The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Balassar will just nod as he throws in 10 gold.

With Alton folding, the pot stands at 50 gold.

You reveal your cards on the final round, and Silent is the clear winner, taking the full 50 gold.

You can continue to play if you wish, but after some time, you hear movement in the hallway and Captain Ressin comes to the door, a frown on her face. Come in then.  All of you.  You two, she points at Silent and Balassar, bring your chairs. This way. 

You are shown through the door across the hall into a large study.  A middle-aged halfling man with a thick blond beard and a warm smile on his face stands by the desk and greets you as you enter.  Welcome, welcome, do take a seat, thank you for coming.  It's a little incongruous, as though he was welcoming you to a dinner party.  Do please have some tea, won't you?  He sits at the desk as the younger halfling you met outside serves you with small cups of tea if you wish before excusing himself.

Now, my name is Hector Atterly, Lawmaster of our little town.  I've heard Master Artori's side of events. Perhaps you would like to talk me through what happened from your side.  Start from the point where you first met - at an inn, I believe?  Up to where Captain Ressin arrived during your battle.

(As was the case for Alton, Balassar and Wash talking to the Watchmaster in Hupperdook, you don't need to narrate the full story.  Just give me the key bullet points of what information you're giving to the Lawmaster, and if you're concealing anything specific.)

Silent gleefully stows the gold pieces into his pouch before telling Balassar and Alton, You'll probably win this coin back before the month is out, and following Ressin's directions into the study. 

Magnum enters and remains silent during the proceedings, unless questioned.

Alton sits down in one of the chairs, "Nice to meet you Mr. Atterly. I'm Alton Wildcloak and these are my friends." He goes and introduces everyone else as they settle in. After everyone is settled, Alton takes a deep breath and begins to tell Hector the events from when they meet at the Wheat and Wine Inn to when they met up with Captain Ressin; not really hiding anything knowing that would probably be a bad idea. When he is done telling what he knows, Alton will look at Balassar to see if he is going to fill in with his side of riding ahead.

 (OOC: Alton was focused on keeping away from the undead and Art alive that he didn't see Silent's fighting style. Also, if anyone else has points to add, feel free to add them.)

Balassar just smiles as the game finishes "It was an honest game. Good job." he says as the Captain comes to fetch them. He just shrugs picking up the cards and putting them away. He listens to what Alton says and when he looks at him he just begins to speak reaffirming everything he says and adding in the details about the chase.

The Lawmaster listens quietly to both these accounts.  If anyone else wants to chip in, please do so - but you don't have to if you don't want to.  I'll push forward tomorrow.

Magnum waits until there's a quiet moment, and then raises his hand to speak.  He adds the details of how he and Silent encountered Art on the road while heading to Hupperdook.  How Alt claimed he was set upon by bandits and they had pursued him for days.  He explains that he and Silent found this story ridiculous and immediately subdued art when Balassar showed his badge and agreed to have the Crownsguard settle the matter.   That's all.

Silent remains silent, slouching in his chair in a fruitless attempt to appear small and beneath notice. 

Wash adds in "It was the innkeeper at the Wheat and Wine who told us that this Artori had stolen my horse, so you should be able to fairly easily confirm that with them. I can also secure confirmation of the purchase of the horse if you allow me to send word to Hupperdook. I'm happy for the contents of the message I send to Hupperdook to not be private and to be delivered via the Crownsguard there, especially because we have a relationship with Watchmaster Gulchswattle. I am sure that the Watchmaster would also be happy to vouch for us as good law abiding citizens and friends of the Crownsguard."

Wash is purposefully not mentioning Bririck or any work done for Watchmaster Gulchswattle at this stage (and he is not going to show the badge, because I believe that the Watchmaster indicated not to except when on Crownsguard business).

Magnum sits like a student in class.  The kind that is on the edge of his seat waiting to answer a question.

Alton quietly waits in his chair.

The Lawmaster takes the badge from Balassar and inspects it.  Hmmm.  Looks genuine enough.  But even if you are telling the truth, you were hardly on official business in this matter.  Just detaining an alleged thief. Still, it seems a reasonable action.  Perhaps.

He takes a few moments, head lowered in thought.  The silence is a little awkward.  Then he looks up, as though he had forgotten you were there, smiles, and looks at Alton.  What I've heard today is somewhat reassuring, and I don't mind telling you that there are some holes in what your friend 'Art' has told me.  However, you make an excellent point Mr Washburne.  There are witnesses, and we can seek their testimony, and that is the best way to proceed.  I will send a guard to the Wheat and Wine, and to Hupperdook, just as you suggest.  No need for any letter from you. 

I'm afraid this will take time, so until the investigation is complete, I must insist that you remain in Felderwin town; I will instruct the guards that you are not to leave, please do not challenge them on this.  It will be for a few weeks only, until the guard returns.  As for Master Hellet, I think he is a little more of a risk to try to flee, so I have asked Captain Ressin to keep him under lock and key.  Protective custody, if you will.  Please make no attempt to see him or speak with him; any further intimidation attempts would be a point against you, I'm afraid.  

Now, do you have any questions?

I am concerned about arcane attempts on Art’s life, Lawmaster. Are there clerics or arcanists among the Crownsguard that can bolster his protection?  I only ask because I suspect he is involved in far worse than stealing a horse.

Artori will be somewhere safe, rest assured, the Lawmaster says frowning.  Please don't inquire further.  You must understand that I need to be fully impartial, and allow the investigation to take course.  The captain has reported on the creatures that you fought, and we will investigate that as well.

As for your suspicions, I would like to hear them, if you please.

Someone capable of summoning undead forces sent them to kill him specifically. And even made reference to an operation not being authorized.  Necromancy of this kind is not taught or studied legally in these lands.  So it stands to reason that whomever Art works for is committing far greater atrocities than we currently know.

This is all supposition on my part, but I would be remiss if I did not at least voice my concerns.

Your concerns are noted, Mister... Opus, the lawmaster says.  Now of course, as part of the conditions of your free movement around the town during the investigation, I would also have to insist that you do not mention the details of the case, and specifically the nature of the creatures that attacked you.  I don't want people to be worried unnecessarily.

Of course.  Magnum bows his head and steps back.

Once Magnum is done, Alton will pipe up saying, "Since you're sending a crownsguard to Hupperdook, maybe you could have him stop by my family's house. They didn't witness what happened, but my dad is the one who gave me the map before I left to start my adventure. They live out in the TIllage so it shouldn't be much of a detour."

That might be possible, the Lawmaster says.  Where are you from then?