"That is strange." Felix said at the mention of the Beast being able to talk. "From my studies at the academy, flesh golems tend to not be able to speak. Something about the nerves in the voice box just giving them a grunt or roar at best." he mentioned.

"It rather odd for it to make its way to the places in such a short area and different directions near Lepidstadt. Has there been any reports of the Beast making his way to the various locations?"

The barrister responded to Felix's questions with a weak shrug.  "People report seeing the Beast around Lepidstadt all the time, and there's no real way to tell which sightings are real and which aren't.  Nobody's come forward to say they saw the beast heading towards the crime scenes, as far as I know.  Nobody's come forward saying it was somewhere else while the murders happened either."

"And as for the voice box, I'm sure you know more than me.  You, uh, you can talk to it if you want.  It's just downstairs in the jail, maybe you'll have better luck then me.  I mean, you sorta look like a..."  Kaple trailed off, belatedly realizing that he probably shouldn't finish that particular sentence.  "Look like...um...an educated sort?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:31, Tue 26 Oct 2021.

As the accusations were passed around Livi examined the documents. True to its word it was a summation and seemed to not give much detail. The dates of the testimonies also drove home just how little time they had to investigate. "I believe we will need to focus completely on the Morsat incident today since they are testifying tomorrow. Any evidence presented after the testimony will have less impact, if they will even accept it." She suggested. Honestly she didn't have much understanding of the courts but she knew that the people of Ustalav could be stubborn once they had come to a decision. It didn't help that any one of these incidents might be enough to condemn the beast to execution.

"It's possible to get to the village in an hour if we hurry, even quicker if we can arrange for some horses. We should head there today to see what we can learn." She paused to turn to Kaple, "You said you've interviewed the witnesses barrister? Can you give us more detail about what they saw? For example the witnesses from Morsat, were these people the monster attacked personally or were they merely in the mob that hunted the beast? Did they wound it or was it wounded beforehand?"

She paused again to let the barrister gather his thoughts. Once he had replied she nodded at Felix. "I agree. I've always heard golems are mindless. If this one can speak then we should definitely attempt to communicate. What languages have you tried barrister? Perhaps it's lack of a response is simply that it doesn't know much common? I'm not a skilled interrogator but I know a spell that should allow someone to speak any language."

  "Entirely correct, Ms. Preda.  These are highly accelerated proceedings by a hostile court.  We shall be lucky to be admitted at all.  In light of the time already gone by, we'll have to structure the case after gathering exhibits.  Oh, that's always troubled..."  Vrenna retreats to take hasty notes with Kaple's pen while he responds to all the other questions.

Kaple rubbed his chin as Liviana pressed him for more details.  "I, uh, didn't really find out much more from the witnesses than is there in the summary...The Morast witnesses were all part of the posse that caught it, though.  I don't think any of it's earlier victims survived meeting it.  The mob put a few crossbow bolts into it when they caught it, and I think they mentioned tracking it down by following the trail of blood or ichor or, uh...whatever comes out of a flesh golem when you shoot it."

  "We'll find out, if we don't hurry."  Vrenna turns to the others, lips drawn in pensively.  "I consider my own skills best applied to amicable questioning, and I doubt a monster-hunting posse will be inclined to answer me.  The accused, however, may be more open, if they are able to be.  Locating the other witnesses for tomorrow shouldn't take much trouble, either.  Would you have us travel together, or ought we divide our efforts?"

  She bites her tongue for a few seconds, but can't retain the poise not to add a defense.  "I have not worked this closely with an investigation before."

"I am sure if not our fellow investigators here, Lady Charthagnion, but I think I can make a monster-hunting posse be included to talk to you." Fala smiled under the helmet while giving a nod of her head. "But do you truly think that abomination would be receptive to anything of use?" She said with heavy skepticism. Nothing but blasphemy could come out of it's mouth.

A small frown appeared on Livi's face as she listened to the barrister. "So all they know is that he was near the town? I presume the attacks stopped after the mob attacked, we should confirm that's the case." When the others started to speak up the shaman listened attentively. Livi considered Vrenna's proposal, she had a point that the townsfolk might not be receptive. "I still think it would be beneficial for you to come Lady Charthagnion. No doubt you have experience in knowing what questions to ask. Obviously you are free to pursue whatever method you think is correct. If you wish to remain I can cast the spell before we leave, you will have plenty of time to interview the creature."

Fala's question caused the shaman to note her, specifically the armor the knight wore. Perhaps her travel estimates had been a tad generous. "Frankly Ms. Lucalla I don't know. However, I think it's worth trying. We were hired to find the truth about these events. Hearing all sides of the story seems critical if we are to find out what happened. Even learning that the creature is lying could help us discern if it is responsible"

"Although I'd like to amend that the travel might take longer. We might get to the town exhausted but I believe we can make it in 2 hours, a little healing can typically cure the fatigue."

"Let us set out then, and investigate the town. This sounds very strange to me, and I would like to have as much time as possible once there to find out the truth of the matter." Kara fidgets anxiously, clearly wanting to be doing something - she is the sort who always needs to be doing. When she isn't, she is alone with her thoughts, and they are not good company.

"Since we are here, it will not hurt to spend a few minutes trying to see what the beast has to say, if any. For all we know it might be able give us a place to start. I am not much into Medicine but I understand that stitches can be unique to the surgeon that does them.." Felix said.

  "Would you like to stay and work on forensics, then, Mister Axcici?  That seems reasonable to me.  But oh, before anyone goes anywhere, I'll need a book, Gustav.  One with the laws that apply to this case.  And a minute which whichever of you—"  Vrenna's eyes sweep over the other investigators.  "—has the sharpest eyes and ears."

Taking several fastidious notes and putting together an impromptu timetable of assumed movements of the Beast, Maritine continuously scribbles until she's aware her fellow investigators are making plans to possibly divide and conquor, Vrenna asking Gustav for a book of laws and one of their time.

Carefully regarding the others with her, Maritine regardless takes a small step forward and meets Vrenna's gaze. "I like to think I'm good at my job; what exactly do you have in mind?"

"Well, I am not much of an investigator or such. I think we might want to stick together so out skills will complement each others and not leave any stone uncovered." Felix said.

After a brief period of rummaging through his desk, Gustav produced a hefty, leather-bound tome. "The Vieland Book of Law."  He announced, handing it over to Vrenna.  "It's mostly based off of the Abadaran Code, like most legal systems in Avistan.  At least, y'know, where murder is concerned.  It should all be pretty familiar to most lawyers, even from your...uh, background."

OOC: Is there anything in specific Vrenna wants to find in the book?

  Vrenna laughs brightly at her, uh, colleague's ongoing nervousness while she slips her pendant off and lays it on the volume.  "As though we aren't the model for half of Avistan and Garund!  Really, Gustav, Abadar's church is one of the largest in Eragon.  Now, a moment."  Covering the pentacle with her left hand, she closes her eyes.

  "Prince of Law, author of the contract of creation, favor me with insight on this lesser design."  Vrenna's eyes can be seen flicking rapidly behind her lids for a few seconds before she takes a sudden breath and straightens up, retrieving her holy symbol in the process.  With a sharp nod, she steps aside to face both the lawyer and the inspector, eventually extending a hand to the latter..  "All right.  I know the parts I'll need to read in more depth by tomorrow.  Thank you, Mister Kaple.  Ms. LeGrasse, I would like you to review the scuttlebutt and passing news from the last week in this city.  We have witnesses to find, and you may well hear their names.  Are you ready?"



Casting Kreighton's Perusal for the equivalent of an hour skimming the text for differences in the legal systems—she has no intention of letting Gustav do more of the talking than legally required.  For Maritine, Ears of the City will let her make a gather information check every round for the next four rounds, using the better of Perception or Diplomacy.  Clerics are so ridiculous with a little idea what to expect.

Maritine puts her book and inkpen away and takes out a small flask as she hesitates a second before taking Vrenna's extended hand.

"As ready as I'll ever be." She says as she gulps back the contents of the flask with a grimace - the tincture needed more mulberries. Next time.

Pupils becoming pinpoints Maritine makes sure she has a firm grip on Vrenna's hand as she exhales slowly and turns to Vrenna. "I am ready. Be gentle with me." Her tone again making it hard to tell if it's a proper joke or not.


Heightened Awareness; +2 to Perception and all trained Knowledge skills 40mins

  "Let us start with the nicer parts of town, then," coos Vrenna through a broad smile before praying.  "There is nothing that passes that is not within Your plan.  Let her witness the records."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:58, Wed 03 Nov 2021.

As Vrenna prayed, Maritine's senses were overwhelmed by a stream of sights and sounds. Flashes of people and places, snippets of conversation and rumour flowed over her like waves in the ocean.  The sensation was overwhelming, but she quickly found she could piece together a narrative by concentration on specific people or places.

OOC: Maritine, give me four subjects to gather information about during the spell.  You can either roll perception for each check or take 10.

The rush of information was intense; like being caught unaware by a river and just as much a shock to the system. Maritine clings to Vrenna's hand as it take her a moment to adjust and start filtering through the noise of people. She just had to...

There. Here.

The aftertaste of her tincture helped ground her slightly against the sea of voices, head tilting upwards as she's guided around the city and snags something...

Beast

The Beast was everywhere, its shadow looming impossibly over everything. But the thing about shadows, Maritine had learned long ago, is that they weren't the perfect way to hide things. You just had to look past them, and then...

Then...

OOC: Maritines' four subjects are going to be:

The Karb Isle Fire, the assistant specifically, but I don't think we got their name.

Doctor Crowl.

Hergstag.

And the Beast itself.

Maritine has a perception of 10, Heightened Awareness gives a +2 for 12, and taking 10 gives a total of 22 perception for gathering information as granted by Ears of the City. Should get some solid information.

The Karb Isle sanctuary was set up by Doctor Sebastian Brada to treat patients with "physical or mental deformities too great to participate in society."  His assistant, Karl Eisen, was apparently the sole beneficiary in Brada's will.  He now lives in a small house near the river in Lepidstadt.

As Lepdistadt's leading scholar of antiquities, Dr Crowl often meets with investigators and adventurers to identify and purchase any historical finds.  While a respected academic and a fairly skilled wizard, he's far from an intimidating battlemage:  Instead, he's a short, soft, excitable man with a tendency to wave his arms around wildly when he talks.  The going rumour is that he somehow managed to seize control of the Beast with magic, holding it in place until help arrived.  He can be commonly found at the university, and lives on campus.

Hergstag was a small Erastilite community, based around farming and hunting.  The village was abandoned shortly after driving the Beast off, due to frequent appearances of the murdered children's ghosts.  The Prosecution's witnesses are three middle aged sisters, who own and operate a grain mill on the outskirts of Lepidstadt.

Of the beast itself, there is little of use.  There are countless rumours of violence and depravity, but no credible trends to the rumours.  There are a few other tales, of the beast saving travellers from a monster attack, of leading a lost child out of the swamp, or simply portraying it as a kind-hearted hermit.  None of the stories seem verifiable, or relevant to the cases at hand.

"Since it appears that we might need to split up to quickly cover ground, I would like to stay in town and speak to the Beast if possible with two others, maybe Maritine and Kara. We could also speak with Dr. Crowl to get his version of the incident. Once we finish up, our group will head to Karb Isle Sanctuary to meet with Karl Eisen. The others can visit Morsat and then we can both meet at Hergstag since we do not know what is going on with the place since it was abandoned, other than the reports of the children's ghosts." Felix suggested

  "If you have a reason, Mister Axcici, that my suggestion be reversed, please tell me as we walk, and not milling about Mister Kaple's office." Vrenna could do the one eyebrow thing, it turned out. She took steps towards the door.

"Thank you again, Gustav. We'll see you again by dawn."

Livi watched with interest as Lady Charthagion started to work magic upon the book provided by Gustav. It was always interesting to see magic that worked differently than the one the shaman had studied. Once the ritual had been completed it seemed the group decided to split up. Before the others got too far Livi spoke up. "Lady Charthagion. Before I leave I would like to cast the spell that might help you communicate with the creature. It should last a decent time if you are heading there now." If the Lady accepted Livi chanted her spell before she joined the others to set out to Morsat.

OOC: Assuming Vrenna agrees Livi casts "Tongues" on her. Allows her to speak and understand any language.

The amount of information rushes past Maritine and even as she snags what she thinks is useful, there's some ruefulnes as words and phrases pass her by. If there was more time, perhaps this could be done again, but alas...

Once the spell wears off Maritine wobbles a little but keeps her footing, but does not let go of Vrenna until she's certain that she won't lose her balance.

"Well. That was certainly something..." She says, her voice a little shaky as she fiddles with her coat and turns to Vrenna and anyone else with them.

"Karl Essen, he is close to Lepidstadt, by the river. Blind or not he should be spoken to, and it bothers me that it seems no-one has yet."

"Hergstag is abandoned, but the witnesses - sisters - they still live. They own a grain mill not far from here."

"Doctor Crowl will be on campus somewhere, either in his office or his lodgings. If the Beast is in fact a flesh golem, then his capture of such a thing has unanswered questions. He might be difficult, if the University protects him."

  With an encouraging squeeze for Maritine before letting go, Vrenna leads the way out, becoming considerably more candid in the halls.  "Crowl is also the key witness for the prosecution.  It is deplorable that Kaple has not so much as attempted an interview.  That hack has gotten every single defendant he has ever been assigned to killed, and this time he isn't even attempting to fill his duty."  Her eyes flash, and her nostrils flare in what has the feel of real anger about the subject.

  "I am sorry, Miss Lucalla, but I must insist on meeting the prisoner.  I cannot escape the sense that someone's sins are being covered up by this effigy trial, and I won't leave the job half done by not discovering whose." With a little huff, the "legal advisor" shakes the thought away and reaches out for Fala's shoulder.

  "I will send a representative, however, to pay attention to the things I would and report back. Cinnabar!" A small green head, blunt and round with bright yellow eyes, peeks out from under her sleeve. The especially thin body that emerges behind it is just over a foot long and drapes neatly over the crusader's shoulder.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:22, Thu 11 Nov 2021.