The first blast from Torsus's wand misses the last thug but the second hits him right in the back pulling him away for Dakkurz and leaving him open to a slash from her sword. After taking advantage of the opportunity provided her she rushes the last remaining thug and starts stabbing wildly at the man until he is unmoving. ( combat is over.)

With the last thug down the innocents begin rushing out of the inn as the fire spreads. You can't remain here long but you could try to pursue the vampire.

Narz, as the people begin fleeing you hear the sounds of heavy footsteps approaching the inn. Its about now you realize several bells are ringing throughout the town, likely the alarm. You quickly realize this likely means all exits out of town are shut though you doubt that would stop the vampire. A large group of people all dressed in similarly marked armor approach the in, some with weapons drawn others with buckets of water. At the head of the group is a tawny skinned female with dark hair and cold looking eyes. As she approaches she immediately starts barking orders to those around her. Lars, Suzzana, you take the right, side, Bryan and Elminster you take the back. Everyone else take the front we need this fire under control now!  Dak you get this civilians back to the barracks for questioning and send some runners to get more water on the double! She approaches the front of the inn and stops a good 30ft back from you before drawing her blade. You there! Drop your weapon and surrender yourself for questioning! Do it now and step aside, you're impeding rescue operations!

'Damn it. Too soon!' Narz internally cursed almost the moment he heard the sound of heavy footsteps. Yet it is with a calm veneer that he turned back to the woman at her orders. There is... a moment as the hobgoblin quickly considered the pros and cons of surrender. Which frankly speaking upon reviewing events, the pros barely outweighed the cons, and that was assuming the local militia wasn't somehow on the take. Bets needed to be hedged, and so it would be for that reason that he made a show of considering the maul in hand before casting it far off to the side. Then he stepped off just a few feet away from the building, putting at least a small amount of some distance away from the entryway as to avoid getting trampled by the civvies rushing out.

"Chalaska, I presume? Either way, you should tell your men to be wary. Your Wormford is no doubt trying to escape in the confusion, and will not likely pass up the chance to make a meal of your men to restore himself. I'd advise you further, but you don't strike me as a woman that'd care too much." He said with hands raised up in the universal sign of surrender. But despite how things looked, he tries to get a feel for her reaction to his words. Anything that might come off as 'off' or allude to something sinister. A big ask in the heat of the moment, but he try all the same. Until they thought to try and gag him. Then there might be problems...

Insight: 13 

Mentally as all of that is going on, Spaz is given orders to sneak out during the confusion, grab the hobgoblin's arcane focus, a dark grey metal rod discarded a few feet by the doorway outside, and then hide elsewhere to observe matters. As for Vigo, while not the brightest torch in the dungeon, the Worg wouldn't attack the rescuers, or impede the efforts to help. So long as they hadn't tried to attack to kill him first, that is. But seeing them would prompt him to abandon his mission, and go looking for Narz.

-

Insight: 12. 
(let's try this again..)

Claire drops spirit guardians and immediately casts locate creature, thinking of the vampire as her quarry.  "Dakkurz, Ayed, Torsus... I'm using the same spell I used to track Snigbat.  This way!" Claire calls out as she cast the spell and heads in the direction the spell indicates to her.

Torsus who had already begun to move outside the building along the same side that he had seen the vampire go, herd Claires call and was glad she could track it. Using thaumatergy to amplify his voice once more, both in the same manner and for similar reasons as he did with the giants... I'm afraid we'll have to ignore that request. And you will not put out this fire under pain of death. There is a vampire or something like a vampire currently within the building. And it seems that those we killed inside were helping feed him. Those that are escaping now are innocents whom you can question in our stead to confirm. Everyone who can hear this should be wary, he is moving in some intangible form right now and may or may not be trapped in that conflagration.

However, let me be clear, any of you who attempt to put out this fire, or get between myself and my quarry, will die.

once more his voice was .. off but whatever Narz had heard that day was clearly keeping itself somewhat hidden. Though the voice still dripped venom and the tone in his threat was clear he was being deadly-serious.. Blatantly ignoring the soldiers orders as he followed Claire... who would likely know best where he was going.

As he does though, if he see's anyone attempting to put out the fire, or come to strike him, he will, without hesitation cast two push EB's at them. If multiple targets, he will split the blasts.

(As discussed in discord)

Narz, you get the sense that she's simply trying to contain a volatile situation while also trying to begin rescue efforts. The fact that your standing at the doorway, weapon drawn and right next to a corpse, isn't doing you favors but is likely the only reason she hasn't already rushed inside yet. Looking at her eyes you sense a certain coldness about her but also a sense of honesty. Spaz quickly finds your focus and flies out a nearby window while your Worg companion finds a nice building to hide behind to watch the scene unfold. Calaska Murin, Senior Sword or Bargewright, leader of the militia and unofficial leader of the entirety of Bargewright as you've come to understand her position nods in affirmation as you ask her identity. That's correct, now step aside. This place could come down any moment and we have to get as many people out as possible. We'll question you later, Kirin, you keep a watch on the prisoners! You two with me! 

Claire, as you cast the spell you feel that the vampire is immediately below you. Likely a cellar or maybe even a underground hideout given the vampires connections. Bits of the roof start collapsing and you can sense the vampire leaving the premises of the inn. You're not sure how he got down there or if its even accessible, but knowing there must be another way in and out you follow the vampire to try and keep him within range. Heading out the front door you're greeted by a woman shouting at you. Drop the weapon now! You see the same woman described earlier pointing a sword your way as well as several crossbow men aiming at you. There are several more guards as well but they seemed occupied trying to put out the fire. Narz is here as well, seemingly in a state of surrender. Off to the side, by your buddy here. We'll question you later just get out of my way! 

Assuming Claire at least moves to clear the door way the woman and her crossbow men lower their weapons to headinside and start rescuing people, but more of the roof collapses. Torsus, Dakkurz and Aeyd are forced to leave and are ushered out by the guard until the fire inside is simply to put of control to make any attempt to enter. Dammit! Was there anyone else in there still alive? 

 Torsus passes his wis save against a hold person, anyone want to stop him from committing murder in front of the town leadership?

"Torsus!  There's no reason to fight with the townsfolk.  The vampire is underground and I'm still tracking him.  Just follow me," Claire purposefully says loud enough for Calaska to hear as well.  She continues following the vampire, taking the dodge action just in case one of the newcomers gets trigger happy.  Her eyes settle on the Senior Sword.  "Ma'am, you'll be offering us aid as well if you want to help us kill the fiend that's been terrorizing this town, or at least let us pass unm... umnen... unmolesterred.  Unless you're in cahoots with it as well..."

When Torsus notifies the monk of the vampire making an escape, her lips thin into a frown, but she continues to help escort out the innocents. It helped in quelling the anger she felt deep within her. If it had run away, then it may have been close to perishing, she thought, or hoped...

Aeyd would ensure she was the last to leave the burning inn even when the guards begin to usher them out, quickly checking to see if anymore civilians were left inside, though her mind thinks back to Shalvus. With a grimace, she turns to one of the guards and says, "There was a man who sneaked into the room on the left. His name is Shalvus. I don't know if there's a backdoor or window he escaped from, but, please see to him if he remains there."

The monk then rushes outside with the others, and catches the tail end of what the tortle says, and quickly moves to impose herself between him and the guardswoman, shooting him a pointed look. "If you don't want us to lose this thing, then I suggest you not threaten these people." She whispers angrily, then looks to Calaska after Claire explains their cause. "I had already notified one of your men to a possible straggler in the back." She states, then says. "If you assist us, we will speak to you of what transpired here, but we do not have much time. If you know of any entrances to the underground area of this inn, then please lead on. But as she says, if you are with that creature, then..." She grits her teeth as her hands ball up into fists, hoping that it wouldn't be true.

(Also hoping that if a persuasion roll is needed, that Aeyd would be helping Claire!)

Chalaska turns to another guard who simply shakes her head as the scroll in her hands burns away, clearly unaffected. She then glares hard at Torsus then to the group as a whole. You, total strangers to my town, you come in and start trouble. I find you leaving the scene of what appears to be murder and arson, arson mind you to the oldest and most iconic building inn town, our very namesake and livelihood. On top of that you start spouting some nonsense about a vampire without presenting any proof. You make threats to murder my men who try to put out the firehouse, which if left unchecked could easily burn down the entire city. You expect me, leader of the towns Militia and keeper of the peace, to just let you walk off, supposedly in hunt of said vampire? And what, I'm supposed to trust you'll turn yourselves inn afterwords? I don't think you truly understand the position you find yourselves in. You're all under suspicion of sabatoge and what appears to be multiple murders. You're not going anywhere other than the barracks. If others can confirm your story then you'll be free to go but until then no one is leaving until we are sure you're not guilty of the charges laid before you. Casters, drop you focuses and drop any weapons any of you still has on your person. She nods over to a couple guards who have shackles in hand.

Dakkurz hesitates for a moment and takes a few steps to Narz. In a low whisper she says. Whats the call boss man? Not keen on fighting an entire garrison or becoming a fugitive, but I'll follow your lead. Just know Chalaska is terrifying in a fight, if we take on the city we have to take her out first.

For Narz, even an inkling of 'the entity' raring its ugly head in Torsus warranted a mental curse and a visible grimace. Yet despite himself, the hobgoblin couldn't help but reconsider the pros and cons again. If albeit with some degree of distaste, as any agreement meant further aligning with something he hardly trusted more than he had Rollo. Fortunately, or so he dared to hope, the decision is made with Claire and Ayed stepping up to try and calm the situation.

'Try' being the key word. Yet the moment Chalaska began shaking her head, any hope of an expedient pursuit is dashed in moments, eliciting a sigh. "We stand down. But at the first signs of taint in this one or her men, best we show no restraint... no matter how difficult of position we're in. If you find a moment to slip word to your band, let them know." He whispered back in [goblin] without fully looking to Dakkurz. "I believe a -joint- operation had been proposed, Senior Sword Chalaska. Not merely free reign. But if you must insist..." Narz said allowed in common, keeping one hand in the air, while the other worked to remove his crossbow and set it down. He then looks to the rest, but more pointedly towards Torsus. "Best to do as asked at this point. Further conflict only benefits the town's dark little pet and doom ourselves. And we can ill afford that now can we?" 

Torsus didn't like where this was going. To let the vampire escape was twofold... It would be able to nurse itself back to health, and now that it knows we're after it, build an army to defend itself with likely from the nearby town across the river, which is where Torsus assumed it most likely to go. On top of the fact the party would likely have to worry about being attacked now, while on the road when that inevitability came. Though it seemed some of, if not all of the party had already come to the possibility that these people may also be 'in on it' which saved him some worry.

Of course I would make threats. If some undead thing was trapped within the building, the better to let it die hiding, than let your ignorance allow it to live. Especially after we only just found out that it had allies within the inn, your hindrance only makes you look more guilty of also being on the vampires side. It seems my companions however wish to cease, and though I know we all could take you, I know my odds alone would not be great. If only because the DM's dice makes armor class irrelevant. 

There was along pause, as he considered something, a last ditch effort to keep the ball rolling.... Then I challenge you to single combat, and should I win you will cease interference. All you need do is ask those from your own town, right now, to know the truth. Lest they be deaf, they too would have heard the innkeepers words about the 'Jig being up' but alas, such basic logic eludes you. Fight me and me alone. I have exhausted all but my most basic spells, that should provide you with a needed handicap. he says, his eyes still glowing yellow, and how much of this was Torsus, as well as how much of this wasn't was anyone's guess.

Taunt: 19

If she does not, however, accept the challenge, Torsus will growl but relent. Putting his wand on the ground, though making it clear that he will not give up his ring willingly, and that it is one line he will not allow to be crossed.

Chalaska scoffs at the request for single combat. Why would I accept such a challenge? There is no benefit to doing so and this is not some fairytale. If your story is true then I'm sure the other witnesses will corroborate your story. If so then you'll be free to go and you'll have the full support of the town militia. But until we can interview everyone and get to the truth of the matter you're considered suspects. The longer you waste my time here the longer it will take to conclude this investigation. So come along peacefully. Your weapons will be secured and returned to you once we are satisfied you had nothing to do with this.

Aeyd had already been somewhat frustrated with how the events this far were turning out, and then Torsus threatens this woman with a one-on-one fight. They were wasting precious time! “Ma’am, I understand how you do not see the severity of this situation, but please. If we let the creature go now, then it will get a chance to heal, prepare itself for our attacks… why waste time questioning these people when we can show you right now what we’re talking about? We have no reason to be lying to you.”

Persuasion (I’ll roll twice in case of disadvantage or advantage if someone wants to help): 2 | 19

(ffs we’re going to jail)

Persuasion: 5

Claire nods to what Ayed says as she continues walking slowly.  “I’m magically tracking the vampire right now. If I drop concentration, we lose it, and we have no idea how far it might go, what allies it may amass, or what traps it could set.  Your proof lies this way. If you’re concerned for time, this will be far quicker.  You may hold me at spear point for the entire trek if you wish.”

Chalaska shakes her head in the negative. And have you all lead me into a trap to make you're escape? I don't think so. Enought talk, you're coming with me.

Assuming there are no further attempts to escape or fight your weapons and materials needed for spells are taken from you and you're led outside the inner gates to a well secured looking barracks. You're each separated into your own secure rooms with only a desk and a chair for furniture. About an hour goes by when Claires door opens. Chalaska enters the room flanked by two other members of the guard. Chalaska stops for a moment and tells them to wait outside. The pair look concerned for a moment but ultimately do what they are told.

Chalaska sits at the desk across from you and opens a file with hand written notes. Claire Arrensfeld right? That's the name your goblin merc gave for your description. Says you're a cleric of some sort. Insisted whatever diety it was you worked for it wasn't the kind to look kindly upon burning down inns and killing innocent civilians. So it leaves me wondering just why you are here to begin with. Care to answer?

"I simply worship the Divine Light.  It is shapeless and nameless, and I am a conduit who bends it to vanquish evil.  Hunting and slaying monsters like that vampire, whom we should be tracking right now, is well within the confines of my mission."  She crosses her arms and looks to the side.  "As far as the inn burning down goes, that wasn't my idea, or a part of any plan.  It was as much a surprise to me as it was the vampire when our wizard friend started chucking fireballs."  Claire's eyebrows then knit in concern and she thinks for a few moments.  "Did... did civilians die in that fire?  The moment things got violent I was face to face with the vampire's thugs... Narz is probably the most tactically minded of our group, I'd assumed he hadn't hapzahardly slung his spells about if it would have killed innocents..."

Chalaska writes something down in her notes quickly before looking up. So you admit then it was the wizard who started the blaze? Good to know. As for your question yes. We are still pulling bodies from the wreckage, and though its hard to identify those with burns not all had weapons. In addition one of our witnesses, who suffered severe burns mind you, reports seeing one cowering man inmolated by the first fireball. He and his sister were then trapped in the fire. He got lucky and escaped with serious burn but he'll live. His sister unfortunately wasn't so lucky. She pauses a few moments, watching you, as if waiting to see your reaction to the news before continuing.

Let's go back to the start of this incident. Witnesses state the morning was normal and the inn was peaceful until a group burst in, holding what looked like a miniature sun in their hands. They list you among this group. Was it the wizard who burst in blinding everyone? 

Claire’s face darkens at the news of the weaponless bodies, and then her teeth clench.  She doesn’t say it out loud, but the thugs were borderline pushovers and the vampire was on the defensive almost the moment the altercation began.  Surely there was a way to combat it without immolating innocent bystanders.  She recalls that Narz annihilated Snigbat as well while he was trapped, laying in the thick brush in the previous battle, despite Darkkurz’s desire to take him alive.  Claire closes and opens one of her fists.  Vanquishing a creature like a vampire was a given... but that wizard’s methods... perhaps they did not align with her vision of what it meant to wield Divine Light.

Finally, she refocuses on the questioning.  “The blinding light was a plan we made ahead of time. Vampires are weak to sunlight, and though we weren’t sure if an illusion would be potent enough, we thought it would be a good way to take the vampire by surprise.  It would have worked better if half the people at the inn, including the innkeeper, hadn’t rose to defend the vile creature.”

Chalaska takes further notes at the mention of the inn keeper defending the vampire. You seem certain of there being a vampire. How can you be sure the inn keeper wasn't just defending against a perceived attack on his buisness? Can you describe the vampire? And what makes you think there is a vampire to begin with?

“Well he took a bite out of Narz. Should find a nice fresh little fang-shaped puncture wound if you check him out,” Claire almost snaps.  “It also attacked one of my friends last night.”  Claire pauses, deciding how to phrase the next part.  “He wanted no part in facing the vampire, so he high tailed it out of town, but that’s how we confirmed his existence.  We decided to act quickly on our own because we knew if we poked around or went to the guards, there was a chance it would get away or find help.  Our fears were justified, it seems, as with the amount of people working for the vampire, word surely would have gotten to him of our intentions.  If you require further proof, any of the... survivors, should be able to tell of the man who escaped through the wall by turning into mist.”

Chalaska takes a few more notes and considers what to say next for a moment. No one reported anyone turning into mist just yet though I doubt many would see through the smoke. However a bite mark should be easy enough to verify this claim, though It makes me wonder why you wouldn't have just shown me the bite. Regardless, let's say I believe you for a moment. If you thought such a threat was in town you should have come to me with those claims. Even if I couldn't take action without proof I could have warned you that Inn is a den of theives. To be honest I'm happy to see those Zhent bastards burn though it would have been preferable to avoid civilian casualties. Still, I find the idea that the Zhents would willingly work with a vampire a bit alarming. 

She pauses and considers something to herself for a moment. I think we are done here. Wait here a little longer. I don't think you'll have to worry about any charges but I can't say the same for your friends. But we'll see what they have to say, then you'll be free to go. If it turns out you're telling the truth, then we'll have to talk again. 

 Unless you have anything else to add she leaves the room.