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11:31, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast.

Posted by GMFor group 0
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 356 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Sun 19 Jan 2020
at 15:58
  • msg #204

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

“No doubt master Darcon had some ancient tome to pour over.  Perhaps he will identify our murderer from myth legend and acana.”

Good plan for spellcasters to get proper rest.....
GM
GM, 536 posts
Mon 20 Jan 2020
at 19:40
  • msg #205

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Darcon led the small group who saw the value in a good night's sleep back to the inn, while Constantine and Shade stayed with those willing to risk fatigue to gather clues before the all-important deposition the following morning.

Their investigation continued far into the night, and it was a bleary eyed but determined group that joined Darcon and Kendra for breakfast at the inn.



They shared what they had learned as they ate, hastily shoveling down eggs and sausages, conversation flying thick as they cataloged the clues from the previous night's investigation and planned their schedule for the day ahead.

It was sixth bell just as they were finishing with breakfast, which gave them four hours to investigate and catalog their evidence before the deposition at ten o'clock.



It's 6:00 at the beginning of the day, the deposition where you will present the evidence that you have gathered on the Morast affair is scheduled for 10:00 at the courthouse.

You are familiar enough with Lepidstadt jurisprudence to know that any evidence submitted at the deposition can be used in the trial and will receive a +2 bonus to checks at that time. Don't worry too much about what that means mechanically right now, just know that if you submit evidence on time it's good and will help you later.

You are welcome to continue your investigation even after the deposition, extraordinary evidence and major discoveries can be submitted at any time, although evidence deposed late won't receive a bonus when presented.

Darcon
player, 166 posts
Sun 26 Jan 2020
at 21:30
  • msg #206

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Darcon awoke early, before the sun had begun to crack over the horizon. Meditating for a bit he studied his spellbook, refreshing the arcane geometries that made up words & patterns to the spells he formed in both his mind as well by his voice and hands.

Thereafter he refreshed himself and headed down to meet Kendra & the others at the breakfast table. "Lady Kendra, good morning to you," he said with a smile, pleased as ever to see her well. "Did you discover anything of import that might help with the trial today?"

Turning to look at the others Darcon could see Constantine & Shade they did not get much sleep last night. Hopefully that meant some good news. "Did you find out who the scalpel was sold to, and why they wanted it?" The mage queried, eager for the answers to perhaps their only solid clue as to what happened down in the village.
GM
GM, 545 posts
Mon 27 Jan 2020
at 19:29
  • msg #207

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Kendra was alert at breakfast but had dark circles starting to form under her eyes, she had clearly been up late the previous night.

"I haven't had a chance to study at the library, but I looked for everything that I could find on the Beast in my fathers books. There's lots of conflicting information.

Given the beast's appearance and...construction...it is clearly not a natural creature. Everything points to it being a construct of some sort, a flesh golem matches its description most closely."
She said, shuddering at the hideous thought.

"But one thing is puzzling. Golems of that nature are simple automatons, not possessed with intelligence or free will. The Beast...Solomon," She said, nodding to Constantine, "can think, speak, make decisions. That shouldn't be possible." She got that far away look that said she was thinking hard about something.

"I'll pop back into the library today and see what I can find out. Oh! And if you go to visit the Beast I would love to come along. I'd love to meet...him."

Shade and Constantine chimed in with the results of their investigation. They had tracked the scalpel from its manufacturer, Zbraslva Hora, to the distributor, Ledov's Chiurgery Merchant's purchasing agent Vladka Kostel, to the shop that had sold it, Radniche's Medical Supplies. They summed up the rest of their investigation as well.



You have about four hours before the deposition. Feel free to take the investigation any direction that you'd like, if you would like to do research at the University to make or re-try knowledge checks you'll get +2, or +5 if Kendra is also assisting. Because of the well organized and categorized nature of the library research checks made there take 1d4 hours.
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 380 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Fri 7 Feb 2020
at 19:55
  • msg #208

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Kendra:
"....Given the beast's appearance and...construction...it is clearly not a natural creature. Everything points to it being a construct of some sort, a flesh golem matches its description most closely." She said, shuddering at the hideous thought.

"But one thing is puzzling. Golems of that nature are simple automatons, not possessed with intelligence or free will. The Beast...Solomon," She said, nodding to Constantine, "can think, speak, make decisions. That shouldn't be possible." She got that far away look that said she was thinking hard about something.

"I'll pop back into the library today and see what I can find out. Oh! And if you go to visit the Beast I would love to come along. I'd love to meet...him."


SCG is thoughtful as he finally pronounces
“It is as I first discerned the spark of life lives within the mighty creation; for that reason alone we strive to prove the falseness of the claims, and save his life!”

He pats the camine head
“I believe we have enough evidence to disprove the first charge, but this all must be entered into evidence and the sooner the better.”

He looks at the tiredness of all gathered....waiting to see who might take rest and who is planning to continue on
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Fri 07 Feb 2020.
Shade of Lonwood
player, 72 posts
Alley Witch
Sat 8 Feb 2020
at 05:05
  • msg #209

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

After meeting up at the inn once they'd found a carriage back, Shade was definitely feeling worse for the long night.  She summarized what they'd found for everyone else.  "...So our next step in 'who has the blades' would be the Chymist Works, if we have enough time before court starts.  The last man of our chain was hiding something, though we couldn't press it out of him and I didn't want to use extreme measures yet.  I have a thought, though.  He's a medical man, got lots of samples and whatnot.  Bodies are needed for study, for students, for universities, classes, scholars, research.  Lots of bodies.  And they aren't always available as fast as some want them.  Wonder if our man makes deals with resurrection men; body-snatchers, you know?  It's a crime, but it pays well if you have the stomach, and really no one is getting hurt, right?  Wonder if all that in Morast was planned, as in someone wanted bodies.  Or else someone was already after them in their boneyard and ended up finding the damaged Beast a better subject for study.  Something to consider," Shade says, one hand on Nook, the other hand on a mug of some hot tea.
Darcon
player, 167 posts
Sat 8 Feb 2020
at 18:43
  • msg #210

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Darcon listened to Shade and Constantine's updates with interest, fingers steepled under his chin as he thought. "It does seem strange that such a person, or persons, either the last man you interrogated or the one who was last in possession of the scalpel would converge in the boneyard at the same time the beast was there. Not to mention the nature of their purported work, as you theorize, does appear to coincide with the very nature of the beast."

Shaking his head the mage rubbed his eyes and glanced at Kendra with a small smile. "Indeed, an astute observation, I too thought it appeared to be a golem of sorts, but it is too self aware to be one, at least any golem I have heard of. I surmise it could either be a victim of some curse, an accident by ingesting some type of potion as certain alchemists are wont to do, a spell of transmutation made permanent, or something entirely new."

Sighing as he had more or less admitted the creature could be anything really, Darcon looked at Shade and Constantine and added, "The scalpel needs to be tracked. Thereafter perhaps we can revisit your last lead; I can try to delve into his mind to determine what he did not tell you. But I do not believe we have time before the trial starts, if I am not mistaken."
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 384 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Sat 8 Feb 2020
at 20:10
  • msg #211

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

“Some you say fits the chymists may indeed be our grave robbers; but we have not placed Solomon into the place by any physical evidence, a doppelgänger perhaps, but no physical evidence points to him.  Instead the pattern is much more complex and sinister.”

“On a related note, we have several places to visit and a carriage and two horses could get us back and forth.  I spent a substantial sum on this and it will require us all agree upon the need.”
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Sat 08 Feb 2020.
Vadim Karamazov
player, 67 posts
Sun 9 Feb 2020
at 11:22
  • msg #212

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Hunched protectively over the plateful of leftovers he had managed to hoard as the table was being cleared, Vadim nodded along to indicate that he was paying attention;  Sir Constantine and Shade had provided all of the detail he would have thought to give.  He had little to add to their recounting of the night, though he offered his mind or recollection when asked.

"How do you tell how old it is, this Beast?  Cut it open and count the rings?" he asked around a mouthful of sausage.  "And how long does it take to make such a thing, if made it was?  If we knew this we might be able to look for corpse trade at the time."  Wiping his chin he followed up with a doubled-up slice of toast.

"Lazne will not care if it was the same Beast;  he saw a beast then, he sees a beast now, he will think it is the same.  No need to lie, even if it is not true."  Salt snowed down on his plate, coating the hills of his remaining eggs.

"If all goes poorly today, we may have no need to rush elsewhere.  Maybe no need for a carriage."  Vadim stabbed a yolk, letting it ooze for a heartbeat before thrusting a crust into its centre.  "I can go to the chymic works if you are not needing me at the University books, and I am better with standing than talking in the courtroom.  You will not miss me if I am late to the start, I think.  I will help carry the head to Kaple when I finish."
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 386 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Sun 9 Feb 2020
at 14:38
  • msg #213

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

found it!!!!
Defense Attorney :
<Blue>"That, my friend, is the whole crux of the issue. Anyone else accused of these crimes wouldn't be held past the preliminary hearings. But the Beast has haunted the nightmares of the Lepidstadt people for nearly thirty years. Any time a horrible crime is committed people suspect the Beast, every disappearance, every unexplained phenomenon. And then, after all of that, to have the creature c-caught at last...the cry to convict is deafening.


30 years

“Nay it is said to have been in the area for 30 years; and blamed for 30 years of every evil, yet I am convinced there is not enough evidence to connect to the Morast murders; in fact enough evidence points to a very different kind of perpetrator;it would be unacceptable and unjust to not seek those answers and lazily convict Solomon”.

“An academic may have expertise in constructs and golems that should be brought to the court to testify or certify what he is or is not.”
This message was last edited by the player at 15:00, Sun 09 Feb 2020.
GM
GM, 565 posts
Sun 9 Feb 2020
at 20:44
  • msg #214

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Kendra nodded, her eyes shining with the anticipation of a fresh mystery to pursue. She herself took tea, but she motioned for a server to bring a carafe of fragrant black coffee from exotic Qadria.

"The deposition is in four hours. Plenty of time to interview the Beast, do some research at the University, or investigate this chymic works. Are we dividing our efforts? If we aren't planning to be present at the hearing we should at least leave the evidence that we have collected so far with barrister Kaple, so that he can present it at the deposition.

Which of us will be pursuing which investigations?"

Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 387 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Sun 9 Feb 2020
at 23:03
  • msg #215

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

“I would like to submit the evidence thus far collected along with descriptions of each item submitted and then on to the chymical lair.  I know I need accompanying since my shalechanger hypothesis is taking form and I have no way of knowing if I were face to face with one.  Even the man last night could have been the very thing we might well be seeking.  And it seems clear enough the threads we pull upon are running through many unrelated events.”...

SCG pauses and rubs his temples
“I doubt not four hours of sleep might be a choice some can make.  I can remove fatigue but the cost is my lay on hands magical healing will also be consumed and we know not what we may face this day.”

Tempted to take an hour of time to take Abadar's Truthtelling instead to replace keep watch........

A large breakfast and extra coffee take the edge off the long night
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Mon 10 Feb 2020.
Shade of Lonwood
player, 73 posts
Alley Witch
Mon 10 Feb 2020
at 03:26
  • msg #216

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

"We may need to divide out efforts.  Now that we know names and faces and even some places, y'can talk to the Beast some more and see if you can winkle any more out of him.  I'd like to go to the chemyst works and see what's there.  And since we have more guesses, and you're the book-savvy one, I'll leave the research to you, Kendra," Shade says, taking a second cup of strong tea.  "I can help with paying for a carriage for now.  There's some folks we might even be able to pay to ferry us about at night, if we arrange it in advance" she adds.
GM
GM, 568 posts
Mon 10 Feb 2020
at 19:34
  • msg #217

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Shade and Constantine made short work of their breakfasts, wolfed down after a grueling night on their feet. But they didn't have much time to spare for rest, and after a round of goodbyes and Kendra's promise to find out everything she could about the Beast they made their way from the inn to the courthouse with a brief stop to arrange transportation in between.

They found barrister Kaple in his office poring over the briefs and looking as frayed as ever.

"You're b-back!" He said, jumping up and sending a sheaf of papers fluttering to the floor from his lap.

He quickly scooped them back up and then stood to hastily re-adjust his robe.

"Just in time. The judges are meeting now, and the Morast deposition is at ten. The deposition for the next set of murders, He-Hergstag, is tomorrow, so we have the day to investigate that as well. What have you found so far?"

Our heroes quickly filled in the nervous barrister on their investigations from the previous night, and the clues that they were still following up on. Kaple nodded and carefully added each of the items to the court record. The empty vial of darkvision extract, the scalpel and accompanying paperwork, the statement regarding the disturbed graves at the Morast Boneyard, and the most gruesome piece, the flayed face. He also arranged for court agents to retrieve the massive blood caiman head and carry it to the courthouse.

"Excellent, excellent. I'll prepare to present these at the deposition. It sounds like you have more investigation to do concerning the scalpel. Return when you've found out all you can and we'll go over the next case, the murders at Hergstag."



Kaple is entering five new pieces of evidence, the scalpel, the extract, the face, the blood caiman head, and the disturbed graves and campsite. Let me know if there's other evidence that you would like to enter. You can still take the items themselves with you if you want to research them or show them to witnesses, but you'll need to bring them to both the deposition and ultimately the trial itself.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:35, Mon 10 Feb 2020.
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 389 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Mon 10 Feb 2020
at 20:21
  • msg #218

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

The paper trail on the scalpel; the hide of the camin; the too small bloody apron; assorted other non-description knives

“The men who sprang the trap described a patchwork beast of seven feet tall and that it sustained an injury to its side, and the camine attack; they also reported blood.”

SCG looks thoughtful
“The wounds on the camine face those of a small blade match the razor and other knives; whatever it caught tried to blind it.  Also can you make a motion to not call the defendant a beast?.”


“I believe we have enough to exclude Solomon from this crime.  Do we need to start the next investigation in Herstag? Or at least make arrangements for transport there as soon as the trial day is over.  ”
Darcon
player, 168 posts
Mon 10 Feb 2020
at 21:15
  • msg #219

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Darcon did not have much luck interviewing the beast in their last encounter, so he excused himself from Kendra's side and joined up with the others, intent on investigating the Chymist Works along with them, where his spells and mind might be of more use.

"Perhaps you can research anything on the nature of the creature and anything similar in shape and size; there could be records of other such individuals which might give us a lead as to what it actually is?" he mused to Kendra before leaving with the others.

"We have enough time to investigate the Works and then make for the Hearing; I believe at least one of us should be there to see how the trial begins to unfold, and if our evidence makes a difference," he remarked to his companions as they entered the evidence at Barrister Kaple's office.
GM
GM, 569 posts
Tue 11 Feb 2020
at 20:28
  • msg #220

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

"Yes, yes..." Kaple said, jotting in his notes as Constantine laid out the evidence. "...yes, I'll be able to present this at the deposition. Of c-course if you could appear in person to present your f-findings first hand it would only add t-t-to the weight of our case."

With Kendra's promise to research Solomon's construction and origins the way was paved to head to the chemical factory. Before the investigators left his office barrister Kaple nodded to Constantine's question and dug through his files for the briefs on the Hergstag affair.

"We can discuss them at length after t-the hearing." He said as he handed them over.

"Good luck."

With the files in hand to peruse at their leisure our heroes made their way from the courthouse.



A short cab ride later the group found themselves outside Lepidstadt's city limits bouncing through the countryside. The buildings became farther apart, interspersed with farm land or pasture, and about a fifteen minute ride outside the city they came upon the factory.

It was an ugly, un-painted brick building with two stories and a tower topped by a crooked lightning rod. Sturdy and utilitarian in its construction, there was little to appreciate about the blocky architecture. A tall iron chimney belched out yellowish clouds of smoke and the acrid chemical smell was strong even from the laneway. Large leaded windows interspersed its outer walls, either grimed or painted over and impossible to see through. The gate was big enough for a wagon to pass through and featured a smaller inset door as well. Above this portal a large, smartly painted sign proclaimed it Vorkstag and Grine, Chymic Works.
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 391 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Tue 11 Feb 2020
at 21:23
  • msg #221

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

@the court
“Thank you barrister Kapple.  I shall try my best to return to offer testimony to the court.  Hopefully we will also bring new evidence to be entered.”

@along the way
“This next one is most disturbing with children turned to ghosts.  We should stop for more potions of sanctify corpse so the same fate does not befall us as well.”
SCG wonders how creating ghosts would be something a golem could do.. x


@the Chymical Works
“Straight up to the gate, so they can let us in!”
This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Wed 12 Feb 2020.
GM
GM, 571 posts
Wed 12 Feb 2020
at 18:48
  • msg #222

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Constantine's calls brought no response for long minutes, and then a shuffling and scraping sound like furniture being moved could be heard behind the large double doors. A slot in the inset door slid open to reveal a face behind a pair of protective goggles made of darkened glass over a long, pale nose. This odd figure cast his gaze over the paladin, the carriage, and his companions.

"Yeah, wotcher want?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:52, Wed 12 Feb 2020.
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 393 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Wed 12 Feb 2020
at 19:08
  • msg #223

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

SCG stands up
“I am Sir Constantine GodAlming, in employ of the honorable courts seeking to acquire testimony of Master Vorkstag, and the collection of relevant evidence in our current investigations.”

“Please open the gate and announce our presence.”

Today: Sir Constantine Godalming rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  Diplomacy.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:09, Wed 12 Feb 2020.
Vadim Karamazov
player, 69 posts
Thu 13 Feb 2020
at 03:48
  • msg #224

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

"What is this 'ankheg bile' used for?" Having little to add himself at the barrister's, Vadim kept quiet at Kaple's outside of the occasional yawn and his usual fidgeting.  In the carriage Vadim took a turn at looking through the case notes they'd collected, holding his reading glasses in place against the jostling of the carriage.

"And why is the chymic works buying a bone saw?  What are they making here?"

Realising that they had arrived he carefully folded his spectacles and returned them to a pocket wrapped in the faded kerchief.

"So, we are here.  Yes, let us in." Easing out of the carriage he handed back the papers and looked about the yard, presenting his seal to the goggles in their peep-hole..
Shade of Lonwood
player, 74 posts
Alley Witch
Thu 13 Feb 2020
at 15:12
  • msg #225

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Vadim Karamazov:
"What is this 'ankheg bile' used for?" Having little to add himself at the barrister's, Vadim kept quiet at Kaple's outside of the occasional yawn and his usual fidgeting.  In the carriage Vadim took a turn at looking through the case notes they'd collected, holding his reading glasses in place against the jostling of the carriage.

"And why is the chymic works buying a bone saw?  What are they making here?"

Realising that they had arrived he carefully folded his spectacles and returned them to a pocket wrapped in the faded kerchief.

"So, we are here.  Yes, let us in." Easing out of the carriage he handed back the papers and looked about the yard, presenting his seal to the goggles in their peep-hole..


Shade, similarly tired as they traveled to the Chymic works, had only flippant answers.  "Crime.  Probably disposing of bodies.  Or cleaning the skeletons for study.  Or making undead for a necromancer.  One of those things."

As Constantine greeted the door dragon, Shade just glared at the set of eyes behind the opening with a basilisk stare.  She was short on tact at this point, and with more investigation left for them, was not a pleased witch.
GM
GM, 572 posts
Thu 13 Feb 2020
at 18:58
  • msg #226

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Although not an alchemical expert himself, his vast general knowledge of natural philosophy came through and Darcon informed Vadim that ankheg bile was a likely ingredient in several formulations of alchemist's acid, a valuable commodity commonly produced by chemical works like Vorkstag and Grine's.

"Testimony? Investigations? Wait here." The slot slid shut with a snap and there was a rapid fire pitter patter of feet as the little figure walked across the courtyard.

After a few minutes the steps pattered back and the slot slid open again. Again two dark goggles peered out.

"Vorkstag busy. Critical stage in bleach production. Could release dangerous fumes if not supervised. No distractions. Come back tomorrow."
Sir Constantine Godalming
player, 395 posts
Chicanery?
Count me in
Thu 13 Feb 2020
at 23:49
  • msg #227

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

“No worries we promise not to disturb the process or create distractions and don’t trouble yourself about the gate my good man.  We will just climb over it.  It has been too long since I got to climb over a wall and down the other side.”

SCG smiles
“Ready to climb in? Oh and who has the grappling hook?”
Shade of Lonwood
player, 75 posts
Alley Witch
Fri 14 Feb 2020
at 05:12
  • msg #228

Re: Chapter 2 - The Trial of the Beast

Shade mutters in a low voice.  "I have a way to get us in and get someone talking, but I doubt we'll be able to admit it at the trial. Don't ask what it is for now, as it might be something to use in an emergency.  But I'm certain they're destroying things in there now.  Toss around the badge a bit more, and I can offer them a carrot to your stick."

She waits for Vadim or Constantine to give them some more grief (or silver words), and then will add to the goggles beyond the gate., "Now, we can certainly offer some aid to smooth the worries of a business that's engaged in their lawful trade.  I have talents in the healing arts; if any of your workers are having any trifling troubles, I can set them right for you so they can finish their work with even more efficiency.  This won't take more than an hour of your time, and your workers won't even have to stop while I tend them."
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