[[ OOC: @DM: And what about the logbook? Can Eithne identify any information Beltha could have used in her plans to sow chaos? Or is it more likely that the "chaos" was simply the logbook's theft? ]]
It contains timetables, passenger lists, manifests, and more, just as Aristimus mentioned earlier. Information is valuable though, so it would not be hard for Eithne to reason how someone could sow chaos and discord with such information, however, there no definitive plans mentioned in or around the book. Perhaps this was to be used at an opportune moment, but what that moment might have been is impossible to say.
Eithne nods and begins to lead the way back, relying on her memory and attention to detail to retrace the outward journey.
During the return journey, the Savage Wanderer, at one point, almost casually asks Jesa: "What do you think they'll do to Beltha? What will be the punishment for stealing something as immaterial as... data? What will be considered... 'justice'?"
Jesa regards Eithne for a moment before responding. "What makes you think I even know the laws of Automata? But given the nature of the Outlands and Gate Towns, this is a place of exacting lawfulness. I am quite sure the penalties will be fairly meted out according to the rules of this place. Frankly, it is a bit disturbing that Beltha simply wants to disrupt things for the purpose of being disruptive." She stops there, not saying anything more at first. But then she suddenly adds, "Are you worried about what might happen to her? The logbook, the mere 'data' as you say, could be quite integral to the proper running of the train. It could sow a lot of confusion."
Eithne admits: "Circumstances forced us to hunt down this 'thief' without even knowing exactly how evil her intentions were—so yes, I'd hate for her to suffer too severe a punishment. Not that we can do much about it, though... at most, if we could be sure Beltha would tell us the truth, we could revive her for questioning, before handing her over... and, if her intentions weren't too evil, we could report (in agreement with her) that she returned the logbook of her own free will and repented—that might earn her a lesser punishment."
"I don't know, frankly... It's not necessarily true that she wanted to disrupt things for the sake of being disruptive" the Savage Wanderer muses. "Maybe she simply found the reality of Automata too alienating, with its cage of rules—in that sense, she meant 'this place needs chaos.' Perhaps she merely hoped to show the inhabitants that a less uncompromising way of life was also possible – and potentially preferable. I'd understand if that were the case".
"Yes, I know, I know..." the Lone Survivor suddenly seems to be speaking to someone else (unseen) instead of the paladin. "Too many 'what ifs.' Probably," she fixes her gaze on her interlocutor again "we actually have no way of knowing her ultimate intentions, and so we can't help but hand her over."
Faith chips in, "Since she's bound hand and feet, we could revive her and get her side of the story. I could cast my weakest heal spell, or Jesa could barely revive her enough to talk."
{Paladins are the best at waking people up for questioning! 😀}
"But it would be useless if we couldn't be sure whether what he says is true or not..." Eithne is torn between hope and doubt. "No one would admit to being the villain in their story."
Faith offers, "After we wake her up, I can cast a Zone of Truth spell on her. Well, I need to tell her about it first so she knows not to resist it, I'll know if she does. That way we'll know she's being honest, or that she's concealing something. And she'll know that we're being honest with her."
Jesa looks at Eithne then Faith. "You are suggesting we ask the prisoner whether they think they had a 'good enough' reason for stealing the logbook and we will let her go if she does?" She shakes her head. "I will not participate in this. At the very least she is a thief. The authorities of Automata can decide what to do with her according to their ways!" She looks quite shocked that the pair are even discussing this. "At the very least let us return the logbook and do what we need to do first before we start meddling in such things."
"I didn't talk about letting her go..." Eithne smiles slightly at the paladin's shock "but about handing her over anyway, just declaring that she had surrendered voluntarily and returned the logbook—so as to get her a lighter sentence-in case she deserved it".
"Since Faith can tell whether she's lying..." the Savage Wanderer remains perfectly calm - not intending to appear critical, but merely reflective - it is clear that she will do as the party prefers, even if she is expressing her doubts "aren't you interested in knowing her motives? Doesn't it make a difference whether she stole to actually cause people's deaths (or harm) or she did it simply to protest a philosophy she doesn't share? Do you trust that Automata's justice will care about the matter and will be... a just justice anyway?"
Rogferr seems lost with the given conversation given that he never really dealt with the law living alone on a farm most of his life.
“If it would ease Eithne’s mind, giving Beltha a chance to explain herself, it is good with me. She also might know the punishment for stealing in this realm. Given the line we had to deal with I imagine the trial might take years itself.”
"Fugitive. Beltha will be punished by being put in her place. If she is 'good', rather 'orderly' she may rise in her station slowly and methodically. Her worst and only crime is simply being unable to cope with her station. She will be put back into society like a gear is put back into a machine and if she continues to upset the mechanisms... She will be removed, replaced, and recycled."
Gimble says grimly as he stares at Beltha. His eyes locked on her the way one might eye an a stationary spider. It's no threat yet, but look away and it will be gone
Eithne smiles knowingly at Rogferr's comment about the possible bureaucratic slowness of the trial: "Indeed! I hadn't thought of that!"
The Lone Survivor, however, is perplexed by Gimble's speech... 'To him, everything seems to be reduced to cogs and machines... I wonder if he's a real gnome or an automaton...' The Voices in her head have conflicting opinions: 'I don't like him either, Eithne.' 'But he's not hurting us...' 'He helped us recover the logbook.' 'But he doesn't talk like a person.' 'Oh, well...' she concludes. 'And who are we to judge others? It seems there are so many facets to reality... far more than we knew in our woods.'
Esta, relieved from battle, collects her arrows as the others discuss what to do with Beltha. Her past experiences have taught her that the law isn't always just... it's an equilibrium. The true question here is where will Beltha fit in this balance...
"It isn't our society or choice really with what to do with her. You can ask her as much as you want but she will likely coin a story that will work in her favour... best to just leave the officials deal with it and be done. Get out of here and back to what we are meant to be doing... finding a way home."
She brushes herself off, before following the group.
"Hey hey! This ticking isn't tocking right! Are we gonna get my memory banks filled in again or stand around debating someone else's life choices? Kill her or give her back, just hurry up and stop yappin' already." The mimir following you around to have it's memory restored speaks up and then its eyes blink erratically and it babbles a little incoherently before righting itself. "Quit while you're ahead they said, ha! So are we going or what huh?"
It will take a bit to get back to the proper surface of Automata, if you want to keep talking on the way. But you do need to return to Aristimus with or without Beltha, alive or dead, and return the book.
Jesa had grown quiet on the subject. Though as the other talk, she says, "I will not stand in your way if you wish to speak with Beltha to understand her reasons. I agree with Esta that we should just let the authorities here deal with it." She continues pushing on to get back to return the logbook.
Eithne sighs: "Most of us seem determined to just leave the officials to deal with it and be done... so interrogating the prisoner and possibly finding her not to be evil becomes meaningless. And I won't be the one to undermine the unity of the group I just found."
"But thanks for the offer, Faith" the Savage Wanderer smiles. "I haven't known you long, but you seem like a really nice person."
And with that, the Lone Survivor, having decided on her course of action, begins to do her best to remember the correct route back and lead the group to the announcement of complete success.
It contains timetables, passenger lists, manifests, and more, just as Aristimus mentioned earlier. Information is valuable though, so it would not be hard for Eithne to reason how someone could sow chaos and discord with such information, however, there no definitive plans mentioned in or around the book. Perhaps this was to be used at an opportune moment, but what that moment might have been is impossible to say.
"We should head back and turn the logbook in," Jesa suggests. "Collect our reward and figure out what we'll need to do next."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Eithne nods and begins to lead the way back, relying on her memory and attention to detail to retrace the outward journey.
During the return journey, the Savage Wanderer, at one point, almost casually asks Jesa: "What do you think they'll do to Beltha? What will be the punishment for stealing something as immaterial as... data? What will be considered... 'justice'?"
Jesa regards Eithne for a moment before responding. "What makes you think I even know the laws of Automata? But given the nature of the Outlands and Gate Towns, this is a place of exacting lawfulness. I am quite sure the penalties will be fairly meted out according to the rules of this place. Frankly, it is a bit disturbing that Beltha simply wants to disrupt things for the purpose of being disruptive." She stops there, not saying anything more at first. But then she suddenly adds, "Are you worried about what might happen to her? The logbook, the mere 'data' as you say, could be quite integral to the proper running of the train. It could sow a lot of confusion."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Eithne admits: "Circumstances forced us to hunt down this 'thief' without even knowing exactly how evil her intentions were—so yes, I'd hate for her to suffer too severe a punishment. Not that we can do much about it, though... at most, if we could be sure Beltha would tell us the truth, we could revive her for questioning, before handing her over... and, if her intentions weren't too evil, we could report (in agreement with her) that she returned the logbook of her own free will and repented—that might earn her a lesser punishment."
"I don't know, frankly... It's not necessarily true that she wanted to disrupt things for the sake of being disruptive" the Savage Wanderer muses. "Maybe she simply found the reality of Automata too alienating, with its cage of rules—in that sense, she meant 'this place needs chaos.' Perhaps she merely hoped to show the inhabitants that a less uncompromising way of life was also possible – and potentially preferable. I'd understand if that were the case".
"Yes, I know, I know..." the Lone Survivor suddenly seems to be speaking to someone else (unseen) instead of the paladin. "Too many 'what ifs.' Probably," she fixes her gaze on her interlocutor again "we actually have no way of knowing her ultimate intentions, and so we can't help but hand her over."
Faith chips in, "Since she's bound hand and feet, we could revive her and get her side of the story. I could cast my weakest heal spell, or Jesa could barely revive her enough to talk."
{Paladins are the best at waking people up for questioning! 😀}
"But it would be useless if we couldn't be sure whether what he says is true or not..." Eithne is torn between hope and doubt. "No one would admit to being the villain in their story."
Faith offers, "After we wake her up, I can cast a Zone of Truth spell on her. Well, I need to tell her about it first so she knows not to resist it, I'll know if she does. That way we'll know she's being honest, or that she's concealing something. And she'll know that we're being honest with her."
Jesa looks at Eithne then Faith. "You are suggesting we ask the prisoner whether they think they had a 'good enough' reason for stealing the logbook and we will let her go if she does?" She shakes her head. "I will not participate in this. At the very least she is a thief. The authorities of Automata can decide what to do with her according to their ways!" She looks quite shocked that the pair are even discussing this. "At the very least let us return the logbook and do what we need to do first before we start meddling in such things."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"I didn't talk about letting her go..." Eithne smiles slightly at the paladin's shock "but about handing her over anyway, just declaring that she had surrendered voluntarily and returned the logbook—so as to get her a lighter sentence-in case she deserved it".
"Since Faith can tell whether she's lying..." the Savage Wanderer remains perfectly calm - not intending to appear critical, but merely reflective - it is clear that she will do as the party prefers, even if she is expressing her doubts "aren't you interested in knowing her motives? Doesn't it make a difference whether she stole to actually cause people's deaths (or harm) or she did it simply to protest a philosophy she doesn't share? Do you trust that Automata's justice will care about the matter and will be... a just justice anyway?"
Rogferr seems lost with the given conversation given that he never really dealt with the law living alone on a farm most of his life.
“If it would ease Eithne’s mind, giving Beltha a chance to explain herself, it is good with me. She also might know the punishment for stealing in this realm. Given the line we had to deal with I imagine the trial might take years itself.”
"Fugitive. Beltha will be punished by being put in her place. If she is 'good', rather 'orderly' she may rise in her station slowly and methodically. Her worst and only crime is simply being unable to cope with her station. She will be put back into society like a gear is put back into a machine and if she continues to upset the mechanisms... She will be removed, replaced, and recycled."
Gimble says grimly as he stares at Beltha. His eyes locked on her the way one might eye an a stationary spider. It's no threat yet, but look away and it will be gone
Eithne smiles knowingly at Rogferr's comment about the possible bureaucratic slowness of the trial: "Indeed! I hadn't thought of that!"
The Lone Survivor, however, is perplexed by Gimble's speech... 'To him, everything seems to be reduced to cogs and machines... I wonder if he's a real gnome or an automaton...'
The Voices in her head have conflicting opinions:
'I don't like him either, Eithne.'
'But he's not hurting us...'
'He helped us recover the logbook.'
'But he doesn't talk like a person.'
'Oh, well...' she concludes. 'And who are we to judge others? It seems there are so many facets to reality... far more than we knew in our woods.'
Esta, relieved from battle, collects her arrows as the others discuss what to do with Beltha. Her past experiences have taught her that the law isn't always just... it's an equilibrium. The true question here is where will Beltha fit in this balance...
"It isn't our society or choice really with what to do with her. You can ask her as much as you want but she will likely coin a story that will work in her favour... best to just leave the officials deal with it and be done. Get out of here and back to what we are meant to be doing... finding a way home."
She brushes herself off, before following the group.
"Hey hey! This ticking isn't tocking right! Are we gonna get my memory banks filled in again or stand around debating someone else's life choices? Kill her or give her back, just hurry up and stop yappin' already." The mimir following you around to have it's memory restored speaks up and then its eyes blink erratically and it babbles a little incoherently before righting itself. "Quit while you're ahead they said, ha! So are we going or what huh?"
It will take a bit to get back to the proper surface of Automata, if you want to keep talking on the way. But you do need to return to Aristimus with or without Beltha, alive or dead, and return the book.
Gimble nods at the Mimir and moves to join it heading up. He doesn't care what happens to Beltha either, he simply wants to complete the task
Jesa had grown quiet on the subject. Though as the other talk, she says, "I will not stand in your way if you wish to speak with Beltha to understand her reasons. I agree with Esta that we should just let the authorities here deal with it." She continues pushing on to get back to return the logbook.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Faith asks Eithne, "So up to you. Do you want me to wake her up so you can talk to her?"
Eithne sighs: "Most of us seem determined to just leave the officials to deal with it and be done... so interrogating the prisoner and possibly finding her not to be evil becomes meaningless. And I won't be the one to undermine the unity of the group I just found."
"But thanks for the offer, Faith" the Savage Wanderer smiles. "I haven't known you long, but you seem like a really nice person."
And with that, the Lone Survivor, having decided on her course of action, begins to do her best to remember the correct route back and lead the group to the announcement of complete success.
Faith replies, "Thanks, I try to help where I can."