The guards take you into custody, holding onto your weapons. They take you to Colonel Smythe, who grudgingly admits that you have worked with the Bishop before. He has your identities confirmed as thoroughly as possible, divinations cast on the alley to validate as much of your story as possible, and eventually concludes, in concordance with the heads of security for the Elven and Iustian delegations, that this incident is concluded and you are free to go. It takes 12 hours of checking and processing, of course, so you are released late at night.
This is a Smythe, an NPC in a continuing homebrew game where Will and I started gaming together. He's a pompous, insecure, authoritative, and ineffective leader of the city watch. His appearance pretty much says it all.
Smythe sighs as if his resources are being taxed to the point of exhaustion and nods. "I suppose you may." He rises and exits the room unceremoniously.
XD
Smythe sighs with some annoyance but Mel's charm and elven heritage gain back some of the ground that was lost with this man when she and her friends began doing his job much better than he does! So he complies and writes out a letter for her, giving it his personal stamp and signature.
I, Colonel Rubius Smythe, Commander of the Watch of Helm, do hereby attest and affirm that the bearers of this letter carry out legitimate inquiry into matters pertaining to state security. Cooperate with their investigations.
He hands the letter over briskly. "That will suffice." When Mel asks of Albert, Smythe raises an eyebrow but elects to forgo comment. "He is on patrol and will return shortly."
I bet the bishop is a busy guy who's confident you guys will figure it out, as you did. ^_^ He also probably didn't think Muse would consider his information top secret but perhaps the bishop didn't divine that Muse had a dream of a small-town doctor who talked to a shady halfling. XD
The group heads out of the private room and toward the Guardhouse. The Colonel is speaking to some officers inside the entrance as you arrive. He looks at you with some distaste. "Ah. You again." He motions you into a private room. "I did not realize that His Grace's private mandate for you would result in such constant and tiresome appearances at my doorstep. What is the matter now?" He favors Brolin with an annoyed and incurious glare. "Along with guests. Delightful."
The colonel nods. "Yes I believe this interrogation is over. We will bring Mr. Donaldson to a secure cell and coordinate with the Bishop's administration to secure him."
Feel free to head out if you like.
Smythe looks uncertain but at firm nodding from Brother Thomas he agrees. "We will take the measures you describe to ensure his safety."
Smythe sighs in frustration with Mel. "You've had some remarkable success in a brief period of time but I know how to run an interrogation!" He crosses his arms in resigned dissatisfaction. "We'll try it your way first but if it doesn't get results quickly I will employ a more confrontational line of questioning."
Mel, Perrin, Kazador, and Hal appear rapidly in the guardhouse. Smythe is waiting with half a dozen guards. "You have proved most strange visitors to our city!" Smythe proclaims. "But I will happily receive another member of the Reapers into custody. I suppose you should be part of this interrogation." Some guards clap manacles on Hal and lead him into the biggest interrogation room while Smythe beckons for you to follow.
Daisy's headband is +4 charisma. Kazador, don't forget you took that damage from the snake! Who will now wander the streets and sewers of Helm looking for food.
Yes, Mel. It has been a VERY long day. But I don't believe in the 15 minute adventuring day so three combat encounters seems about right. As does fatigue.
Smythe takes a look at the corpse. "I'll presume you didn't obtain any information. Nevertheless, the reward is yours. Coroner Fuller came by earlier. She arranged lodging for you at the Cozy Badger, a reputable inn and tavern very close to the guardhouse." He sniffs the air and coughs suddenly at the stench. "I'll leave you to that. Good day." He then turns on his heel and heads back toward his office.
When you arrive back at the guardhouse, the colonel is waiting for you.
"My my. I heard you made quite the spectacle in my streets. It seems I owe you a bounty."
He pays the bounty. "Did you obtain any useful information?"
6,667 gold each.
Smythe nods at Mel's comment. "Yes these low-lifes seem to love ironic nicknames. He worked with the Reaps. As I said, they are full of irrational behaviors. Breaking into a jail! What on the Continent did he expect to find worth stealing in here?!"
Step 3.
Smythe nods distastefully. "Yes I suppose so. It isn't as if he has a family that would object."
Step three.
Smythe steps up to you. "Well then, I suppose you have the rights of salvage. That man's cloak looks to be finely made, though the dark cloth is less than flattering."
The first guard pipes up. "They have right to more than that,sir! I saw his face before the dwarf smashed it! That's Alric the Slow! Here, see the scars on his arm." The guard pulls back the man's sleeve, revealing a twisting net off scars on the dead man's forearm. Smythe looks at the group of you in surprise. "This man is wanted for murder and assassination. You are entitled to a substantial reward." He writes you a note for 12800 gp.
Whew... That was quite the site outage... Nice first skill check, Roet!
Smythe throws up his hands in frustration. "Well then what am I to do with this information?! As for your employment, I cannot offer you a position. But those are always available." He waves to some wanted posters with rewards attached for various criminals in town.
Various Handle of the Reaper members are listed as well as other criminals of unknown or no organizational affiliation. 200 gp times NPC level squared per criminal capture.
Smythe turns back to Mel and begins regaling her with the history of the architecture of the foyer. But after a few minutes, his precious tour is interrupted again. He turns with exasperation when he hears someone call out "Colonel Eustace Smythe!" But his frustration turns into surprise when he sees a woman wearing white robes bearing a gold-embroidered helmet.
Perrin and Kazador walk into a discussion of lockboxes, unsure why it's happening in the foyer. Ev begins chittering and chattering to Perrin.
What are Roet and Mel saying?
Smythe arches an eyebrow in surprise. "That is odd indeed. Where is this malefactor now?" He turns to Mel with a shrug. "What but more evidence of my previous conclusion?"
Smythe nods. "Of course, of course. Well I'm sure whatever this fellow has to say, it's nothing that requires extreme discretion nor a lengthy conversation." He turns to Roet. "Well! What is it about the robberies? I know there have been a string of them!" The head of the watch looks very impatient and unpleasant.
Yes. Kazador and Perrin will be here shortly. Mel, however, does hear what you say.
Colonel Smythe replies to Mel "Capital! We will start with the entrance." Smythe brings you downstairs and begins pointing out minor architectural elements of his building with great pride. Upon overhearing the roughly-dressed man, he snorts. "I suppose you should address myself..." He looks with concern at Mel, not wanting to end his beloved tour prematurely.
Smythe knocks on Mel's door. "I thought perhaps you were lonely. I would be happy to give you a tour of our Central Guardhouse here, should that interest you."
Arla and Kazador, how do you want to respond to "Daisy" and Perrin here?
Perrin, seems Mel has made her choice.
Smythe nods and smiles, though he is somewhat confused at what may be passing between Melira and the others. "Of course, of course. I'll have some fine brandy brought up along with a meal and we can have civilized conversation."
The others pass out onto the street where Hannady bids them a respectful farewell.
Haha. This vague tax collector/coroner positions works very well for you. XD It's definitely unusual for Arla to take custody of someone personally but Mel isn't really arrested here so it's a kind of flexible situation.
Smythe looks entirely fed up with being corrected. He's much more accustomed to people bowing to his authority. He waves rudely "Fine! Fine! I recognize your authority to remain involved in the investigation! As for this, unusual young woman, I agree that she should be kept in protective custody at the very least. But I would hate to inconvenience you when you have such important duties to discharge. I would, of course, be willing to host her myself." He smiles broadly toward Mel.
I need to make my aliases for you guys sooner. 400 xp each for successfully dealing with Smythe to get Elrin into official custody.
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