Tastie

"Hmm, well that's something," Tastie says cheerfully.  "Say Astra," she begins, gesturing to the still messy area, "you're really cool and awesome.  Would you be able to do me a solid?  You're here all the time selling your beautiful flowers, and you see everything that goes on here!" she touches her daisy lovingly, "I was wondering if, you know, if you could keep a pretty eye out for me and take note of anything strange happening around here?  I'll pay you for the information, of course - plus I'm going to need new flowers eventually!" Tastie smiles.  "For example, see that thug over there, do you know him?  Are they locals or new?  We're trying to rid the town of rot - it would help business, that's for sure!  Are they a known quantity here?"

After getting some info (or not) from Astra, Tastie skips up to the beat-around-the-bush gang and says, "Hey!  Oh, he's still alive, huh?  WELL Mr. Bully, what are the chances of you ever doing raids and ambushes ever again?  Would you be interested in another sort of job?"  She winks and adds with a smile, "It's a good one...or we could kill you...in interesting ways...involving ants and honey....and the hot sun....it'll be really really painful but a badass way to die..."

"Yeah, I think I'll do that." He looks at the bandit leader with genuine regret in his eyes. "Sorry, mate. I tried. He's all yours, Remi." He turns and walks past Tastie to Astra.

"Sorry, one thing before you close up shop. I was going to ask, but we got attacked by bandits. Could I buy a couple of flowers for the road. To pay respects to Lukas' wife."

E'lar isn't much of one for torture or whatever the others have in mind, but figures it must be acceptable behavior in the situation, and wanders over with Gabin.

Remi feels that this bandit captain is a beginner and any “lair” that he has would not have much in it.  He curls up his nose at Tastie’s suggestion and says “Ooh girl, you have some revenge issues!  I like it!  But even ole Remi has some limits.”  Seeing no upsides to keeping the bandit captain alive and seeing many potential downsides, he whirls around with the dagger, ready to act.  If no one else stops him, he methodically plunges his dagger in the bandit captain’s left supraclavicular space from above in one swift motion, puncturing his lung and his aorta, giving him a quick death.  

Tastie would try to stop him - see above.  Maybe death is not the answer here.  That perhaps revenge is best served....umm, not hot. 

Astra listens to Tastie and thinks a moment, "Yes, I have seen them before.  They don't typically come into town and they rarely ever bother the locals.  Just mainly when outsiders come.  I guess I should have warned you before they came.  But they don't always and well, I just didn't think about it." she smiles at Tastie, "You don't have to pay me for information!  Just your smiling face will do and of course your business!  I'll try and keep an eye open, but I'm not promising anything!"

She turns to Gabin as he approaches, "Why, what a lovely gesture.  Here," she hands him a lovely bouquet, "on the house.  You are such a thoughtful young gentleman!  If only my husband was..."and she trails off shaking her head and gets back to closing up.

As part of the beat-around-the-bush gang stands around the captain arguing about what to do with him, a very drunk man approaches.

"Well, lookie here, you caught our friend Stanly.  At least that's what we always called *hic* him." he goes to shake hands with the nearest of you, but fails as he can't quite center himself on any single person. "I'm the law in this town and I'll be happy to take him off your hands.  Orville's the *hic* name, pleased to meet you."

Lanky glares at the drunken man, “Seriously? You are the law? A drunk?!  I don’t trust him in the hands of a drunk.”  Lanky lifts up the bandit captain over his shoulder. “Lets get this trash out of this town before deciding how to dispose of him.  I don’t care how he dies, but if you want him to go on living I think he should go on a trip with us.  That’s for saying I can’t  make you go “Steve”  I most certianly can.”

When it becomes clear that the intention is to stay in town for the night, Elirion returns to the captain and looks down at his bloodied form. Just another victim, she thinks. But no fool, unlike his men. She seems to have weathered the battle unscathed, only the faintest patina of dust around her knees from when she knelt behind the crates. After a moment she starts to absent-mindedly dust down her immaculate sleeves as she considers the situation.

It does not take long for her gaze to return to the captains bloodied form and -- for the briefest moment -- her eyes seem to soften. As quickly as the softness came it is replaced by an ancient and calculating look.

"So captain, you should tell us all about your family, your exploits, Vermeillon, and where you and your men kept the ... ah ... proceeds of your work. It will make a fine set of tales, eh?" Again her words seem laden with power, though she seems weary.

(( DC 14 Wis save ))

As the captain looks upon the weary elf, he feels a strange sensation come over him, WIS save 17

As he tries to hold his composure, he starts to lose it and not being able to look into her eyes, he says "What family?  You saw them, they are now just bodies lining this marketplace, or the one that got away who abandoned me!"  and with that, he starts crying.

Once he gets control of himself he adds, "Vermeillon?  I told you what I know about that forsaken town.  and as for where we kept our goods?  about 2 days walk South of here.  I'm sure the bandit that got away is heading there now."

Remi looks at the others and remains quiet with the discussion, he puts his dagger and short swords in their sheaths.  “Do what you will with him.  I am done with him.”  He walks away from the scene.  

Quote from kqstark >>

"What family?  You saw them, they are now just bodies lining this marketplace, or the one that got away who abandoned me!"  and with that, he starts crying.

Elirion shakes her head and whispers in Lanky's ear, "Whatever happened to 'I have a family and I'm not leading you to them'? Has anything he said been true?" She stares down at the captain with mingled disgust and pity, then indicates with her head for Lanky to follow a little way from the captive. "I have him now. He should cooperate. I shall keep focus on him while you all question him about the things I mentioned: family, exploits, Vermeillon, and where they kept their stash. I'm not sure how much I really care about any of it; and the sooner you finish the better." She looks longingly in the direction of the inn, "I need a drink."

While things are winding down the the drunkard/lawman stands and watches Elirion question the prisoner, Lukas comes out of the Bored Weasel.  "What's going on down here?  I hear you took care of some thugs, sorry for the trouble.  Ah yes, and here we have Stanly.  Orville, do you mind going to lock him up?  Landee will escort you."  You notice you didn't even see Landee join the party, but there he is.  Orville and Landee take the prisoner from Lanky and start walking him away.  Lukas turns to the rest of the group. "Well, if you have any more questions for that man, you know where to find him.  In the meantime, come on back in for the some stew on the house and get some rest.  You can carry on with yourselves in the morning refreshed."  

and with that, he turns on his heel and walks back towards his business.

Lanky doesn’t let “Stew” go. “Um…how many times has “Stew” been captured and found his way out?  Or been released?  I’m sorry but …er… I think I have a better idea as to were to take him.  And it’s with us.  To Vermellion, after all he just told us what a looovely place it is, isn’t that right?  I’m sure you’d fit in with the damned.”  

Edit:  Lanky sighs “Um I rather not keep him for the night, don’t want him to get out of the rope and try to kill me in my sleep.  Fine…um…he can stay in jail for tonight and come with us tomorrow.”

"Morning, I can get the truth.", E'lar says tersely.

((Anyone come out to do anything with the bodies? Just leaving them in the square for the lawman/townsfolk to handle?))

Gabin returns from the flower stand with a selection of field flowers in hand. Looking around and noticing the captain is absent, he says "I take it the bandit situation has been... concluded? I think I'm going to turn in for the night and rest up for tomorrow."

He heads inside the tavern and says to Lukas, "You mentioned you had some rooms we could use? I would appreciate that. Stew? Oh no thank you. I uh, haven't much of an appetite at the moment. Although maybe... do you have something a bit lighter than whiskey?"

"Why of course, young man" Lukas tells Gabin as he requests something lighter and hands him the basic ale of the place.  Then he proceeds to hand out keys to everyone and tells them where their separate rooms are.  As you all head up to bed, they are basic rooms, but the beds are clean and comfortable.  You all get a good nights rest.

When morning comes, you can hear bustling going on downstairs and out in the market square as people are reopening their shops right when dawn hits.  

How would you all like to start your morning?

First off Lanky will buy a diamond worth at least 50 gp, a quarterstaff, a healing potion, and maybe a dog. Once Lanky is done shopping he will go to the jail to see how the bandit captain is holding up.

E'lar has been up for hours, departing the inn to find a nearby forest or greenspace to spend time in quiet meditation with nature. He returns to the inn as the sun is rising, and orders a simple porridge and buttered fresh baked bread, and a pot of hot tea, if they have it.

He nods as others descend to the common room.

"We can question the bandit, if you wish.", he suggests, following it up with a bit more explanation. 

"I have magic to keep him from lying."