“Well, if you really aren't satisfied with how the law has decided…” Gaer lowers his voice, winking “maybe there's a way to fix things by intervening. After all, the law is made for men, not the men for the law, right? Let's go away and talk...”
“Kunnari should be given to Rash,” he muses, after nobody is nearby anymore “to join his tribe — but if Rash were to set him free instead, I doubt anyone in Longsaddle would know — or care too much”.
"And as for Kenzo..." the tiefling sighs "Would you like to help him escape? If this is really what you want, it should be enough for you to wait for him just outside Longsaddle, with Snowshine. If you give him a lift, I doubt Balfby will be able to reach him. But I would not like this solution... neither simply setting him free, nor imagining you riding alone through the night with him. Unhealthy ideas may come to his mind".
As Rash leaves, he notices Roxanna and Gaer... and he immediately realizes that Roxanna isn't happy. He sighs... she probably was hoping for kinder sentences to be handed down to the two Zhentarim. He approaches the couple.
"Is there something the two of you feel the need to talk about?" Rash asks quietly. "If you want Anita and I can meet you at one of the local taverns... it's still several hours until nightfall."
"What do you think Roxana?" Gaer asks, innocently "It seems like a good idea... What better place than one of the local taverns, to discuss the philosophical topic of how fair justice can be?"
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
It's now time to resume the journey - so what is the decision? Does Spira keep the egg with her? Or do you leave it where you found it? Zentromya, as you have heard, is torn about it and she doesn't know what to advise you... you are on your own...
A troubled frown crosses Spira's face. "This is why I wish Gaer were here. He always used to say the best choice is for the accident by which the nest was disturbed to never have happened." She sighs. "That we can't blame ourselves since we didn't know it was there, but the sad fact is all too many wild things won't return to their nests once humanoids have been near. If we take this little one with us and I turn out wrong, the parents will be heartbroken, but it won't cost a life."
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Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Before Rash had come over, Roxana looks at Gaer, seeming to weigh his words. "It's not like I do not believe these two are guilty of some serious acts. I feel though like the judge simply saw Zhentarim and wanted them killed. Imagine if Anita were brought here! I can't imagine she would not have also been sentenced to execution!" She's trying to keep her voice low, but it's becoming more difficult. But she seems to realize it and calms herself. "Not that Anita would not aquit herself better in having an attitude of regret for what she did and show signs of repentance."
When Rash comes over, Roxana gives him a nod. "We could talk. I'm trying to accept what is done is done. It's not like they are not deserving of punishment. I just don't see how you say slavery is wrong and then subject somone to slavery."
"Probably the same reason that arrest and incarceration is viewed differently than kidnapping," the half-orc says. "But I don't think in the middle of the street is the place to have this discussion. I'll be at the nearest tavern in half an hour."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
"Fine by me" Gaer accepts. "Do we want to meet over there, at the 'Night Cloak'?"
So, half an hour later, Gaer, Roxana (if she wants to come too), Rash and Anita find themselves at a table in the inn.
The "Night Cloak" inn is the most understated and pensive in all Longsaddle; inside you can practically breathe magic, with animated brooms that keep clean and invisible servants who bring customers what they have ordered.
The owner is a retired wizard, an old woman with numerous but shallow wrinkles, who somehow still seems to be able to keep up with time: her brown eyes still sparkle with that intelligence that led her to excel in the arcane arts, her step is still brisk (at least for a person of his age), her posture just slightly hunched over and some of her hair still retains its original jet-black color (even if it is no more than a few strands in the dense and neat hair of straight white hair).
Sitting at a table, without prying ears listening, our heroes have the opportunity to talk freely among themselves about the trial.
“I heard how she went” Anita sighs. "And I don't know how to thank you for making sure that I wasn't one of the protagonists of the event! I don't think I'll shed tears about Kenzo. About Kunnari... I don't know what to think. From what Rash told me, he seemed to have understood of being wrong".
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
Spira therefore decides for the solution that seems to her to be the lesser evil and keeps the egg with her. The journey of the 'Gang of Four' resumes... slightly more pleasant, now that the rainfall has decreased in intensity. The day passes without other noteworthy events, apart from the occasional meeting with a horse trader heading towards Longsaddle and the rain mixed with sleet that stops falling in the afternoon, replaced by an annoying cold wind, fortunately not very strong.
Towards the evening, our heroes, when they are thinking that it might be time to look for a place to camp, have one last encounter: they see a young traveller, whose elegant clothes and jewels suggest that he is of noble stock (or at least rich and with good taste), who is walking along the road, in the opposite direction to them, without haste... and alone.
"Good evening to you, noble travellers!" he waves in a friendly manner as he approaches. “Do trouble await me proceeding north on the Long Road?”(OOC: The Long Road is the road you are traveling on heading south)
"I kind of knew that it would go something like that," he says. "And after I got to know you, I knew I couldn't risk your life by having you face the tender mercy of the court. As for the others, I made sure that Kunnari will live... and I doubt that he will spend very long in bondage. If it's any consolation to anyone, if he does well he'll probably be allowed to go or inducted into the tribe within a year. Maybe two. But I don't really want to pat him on the back and send him on his way... it wouldn't really help society, or even him, if the only way he knows to make a living is by robbery. This way he'll have an opportunity to learn some skills before he goes free. I think we could probably make a good blacksmith or butcher out of him. I'll try to give Kenzo a fighting chance as well before the hunt... though I can't help but agree with the judge that he will almost certainly just go back to a life of crime if he survives the night, and likely just end up hanging from a tree somewhere else."
"A year or two..." Gaer sighs "And he might learn a way to earn an honest living in the meantime... Yes, Rash, despite everything, I doubt that any other court would have issued a more lenient sentence. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the judge imagined perpetual slavery... or she would have not accepted your option; but I certainly won't be the one to go and clarify her ideas".
When night finally falls, the shouting of the citizens of Longsaddle who have gathered to watch leaves you in no doubt that Kenzo's 'flight for life' is about to take place.
Maureen allows, as agreed, the half-orc wizard to cast a protection spell on Kenzo, who bows his head in a gesture of thanks so exaggerated as to be ironic: "Oh, how much courtesy..." he murmurs "Do you think this is enough to make us friends? Keep the beast away from me instead... Don't let it go. Put it on a false trail. Because, mind me, if that beast gets on my trail... and if I survive... I will find you all again! You, Anita, that judge... All of you, understand!? I don't know what to do with fairground tricks! Are you kidding me?! You know full well that they won't save me alone. Either you can keep that beast away from me... or you better hope it gets me!"
Realizing that the condemned man is saying something, Maureen is not pleased: "Maybe you'd better conserve your breath to run, scoundrel. And don't waste any more time! Go! Go, before the beast gets you! Or before I get you," she gives him one last icy look "after changing my mind!"
With a final glare first at the judge, then at Rash, the Zhentarim sets off, launching into a brisk run along the road.
"You aren't wrong..."the half-orc tells Gaer. "Though... that is assuming that he behaves himself and does what's good for him. Repeated escape attempts would naturally make the road to rehabilitation a lot longer."
After giving his spell of protection to Kenzo, Rash sighs as he watches the Zhentarim bandit disappear into the forest.
"Well, can't say that I didn't do everything I could,"he mutters. "Not my fault that he did everything in his power to make himself odious to literally everyone. Somehow I suspect that even if he survives the night he'll find himself hanging from a tree in the not-too-distant future... or worse, depending on who catches him."
Roxana agrees with Gaer's suggestion to meet at the Night Cloak. Once there she orders and ale. After Anita had arrived, she had nodded her head in agreement with her comments. "I am very glad you were not involved with that as well Anita." She listens to the conversation between Gaer and Rash, somewhat reluctantly agreeing that Kunnari may end up with a positive outcome. "If what you say is true, I do not understand why you refer to it as slavery."
"With Kenzo, this chase against the murderous beast seems likely a torture worse than simple execution. How does he even know that this is the person that he can devour? What if some other person from Longsaddle were to go out, would they be tracked down too?" she asks.
Time evidently passes as Roxana settles in with her ale at the tavern. As the evening comes, she heads out, resigned to the events. 'I had acquiesced to the trial, and this is the result,' she thinks. When Kenzo starts to run, she hears the menacing howl, and noted Maureen's apparent joy. She simply frowns, keeping any additional thoughts to herself.
(OOC: since we'd discussed these things before, I'm presuming Spira would have known of the timing and possible outcomes of the trial? perhaps have felt enough like Roxana does to have welcomed a reason to be out of town at the time?)
===========================
Spira looks the approaching traveler in the eye with a dry smile. "It depends how quickly you travel, fellow journeyer. I wouldn't come anywhere near the area around Longsaddle tonight. There may not be a ravening sorcerous beast loose there who would gladly add you to the hunt as a dainty snack after the main course, but ... " She shrugs with a winsome chuckle, while her smile slightly warms and broadens." "If you go there a few days from now, on the other hand, you just might find yourself invited to a wedding. And what news from Triboar and Waterdeep?"
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Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
[[ OOC: Yes, why not? This is all perfectly plausible ]]
The newcomer's face immediately darkens at the mention of 'a ravening sorcerous beast loose' and he impulsively asks: "Really? What beast? Tell me, honorable Lady," and bows briefly but deeply in homage "please, so that I can recognize it, if necessary... And what should 'main course' mean? It's really terrible, that such a threat is lurking near inhabited areas!"
He seems so... struck by the news (even if it's hard to decipher his feelings about it [[ OOC: unless some particularly curious character wants to attempt an Insight check ]]) that the rest of the conversation, concerning the marriage and including requesting information on Triboar and Waterdeep, seems to fade into the background and not immediately capture his attention.
The trial of the Zhentarim:
Gaer suddenly seems much more worried, at Roxana's hypothesis that some innocent person might find himself involved.
"You are right!" he exclaims impulsively, while angrily slamming his right fist into the palm of his left hand "And I feel incredibly stupid for not having thought of it myself... Luckily you're here!" he smiles sweetly at the girl from Longsaddle - but he immediately becomes serious again, thinking back to the problem "That beast can't be trusted... Every time I see it - or even just hear it - it gives me shivers. Aidwyn and Solitude seem able to keep her in check - but neither of the two is here now! I'm going too. I'll make sure no one else gets involved".
And he already seems about to take a short tour - so as not to make the crowd understand where he is going - and then immediately set off on Kenzo's trail...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Spira raises one eyebrow, pleased at the effect of her news but not wanting to terrify the man too much. "Well, first of all, of course I meant tomorrow night. You couldn't get to Longsaddle in one day's travel from here. Sorry I misspoke, but events have been so interesting lately it's hard not to get my tongue tangled up." She looks about and spots a group of flat mossy stones near a little spring by the roadside. Going over to sit on one, she beckons to her friends and the new traveler. "Why don't we all sit down comfortably and slake our thirst while I tell you about it?" After a few mouthfuls of water (and checking the egg to make sure its warmly bundled in the most protected and darkest corner of her pack) she goes on.
"Well, it seems Lady Martha Sharnshield of Longsaddle recently lost her fiancé in a most untimely fashion; but a diviner learned that he could be brought back if a group of adventurers went to a forgotten ruin of the Harpells and found the means. And in the course of this, not only did these adventurers discover the ruin had been taken over by plundering Zhentarim with no authorization from either the Harpells or the Sharnshields whatsoever, but one of them (the adventurers, that is) bonded with a ... yeth hound, I think the arcanobiologist called it? A creature of the Feywild night. And one of the options that will be offered to the Zhentarim these adventurers brought back to face trial in Longsaddle for their trespass and many other crimes, is to have a chance for life and freedom if they can escape B ... escape the beast tomorrow night from sundown till dawn as it hunts them through the darkness."
===========================
Insight 8
(...and just which particularly curious character might we happen to be referring to?...LOL)
"If what you say is true, I do not understand why you refer to it as slavery."
"With Kenzo, this chase against the murderous beast seems likely a torture worse than simple execution. How does he even know that this is the person that he can devour? What of some other person from Longsaddle were to go out, would they be tracked down too?" She asks.
"I refer to Kunnari's punishment as slavery because forced labor is the definition of slavery, and I don't think it does anyone any good to put more palatable names on if," Rash answers honestly and simply. "Also... like Gaer said, if it didn't sound like a cruel fate I doubt the judge would have heard me out..."
The half orc shudders at the thought of the yeth hound attacking some innocent person on a late evening stroll...
"That is... horrifying... I assume that the beast will be given his scent before it is unleashed... but I don't know what it will do after it finds its mark... damn it, why couldn't they have just waited for Aidwyn to get back? Or, you know, hung Kenzo and gotten it over with instead of whatever madness this is. Let it be known that I did try to offer him an out and the judge struck that down..."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Spira has the impression that the traveler is hiding something... she didn't miss his confident and decisive attitude... and the careful and calm way in which he inquired about the possible threat... it didn't seem like that at all was frightened by it and asked to avoid it... Spira rather has the impression that the stranger was gathering information to go and look for it.
However, in the meantime the man accepts her invitation and sits next to her: "Yes, perhaps a moment of rest will do me good;" he smiles "all the more so in such pleasant company, my lady. If I may dare to introduce myself, my name is Bemon".
When the cleric surreptitiously checks the egg, the individual seems interested... but he doesn't peek and simply asks: "Is there something troubling you, my lady?"
When Spira begins to tell the story, Bemon smiles, listening attentively, his eyes lighting up with interest: "I heard about this incredible feat from a passing courier! It seems that these heroes have performed an incredible miracle - they have brought back a person from the realm of the dead! It would be an honor to personally meet people capable of such deeds!" his gaze becomes a little dreamy as he lists "Roxana 'Shadow Archer', Aidwyn 'Shield Maiden', Rash 'Wrestling Wizard', Quspira 'Sergeant of Arvandor'..."
"But a yeth-hound..." the stranger's gaze darkens "A yeth-hound I doubt would have bonded with such heroes. It is a creature of darkness. A cruel and ruthless hunter. And if it is really around freely... it can be a threat to anyone".
The trial of the Zhentarim:
Gaer in the meantime leaves to track down Kenzo (and make sure that Balfby does not hurt anyone else). He gives Rash one last look: "Do you want to come with me?"
Then, either alone or in company, with a strong determination deep in those solid-black starless-night eyes... he goes.
"You know... if it can't find Kenzo, that might also infuriate our friend's creepy wolf,"the half-orc sighs. "But... yes, we really should make sure that the wolf doesn't go after anyone else. Hopefully all it takes is telling her that Aidwyn wouldn't like it if anyone but Kenzo ends up dead."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
So, Gaer and Rash get on the trail of Kenzo and Balfby.
Gaer follows the trail with relative ease, but soon it's the Yeth-Hound's chilling barks and Kenzo's screams of terror that guide you... It takes a couple of hours... a testament to how pure terror can increase a person's resistance... after which, you arrive in an area of rugged terrain, made treacherous by the frost, uphill, with tangled vegetation. There you find Kenzo, exhausted, bleeding from trying to clear his way through a barrier of brambles with long thorns - a barrier in which, however, he ultimately remained trapped due to lack of breath and strength.
You see also Balfby... Her black silhouette, a shadow among shadows, stands out against the clear winter sky, obscuring the stars or the moon as she passes in front of them. The beast is walking in the air, continuing to pretend to rush towards the prey now from one side, now from the other... But each time the predator stops and swerves to the side - only to return shortly after from a different angle. It is clear to you that she could tear the guy to pieces whenever she sees fit - but it seems that she is having fun prolonging that cruel game.
"Kenzo doesn't stand a chance..." Gaer murmurs, assessing the situation "He never did. It's a miracle he didn't die of fatigue. Maybe, soon, he'll mercifully die of fright. Balfby, at least, doesn't seem to be bothering anyone else... also because, fortunately, she hasn't met anyone else. What do we do, Rash? Do you want to watch the 'show' all the way through? This could go on for a long time... Do you want me to finish off Kenzo with a crossbow bolt? However, I wouldn't want an angry Balfby to go looking for something else afterwards... Or do we go away and leave things as they are? Balfby seems to me to be intent on playing with him as long as she can... She will probably wait most of the night, before killing him. Kenzo no longer has the strength to move from there. And this area is wild and deserted. No travelers will pass through here. What do you think, Rash?"
The same question seems to be reflected in the intelligent eyes of Balfby, who has noticed you and is now staring at you, with an awareness much deeper than that of an animal (after all, you know well that she is not - she is a fey), waiting to see what are you willing to do...
As Gaer sets out to leave, Roxana says, "You're not going without me!" She sets off, following him.
Out having tracked down Kenzo and his pursuer, the woman is again slightly disturbed by the results they are witnessing from this pursuit. "Clearly this is just torture for him." But beyond that she says nothing.
"Honestly, after he threatened Anita there's a part of me that wants to put him down myself," Rash mutters. "But... if you really want to save him Roxanna, I suppose maybe we could ask Aidwyn's wolf to 'just' maim him instead of kill him? I doubt we'll be able to convince her to let him go without a scratch now that she's got him..."
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The trial of the Zhentarim:
“Well, if you really aren't satisfied with how the law has decided…” Gaer lowers his voice, winking “maybe there's a way to fix things by intervening. After all, the law is made for men, not the men for the law, right? Let's go away and talk...”
“Kunnari should be given to Rash,” he muses, after nobody is nearby anymore “to join his tribe — but if Rash were to set him free instead, I doubt anyone in Longsaddle would know — or care too much”.
"And as for Kenzo..." the tiefling sighs "Would you like to help him escape? If this is really what you want, it should be enough for you to wait for him just outside Longsaddle, with Snowshine. If you give him a lift, I doubt Balfby will be able to reach him. But I would not like this solution... neither simply setting him free, nor imagining you riding alone through the night with him. Unhealthy ideas may come to his mind".
As Rash leaves, he notices Roxanna and Gaer... and he immediately realizes that Roxanna isn't happy. He sighs... she probably was hoping for kinder sentences to be handed down to the two Zhentarim. He approaches the couple.
"Is there something the two of you feel the need to talk about?" Rash asks quietly. "If you want Anita and I can meet you at one of the local taverns... it's still several hours until nightfall."
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The trial of the Zhentarim:
"What do you think Roxana?" Gaer asks, innocently "It seems like a good idea... What better place than one of the local taverns, to discuss the philosophical topic of how fair justice can be?"
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
It's now time to resume the journey - so what is the decision? Does Spira keep the egg with her? Or do you leave it where you found it? Zentromya, as you have heard, is torn about it and she doesn't know what to advise you... you are on your own...
A troubled frown crosses Spira's face. "This is why I wish Gaer were here. He always used to say the best choice is for the accident by which the nest was disturbed to never have happened." She sighs. "That we can't blame ourselves since we didn't know it was there, but the sad fact is all too many wild things won't return to their nests once humanoids have been near. If we take this little one with us and I turn out wrong, the parents will be heartbroken, but it won't cost a life."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Before Rash had come over, Roxana looks at Gaer, seeming to weigh his words. "It's not like I do not believe these two are guilty of some serious acts. I feel though like the judge simply saw Zhentarim and wanted them killed. Imagine if Anita were brought here! I can't imagine she would not have also been sentenced to execution!" She's trying to keep her voice low, but it's becoming more difficult. But she seems to realize it and calms herself. "Not that Anita would not aquit herself better in having an attitude of regret for what she did and show signs of repentance."
When Rash comes over, Roxana gives him a nod. "We could talk. I'm trying to accept what is done is done. It's not like they are not deserving of punishment. I just don't see how you say slavery is wrong and then subject somone to slavery."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Rash sighs.
"Probably the same reason that arrest and incarceration is viewed differently than kidnapping," the half-orc says. "But I don't think in the middle of the street is the place to have this discussion. I'll be at the nearest tavern in half an hour."
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The trial of the Zhentarim:
"Fine by me" Gaer accepts. "Do we want to meet over there, at the 'Night Cloak'?"
So, half an hour later, Gaer, Roxana (if she wants to come too), Rash and Anita find themselves at a table in the inn.
The "Night Cloak" inn is the most understated and pensive in all Longsaddle; inside you can practically breathe magic, with animated brooms that keep clean and invisible servants who bring customers what they have ordered.
The owner is a retired wizard, an old woman with numerous but shallow wrinkles, who somehow still seems to be able to keep up with time: her brown eyes still sparkle with that intelligence that led her to excel in the arcane arts, her step is still brisk (at least for a person of his age), her posture just slightly hunched over and some of her hair still retains its original jet-black color (even if it is no more than a few strands in the dense and neat hair of straight white hair).
Sitting at a table, without prying ears listening, our heroes have the opportunity to talk freely among themselves about the trial.
“I heard how she went” Anita sighs. "And I don't know how to thank you for making sure that I wasn't one of the protagonists of the event! I don't think I'll shed tears about Kenzo. About Kunnari... I don't know what to think. From what Rash told me, he seemed to have understood of being wrong".
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
Spira therefore decides for the solution that seems to her to be the lesser evil and keeps the egg with her. The journey of the 'Gang of Four' resumes... slightly more pleasant, now that the rainfall has decreased in intensity. The day passes without other noteworthy events, apart from the occasional meeting with a horse trader heading towards Longsaddle and the rain mixed with sleet that stops falling in the afternoon, replaced by an annoying cold wind, fortunately not very strong.
Towards the evening, our heroes, when they are thinking that it might be time to look for a place to camp, have one last encounter: they see a young traveller, whose elegant clothes and jewels suggest that he is of noble stock (or at least rich and with good taste), who is walking along the road, in the opposite direction to them, without haste... and alone.
"Good evening to you, noble travellers!" he waves in a friendly manner as he approaches. “Do trouble await me proceeding north on the Long Road?” (OOC: The Long Road is the road you are traveling on heading south)
Rash puts an arm around Anita.
"I kind of knew that it would go something like that," he says. "And after I got to know you, I knew I couldn't risk your life by having you face the tender mercy of the court. As for the others, I made sure that Kunnari will live... and I doubt that he will spend very long in bondage. If it's any consolation to anyone, if he does well he'll probably be allowed to go or inducted into the tribe within a year. Maybe two. But I don't really want to pat him on the back and send him on his way... it wouldn't really help society, or even him, if the only way he knows to make a living is by robbery. This way he'll have an opportunity to learn some skills before he goes free. I think we could probably make a good blacksmith or butcher out of him. I'll try to give Kenzo a fighting chance as well before the hunt... though I can't help but agree with the judge that he will almost certainly just go back to a life of crime if he survives the night, and likely just end up hanging from a tree somewhere else."
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The trial of the Zhentarim:
"A year or two..." Gaer sighs "And he might learn a way to earn an honest living in the meantime... Yes, Rash, despite everything, I doubt that any other court would have issued a more lenient sentence. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the judge imagined perpetual slavery... or she would have not accepted your option; but I certainly won't be the one to go and clarify her ideas".
When night finally falls, the shouting of the citizens of Longsaddle who have gathered to watch leaves you in no doubt that Kenzo's 'flight for life' is about to take place.
Maureen allows, as agreed, the half-orc wizard to cast a protection spell on Kenzo, who bows his head in a gesture of thanks so exaggerated as to be ironic: "Oh, how much courtesy..." he murmurs "Do you think this is enough to make us friends? Keep the beast away from me instead... Don't let it go. Put it on a false trail. Because, mind me, if that beast gets on my trail... and if I survive... I will find you all again! You, Anita, that judge... All of you, understand!? I don't know what to do with fairground tricks! Are you kidding me?! You know full well that they won't save me alone. Either you can keep that beast away from me... or you better hope it gets me!"
Realizing that the condemned man is saying something, Maureen is not pleased: "Maybe you'd better conserve your breath to run, scoundrel. And don't waste any more time! Go! Go, before the beast gets you! Or before I get you," she gives him one last icy look "after changing my mind!"
With a final glare first at the judge, then at Rash, the Zhentarim sets off, launching into a brisk run along the road.
A blood-curdling howl greets the departure.
Maureen smiles.
"You aren't wrong..." the half-orc tells Gaer. "Though... that is assuming that he behaves himself and does what's good for him. Repeated escape attempts would naturally make the road to rehabilitation a lot longer."
After giving his spell of protection to Kenzo, Rash sighs as he watches the Zhentarim bandit disappear into the forest.
"Well, can't say that I didn't do everything I could," he mutters. "Not my fault that he did everything in his power to make himself odious to literally everyone. Somehow I suspect that even if he survives the night he'll find himself hanging from a tree in the not-too-distant future... or worse, depending on who catches him."
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Roxana agrees with Gaer's suggestion to meet at the Night Cloak. Once there she orders and ale. After Anita had arrived, she had nodded her head in agreement with her comments. "I am very glad you were not involved with that as well Anita." She listens to the conversation between Gaer and Rash, somewhat reluctantly agreeing that Kunnari may end up with a positive outcome. "If what you say is true, I do not understand why you refer to it as slavery."
"With Kenzo, this chase against the murderous beast seems likely a torture worse than simple execution. How does he even know that this is the person that he can devour? What if some other person from Longsaddle were to go out, would they be tracked down too?" she asks.
Time evidently passes as Roxana settles in with her ale at the tavern. As the evening comes, she heads out, resigned to the events. 'I had acquiesced to the trial, and this is the result,' she thinks. When Kenzo starts to run, she hears the menacing howl, and noted Maureen's apparent joy. She simply frowns, keeping any additional thoughts to herself.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
(OOC: since we'd discussed these things before, I'm presuming Spira would have known of the timing and possible outcomes of the trial? perhaps have felt enough like Roxana does to have welcomed a reason to be out of town at the time?)
===========================
Spira looks the approaching traveler in the eye with a dry smile. "It depends how quickly you travel, fellow journeyer. I wouldn't come anywhere near the area around Longsaddle tonight. There may not be a ravening sorcerous beast loose there who would gladly add you to the hunt as a dainty snack after the main course, but ... " She shrugs with a winsome chuckle, while her smile slightly warms and broadens." "If you go there a few days from now, on the other hand, you just might find yourself invited to a wedding. And what news from Triboar and Waterdeep?"
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
[[ OOC: Yes, why not? This is all perfectly plausible ]]
The newcomer's face immediately darkens at the mention of 'a ravening sorcerous beast loose' and he impulsively asks: "Really? What beast? Tell me, honorable Lady," and bows briefly but deeply in homage "please, so that I can recognize it, if necessary... And what should 'main course' mean? It's really terrible, that such a threat is lurking near inhabited areas!"
He seems so... struck by the news (even if it's hard to decipher his feelings about it [[ OOC: unless some particularly curious character wants to attempt an Insight check ]]) that the rest of the conversation, concerning the marriage and including requesting information on Triboar and Waterdeep, seems to fade into the background and not immediately capture his attention.
The trial of the Zhentarim:
Gaer suddenly seems much more worried, at Roxana's hypothesis that some innocent person might find himself involved.
"You are right!" he exclaims impulsively, while angrily slamming his right fist into the palm of his left hand "And I feel incredibly stupid for not having thought of it myself... Luckily you're here!" he smiles sweetly at the girl from Longsaddle - but he immediately becomes serious again, thinking back to the problem "That beast can't be trusted... Every time I see it - or even just hear it - it gives me shivers. Aidwyn and Solitude seem able to keep her in check - but neither of the two is here now! I'm going too. I'll make sure no one else gets involved".
And he already seems about to take a short tour - so as not to make the crowd understand where he is going - and then immediately set off on Kenzo's trail...
Spira raises one eyebrow, pleased at the effect of her news but not wanting to terrify the man too much. "Well, first of all, of course I meant tomorrow night. You couldn't get to Longsaddle in one day's travel from here. Sorry I misspoke, but events have been so interesting lately it's hard not to get my tongue tangled up." She looks about and spots a group of flat mossy stones near a little spring by the roadside. Going over to sit on one, she beckons to her friends and the new traveler. "Why don't we all sit down comfortably and slake our thirst while I tell you about it?" After a few mouthfuls of water (and checking the egg to make sure its warmly bundled in the most protected and darkest corner of her pack) she goes on.
"Well, it seems Lady Martha Sharnshield of Longsaddle recently lost her fiancé in a most untimely fashion; but a diviner learned that he could be brought back if a group of adventurers went to a forgotten ruin of the Harpells and found the means. And in the course of this, not only did these adventurers discover the ruin had been taken over by plundering Zhentarim with no authorization from either the Harpells or the Sharnshields whatsoever, but one of them (the adventurers, that is) bonded with a ... yeth hound, I think the arcanobiologist called it? A creature of the Feywild night. And one of the options that will be offered to the Zhentarim these adventurers brought back to face trial in Longsaddle for their trespass and many other crimes, is to have a chance for life and freedom if they can escape B ... escape the beast tomorrow night from sundown till dawn as it hunts them through the darkness."
===========================
Insight 8
(...and just which particularly curious character might we happen to be referring to?...LOL)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
"I refer to Kunnari's punishment as slavery because forced labor is the definition of slavery, and I don't think it does anyone any good to put more palatable names on if," Rash answers honestly and simply. "Also... like Gaer said, if it didn't sound like a cruel fate I doubt the judge would have heard me out..."
The half orc shudders at the thought of the yeth hound attacking some innocent person on a late evening stroll...
"That is... horrifying... I assume that the beast will be given his scent before it is unleashed... but I don't know what it will do after it finds its mark... damn it, why couldn't they have just waited for Aidwyn to get back? Or, you know, hung Kenzo and gotten it over with instead of whatever madness this is. Let it be known that I did try to offer him an out and the judge struck that down..."
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Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
Spira has the impression that the traveler is hiding something... she didn't miss his confident and decisive attitude... and the careful and calm way in which he inquired about the possible threat... it didn't seem like that at all was frightened by it and asked to avoid it... Spira rather has the impression that the stranger was gathering information to go and look for it.
However, in the meantime the man accepts her invitation and sits next to her: "Yes, perhaps a moment of rest will do me good;" he smiles "all the more so in such pleasant company, my lady. If I may dare to introduce myself, my name is Bemon".
When the cleric surreptitiously checks the egg, the individual seems interested... but he doesn't peek and simply asks: "Is there something troubling you, my lady?"
When Spira begins to tell the story, Bemon smiles, listening attentively, his eyes lighting up with interest: "I heard about this incredible feat from a passing courier! It seems that these heroes have performed an incredible miracle - they have brought back a person from the realm of the dead! It would be an honor to personally meet people capable of such deeds!" his gaze becomes a little dreamy as he lists "Roxana 'Shadow Archer', Aidwyn 'Shield Maiden', Rash 'Wrestling Wizard', Quspira 'Sergeant of Arvandor'..."
"But a yeth-hound..." the stranger's gaze darkens "A yeth-hound I doubt would have bonded with such heroes. It is a creature of darkness. A cruel and ruthless hunter. And if it is really around freely... it can be a threat to anyone".
The trial of the Zhentarim:
Gaer in the meantime leaves to track down Kenzo (and make sure that Balfby does not hurt anyone else). He gives Rash one last look: "Do you want to come with me?"
Then, either alone or in company, with a strong determination deep in those solid-black starless-night eyes... he goes.
"You know... if it can't find Kenzo, that might also infuriate our friend's creepy wolf," the half-orc sighs. "But... yes, we really should make sure that the wolf doesn't go after anyone else. Hopefully all it takes is telling her that Aidwyn wouldn't like it if anyone but Kenzo ends up dead."
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The trial of the Zhentarim:
So, Gaer and Rash get on the trail of Kenzo and Balfby.
Gaer follows the trail with relative ease, but soon it's the Yeth-Hound's chilling barks and Kenzo's screams of terror that guide you... It takes a couple of hours... a testament to how pure terror can increase a person's resistance... after which, you arrive in an area of rugged terrain, made treacherous by the frost, uphill, with tangled vegetation. There you find Kenzo, exhausted, bleeding from trying to clear his way through a barrier of brambles with long thorns - a barrier in which, however, he ultimately remained trapped due to lack of breath and strength.
You see also Balfby... Her black silhouette, a shadow among shadows, stands out against the clear winter sky, obscuring the stars or the moon as she passes in front of them. The beast is walking in the air, continuing to pretend to rush towards the prey now from one side, now from the other... But each time the predator stops and swerves to the side - only to return shortly after from a different angle. It is clear to you that she could tear the guy to pieces whenever she sees fit - but it seems that she is having fun prolonging that cruel game.
"Kenzo doesn't stand a chance..." Gaer murmurs, assessing the situation "He never did. It's a miracle he didn't die of fatigue. Maybe, soon, he'll mercifully die of fright. Balfby, at least, doesn't seem to be bothering anyone else... also because, fortunately, she hasn't met anyone else. What do we do, Rash? Do you want to watch the 'show' all the way through? This could go on for a long time... Do you want me to finish off Kenzo with a crossbow bolt? However, I wouldn't want an angry Balfby to go looking for something else afterwards... Or do we go away and leave things as they are? Balfby seems to me to be intent on playing with him as long as she can... She will probably wait most of the night, before killing him. Kenzo no longer has the strength to move from there. And this area is wild and deserted. No travelers will pass through here. What do you think, Rash?"
The same question seems to be reflected in the intelligent eyes of Balfby, who has noticed you and is now staring at you, with an awareness much deeper than that of an animal (after all, you know well that she is not - she is a fey), waiting to see what are you willing to do...
As Gaer sets out to leave, Roxana says, "You're not going without me!" She sets off, following him.
Out having tracked down Kenzo and his pursuer, the woman is again slightly disturbed by the results they are witnessing from this pursuit. "Clearly this is just torture for him." But beyond that she says nothing.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Rash watches for a moment, not sure of himself...
"Honestly, after he threatened Anita there's a part of me that wants to put him down myself," Rash mutters. "But... if you really want to save him Roxanna, I suppose maybe we could ask Aidwyn's wolf to 'just' maim him instead of kill him? I doubt we'll be able to convince her to let him go without a scratch now that she's got him..."
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