Iron Crisis (IC)

[Amnestic]

He's taken by surprise at Grepha speaking up, spinning and changing position so he can keep everyone in his eyeline. "What's the- a bird?...no, nothing so simple. More magic then." He mutters, his eyes draw across from Grepha to Melian and Sam. "Ah. Ah-hah." He seems to gain a moment of recognition or understanding of something. Then, quite out of nowhere, he laughs - where before it was bitter, this laugh seems to come from the belly. Earnest. It's hard to tell if it's cutting the tension or just making it thicker. When he stops, he simply says,

"Alright, lets go see the Guards and have a chat."

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 16 HP: 21/21 PP: 15 PIv: 14 PIs: 12 Conditions: Warding Bond on Vyvian Concentration: - By Helm's shiniest helmet, Grepha? Senna is flabbergasted. She expected anyone to save the situation, even Firebead or Elminster, but certainly not Grepha. Sure, let's go...

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 25/25 PP: 15 PIv: 10 PIs: 15 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: Caelee swallows. I have a bad feeling about this... She murmurs to no one in particular.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 24/24 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 9|14 PIv: 14|10 PIs: 10|13 Conditions: -- | -- The sudden change of tune in the dwarf catches Sam off guard. Is this really just a misunderstanding? No, that scene in the alley was brutal. This dwarf has to be up to no good. "Alright. Let's go." Grepha flaps over to Vyvian's shoulder. She lands on the side where Vyvian keeps her coin pouch and squeezes with the corresponding talon. Not enough to draw blood, just to draw attention. The bird herself doesn't so much as look in Vyvian's direction, watching the door with disinterest until they make their way out. The dwarf may have figured out who took his coin pouch.

[Ramsus]

Vyvian Just Half-Elf Rogue AC: 14 HP: 24/24 PP: 13 PIv: 9 PIs: 13 Conditions: Warding Bond (+1 AC & resistance, 1 hour) Vyvian looks actively relieved when both sides stop threatening each other for no good reason. When Grepha gets her attention, it only takes Vyvian a few moment to get what she's after and slip the bird the empty coin pouch.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 24/24 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 9|14 PIv: 14|10 PIs: 10|13 Conditions: -- | -- Grepha's talon holds onto the bag behind Vyvian's shoulder, delivered under guise of scratching an itch. Now to dispose of the evidence without old Kagain noticing. Samuel, if you'd please, see Kagain out. Hearing Grepha's voice in his head for the first time in awhile, Sam makes a motion towards the door and leads the way out. "Alright. You should probably lock up the place. No telling how long this is going to take." Spoiler: Rolls Show Sam attempts to get Kagain's attention to give Grepha advantage on Stealth to hide being passed the pouch. Grepha Stealth: (1d20+5)[13] (1d20+5)[23]

[cigaw]

Melian Galanodel Eladrin Bladesinger AC: 13 HP: 20/20 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 11 Conditions: -- Concentrating: -- "Very well, let us all talk to the guard then," Melian says sounding tired. She turns and starts to leave, unflattering images of being run out of town swimming in her head.

[Amnestic]

Kagain moves with the sort of lazy purpose that says he's not worried or concerned. If anything, he seems in good spirits, closing up the shutters and ensuring they're locked with a small smile visible beneath his beard. For a moment he lingers at the armour but whatever he was thinking, he seems to decide to follow you unarmed and unarmoured, before gesturing for you to leave so he can follow you out and lock up, which he does so, slipping a thick key into a pocket on his coat.

"Now then, my good deputies, if you would all escort me to the guardpost, we can hopefully put this all to bed. The magic bird too, of course. Can't forget your eyewitness." It is impossible to miss that he is enjoying this. He holds out his hands to indicate 'After you', so he can follow along.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 24/24 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 9|14 PIv: 14|10 PIs: 10|13 Conditions: -- | -- "It might be my first day as deputy, but I hardly think it's proper for the suspect to walk behind with no way to ensure they don't slip away," Sam comments. He mimes Kagain's gesture, inviting him to take the front. Or at least the middle. The 'magic bird' remains perched on Vyvian's shoulder, waiting for her moment.

[Amnestic]

Kagain stops in thought for a moment. "As you can see, I am unarmed and unarmoured, and you want me to turn my back to you? After you already tried to enchant me? I am many things Whelp, but a fool isn't one of them. I don't relish a dagger in the back."

"But, for the sake of getting this over with..." He points at Senna, "Bad Liar can stay behind me. Chances are she'd bungle any sneak attack she tried. The rest of you stay in front."

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 24/24 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 9|14 PIv: 14|10 PIs: 10|13 Conditions: -- | -- I need him looking away, the voice in Sam's head urges. The half-dragon sighs and scratches his head. "Well, the two guards who deputized us never told us where the guardhouse is. So if you're really so scared of us attacking in the town streets in broad daylight. I guess we can wander around a bit."

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 16 HP: 21/21 PP: 15 PIv: 14 PIs: 12 Conditions: Warding Bond on Vyvian Concentration: - I take that insult as a compliment. Senna replies insulted. My dear Kagain, you need not fear our weapons or magic, else we would have dealt with you already. Heard of the bard that attacked us yesterday? She exploded into icy and magmatic pieces. Senna adds grimly. Who was this guy anyway, Kagain?

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 25/25 PP: 15 PIv: 10 PIs: 15 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: Caelyn was feeling worse and worse about this situation. This dwarf didn't act like a man about to be arrested for murder. He acted like a gambler with cards stowed in his sleeve. She took her position in the procession, her white birch arrow in one hand, the other fiddling with her onyx and gold ring nervously. She looked over her shoulder and tried to read their "prisoner", searching his features for any tell as to what he had planned.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Insight check- (1d20+5)[24]

[Ramsus]

Vyvian Just Half-Elf Rogue AC: 14 HP: 24/24 PP: 13 PIv: 9 PIs: 13 Conditions: Warding Bond (+1 AC & resistance, 1 hour) Vyvian shrugs and moves ahead, though she turns around to watch in horror as Senna fails to get the message and continues to embarrass herself by attempting to intimidate this man even though it's already been proven more than enough that she'd botched it.

[Amnestic]

"You attacked me in my home unprovoked. Concern over a backstabbing by six armed, magical wielding people is smart, not fear." When he hears that you don't even know where the guardpost is, he lets out an exaggerated sigh. "Did you have any plan at all when you marched in on me? Seems not. I have things to do today, so we'll go down this street, head left at the first corner and then keep on to the end." As before, he gestures forward so you can begin moving.

As you start off, he turns his head slightly to Senna, while still keeping one eye on the group at large. "I told you before you need to be more specific. That image you showed me - he didn't have a head. Hard to recognise anyone like that. Do you even trust the bird to tell you the truth? You sure you're not being played? What if I didn't do what you're accusing me of, and you've been misled?" He's not panicking. If anything the tone reminds you of the tutors back at Candlekeep when they were trying to have you realise a mistake you'd made.

Aintas, who has been quiet for most of this mini-adventure, looks back at Kagain and purses his lips in a deeply thoughtful expression. He doesn't believe the dwarf, but he is concerned about the last few days and what it means to him and you. "Shed your weakness." The voice had said. Kagain was many things, but he didn't seem weak. Just the opposite. Is that what it would take for him too? Solitude and ruthlessness? He doesn't have an answer, and turns back to the road, frustrated with himself.

Spoiler: Caelyn Insight

Show

If you were trying to examine his body language, it's relaxed. Almost too relaxed, considering the accusation. There's no indication his hands are straying towards anything or aiming for a sudden strike on you. If he does have something planned, the plan is unlikely to be executed here in the street, there's not enough tension in his movements. His casual smile doesn't reach his eyes though, which are still watching you keenly.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 24/24 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 9|14 PIv: 14|10 PIs: 10|13 Conditions: -- | -- Sam shrugs and begins walking down the street, following Kagain's instructions. Frustrated by the dwarf's wily wariness, Grepha makes an exaggerated sigh of boredom. "You all walk too slow." In a flutter of wings, she turns invisible and takes to the air, no longer caring if Kagain has suspicions. Spoiler: Grepha Show Grepha returns to the scene of the crime, seeking to plant the pouch she stole from Kagain up against the body if the lazy guards have not moved it, or in a place it may have been blown by the wind otherwise. With the evidence planted, she will fly ahead to the guardhouse to meet with the others and wait on the roof above the door.

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 16 HP: 21/21 PP: 15 PIv: 14 PIs: 12 Conditions: Warding Bond on Vyvian Concentration: - Is there no shred of normalcy left in you, Kagain? Senna adds. We show you a dead body, and you don't even flinch? Are you that jaded? Senna stops the track for a short period. Stop everyone. We don't want to set you up for murder, but we saw you. It is easy for a spellcaster to check on their familiar which I assume Sam did. Right Sam? Senna with a bit more emphasis than usual. We killed too, and you might just have done it in self defense. But they said, you did it, left the bugger lying there and then went straight to bed, sleeping soundly. You have no conscience, Kagain. And this is why you will pay for it. With your freedom. We will not take your route Kagain. We may lack coordination, but we are not that dumb, my friend. Senna pays a passing child to fetch the guard to this place.

[Amnestic]

"Everyone dies, young liar." He seems insistent on continuing with the insult - it's not as if he's got a name to go off of. With the tone of one who's annoyed at having to state the absolute obvious, he continues, "How many dead bodies do you think I've seen in my line of work? Do you think I'd still be alive if I flinched at each one like some swaddled pup barely off the teat?" He watches Grepha fly off and flares his nostrils for a moment but says nothing. His brow doesn't furrow, so it seems more an unconscious symbol of acknowledgement than irritation or anger.
"You really must imagine me a mastermind to plan an ambush against people I had no idea were coming, after providing you the opportunity to lead the way, which you only can't do because you didn't learn the location of the guardpost before confronting me, but fine, it'll save me boot leather to wait."

Kagain busies himself with not very much, keeping a keen eye on the group, and a few minutes later three guards arrive - the two lazy guards you'd met before, looking cowed, flanking a human woman who looks to be in her late 30s or early 40s perhaps. She has tanned olive skin, short dark brown hair, and perhaps most notably what looks to be either face paint or a face tattoo - three stylised claw marks over her left eye and a swirling pattern emanating from her right ear to stretch across her cheek. Given its ornate design, it was probably a tattoo. She's wearing the same guard armour as the other two, though she has a small blue and red cape slung over one shoulder - more decorative than functional. A buckler is slung across one wrist and she's holding a short spear - though the tip appears to be non-metallic, perhaps some form of stone or ceramic.

Seizing the initiative, Kagain calls out to her first. "Ah, Captain! Good to see you. How's the kid?" Given her pursed lips expression it seemed unlikely they are friends, only reinforced when she stops at the group and replies back. Her tone is direct, to the point. Any small talk is instantly discarded.
"You know I am busy Kagain. Explain." He takes a moment to consider before replying.
"I've been accused of a crime. These are my accusers. They will provide details." He gestures to the party, apparently handing over control of the conversation to you. The Captain's eyes pivot from Kagain to the group, followed slowly by her head tilting to match. It's an unsettling movement.
"Speak." It's not a request.

[Ramsus]

Vyvian Just Half-Elf Rogue AC: 14 HP: 24/24 PP: 13 PIv: 9 PIs: 13 Conditions: Warding Bond (+1 AC & resistance, 1 hour) Vyvian for her part just looks to Senna at this command for them to speak, with a look on her face that says, "Well, you've relentlessly put your foot in your mouth and bungled everything so far, no reason for you to stop now."

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 24/24 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 9|14 PIv: 14|10 PIs: 10|13 Conditions: -- | -- Lifting a hand to his face, Sam sighs as Senna sends a messenger to fetch the guards. "Now Grepha's gonna have no idea where we are. You are way too paranoid, Sen'." Spoiler: Grepha Show Landing astride the guardhouse roof, Grepha awaits the group. And continues waiting. With a heavy sigh, she takes back to the air to scan the path and find where they ended up delayed. When the guard captain arrives, Sam bows his head respectfully. "Ma'am, last night there was a murder. A man was systematically tortured and killed in an alley with grievous hammer wounds." Sam looks at the other two guards and smiles just slightly. "I'm sure these fine men told you already. We reported it to them, and they deputized us to assist in the investigation." He slyly passes the responsibility for their misconduct onto the two of them. If there's one thing a gambler knows, it's how to pass the buck. "Following a witness report - pardon her lateness, she should be here soon - we went to apprehend Kagain for the crime. When we arrived the place smelled of freshly cleaned blood. We're really not very experienced in this sort of thing, so we made some bungles, but in the end he came along voluntarily." Spoiler: Rolls Show Persuasion: (1d20+3)[11]

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 16 HP: 21/21 PP: 15 PIv: 14 PIs: 12 Conditions: Warding Bond on Vyvian Concentration: - Senna's confidence is shaken but what kind of sister would she be if she left Sam hanging now.We have divined up this man's abode via magical means. I would try to explain it to you, but you are clearly busy enough. Regardless to say, I was trained by Master Firebead who I believe is at least known here, if you need further magical explanation just mention the ... Senna is suddenly interrupted by a pain in her side.

[Ramsus]

Vyvian Just Half-Elf Rogue AC: 14 HP: 24/24 PP: 13 PIv: 9 PIs: 13 Conditions: Warding Bond (+1 AC & resistance, 1 hour) At the word "mention" coming out Senna's mouth, Vyvian gets a terrible feeling she knows exactly what life threatening information Senna is about to say right in front of Kagain (who she is 90% sure is going to just walk away without any problems at this point). Hoping that this spell Senna cast on her shares pain, since it also shares damage (not something she'd normally be wishing upon her sister), she pinches her own arm very hard hoping to get Senna to recognize that she's trying to tell her to not ensure more assassins are sent after them. Assuming Senna doesn't just completely ignore it, but she continues seeming like she's going to say who they are, Vyvian will keep doing it so Senna doesn't dismiss it because she failed to pick up on the meaning the first time or something like that.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 25/25 PP: 15 PIv: 10 PIs: 15 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: Following up on what my half-dragon friend here has said... Caelee, who has been relatively silent until this point, steps forward. Mr. Kaigan's place of business smelled like fresh blood and cleaning solution. My question, honored Captain, is why would Mr. Kaigan need to clean fresh blood unless there had been a recent killing? I would think that one of his other mercenaries would have cleaned up before returning to work to avoid marching through town covered in gore. I'd be interested in knowing when the last group of mercenaries returned, because if it wasn't recent that defense would be disproved. Furthermore... She turns back to Kaigan and addresses the question to him this time. Where have you been for the last day or so, sir? If you haven't been in the field, why would your armor and weapon be so freshly cleaned? If you've been running your business in town, as you seemed to be when we found you, it seems suspicious that you'd have such and immediate need to cleanse your tools of war. If you were away on an assignment feel free to refute me, but if you've stayed local it seems logical to me that your business wouldn't smell like blood, your weapon and armor wouldn't need to be cleaned, and you wouldn't have the opportunity to kill anything outside of the town. So, Mr. Kaigan, I guess my diatribe boils down to two questions. Where have you been in the last day or two, specifically last night when the murder occurred, and have any of your mercenaries recently returned tracking in enough blood that it can still be smelled? Caelyn is not sure of her questions or logic, and doesn't come across as being confident that her line of thinking is damning evidence, but curiosity and suspicion are easy to read on her features.

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 16 HP: 21/21 PP: 15 PIv: 14 PIs: 12 Conditions: Warding Bond on Vyvian Concentration: - Senna looks at Vyvian, with the head of Vyvian probably shaking. ...just mention the basics of arcane familiars. They are mostly bound to the will of their master, only developing enough sentience to fulfill simple requests of their masters. Grepha here is just quite a character. she explains to the guard, hoping to explain enough arcane magic to her so he does not question is further.. Just take caution, the old man tends to belittle those not skilled in the arcane. And he tends to ramble on. Like, a lot. Senna smiles her most innocent smile she can muster. The kind of childish grin one has after playing a particularly fun trick on someone, who is about the chew them out.

[Amnestic]

The Captain listens with an unmoving expression. She's listening, you can tell, but she's not reacting to it or giving away her thoughts. Once you're done explaining, she turns her head to the guards following her. "Details." Any lazy humour the guards had seems to have been banished. They almost look like proper guards. Almost.
"Ah, yes, well," One begins, stumbling over his words. "We were summoned by this group and brought to the body - now removed. Their talking bird seemed to think Kagain had done it. Body belongs to a Nanoc, a trader from Amn," It's impossible to miss the distaste he has when he says Amn, "identified by a merchant nearby. Passes through town semi-regularly, less so of late. Has been seen talking with Kagain in the past, but no one we asked said anything about yesterday. That's it."
"Defence?" She turns to Kagain.
"The 'evidence' against me isn't conclusive - my place of work smelling of blood isn't surprising considering the work I do, nor is cleaning my armour, a practice that anyone should do regularly. To answer the question, for the last two days my primary work has been scouring the nearby hills on a job, and yes, I did get into a scrape or two with bandits and animals. This morning, these six strangers came into my business, lied about their intentions and didn't identify themselves, and then tried to enchant me with magic to confess to a crime - further to that their 'eyewitness' is their own familiar! The words are weightless. After they tried and failed to enchant me, I wanted this dealt with, without further violence on their part, and so I agreed to speak to the guards to clear this up. Like you, I am busy." He seems to have said his piece - for now. If she is convinced, she doesn't show it. You'd think her almost unnatural in her ability to keep a completely straight face. Maybe she has some golem in her bloodline. She turns to the group.
"Rebuttal?"

Spoiler: Melian Tattoo Intelligence

Show

You think you recognise it as Thayan slave markings.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 24/24 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 9|14 PIv: 14|10 PIs: 10|13 Conditions: -- | -- There's a click and a clack from the eaves of the nearest building to the gathering in the street, as a raven lands and regards them with a steady gaze, more purposeful than a normal animal. "I was going to chastise you for being slow, but it appears the guards have found us instead." Smiling at Grepha's timely arrival, Sam gestures up to her. "This is the witness, ma'am, Grepha. She's my familiar. Could you tell the guard captain your story?" Gliding down to perch upon Sam's shoulder, Grepha gets comfortable and recites the tale. "I was out for a late night flight when I happened upon an alley where an armored dwarf with a warhammer was standing above a corpse. Knees and elbows smashed, head crushed like a melon. Very messy." Her head turns to fix Kagain with her gaze. "This very dwarf. Hard to mistake that beard, most dwarves' beards are rather greasy and awful. I digress. I was curious, so I followed the dwarf from the scene after he looted the body. Went to Kagain's Companies and didn't come back out." To finish the story she adds, "I can quote what he said over the dead body." She repeats her impression of Kagain, "Shouldn'ta come to this, shoulda just paid me like ya promised." "She told us in the morning and we reported it after making sure nobody came to clean up the body for him," Sam concludes. Spoiler: Rolls Show Sam got a 15 for Persuasion.

[cigaw]

Melian Galanodel Eladrin Bladesinger AC: 13 HP: 20/20 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 11 Conditions: -- Concentrating: -- Melian tilts her head quizzically. "Interesting. Flawed as the methods have been thus far, we now have a name for the victim that Master Kagain claimed to not know.". After a moment she turns to the guards flanking the captain. "If this Nanoc was a trader then surely he kept records of his work and business deals. I imagine the possibility that these records may point to say, a substantial amount owed someone, would warrant investigation. So, where are Master Nanoc's goods, possessions and ledgers?"

[Amnestic]

There's a long silence after you finish speaking - though the rest of the street is bustling with activity, it feels like it's dimmed and diminished somewhat, that you're in a bubble of quiet. All eyes are on the Captain, who taps one finger against her spear haft in thought. Finally, she speaks.
"Kagain."
"Yes, Captain?" He replies, uncertainty creeping into his voice for the first time.
"I have insufficient evidence to bring this to a conclusion. As you said, everything is circumstantial." A smirk starts playing across Kagain's face, while the Captain remains as stonefaced as ever, her tone balanced and unwavering. "However given the details on offer I do believe you are guilty - you have failed to provide a sufficient explanation other than vagueries, and your attitude tells me you did it. Therefore I'm giving you a choice - you can either be put in shackles and sent north to face a full trial in the Gate and plead your innocence there, or you can donate the lost funds from this Amnian's death to Beregost for one year. I would prefer the latter - you're no use to the town in prison or dead." The smirk vanishes as quickly as it came, his face contorting into rage and for a moment it looks like he might jump on her - or you - in anger. He holds out a finger, pointing aggressively at the Captain, but whatever he was going to say he bites back and lowers it again, sighing, though he's still shaking with fury.
"I...accept your judgement, though I maintain my innocence. I will pay the fine." Every word sounds like he's having a tooth pulled out as he says it.
"Good." If she's pleased, she doesn't show it. She turns to her subordinates. "Locate the merchant's belongings and tally up an official writ." They give her a quick salute and dash off, armour clanking as they go. Their absence leaves only the party to deal with, and sure enough the Captain follows up.

"You didn't deny casting a spell on Kagain which tells me he was honest there. By law, your hands or tongues are forfeit." She pauses for effect. "It will be overlooked in this instance as you've helped bring this matter to light. It will not happen again. Keep your spells to yourself, stay out of trouble."

The bubble around you seems to lift, tension gone as the decisions have been made. Kagain turns to head back into his office, each stomp with enough weight to level the town. The Captain lingers for a moment in case of a response, but clearly intends to be on her way immediately otherwise.

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 16 HP: 21/21 PP: 15 PIv: 14 PIs: 12 Conditions: Warding Bond on Vyvian Concentration: - While not completely satisfied with the result, Senna is somewhat glad, Kagain received ANY punishment, if not the appropriate. The glyphscribe is not surprised at the reprimand using magic, but she is concerned how she should deal with such situations in the future.. I do just have two things, captain. I know casting a spell without proper legal supervision is frowned upon now. However, priests of many creeds have a divination which reveals whether a person lies or speaks the truth. Would such a spell be generally accepted with guards in these lands? You see, I was raised in a temple, so it is natural that issues like that were solved a bit more with the revealing eyes of our gods. This spell is not invasive, it simply prevents those in the area from telling falsehoods knowingly. Secondly, thank you for your time and your mercy. We will keep your warning in mind, but when it comes to deciding whether we enchant someone or we fight someone, we will choose the solution that let's people survive to face their judgment. At the end, Senna's voice is shaking from nervosity speaking with the authorities. It is a miracle she hasn't broken down yet, but adrenaline is holding her up.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 24/24 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 9|14 PIv: 14|10 PIs: 10|13 Conditions: -- | -- Unsure how to address a law enforcement official properly, Sam salutes. "Understood, Captain. Won't happen again." He lowers his hands and awkwardly looks around, not sure what to do now. He'd forgotten what they were doing before. "The mines," Grepha states, seeming to read his mind. "Right!" straightening up, Sam looks around at the others. "Remember those guys that asked us to investigate the mine? Do we have everything we need for that?"