Garland removed his purple hooded travelers cloak and hung it on the nearby coat rack before he sat down by the fire. Clothed in a jet black breastplate that was made of the finest steel and the skill of an expert smith. He wore his holy symbol openly on his right shoulder that hung by a chain and from his belt anyone could see the crossbow and bolts as well as a heavy mace.

He removed his gauntlets and set them aside before holding out his dexterous hands, hands that had seen much blood over the years but also saved many lives. He stood there warming them next to Constantine and speaks softly "This beats the rainy nights on the road and the ghosts of an old prison trying to kill us."

Shade perched on a single chair, one close to a wall with a clear view of the door.  The three men already here were tall, strong, and most were well-armed, which could betoken a degree of wealth or high rank.  But the stooped man looked like he'd been plucked from a job of hard labor and scrubbed up, while the man with the longsword had plopped himself down on the carpet to tend his own boots with no hesitation.  It seemed that whoever the judge had asked to come were not just skilled, but practical too.

Shade was small and thin, looking barely out of adolescence, and her feet dangled slightly above the floor as she sat.  Her hair was light brown and looked as if it had been hacked off at irregular intervals to keep it out of her face.  A slim scarf and a strand of beads tied it up out of her way.  Her clothing was second-hand but sound and clean and fairly sturdy, with no stains and any rips or weaknesses neatly mended, a simple tunic, vest, and divided skirt in sensible grays and tans.  Her boots were particularly fine, tall and blue and close-fitting, and fine ivory kid gloves covered her hands.  Her dark eyes seemed large in her thin face, and she watched the others like an owl, occasionally flicking from one to the other.  A black cat with golden orange eyes rode upon her shoulder, occasionally switching to her lap for more tributes of petting.  The little jewelry Shade wore was simple and inexpensive, but also close-fitting rather than dangling; nothing that might get snagged while moving in a crowd... or glint too brightly in dim light to give one away.

The priest of Pharasma... or warrior of Pharasma, whoever he might be, seemed to be the richest one in the room.  But spoke to the sitting warrior as if they were friends.  So, not one to stand on protocol overly much, which boded well.

"Be better with some mulled crabapple cider from Lindy's stall, if'n we'd had to wait outside," Shade offers, her and the cat tilting their heads at the same time, inviting a response.  "'Tis a far sight cozier in here, though, considering the mood out there."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Thu 07 Nov 2019.

“We came out the better for the experience and some of those spirits are now at peace.”

SCG extends a hand to his friend as he prepares to hop up.
“It appears we should introduce ourselves to the man and the girl.”

Rising to his feet he extends a hand to the man....
“Sir Constantine Godalming a Paladin of redemption.”

He waits to see if the girl and cat approach him...he muses that both seem skittish and shy creatures
This message was last edited by the player at 13:27, Tue 05 Nov 2019.

After a brief wait and another arrival or two another maid, younger than the other, bowed into the room with a curtsy.

"The judge will...see you now." She began smoothly but blanched when she straightened and spotted Vadim and Constantine. The latter looked more than presentable, but half orcs were a rare sight on the streets of Lepidstadt. And the former's rough and tumble appearance, even as oiled and polished as he was, looked decidedly out of place in the fine appointments of the judge's sitting room. Never the less the young maid bowed politely and motioned for them to follow her.

She led them to the upper floor of the townhouse, down a short corridor, to a thick walnut door. She rapped softly and then pushed it open, bowing again and motioning for the small group of adventurers to precede her.

The room was a high-ceilinged study with the same dark paneling and a wide window that looked down onto the street. It was modestly spacious, although the rows of bookshelves holding thick tomes of law and leather case files made it seem more crowded than it was. A heavy desk covered with meticulously organized documents dominated the rear half of the room, and behind the desk sat the austere figure of Judge Embreth Daramid.

She was a tall, wiry woman with a stern face, lined by age and care, white hair swept up in a severe bun, the heavy robes of her office shrouding her like armor. She looked formidable despite her age, with piercing eyes that sparkled with intelligence and a quirked mouth that could have shown amusement or calculation.

She rose politely, nodding to each guest.

"Shade. Mister Karamazov." She greeted them warmly. Neither of their acquaintances with the judge had begun on a high note. But in the end they had proved both their trustworthiness and their competence.

Her tone was more neutral with the others, polite and professional.

"You must be Professor Lorrimor's associates. Welcome. I was saddened to hear of his passing. Please, sit." She motioned to a semicircle of comfortable ladderback chairs in front of her desk and took her seat as well.

"Emmeline, please bring tea for our guests." She said over their heads to the maid still hoovering in the doorway.

"Unless you would prefer something stronger?" She asked, although something in her tone said that she wouldn't approve of that so early in the morning.

Darcon was silent as entered the room, just as he had been in the waiting area of the townhouse, studying the others invited to meet with the judge. He wondered again the circumstances that had led them here, their fame and actions in Ravengro no doubt preceding them and leading them to be chosen for this investigation.

"Tea will be fine my lady," he replied softly, taking a seat on one of the chairs and directing a small smile towards Judge Embreth, though his eyes did not contain any mirth. "I appreciate your consolations, no doubt you were too busy with affairs here to attend the Professor's funeral."

"Yes your honor we are all friends of the professor, and we are still seeking the one who murder him, a horrible business.  His daughter though is safe and coming along in her own right, perhaps she will one day be a scholar as well."

SCG nods at the person bringing in the tea, hoping that the cups are not delicate or small.

He sips the tea as slowly as he can muster....

The maid's announcement had forestalled any response to Sir Constantine's introduction, and the man called Karmazov had followed along in silence.  When addressed by the judge a light flush ruddied Karamazov's neck and cheeks, and the man put a hand to his imaginary hat-brim.

"Your Honour," he managed thickly, before stepping aside to allow her to address the others.  A practiced spiral gesture with one hand, half benediction, half ward, was evoked when Daramid expressed her condolences over the Professor's passing;  the same motion had been made in the sitting room at mention of ghosts.  Taking in the view from the judge's window as he waited for the others to take their pick of the seats, he adjusted the iron band at his throat;  somewhere between a gorget and a slave-collar, this was a much more utilitarian version of the decorative neck protections which had been all the rage amongst the upper classes a few seasons ago.

Gingerly he eased himself into one of the last chairs, after waiting stiffly for Embreth to be seated;  Judge Daramid's suggestion of "something stronger" elicited a quick glance of interest, but the man remained silent as he waited for the tea to be served.  When it came, he took cream and three sugars.

Shade had been waiting to see how the half-orc responded to Sir Constantine's greeting, but the arrival of others and Emmeline had forestalled her observations.  She hopped down from the chair, her cat on her shoulder, and walked into the office to find another single chair to perch upon.  She rubbed her right hand a little as she did, as if feeling the completed marking underneath her glove.  Her last encounter with the judge had changed her life, and she owed the lady a great debt.  When the judge arrived and greeted them, she stood and bowed back in polite deference.  "Your Honor," she says, waiting for the judge to sit down before retaking her seat.  When tea was offered, she accepted with sugar and cream, with more cream in a saucer for her cat.

Now she knew the name of the half-orc, Karamazov, but not yet the names of the newcomers other than the paladin.  And friends with a professor, so that meant they had been lucky enough to know a true scholar; these people had money and expensive training.  But had to be lacking in some skills, elsewise the Judge would not have sent for Shade and Karamazov.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Thu 07 Nov 2019.

Garland seemed somewhat distracted even as the maids had lead him to the judge. He paid the servants little mind as he was a representative of Pharasma's clergy and wished to be seen as no different then anyone else. Upon entering the room he couldnt help but stop and look at her bookshelves, noting the various tomes.

As the discussion began Garland looked back and poured himself a cup of tea before sitting down and speaking softly, though clearly "I thank  you for your hospitality my lady. Petros was my best friend and I know he rests peacefully yet still watches over us. Perhaps when there is time we might get to know one another better. Any friend of Petros' is someone I wish to call a friend of my own. I am sure we could have many interesting discussions surrounding Ustalav law and religious law." he said before bringing the tea cup to his lips, sipping it slowly before praising the maids for their tea.

More quickly than he intended he drained the hot tea from the cup and smiled at the girl who refilled it.

“For us recently a man possessed had committed murders but the angry spirit had possessed him to do so.  Thus the man walks free amongst his neighbors and the spirit has passed into the void.  Many a mans crimes might be hung upon this beast as well.”

The tea service held a fat silver teapot but only four cups, so Emmeline was accompanied by the elder maid, whose name was Millicent, with another tray for spare cups and finger sandwiches. They poured briskly and then bowed out as Judge Daramid thanked them.

"I am sure we could have many interesting discussions surrounding Ustalav law and religious law." Garland said.

Judge Daramid nodded, her hands steepled over her desk. Her piercing gaze swept over the assembled adventurers.

"Indeed, it is to discuss a matter of the law that I've called the two of you here, and I can't help but think of it as providence that the three of you should arrive at just this moment." She nodded first towards Shade and Vadim, then towards Garland, Constantine and Darcon.

"As you are no doubt aware there was an incident at Lepidstadt University three nights ago. A break in. The culprit was apprehended at the scene.

And, as I'm also sure you're aware, the culprit was no mere vandal. It...he was none other than the fabled Beast of Lepidstadt."

She paused to let her words sink in.

"Many a mans crimes might be hung upon this beast as well.” Sir Constantine mused.

Judge Daramid pointed at him, finger bouncing in agreement.

"Exactly, you have hit the heart of the matter precisely. Is the creature unnatural? Undoubtedly. Is it guilty of the break in? Almost certainly. But these alone are not crimes sufficient to warrant an execution."

She pushed herself up and paced slowly to the window, hands clasped behind her back. It offered a fine view of the courthouse, and the pyre that was being erected there.

"No, this trial is a sham. The people here, they have simply pinned all of their fears on the creature. They want to punish it, not because it's guilty, but because they fear it. If the Beast is truly guilty it will face justice for its crimes. But the case is so sensational...no investigation has been launched to determine it's actual guilt.

I will not see the law in the city that I love so misused."

She turned back to our heroes fiercely.

"This is why I have called you here. I have called you because you know justice, you know what it is to stand on that bench and have judgement passed on you. I have called you here because you faced terror and dealt with it rationally, compassionately. I have called you to see with eyes unclouded by fear.

Will you aid me in this charge? To seek justice for the Beast of Lepidstadt?"

“Your honor, I am not known here and have no legal authority here.  Perhaps if you can affix your hand and seal to a writ of continuing mandamus to force all public entities to forebare from hindering and to actively assisting in our investigation, That should suffice for us to investigate fully.”

SCG sips a bit more tea

“Also speaking directly with the creature may aid us.”

“Finally an order to the disposition of the accused, in case he must be transferred to Harrowstone prison.”
This message was last edited by the player at 20:13, Wed 06 Nov 2019.

Similarly to Constantine's, Karamazov's tea was gone in two mouthfuls.  At the judge's question, he set the teacup gently on the floor.  Heavy iron links rattled together in one of the pouches and the man produced a thick chain, which he slipped over his head.  "So it is official Court business, then," he observed flatly, centering the oblong seal of Lepidstadt against his chest.  Antiquated as it was, the digits inscribed beneath the coat of arms indicated that the bearer was one of a number of official agents of the courts.

"I hear that the gaol is full with poor folk falsely accused, of this Beast's crimes, they say.  And it is said by some that the Beast he has worked evil since before you or I were born, your Honour." Heavy brows knit together as he laboured on in his thick Varisian accent, "There is fire, there is murder, there is disappearing of the children. One proven crime hangs a man, but how many proofs of innocence to clear him of being the monster people believe him to be?  What of these other crimes they say this Beast has done?  It will grow old and wither in the dock before they all have been aswered."

Karamazov groped for the cup by his boot.  When he wrapped his palm protectively around the porcelain, the tattoo on the back of his hand showed a brand likely familiar to those of an ecclesiastic bent;  clearly-marked scarification in the symbol of Rovagug.  Enthusiasts might even have recognised the tentacled monstrosity disappearing up his sleeve as one of Rovagug's titanic spawn: Chemnosit, the Monarch Worm.

Garland nearly chokes on his tea as Constantine mentions sending a prisoner to Harrowstone and he coughs several times before looking at his friend with a look of complete doubt and confusion as if he couldnt believe what he heard. The prison may have been in another county and outside the juristiction of the judge but the very thought of sending anyone there struck a cord of anger in him. "Harrowstone? Have you gone mad? After what the three of us went through? The building itself is collapsing from lack of maintenance and remains little more then a ruin. There is no staff to see to the well being of prisoners and the safety of Ravengro's people. While Father Grimburrow and myself managed to put to rest many of the spirits that haunted the cells the psychic taint left behind by the prisoners in the fire will remain for years if not decades. Much like any wound you can care for it but it will take time to heal on its own. As one of the clerics that oversaw its cleansing I will never agree to opening its halls until the psychic resonance has disapated and the prisoners can be housed safely and securely with programs made to rehibilitate them.  As a culture and a society we must evolve but we can only do so by learning from the mistakes made in the past. Harrowstone was one such mistake! Let it serve a purpose as a leason that the pursuit of justice without the temperance of wisdom can lead to even greater atrocities."

He sat back as he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as he was still on edge from the suggestion. "As I see it Judge Daramid is taking the same approach I suggest. Justice, tempered by wisdom. As a healer and a scholar it is my role to heal the bodies and souls of the wounded and to discover the truth of our world. I will leave the judgements to Pharasma but I have no qualms on discovering the facts of this case. I would only ask a slight reprieve as myself, Darcon, and Constantine have one last duty to Petros. It was his wish we delievered something to his colleagues in the university, I would see his final wish of us done before this investigation."

Legal terms being thrown around thick and fast by the knight, Karamazov being revealed as an officer of the court, and a priest not wanting to send someone to prison because he thought it was too dangerous?  What a thoroughly curious and strange crew the judge had collected to seek out the truth about the Beast!

"I will help, Judge, of course I will," Shade said, quickly on the heels of the priest's long speech.  The stories about the Beast were legion, but stories, as she had reason to know, could be twisted, spun, and canted to the angle of the storyteller.  There were plenty of beasts who roamed the streets of Lepidstadt, and she had been neighbors with some of them.  She had been...

Shade rubbed her right hand again, and petted down the length of Nook's sleek back, prompting a purr.

"What has this Beast said about himself?  What was he doing in the university?  And... was what he was looking for in the university related to this Petros person you three know?" Shade asks, the last comment with a side-eye at Sir Constantine, Darcon, and Garland.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Thu 07 Nov 2019.

Constantine throws Garland a fierce grin...
“No nothing stronger than tea for my friend.  I meant legal authority to move the prisoner even away should a change of venue be necessary for justice to prevail.  Also I have not heard yet a crime beyond redemption nor deserving of capital punishments.”

His grin fades away
“A pyre first burning hast already been gathered outside.  And if I must haul a beast all the way to Absolom to ensure a fair hearing; I will do so!”

He smiles at the judge
“With the proper authority of course.”
This message was last edited by the player at 18:01, Thu 07 Nov 2019.

From outside the room, everyone hears the quick steps of boots on the floor heading towards the study, and a man's voice echoing down the hallway, "No need, Milly my dear, I know where the bloody study is."

Mild protests are heard as a great commotion is heard as the door opens, and a young half-elf appears in the doorway. Dressed in a somewhat garish, certainly by the standards of the judge's study, outfit of green trousers, and a purple cloak around the young man. The most noteable feature is the mandolin slung across his back.

"Greetings! I apologise for being late. It's crazy out there. Didya know they've started a fire! I nearly fell in running across the... I mean The Beast, caught and all! Now, it leads a man to wonder whether the "Beast Creeps into Town" becomes more popular or less under the circumstances. If only I was a better songwriter, I could make a fortune, I'm sure..."

The man notices the look on the judge's face at his ramblings. He stands up straight, pulling down his shirt more formally, as if scolded directly by her look. The rest of the party observer that it appears as if the young man dressed himself in a hasty manner earlier this fine day.

Regardless, the man's tone of voice changes, becoming very formal, "My apologies for the outburst and informality, Judge Daramid. The greetings of friendship from my patriarch and his line to you, as always. My services, such as they are, are yours to direct."

He turns and bows formally to the others in the room, "My name is Jonah Raische. My late father, Maester Jonah Raische, and the judge were good friends."

He finds a comfortable seat, pulls out an apple, polishing it a little before replying, "Please continue where you left off and don't mind me, I will catch up fairly quickly."

Judge Daramid listened as Constantine and Garland discussed extradition as a possible solution but shook her head when it was suggested.

"No, I fear that moving the Beast before the trial would be impossible. There are three justices presiding over the case: myself, Judge Kasp Aldaar, and Chief Justice Ambrose Khard. Chief Justice Khard is a good man, if somewhat rigid in his interpretation of the law. He will see that justice is done whatever the circumstances. Judge Aldaar is a good man as well but the sensation of this trial is too great a boon for his political ambitions. His term as city justice ends in six months and, with the trial fresh in everyone's minds, it is all but certain that he will win the election for the city council seat. He will surely block any attempt at extradition and see that the Beast is tried here in the city.

Furthermore, I'm not convinced that the creature is innocent. I am only determined that it should receive a fair trial, free from prejudice and sensationalist, superstitious nonsense."

Next she addressed herself to Vadim.

"You are correct, it would be a wholly impossible endeavor to try the beast for every rumor, every mishap, every crime attributed to it over the years. The formal charges for the trial involve the beast's four most recent crimes.

First is the Morast Murders last year. The Beast is accused of killing nine people in Morast, a small hamlet in the center of the Dippelmere swamp south of the city.

Second is the Children of Hergstag. Seven months ago there were a series of murders in Hergstag, on the edge of the swamp. Six children were killed over a period of several weeks.

Third is the Karb Isle Sanctuary. Four months ago the asylum on Karb Isle burned to the ground, resulting in the deaths of the administrative staff and all of the patients. The Beast is accused of setting the fire.

Fourth is the break-in at the university three days ago. Since the beast was apprehended in the act it is almost certain that it will be convicted of this crime, but this is not a capital offense.

The Beast's public defender, Barrister Gustave Kaple, will be able to provide you with all of the details of these alleged crimes. He...will need your help." She said.

She turned to Shade next.

"You will find the beast in..." She began, but was interrupted by Jonah's arrival.

He bustled in and introduced himself with Millicent hot on his heels, red faced and puffing under her white cap.

"Your honor, he just came up! I tried to tell him that..." She burst out but Judge Daramid gave her an understanding wave.

"You did well. He was invited, after all." She turned her attention to Jonah, her brow drawing down threateningly. "I knew your father well and he always spoke highly of your abilities. Your ability to sway a crowd and ferret out rumors could prove invaluable to this case. But mark my words, young man, I will brook no disrespect to my staff."

Millicent was much too professional to stick her tongue out at Jonah, but when she busied herself clearing away the teacups and sandwiches she pointedly kept the hours devours out of his reach and marched past him with her nose in the air and a pointed sniff.

"As I was saying. The Beast is being held in the jail, across the square from the courthouse. Barrister Kaple is there with him and can give you all of the details that you might require about the case.

Act quickly. The trial has already commenced, preliminary evidence has been delivered, and the hearing concerning the Morast Murders is to be held tomorrow."

Darcon had been listening quietly while sipping his tea, his face shrouded inside his hood and his thoughts a mystery. He glanced up at the sudden interruption and the arrival of the brazenly dressed young half-elf, and took note of the mandolin strung across his back.

The instrument and the Judge's words to him indicated the half-elf was a bard of some repute, likely someone with a strong pull on the local crowds. Darcon wondered if that meant the Judge intended to surreptitiously sway the public towards whatever outcome of this case she wanted, regardless of whether it was the truth or not.

He took another sip of his tea and finally spoke, "Well if the first trial is to be tomorrow that leaves us with very little time to investigate, I would have preferred to visit the places these murders occurred and see the scenes of the crime with mine own eyes. Still, I suppose we should make talking to this 'Beast' one of our first priorities."

Setting down his cup he glanced at Judge Daramid then gestured towards the short woman with the cat and said, "The lady has a point, what was such a murderous creature doing inside a library? Who apprehended it and how exactly did they manage to capture this dangerous individual without killing him or being killed in turn?"

Darcon was not sure if the 'Beast' had a connection to the Professor, the young woman must be mistaken. Still, as they did have a good reason to visit the university anyway as Garland had just informed the Judge, they could investigate the Beasts appearance and subsequent capture with the librarians and hopefully get more insight there.

"Not to sound greedy, but this is quite the sensitive dilemma to unravel, with possibly deadly repercussions. Surely there must be some remuneration you are offering for our troubles, no?" Darcon added, glancing at the Judge with a small smile.

Shade looked sideways at Darcon, mildly appalled at the question of payment. Were it any other person, nearly any other situation, Shade wouldn't have hesitated; she charged for her services because to not do that was to not eat.  But this was the Judge...  Nook stretched and dug his claws into her, and she reminded herself that not everyone had her history with justice in the city.  When the loud musician burst in, rambling and bright in his colors, she gave him a sideways glance and let him ramble himself back to silence before going back to the matter at hand.

"Short time indeed.  But it does strike me a little odd that a beast out of the forests and swamps who could smash up a town would then carefully abduct children over many weeks, then burn down a building instead breaking it and going after the people inside, and then... get caught breaking in to a place in the city and be caught without slaughter?  Put all together, sounds pretty funny, doesn't it?  Sounds like a lot of stories mushed together like mud dollies, like old Mad Maudie when she gets to the fifth cup of ale and starts running her myths together, don't you think?  Let's go talk to the Beast hisself, as I don't think we have time to rush out to the hamlet at back, even if there'd be a lot there," Shade says thoughtfully.

At the intrusion Karamazov had half-risen, one hand gripping the top rung of his chair's laddered back, eyes shifting back and forth between the minstrel and Her Honour during the exchange.  Less subtly than the dark-haired urchin, he glared outright at the hooded stranger at the mention of payment.  Porcelain chattered as he surrendered his teacup to the maid, rising the rest of the way to his feet on stiff knees as she bustled past.

"Lawyer Kaple will have the papers - the briefs, yes?  I think many of these questions are for him and not for Judge Daramid.  We perhaps should not take up too much more of her time.  It is, I think, not so far if we must go to Morast if we start soon."  Gnarled and sinewy like a winter vine, his hand groped for the chain at his throat.  "But there is one thing..."

"Your Honour, when last I went to the Courts I was told that my seal is no longer..." Karamazov clutched the plate tightly, "...Recognised.  The clerks say that I am not registered, that I must ask you for some new authority, and that there is paperwork and a fee.  Is this so?  Am I expired?"  He squinted around the room at the others.

"Do we all need a mark or papers from your office for this business?"

Garland looks at the judge listening carefully and nodding in agreement about questioning the beast first. He would have prefered to work from the most recent events and then backwards in time to evaluate and interview witnesses for the more recent crimes when the situation was still fresh but it seemed luck was not on their side.

"Is there any way to delay the trial for tommorrow, based on the collection of new evidence and interview of new witnesses? If possible I would like to get some horses and head to Morast to find the scene of the murders and question the people. However Im unsure if we could arrive, investigate, and return with accurate evidence with only a day."

“Please send the writ over across the way.  Your honor when are the first rumors and then credible reports of the beast?”


SCG mind wanders perhaps a Lycan creature or one prone to rages; but the one year timeframe seems important to establishing innocence...
He is ready to view the beast itself and see whom it is...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:06, Fri 08 Nov 2019.

"Yes, yes, Barrister Kaple will be able to provide you with all of the details of the case, and you will be able to question the Beast as well.

You must move swiftly. I can attempt to delay the proceedings, but I have no doubt that Judge Aldaar will press to move things along as expediently as possible. His political influence is considerable and I have no doubt that he can leverage the general excitement in the city into a lobby to keep the trial on track despite my best efforts.

The hearing concerning the Morast charges is tomorrow, with hearings for subsequent charges on the following days." Judge Daramid said.

She glanced at the ornate water clock against the far wall.

"With swift horses you could be in Morast by, perhaps, noon. I will delay the hearing by an additional day if I can."

She nodded to Darcon and Vadim.

"An apt question. In fact your services to the court must be remunerated in order for your investigation to be legal."

The judge rose and crossed to a book stand that held a thick tome, its pages worn and oft perused. It was the grand manual of Ustalavian laws and legal codes. Judge Daramid carefully marked her place and closed the book.

"I will swear any who wish it as temporary deputies to the county of Vieland for the duration of this case. Be warned, I will require that you swear the deputies oath, to uphold the laws of the county, to appear when summoned by the appropriate justices, to render all aid to the swift and ready defense of the law in Lepidstadt.

Any who do not wish to swear will still be called upon as witness investigators in court, although I will still take a dim view if you commit any crimes or immoral acts during this investigation.

A deputies salary is five gold pieces every fortnight, a witness's appearance fee differs based on their expertise and the circumstances of the case. However, due to the extreme time constraints and the nature of the trial I will promise one hundred platinum coins to each of you that assists the investigation as either a witness, investigator, or deputy of the law."

Jonah raises his eyebrows and whistles at the amount of 100 platinum coins.

“Maybe I’ve been in the wrong profession all this time… I eh… um… have a… well, I guess it’s an obvious question that maybe I’m just missing on. Can the Beast, um.. speak?”

Jonah looks around the room.

“Look, I’m all for looking the thing over, and figuring out what we can. But do you have any idea what we’re walking into here? I mean, some man-wolf thing, or just some really unnaturally ugly hairy dude with bad manners and a thirst for violence?”

He pauses looking around the room, pacing a bit,  grabbing one of the hors’doevres that Milly had moved out of his way. He tosses it deftly between his fingers.

“How long has The Beast been a story around here? I mean, I know that Jonah and me’ve been singing songs and telling tales about the creature, as long as I can remember. I mean are we talking the last 20 years, or does it go back generations.”

Jonah pops the food into his mouth, pulls the mandolin into his fingers, plucking and tuning it gently.

“And when you say immoral acts… You mean?”