RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to [PF] Carrion Crown - Trial of the Beast

21:34, 27th April 2024 (GMT+0)

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse.

Posted by Whispering TyrantFor group 0
Whispering Tyrant
GM, 22 posts
Awaits in Gallowspire
Thu 21 Oct 2021
at 15:17
  • msg #1

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

2:30 PM Moonday, 10th of Lamashtan, 4710

The Lepidstadt courthouse was a sturdy three-story building, it's front face dominated by an enormous clock.  It was built with security in mind: The doors were reinforced with iron, the exterior walls were thick stone, and the open windows dotting the structure less than a foot wide and protected with iron grates.  Two guards stood by at the main entrance, scale armor and halberds recently polished.  They seemed reasonably alert, though their attention was largely focused on the the town center where the nearly completed Punishing Man towered over most of the nearby buildings.

Inside, a third guard wrote down the name and address of each visitor before escorting the party to Gustav Kaple's office.  Their path took the party past a solid steel trapdoor, which clearly lead down into the town jail beneath the courthouse.

Gustav Kaple, duly appointed counsel for the defense, cut a striking figure at first glance.  He was a tall, broad shouldered man with a stern face, large expressive eyes, and thick dark hair that was clearly in the process of both going grey, and turning bald entirely.  Spread over his desk was a variety of legal documents, which he was searching through quickly and decisively.  This dignified impression lasted only as long as it took the man to notice the party standing in the doorway of his office.  Despite the group not being particularly quiet in their approach, he nearly fell out of his chair when he noticed them, then scrambled to his feet.

"Oh! Uh, hello.  I wasn't expecting any...wait, was I expecting you?"  He quickly checked a schedule on one end of his desk.  "No.  No, I don't have any appointments at all until..."  He trailed off, before apparently deciding to try again from the top.  "I'm Gustave Kaple, the public defender.  Um.  What can I do for you?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:33, Fri 22 Oct 2021.
Felix Axcici
player, 10 posts
Magus
Thu 21 Oct 2021
at 22:51
  • msg #2

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

"No, you were not expecting visitors, but I have a feeling that your client can use all the help it can get. It is never good for a barrister to see its client be the guest of honor, at an execution." Felix said.

"Something smells fishy with the whole thing and we would like your input."
Vrenna Charthagnion
player, 19 posts
Fri 22 Oct 2021
at 03:34
  • msg #3

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

  Vrenna lets Felix push Kaple even further off-balance while she settles into a terribly Professional bearing, then follows right on the scholar's heels.  "Good afternoon, Gustav.  After all I've heard, it's a pleasure to actually meet you.  Lady Vrenna Charthagnion, esquire, criminal defense—your new co-counsel.  I've brought along a small team of investigators who've agreed to payment arrangements that don't empty your purse at all."

  She turns as she mentions the others and sweeps an arm above the general congregation.  Her voice carries enough to catch attention from passing clerks, and the audience only makes her stand a little straighter and enunciate even more clearly.  "Your millstone of a case is about to make both our careers.  Are you ready to move fast?  I hear you know your way around a brief, and I'll need someone who knows local law top to bottom, to have any a chance before the justices."
Fala Lucalla
player, 10 posts
The Knight of Sorrows
+6/+3/+3 AC:21 HP:40/40
Fri 22 Oct 2021
at 23:08
  • msg #4

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

Fala stood by the group with her arms crossed in an attempt to strike an imposing figure, letting Vrenna apply her talents here where they were more suited. Fala decided not to muddy the waters of the investigation by bombarding the poor man with more questions than already presented.
Whispering Tyrant
GM, 25 posts
Awaits in Gallowspire
Sat 23 Oct 2021
at 13:21
  • msg #5

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

The barrister let out a short laugh in response to Felix's remark about dead clients not being good.  Well, it was probably a laugh, though it sounded almost like a cry of pain.  "Y-y-you don't need to tell me!  I've had a lot of clients--too many, really--meet the gallows lately, and I can't imagine being handed a hotter potato than the Beast of Lepidstadt.  I don't know why any of you would want to dirty up your reputations with something like this, but I'm not about to turn down help."

Turning to Vrenna, he raised an eyebrow in confusion.  "Co-counsel?  I hadn't heard any...Oh, you're the devil worship--that is, our v-visitor from Cheliax who came over to study at the University!  I don't know if the court would recognize you as a legal representative yet, it can be a bit of a long process... But I can sign you in as, let me think- A legal advisor and some volunteer investigators.  Give me just one second..."

Rooting through the various drawers on his desk, Kaple produced a copy of Abadar's Order of Numbers, a small sheet of paper, and a faded bronze badge.
He placed the book on the desk in front of the party.  "You can swear on whatever you choose, of course.  Though it is, uh, customary to take oaths on the Lawgiver's sacred book.  Anyways, repeat after me."

After giving the party time to sort out whatever holy symbol or other object they wished to swear on, ("Um, just put your hand on your heart if you don't have anything to swear on,") he brought up the paper and read it's words in a rapid, practiced voice.

"Repeat after me:  I, (your name here), solemnly and sincerely swear that I will truly and faithfully and to the best of my skill and knowledge execute and perform the duties that devolve upon me as an Investigator of the High Court of Vieland, to follow all local, provincial and national laws, to speak only the truth on all official matters, and to never disclose or make known, without due authority in that behalf, any matter that comes to my knowledge by reason of my holding that office."
Liviana Preda
player, 7 posts
Sat 23 Oct 2021
at 17:24
  • msg #6

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

Livi had followed along to the courthouse. The building itself seemed impressive, although the shaman hadn't seen many to compare it to. It seemed more a prison than a courthouse with the windows being covered with iron. Perhaps another day she would get the chance to explore inside, but for now she and the others were directed to an office.

She let the others introduce the group and their reason for arriving. Like they had suspected it did not take much to convince him to let us help. In the back of the barrister's office she placed a hand over her heart and repeated the oath as requested. It seemed a needless formality but that sometimes happened when dealing with religious institutions. "Now. What can you tell us about the case so far Barrister Kaple?"
Kara Sweetwater
player, 5 posts
Sat 23 Oct 2021
at 23:11
  • msg #7

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

Kara repeated the oath, her hand held over her holy symbol of Shelyn. It seemed a practiced pose. Once it is complete, she smiles at the barrister gently. "We'll do our best to help your client. Trust me, we all have an interest in seeing justice properly done."
Vrenna Charthagnion
player, 20 posts
Sun 24 Oct 2021
at 01:33
  • msg #8

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

  Vrenna watches the proceedings with a hand on the icon at her breast, but when her turn comes, she reaches for the attorney's scripture.  "Severally, as my higher obligations permit, I so swear."  Her tail lazily turns in a loop to one side after the other.  Something moves beneath her cowl.
Maritine LeGrasse
player, 13 posts
Human Inspector
Sun 24 Oct 2021
at 02:53
  • msg #9

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

Maritine keeps a neutral expression as the group arrives at the courthouse with the others, keeping careful watch on Vrenna - the chelaxian was likely used to suspicion, but she would be vigilant all the same, even with the judge's trust in their favor.

She pushed her feelings aside on the matter as they are all lead inside to meet with Barrister Kaple, pulling her notebook from out of her many pockets in preparation of noting anything they might be able to pull from the man. Hand over her heart she repeated the oath almost from memory and once done snaps her book open, pen in hand to begin writing as her eyes practically glue themselves to Kaple.

"Tell us everything you can, Barrister. No detail is irrelevant."
Felix Axcici
player, 11 posts
Magus
Sun 24 Oct 2021
at 12:34
  • msg #10

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

Felix shrugged his shoulders when the group was asked to take an oath. "If it helps, it might improve my reputation but so be it." he said, placing his hand over his heart and repeating the oath. "I, Felix Axcici, solemnly and sincerely swear that I will truly and faithfully and to the best of my skill and knowledge execute and perform the duties that devolve upon me as an Investigator of the High Court of Vieland, to follow all local, provincial and national laws, to speak only the truth on all official matters, and to never disclose or make known, without due authority in that behalf, any matter that comes to my knowledge by reason of my holding that office." he said.
Whispering Tyrant
GM, 26 posts
Awaits in Gallowspire
Mon 25 Oct 2021
at 22:49
  • msg #11

[1.01] The Lepidstadt Courthouse

Kaple nodded in acknowledgement as the party took their oaths.  If he noticed Vrenna's equivocation, he didn't show any sign of it.  Instead he held out the scuffed bronze badge for someone to take.  "By the power vested in me by the people and city of Lepidstadt, I deem you temporary agents of the courts.  I, uh, I only have the one badge.  It doesn't give you any real privileges, anyways.  But showing it to people usually makes them more understanding about having someone rooting though their backyard and asking strange questions."

"As for the case...well, there's not much either way."  He handed over a thin sheaf of papers, labelled "Summary of Accusations".  "All three cases are based entirely off of witness testimony.  It doesn't seem like there was any kind of motive for the Beast's crimes; it just showed up, took a bunch of people, and left.  Almost no bodies to speak of, either.  I think the only victim that was even recovered was Ellsa Meyer, and she was buried the next day.  S-still, the witness testimony is hard to get past: There are a lot of witnesses, none of whom have any reason to lie that I can see.  I interviewed them myself, and they all describe the beast in detail: A large, grey humanoid with mismatched body parts, some of which look like they might have come from animals. "

"The Beast itself is down in the courthouse jail, but it doesn't have much to say in it's defense." The Barrister sighed hopelessly.  "Basically all I could get out of the d-damned thing was "I didn't do it."  I don't know if it even understands what's happening.  I mean...it's smart enough to talk, but I don't know how much...you know, reason it has to it."

"I haven't been able to get anybody to visit the crime scenes.  I doubt there's anything left to see there after all this time, but...I don't know.  It could be worth a shot."  The Barrister's tone was resigned.  Clearly, he considered the whole case to be hopeless and his client obviously guilty.  One could only hope he would be less obvious about it during the trial itself.

Summary of Accusations:
Morast, Hamlet, 8 miles East of Lepidstadt.

From Rova 10 to Rova 25 of 4709, the Beast of Lepidstadt is accused of abducting and murdering Dowd Pescar, Aran Cohn, Alexandra Cohn, Bogdan Balan, Jacob Pescar, Adam Ionescu, Maria Ionescu, Laurent Pescar, Olga Pescar, and Camille Pescar.  It started by attacked lone travelers on the outskirts of town, and later moved on to attacking people in the street at night and eventually invading a family home.

On Rova 30, the people of Morast laid an ambush organized by the village elder Lazlo Pescar.  The beast was wounded and pursued to a cemetery 1km north of Morast, where it was attacked by blood caiman.  The people of Morast previously believed the beast had been killed by the caiman until it's recent capture.  Lazlo Pescar and three other citizens involved are scheduled to testify on Toilday, Lamashtan 11.

Hergstag, Village, 10 miles NW of Lepidstadt.

From Pharast 15 to Pharast 29 of 4710, the Beast of Lepidstadt is accused of abducting and murdering Allen Jager, Gaard Bruin, Karin Stonebrau , Maarten Kanwald, Rachel Kanwald, and Ellsa Meyer.  The victims were all children between the ages of 7 and 13, and are believed to have been lured or abducted from their homes at night.  The morning after the disappearance of Ellsa Meyer, the Beast approached Hergstag in broad daylight, carrying the child's corpse and roaring with laughter.  The villagers were able to drive it away, after which it did not return.

Hergstag has since been abandoned, and is allegedly haunted by the spirits of the murdered children.  Witness testimony will be delivered by Garrow Torwald, Starle Torwald, and Flicht Torwald (currently residing in Lepidstadt) on Wealday, Lamashtan 12.

Karb Isle Sanctuary, located on an isthmus 2 miles North of Lepidstadt.

On Sarenith 2, 4710, the Beast of Lepidstadt is accused of killing Dr Sebastian Brada and six patients in an arson attack.  The Doctor's assistant, Karl Eisen, witnessed the Beast of Lepidstadt fleeing the scene.  Karl Eisen, who was permanently blinded by his injuries, is scheduled to testify on Oathday, Lamashtan 13.


OOC: You have enough information to find Morast, Hergstag, and Karb isle.  The Morast witnesses should be easy to find in a tiny village, but locating Karl Eisen or the Torwald sisters will require a Diplomacy check to gather information.  Gathering information typically takes 1-4 hours.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:13, Fri 29 Oct 2021.
Sign In