2:00 PM Moonday, 10th of Lamashtan, 4710

Lepidstadt has taken on a nearly carnival atmosphere in anticipation of the upcoming Trial.  People from all over Ustalav have travelled to the city for the chance to see the legendary Beast of Lepidstadt in the flesh, to hear official tales of it's monstrous crimes, and to watch the monster meet it's final end.  An enormous pyre in the shape of a person--Lepidstad's famous "Punishing Man"--has been erected in the center of town outside the courthouse, with locals eagerly adding fuel and soaking the timber in oil in preparation for the upcoming execution.

Yet despite twenty years of terror and overwhelming evidence of it's many savage crimes, not everybody in Lepidstadt was convinced of the Beast's guilt.  For every ten tales of savagery, there was a whispered rumour that showed another side to the monster: tales of it saving travelers from monster attacks or leading lost children out of the woods.  These were widely dismissed as nonsense, and certainly nobody had come forward to share such tales with the court.

A short distance from the square, with the Punishing Man still in sight, stood the home of the Honorable Judge Embereth Daramid.  Judge Daramid's chosen agents; Fala, Felix, Kara, Liviana, Maritine, and Vrenna, had each been delivered a letter from the judge asking them to meet her at her well-appointed townhouse on the ringing of the second bell.  On arrival, they were met by Daramid's aide; a lean, muscular woman with a scarred face, whose rough appearance clashed slightly with her spotless maid's uniform.  She ushered each guest inside as they arrived, with a reassurance that Judge Daramid would be there soon.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:30, Thu 21 Oct 2021.

Felix looked at the invitation, not sure what to expect as the bell tolled twice. In some places, he has gotten too use to being greeted with torches and pitchforks. Knocking at the door, he introduced himself by presenting the invitation, and was ushered in.

Entering the home, he looked for a chair would be comfortable, at least he did not need to worry about a tail, like some of his ilk.

  A tail is, however, the inescapable concern of the woman who follows him in. But she probably doesn't worry about it, per se. You can tell by the decorations: bands of green brass like moss on the granite of her skin. They're hardly the only accoutrements to call attention to her inhuman features. To be fair, the mixed blood was much kinder to her face, and that goes a long way toward dodging a mob. And it's not as though she could avoid standing out, the way all the rest of her... is. She had the sense to bring a bodyguard, at least, if the posture of the armored fighter beside her is any indication.

  "Ah, yes of course," she replies before dismissing the aide with a wave. She gives Felix a nakedly appraising look-over before she says anything, but there isn't any disgust or shock in it. "Vrenna Charthagnion. Pleased to meet you, mister...?"

Kara is the next to arrive, walking in with a hurried glance over her shoulder, as though afraid she was being followed. Kara is less overtly inhuman than the two tiefling women she spots immediately - but her skin is too pale, her eyes too dark, her teeth too sharp to ever really pass for human under examination. She wears a long robe of sorts, and carries no visible weapons. She's never felt the need for such.

"Kara Sweetwater, a pleasure," she says to the two tieflings ahead of her. Her tone is almost startlingly sincere. She doesn't sit, but rather chooses to stand, fidgeting restlessly.

Livi readjusted her cloak for perhaps the third time as she stood outside the judge's home. The second bell had already tolled and she knew she had to enter or risk being late. Letter in hand she took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

After she introduced herself to the aide at the front door she was ushered into the room with the others. The young woman had no idea who else would volunteer but it appeared her new companions would be a colorful sort. "Greetings everyone. I'm Liviana Preda, nice to meet you all. Hopefully I will be able to assist everyone in the investigation." She put on her brightest smile as she walked into the room. The new armor she wore still felt foreign wrapped around her, so she elected to continue to stand near the entrance.

Constantly fiddling with her outfit and making sure that everything was cared for an in order - boots polished, coat cared for, insignia of Lepidstadt buffed to a shine - Maritine approaches the home of Judge Embereth Damarid with equal parts duty and apprehension, for the judge's reputation preceded her.

Seeing as she was not the only one arriving, Maritine made sure to nod in silent greeting at the rest assembled as she first and foremost handed Daramid's aide her invitation. "As her Honor has requested," Maritine says, her Ustalavan accent thick.

After being invited inside and assembling with the other gathered, Maritine takes them all in as she introduces herself. "Greetings. Maritine LeGrasse, Lepidstadt Inspector."

Clad in dark full plate and helmet, the Knight made for a menacing character as she had entered the building. The only thing identifying them from the other such characters was the white tabard with a circle with five curved lines extending from it drawn on it. That along with the greatsword she carried mayhaps had identified her to the group as the Knight of Sorrows.

Having been invited inside the knight peered at the group gathered before bowing her head and introducing herself: "Fala Lucalla, At your service."

  "Looks like locals," Vrenna muses to the Knight with a smile that should be wry. On her cheeks, it only looks like scheming. She takes a seat on a trunk, for want of a proper stool, and a slow breath that she obviously savors. "That's a relief. Imagine having to rely on old memory to get around, and only stale connections to draw information from. I was braced for the worst!"

  She turns to the room then, and the assembled who've given names. "Lady Vrenna Charthagnion, esquire. It's good to be in this motley; I'm glad each of you could come. Do any of you know how many we shall be?"

After ushering everyone into the sitting room, the maid busied herself rolling out a tea service with a fat silver teapot and six porcelain cups, as well as a tray of small sandwiches.  The house itself spoke of money, if not ostentatious luxury:  The carpets and furniture were of fine make, in the simple and austere style popular in the Palatinates.  But the true hint to Judge Daramid's wealth was the art covering the walls, a collection of paintings and statuary that some museum curators would kill for.

After about 15 minutes of waiting, the judge arrived.  She was a short, wiry old lady, with her white hair pulled into a tight bun.  Icy blue eyes peered alertly from her lined, stern-looking face.  The elaborate robes of her office seemed to encase her like a suit of armor, giving her an imposing air despite her age and small stature.

Seeing her guests waiting for her in the sitting room, Judge Daramid nodded politely.  "Good, you're all here.  I apologize for the wait, the pre-trial discussion went longer than expected." She took a seat.

"All of you come well recommended, whether through family connections, members of the university or...other channels.  I have reason to believe that you are all skilled and reliable, and that each of you has an interest in seeing justice done."  She spared a glance toward Vrenna, her gaze noticeably more suspicious when trained on the Asmodean priestess.  "To one extent or the other."

"Equally importantly, none of you are particularly close acquiantences of mine.  I'm afraid I must insist that we stay that way, at least for the duration of the trial.  That's not to say there's anything illegal or unethical about what I am about to ask of you.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  However, it is...politically inconvenient.  The other two High Justices have made it clear they would prefer a quick, simple trial followed by an equally quick execution, and the people of Lepidstadt mostly agree with them.  If I were to openly demand otherwise, in defense of what is most likely a mass-murdering savage, it might very well spell the end of my career."

"Which is why after you leave this house, we are to have no further contact until the trial is concluded.  You can admit that you're being paid for your time, but you are not to even hint at the identity of your patron."

"In exchange for this discretion, I am willing to pay you handsomely: One hundred platinum coins each, followed by another hundred if I am satisfied by your efforts at the end of the trial.  To be clear, I am not hiring you to support any particular verdict, simply to perform a thorough and competent investigation."

With a signal from the Judge, her scarred maid produced six hefty coinpurses and laid them on the table in front of the party.

"Are these conditions acceptable to everyone here?"

Livi nodded her head sympathetically to the Judge's caution. It was a scenario she had heard plenty of times. Anything not understood by the average person in Ustalav were usually feared if not despised. She hoped that one day that might change. Until then though, this would definitely be a change of pace from the university.

She glanced around around the room before she stepped up. "I accept the conditions Judge Daramid. We will find out who or what was truly responsible for the crimes." She picked up one of the pouches off the table and stepped back to not block the others. Once everyone had accepted the pouches the shaman spoke up, "so what can you tell us about happened? I suspect we'll need every detail you can spare."

Fala as well nodded at the judge. The beast was an abomination that offended Fala and her deity. Finding the person responsible for this crime against nature was as important as putting end to the beast. More importantly, the money offered for this task was way too tempting. It would aid her in repaying the debt she felt she owed to her family and would further help her daughter.

"I find these terms acceptable, Judge." She paused for a moment and turned to look at the other woman who had spoken "Good lady Preda is right. We need all the information you can spare in order to succeed in this task."

"Agreed," Kara murmurs, her voice soft and almost gentle. "Regardless of the nature of the investigation, knowing enough a priori to look in the right place is rather important. What information can you share with us, Your Honor, before we begin?" She pauses, and then smiles, her teeth showing just a little sharper than they should. "And I, as well, am perfectly fine with those terms."

Maritine nods once and carefully accepts the purse of coin offered. "The university has been investigating the Beast for years now, it would be disgraceful to leave the case unfinished." She states matter-of-factly, words chosen carefully to agree with the Judge's terms without explicitly saying so. Separating Daramid from her request wouldn't be too difficult with almost everyone in agreement.

With the only question currently on her mind asked, Maritine pulls out a small notebook and inkpen and begins to prepare notes.

  There's a beat of silence, then a solid thump from the floor behind Vrenna, whose dilated eyes are just leaving Maritine for the Judge.  Terms.  "How will our findings be of any use if we do not present them?"  The priestess had been looking supernally benign since Daramid's scowl her way, as though too innocent to even notice the implication.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:19, Sun 17 Oct 2021.

The corner of the judge's mouth crept up slightly into the barest hint of a smile as she addressed Vrenna's question first.  "Here in Lepidstadt, one can present evidence in a court of law even if one isn't a close friend of the judge.  But, I should start at the beginning:

"As I'm sure you all know, a week ago the Beast was captured while breaking into the University of Lepidstadt.  Dr Montagnie Crowl, the head of the Antiquities department, found it trashing his workshop and was somehow able to subdue it.  As is widely suspected, the beast is a flesh golem: A type of magical construct built from the bodies of dead men.  A flesh golem isn't technically undead, though few care to actually make the distinction.  Nevertheless, while undead can be destroyed without a trial, and creating flesh golems is highly illegal, there's no precedence for destroying free-willed constructs merely for the crime of existing."

"Instead, the city of Lepidstadt is seeking to destroy for the crime of murder.  Twenty three counts of murder, spread over three separate incidents.  The first charge is the murder of 10 people in Morast village last year.  The second is the slaying of six children in Hergstag seven months ago.  And thirdly, it is accused of burning down the sanctuary on Karb Isle, resulting in the death of one Dr Brada and all six of the patients staying there, as well as blinding Brada's assistant.  All three accusations are based off of eyewitness accounts from upstanding citizens with no reason to lie."

"Nevertheless, something about this case doesn't quite sit right with me.  Over fifteen years as magistrate of Lepidstadt, I've heard the beast accused of every crime possible, and many that are clearly impossible.  Every unsolved disappearance or fire gets laid at the beast's feet, every unimaginative criminal tries to shift blame for his crimes onto the wretched thing.  I once had a defendant look me straight in the eye, and tell me the Beast of Lepidstadt was forcing him to sell stolen merchandise.  This current crop of allegations seems more plausible, of course, but there's always a chance that the Beast is once again merely some kind of scapegoat.  Even if it is guilty, there is still the question of who created it.  Not to mention the issue of it's capture: After keeping itself hidden from the world for twenty years, it just walks up to the university, kicks down the door, and gets caught by Monty Crowl while trying to commit burglary?"

Judge Daramid shakes her head, clearly baffled by this last detail.  "Something very strange is happening here.  And if the beast goes up in flames, any chance of answers might go with it."

The judge looked at each of her guests in turn, as if trying to judge their reaction or intuit their suitability for the job they've been hired for.  "And unless you can find something worthwhile, the Beast will burn on Fireday morning.  The pretrial arrangements are all finished, and trial itself is scheduled to last only three days, with one day set aside to present each crime."

"After you leave here, I highly suggest you visit the Barrister Gustav Kaple at the courthouse.  He is the Beast's appointed council, and I'm sure he will be more than happy to designate you as investigators for the defense.  He might also have some ideas about where to start looking."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:13, Sun 17 Oct 2021.

Felix listened to Judge Daramid as she presented her offer and accepted the coin purse. At the mention of the Beast, he wracked his mind for what he knew about Flesh Golems. Breaking into the University was one thing, but for it to be caught by Dr. Crowl did not make much sense. The only thing that truly feared the doc was a plate of pastries before he scarfed them down. Much of it did not make any sense.

"So we have murders in Three locations, along with breaking into the university, and the overriding question of who made him. The question as to how the law applies will be something for his barrister to argue. I fear that the one prosecuting him is going to present his case that since it was not born naturally, it should be treated just like the undead and that the trial was a waste of time." Felix said.

"I believe I can say that we will all look into it and see what we can find."

21:03, Today: Felix Axcici rolled 24 using 1d20+9.  K Arcana.

  Vrenna settles into a catlike smile, openly tickled by the teasing, and listens closely.  She doesn't bother to cover her responses, and she is clearly both unimpressed with the citizens' standing and perplexed by the accusations.  But her general affect is engaged and eager, right to the end.  At the instruction to meet at the courthouse, her face falls so abruptly that it's not clear whether she caught the ultimate answer to her question.

  Her eyes track to Felix.  "Yes.  His barrister should make those arguments.  I'll have to confer with mister Kaple as quickly as possible.  Especially if 'natural birth' is likely to be a consideration."  As an aside, she turns to Fala.  "I'll need to return to my lodgings for sundry necessaries.  I don't expect to take long; we are at once counting hours."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:34, Mon 18 Oct 2021.

Judge Daramid shook her head in response to Felix's concern. "During pre-trial, the Beast was deemed legally fit to face charges with no objections from the prosecution.  Don't worry, Otto Heiger isn't about to cheat the Punishing Man by claiming that the defendant isn't a person.  In fact, I'd say he's one of the few people who wants to make a big show of this trial."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Tue 19 Oct 2021.

Maritine is meticulous in her notekeeping, with only the briefest of pauses as Daramid confirms one of the wilder rumors to have skulked across campus - that the Beast had been caught in the office of Doctor Cowl. Perhaps a message is in order.

"Doctor Cowl has been tenured in his position for decades; it is possible, however highly unlikely that he might have had something in his possession that could have subdued the beast. The man himself? Absolutely not." She says with definitive finality as she finishes her shorthand and snaps her notebook shut.

"Doctor Cowl is likely simply letting the rumors run their course - it would not be the first time something outlandishly ridiculous spread across the campus; for thoroughness' sake, we can make time to speak with the illustrious beast-catcher." Her tone makes it difficult to tell if she's joking or mocking.

"I believe that technically both the Morast village and Herstag cases are still open, I am unsure of Karb Isle. Regardless, as you have said, your Honor, the Beast makes for a convenient scapegoat assuming it is innocent of those crimes." She nods respectfully to Daramid and then turns to the others assembled.

"Are we to see the barrister immediately?"

Fala allowed the people far smarter than her to discuss the matter of law while she observed.

The knight turned her attention towards the Asmodian as she felt the tiefling's gaze upon her. "Are you asking me to escort you, Lady  Charthagnion?"

  "I seem to be," responds Vrenna, looking bemused. "That is, if it's not too much a burden? If someone sees us leaving, I'd rather not find that out alone."

  She addresses the rest of the investigators as she crosses toward the exit, along the way snagging a coinpurse with a loop of tail. "I will meet you all outside of mister Kaple's offices an hour from now, unless someone thinks they will need more time than that to prepare? Forgive me, there is no hastening the transit."

Fala shrugged "It ain't a burden for me, Lady Charthagnion. I do however worry if it is a burden for the investigation?" She looked at the rest of the party for approval for this little diversion Vrenna was suggesting.

The shaman stroked her chin as she listened to the discussion. The fact that the "beast" was a golem wasn't the biggest surprise. As the judge had stated, it had been suspected. Still, if it truly was responsible it was no mindless automaton. This creature would have evaded capture for over two decades while it pursued some agenda.

"I agree we should see Barrister Kaple as soon as possible. He might be able to tell us who and where the witnesses are. Direct testimonies from those at the crime scenes will no doubt play up the spectacle of the trial. I suspect one or two of them will be in the city. I would also like to talk to the creature ourselves if possible," Livi finally said. If the creature was at the various crime scenes then there had to be some connection.

She looked over to see the knight, Fala, had addressed the group. Livi wasn't a leader and didn't know if it was her place to speak up. That said she decided to give her two cents anyway. "If Lady Charthagnion believes these supplies will help the investigation then I don't think it will be a burden." She turned to the rest, "that being said I don't have any preparations to make. Perhaps the rest of us can go to the courthouse and the other two can catch up once they have accomplished their task?"

  "I won't arrive behind," responds Vrenna firmly, pausing near the door.  She makes no further movement toward departing.

Something nagged at Felix's mind as they departed. "I find it odd, normally they are pretty mindless and are used as slave labor for those that go to the expense of making them. Twenty years of existence and these incidents occurred only in the last year? Strange. I do not think we can talk to it but maybe it can read and write? If we get a chance, that would be rather interesting to find out."  he said to the group.