and honourable , he enquires if the person has heard anything of the Whispering Way or other necromancers, and any foul plans that they may have afoot.
“I’ve heard stories; tales – how much truth there is to them I cannot say,” answers Castiel. “From what I have heard, the Beast is no man but monster, though most stories I have heard suggest that it is humanoid in shape, but bigger and stronger than the tallest Kellid. Some tales claim that the Beast was created rather than born, and that its creator was amongst the first victims of its murderous rage – certainly not the last though. It is named Beast due to its savagery. “I do not wish to deceive you with what may be false or fanciful tales; I dare say that Edwin may know more of the Beast.”
Cool maps. Bookmarked!
Clip clop, clippity clop.
“They’ve captured the Beast of Lepidstadt?” asks Castiel – sitting nearby he overheard part of the conversation. “We’ve heard of that monster as far south as Lastwall. It is my understanding that the Beast murdered a prominent member of the county Council after the uprising, and has been rampaging around the countryside since then, causing all sorts of havoc and committing further atrocities – it has even murdered several children by all accounts. It is good to hear that such an evil will soon be at an end. I understand that they are big on law and order up in Lepidstadt, so that I trust the creature will have a fair trial and be found guilty in due course ... perhaps we will get there in time to witness its execution. No, I do not revel in such occasions, but I believe that the evil and guilty should be punished, and I would rest easier in witnessing the end of such a great evil with my own eyes ...”
Castiel bows gracefully to Edwin and re-takes his seat as the detective bard takes over the telling. He nods gratefully when Edwin glosses over the more embarrassing details of the incident at the iron maiden.
With Edwin still discussing the professors book with Alinya in hushed, excited tones, Castiel tells the bard the story of Harrowstone, beginning with Lorrimor's investigation and murder, and ending with the heroes emerging from the old prison after having dealt with the spirits of the Lopper, the Splatterman and the Mosswood Marauder. The paladin is a confident speaker but lacks Edwin's flair for storytelling; his tale lacks extraneous detail and comes across as a testimony of facts.
At the inn, Castiel studies the two newcomers closely, trying to determine their intent.
"Our thanks, gents!" Rholf heads off to clean up. After doing so, he mentions the two travelers he met earlier, and invites anyone interested to come with him to the inn for a little entertainment. “Everything appears quiet around here,” says Castiel. “I don’t think a night off will do any harm. I’m in.”
“I’ll not refuse your generous offer Miss Lorrimor,” answers Castiel with a bow.
Castiel continues his attitude of ‘relaxed vigilance’, enjoying the downtime but keeping an eye on the town for further signs of trouble, as well as looking out for any difficulties Kendra might be having, and any renewed signs of distress or depression from Rholf.
“Rest well my friend,” murmurs Castiel. “May the holy goddesses watch over and keep you.”
Castiel heads upstairs. When he notices Rholf emerge from the bathroom he passes on Kendra’s invitation to stay, and assures the man that she was simply concerned, and then embarrassed that she had been caught watching him.
"He is bathing, and intends to sleep following that, if you wish him to stay."
“Indeed you should not.”
“No, he doesn’t hate you Miss Lorrimor,” replies Castiel, patting her hand with his ungrasped one a little awkwardly. “He was merely concerned that he may have done something uncouth to earn your reaction. Miss Lorrimor, I think you are most brave, with all that has befallen this town and you personally you have held yourself together far better than most.”
“No, no, there is no need to feel bad Miss Lorrimor, it was an understandable reaction, and you were not to know what he had been through.”
Castiel, after greeting Kendra and enquiring after her health and the state of her day, quickly fills her in on Rholf's situation, emphasising his belief that now, more than ever, he needs to be in a safe environment with people that care for him. "He did mention that you came across him, and seemed startled or disturbed by something," Castiel adds. "Was there anything that particularly alarmed you, or made you feel unsafe?"
Castiel nods. “I will speak to Miss Lorrimor,” he says. When Rholf leaves, Castiel turns to the others, especially Edwin and Alinya. “That symbol on the ring – does it mean anything to you?”
“Rholf ... I did not know ... While such words make little difference, I am so sad for your loss.” Castiel bows his head and offers a silent prayer to Iomedae. “And I ask your forgiveness for my unjustified suspicion,” he adds after a moment. “If there is anything I can do to help you see justice done, say the word my friend.” “I cannot speak for our gracious hostess,” the paladin continues, “but I know that Miss Lorrimor has a kind and good soul; and alarm that she may have exhibited I feel sure is out of concern for your wellbeing, rather than any fear of your actions. I agree completely with Miss Brighfoot and Edwin,” Castiel looks momentarily surprised that he agrees completely with Edwin, “I believe it would be better and safer both for yourself and everyone else for you to stay here.” The tall man taps his cheek for a moment. “Rholf, is there anything else you can tell us about the people you met at the inn? The people that presumably left you that letter that appears to be in your wife’s handwriting? They may be the key to solving both your personal mystery and the question of why what happened at Harrowstone did.”
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