006. "I'm innocent...w-what about my money?"

[Corwin]

[19:07] <Kotono> The search of the premesis goes without incident. All that is found is stacked up together, the party meeting again...
[19:08] <Janson> "Pretty big stash," Janson remarks, eyeing the spoils. "Does it all count as salvage, then? Nobody else is going to miss it except Quesala here?"
[19:08] <Aaeru> "I believe we have two choices at the moment," Aaeru says, appearing to be over her recent brush with death. "Returning to Balmuria, or pursuing the bandits that are chasing that girl?"
[19:08] <Janson> "How long ago'd they leave?" Janson glances over at Wayland's new friends.
[19:10] <Kotono> "A couple of days ago," Noel answers quickly.
[19:10] <Wayland> "How far ahead of the other men was she?"
[19:10] <Aaeru> "On horseback?" Aaeru asks at the same time.
[19:11] <Janson> "Never catch a trail after that long," Janson gives his expert opinion. "Besides, wouldn't she have just went to the city?"
[19:12] <Andria> "Would she? She'd have known Sanuth was over there, and even if she was hiding, he did -sort- of knife her..."
[19:12] <Wayland> "Not if she fled deeper into Malmuth." Wayland shakes his head. "She may have tried to return to her family."
[19:13] <Kotono> "Yes," Noel answers, "They weren't sure which way she went but they were going to go find out."
[19:13] <Wayland> "What was their objective? Capture her and bring her back here or kill her?"
[19:14] <Kotono> "Bring her back," Branna says, "'least I'm pretty sure it was."
[19:15] <Aaeru> "If there is no way for us to track her down," Aaeru says, deferring to someone who knows more about the subject than she, "then we might just have to report this to the Guard and contribute in any way we can to their efforts."
[19:16] * Wayland nods. "Hopefully, they decide to bring her back instead of killing the poor girl. If we don't have a direction to take, searching for her ourselves will be fruitless. We should tell the Guard back at the city."
[19:19] <Andria> "Just what do we tell them about this whole adventure? Do we mention Sanuth at all? I would definitely have done so if the girl was dead, but since she isn't..." Andrea asks.
[19:20] <Wayland> "I think that Sanuth isn't necessarily guilty of anything but being jumpy and having a stong fear of public opinion. We should probably warn Sanuth that doing shady side-business may not be the best choice in the future."
[19:21] <Aaeru> "I believe that we must tell him that he is to go to the Guard and confess to everything," Aaeru responds, glancing at Janson afterwards. "If he does the proper thing, then no, I don't believe everything here is salvage. Should Sanuth fail to execute his duty as a citizen and as a moral person, then I don't think he deserves to have the money he lost returned to him."
[19:21] <Wayland> "He concealed the murder, yes, but the murder didn't actually exist. I think the guards would be confused as to what exactly to charge him with."
[19:21] <Aaeru> "Assault, and covering it up after the fact?"
[19:21] <Wayland> "Much more likely to stick, yes.
[19:21] <Wayland> "
[19:22] <Janson> "Eh..." Janson rubs the back of his head, "I guess we can let him keep his reputation since he's not a killer and they did deliberately set him up, even if he jumped at the opportunity to make himself a villain. Without any testimony from the actual victim I don't think the guard are going to care much."
[19:22] * Aaeru frowns. "More than the money or his reputation, it is his spirit that is at stake. He kept on digging himself deeper and deeper, and remaining within that hole he dug until the storm passes over can't possibly be good for his future."
[19:22] <Andria> "That sounds sort of fair, even if it's sort of blackmail..." Andrea notes slowly after a bit of thinking on Aaeru's thoughts on the things found. "We'll see what he wants to do in regards to the matter."
[19:23] * Wayland nods at Janson. "He'd have to make a confession and be fairly convincing about wanting to be punished for it. I doubt that will happen here, and our testimony will not be enough to make a case, I think."
[19:23] <Aaeru> "Blackmail requires threats, doesn't it?"
[19:23] <Janson> "Confession is good for the soul?" Janson asks Aaeru wryly. "I guess you can try and talk him into it."
[19:24] * Aaeru grins at Janson. "I know I like the way you put it more!"
[19:28] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 75." [1d100=75]
[19:31] <Kotono> With Qusela bound and on horseback, the party returns towards Balmuria. Duskfall is on you as you approach the city gates, guards standing at attention. In the sky above off-white arcane symbols glow in the sunset, dancing in the air like festive illusions. As you approach the city guards come to your sides, "Halt," One commands, a fresh-faced young man. "Travelers, why are you bringing a bound
[19:31] <Kotono> man into the city?"
[19:32] <Aaeru> "Hello!" Aaeru greets him. "We are not actually travelers. This man is a criminal and while we were returning home, we decided to deliver him to the Guard!"
[19:32] <Andria> "He's a criminal, and we are here to see that he's brought to justice!" Andrea declares, concurring with Aaeru.
[19:32] * Janson lets the girls talk for the group, quite used to deferring as such.
[19:32] <Kotono> "A wanted criminal?" The gate guard takes a moment to nod to them, "What's his name and crime?"
[19:33] * Aaeru takes a moment to retrieve the man's holy symbol and show it to the guard.
[19:34] <Kotono> At the sight of this the guard almost recoils back, turning, "Call for a patrol to escort this prisoner," He commands, another gate guard hurrying away! Then back to the others, "Please wait here while they come."
[19:35] * Aaeru smiles pleasantly back. "Thank you very much for the prompt handling of the situation!"
[19:38] <Kotono> Shortly a squad of 10 city guardsmen comes forth. Qusela is taken by them, bound twice over and carried. As they deal with him, "Come with me, you'll need to give statements to what happened," the gate guard says.
[19:38] <Aaeru> "Of course!"
[19:39] * Janson nods. "It's pretty clear cut, at least."
[19:42] <Kotono> From here you escorted as the sun sinks into Selune's rising embrace. You travel to the west part of the Commerce Quarter, Highwatch Fortress rising higher and higher as you get closer. It is a stout fortress of white perched on a raised hill, crimson banners and the flag of the city and Baronies flying in the wind. Fireless lights dot the battlements as the stars come out, giving it it's own
[19:42] <Kotono> luminence. A straight, rising path leads you towards it's heavy steel gates, which are drawn open as you approach.
[19:42] <Aaeru> Thinking that it certainly looks very impressive, Aaeru proceeds past the gates.
[19:42] * Janson has seen the castle before, since it's hard to miss anywhere in the city, but it's impressive close up, and he can't help but gape a little as he follows the group.
[19:44] * Wayland has seen better, but it's pretty good for human architecture.
[19:46] <Kotono> Past the gates is a grand fortified courtyard, where even now soldiers are trained. Everything is overcast with white light, tinting out other colors.  You are lead inside to a maze of corridors, barracks and other such things. You end up in a room with several wooden, padded chairs, a table and a window giving you a view of the Old and New City. "WAit here, please."
[19:47] * Janson is only happy to sink into a chair and rest his feet after so much walking! "Big castle. You could fit my whole village in here, easy," he comments.
[19:47] * Aaeru nods, deciding to spend the wait by the window.
[19:48] <Wayland> "If you think this is nice, you should see what the elves can do in the Citadel of Light." Wayland comments.
[19:48] <Aaeru> "Doesn't it feel wasteful, though? It looks so grand, but something more compact might have served more people and left plenty of space for others to find shelter."
[19:48] <Janson> "What can they do there?" Janson rises to the bait.
[19:49] <Kotono> Noel and Branna look a bit nervous, but go to sit down.
[19:49] <Wayland> "Towers made of glass, rooms suspended by magic alone in the air, lights floating in the skies. It's beautiful at sunset, let me tell you." smiles Wayland.
[19:51] <Janson> "Maybe I'll get to see it some day," Janson muses, "Anyway, Aaeru, I think the point of having such a big castle is that it can shelter lots of people if the city itself is attacked, so isn't that better?"
[19:52] <Andria> "Sometimes, the feelings a structure evoke is more meaningful, I think. Like Janson says, in this case, people feel secure and protected,right?"
[19:54] <Aaeru> "I don't know," Aaeru admits. "From what little I understand, it would take quite a lot for something to breach the city and attack it so badly that people have to take shelter in castles like this. In the meantime, many people don't actually have a roof over their heads. If you asked them if they'd worry over safety one day and shelter around the year, what would they choose?"
[19:54] <Wayland> "Perhaps the castle has been here longer than the Mythal and the other relatively newer protections, Aaeru."
[19:55] <Aaeru> "And in the past two decades or so, the Guard never felt like redecorating?"
[19:56] <Wayland> "I imagine that dismantling a castle brick by brick would be expensive. Moreso if it were done by magic."
[19:56] <Janson> "They're still building lots of new houses over on the West side where I live," Janson points out. "To phrase it as my mother would, you'd want to uproot the mightiest oak in the forest to plant new saplings when a field nearby lies fallow."
[19:59] * Aaeru mulls over that, turning away from the window to fully pay her attention to the others. "I don't have a good answer to this, but I can meditate on it and see if I come up with one. It makes sense, but it also doesn't."
[19:59] <Andria> "Your mother sounds like a wise woman, that's a nice phrase..."
[20:00] <Janson> "Oh, you can't have a conversation back in Aralla without someone putting out a plant or animal based metaphor," Janson admits with a chuckle. "It gets a bit old, really."
[20:01] <Kotono> As the party talks, there is a knock on the door. Thereafter it opens. The person that enters is an older man, a droopy gray beard and hair. He wears a crimson cloak and breastplate, a well worn sword in scabbard at his hip. "Captain Wedge," he offers a hand out as he approaches, "Heard you bagged one of Shar's minions?"
[20:01] * Aaeru offers her own hand in turn, shaking his. "So it looks, even though the symbol felt a bit strange."
[20:02] * Wayland grins. "That's us."
[20:03] <Kotono> His grip is strong, "At ease if you like, no need to stand up." He goes to sit as well, "I'll need an official statement of what happened."
[20:04] <Andria> "Well, the symbol should be painted black in the center, from what I recall, but it probably just faded. Evil people probably just don't take care of their belongings," Andrea notes. "That's the only odd thing I'd noticed about the symbol, myself."
[20:04] <Aaeru> "Certainly," Aaeru agrees, nodding for good measure. "First, we must establish that we are employed by Whimsical Sweets. As part of our job, we came across a person that was being blackmailed by that Sharran, Qusela. Ah, that is his name, you see."
[20:05] <Janson> "Maybe it represents a different aspect of Shar? Like Jannath and Chauntea?" Janson suggests, not really knowing much about the goddess in question to speculate.
[20:05] <Aaeru> "Well, if it represents any aspect of her, it's certainly horrible."
[20:05] <Kotono> "Whimisical Sweets?" One gray, droopy eyebrow is raised up, "The sweets shop that had that earthquake incident a few days ago?" He then clears his throat, "Ahem."
[20:07] <Aaeru> "Its owner just so happened to branch out into troubleshooting," Aaeru responds. "Be that as it may, we have heard that even more crimes might have been committed beyond fraud and blackmail, so we headed to a lodge where we might find this Qusela. You know the one? It was built by the Vitalists."
[20:07] <Andria> Andrea shrugs at Janson. "No idea."
[20:07] <Kotono> "Yes, the Silverback Lodge," A curt nod to that, "Go on, tell your tale first, then I'll ask questions, ma'am."
[20:10] <Aaeru> "We weren't certain about the nature of the crimes, and the client requested us to try and solve the matter quietly to everyone's satisfaction if at all possible, so we attempted to find out more rather than approach the Guard directly. Thus, we headed to the Lodge, where we were introduced to Qusela and talked with him briefly, before he asked me to come with him to a storeroom for a moment. Once I was there, he locked the door and told me that he would try to kill me with that greatsword of his." Aaeru frowns lightly. "Well, he didn't exactly say he would try, but you know what I mean."
[20:11] <Kotono> "Right." A short nod, "I can presume he lost the struggle. Then what occured?"
[20:13] <Aaeru> "What else, what else... he was talking about entropy, I think? And used some sort of power where he drained some of my vitality with a touch. That's as far as he goes. We also learned that not only was he blackmailing the person we were trying to help, but that he arranged for a young woman to be stabbed in order to fake her death. Afterwards, she fled, and he sent several men to try and find her, so we would appreciate it if something could be done to help her. I think that largely covers things? We would like to talk to our client and convince him to come forth of his own accord and testify if at all possible."
[20:16] <Kotono> "Do so," Captain Wedge says, "Before anything else, we'll properly bind the prisoner and use magic to ascertain the truth of his words. If he is a Sharran, he'll meet the executioner's axe. This young woman, what can you tell us about her?"
[20:17] <Janson> "Wasn't she the daughter of one of the Vitalists Qusela ran out?" Janson confirms, looking to Wayland's friends for confirmation.
[20:17] <Aaeru> "Her name is Melaine, and she was the daughter of one of the Vitalists, yes," Aaeru agrees from memory.
[20:17] <Kotono> "Right," Noel nods to that, "Got it."
[20:18] * Aaeru snaps her fingers. "Oh! It might have been obvious, but Qusela knows some magic, too, so be careful when you handle him."
[20:19] <Kotono> "We'll look into it," Captain Wedge says, "You're at that candy shop, we'll contact there once this is resolved." He rises and offers his hand out again, "Thank you for the warning. Once this is resolved, your group will be eligible for a reward. While Qusela isn't a wanted criminal, any captured Sharran is eligable for a reward."
[20:21] <Janson> "Not popular guys, huh?" Janson asks, reaching over to shake the captain's hand as he gets up.
[20:22] * Wayland shakes the Captain's hand. "Always good to see an evil man brought to justice."
[20:23] <Kotono> "Oh no. There's been problems with them for over twenty years now," Captain Wedge says, a glance at Andrea. "Your patron had problems with them, too. Seems like a lifetime ago, almost."
[20:23] <Aaeru> "They are very, very evil," Aaeru agrees.
[20:24] <Andria> Andrea nods to the captain. "Yeah, that's why it was easy to recognize the symbol, I've recognized it a few times from my studies."
[20:31] <Kotono> You are then escorted out of the Highwatch, bakc ot the streets. From here it's not far to meeting Sanuth. He opens the door and hurries you in, closing it quickly. "W-well? Well?"
[20:32] <Aaeru> "We have good news and bad news," Aaeru starts with. "The woman wasn't killed, but she was stabbed for real after all."
[20:32] <Kotono> "What?" That gets a full on stop from Sanuth, meeting Aaeru's gaze. "What do you mean exactly, then?"
[20:33] <Wayland> "She recovered and fled from Qusela when he tried to blackmail her, too. You're innocent of murder, Sanuth." says Wayland.
[20:33] <Janson> "You stabbed her but it wasn't fatal," Janson elaborates helpfully. "She just pretended so they could blackmail you. She'd originally planned to fall down and pretend to break her neck, but I guess they improvised."
[20:33] <Aaeru> "You did stab her, but then Qusela made you think that she died to blackmail you. It was prearranged, though that doesn't clear you of all the responsibility for your actions then or since."
[20:34] <Kotono> Sanuth nearly melts downto the floor, slumping against thew all. His breathing is ragged ashe smiles, "I-I'm not a murderer? She's alive after all...it was all a con, really?"
[20:36] <Andria> "Except for the part where you, oh, -stabbed- a woman, yes, it was all a con," Andrea agrees, even if a bit sarcastically.
[20:36] <Aaeru> "And because you were so afraid to do the right thing, the woman in question remained around that criminal, you lost your money and peace of mind, and things spiraled down into you becoming a shut-in and reneging on your promises and debts. Is that the sort of person you would like to be from now on, Sanuth, or would you do the right thing and go to the Guard now?"
[20:36] <Kotono> With rapid breathing he looks up, "I'm innocent...w-what about my money?" He looks up, "All the money he extored from me!"
[20:37] <Aaeru> "What about justice?"
[20:38] <Janson> "You're innocent of murder but guilty of assault," Janson points out.
[20:39] * Wayland just kind of stares at Aaeru.
[20:40] <Kotono> "I-it wasn't my fault!" Quicly he looks up at Janson, "If it was a con, it's all their fault! I'm innocent and a victim!"
[20:40] <Aaeru> "You don't think you did a single thing wrong?" Aaeru insists.
[20:40] <Andria> "Then why are you so against going to the guard and getting your money back?" asks a curious Andrea.
[20:42] <Kotono> "If it was a scam, no!" Yet at the same time he looks to Andrea, "Well...um...can I get my money back from the guard?"
[20:43] * Wayland sighs. "Sanuth, you still stabbed the woman. You did that, she didn't make you stab her. You assaulted her. You -could- have killed her."
[20:43] * Aaeru frowns. "The Guard would be able to decide what to do with the money, though if it judges it as belonging to you, I would expect it to first go towards the debts you reneged on from people who dealt with you in good faith, with no scams involved."
[20:45] <Kotono> "What did they expect! It's dangerous out there!" Sanuth retorts, "Fine, I'll pay him if I get my money back!"
[20:46] <Aaeru> "That is mighty generous of you."
[20:46] <Janson> "You're a real saint," Janson agrees, rolling his eyes.
[20:47] <Aaeru> "Since it appears we have a disagreement, and the situation was resolved in the most decisive way possible, I believe that we are now able to follow our civic duties and report everything to the Guard faithfully," Aaeru voices. "I believe we are done here, then?"
[20:48] <Janson> "Lets go," Janson sighs and moves to the door.
[21:00] <Kotono> The next day is warm and cloudy. Under this the party returns to Whimsical Sweets. Sylvie is there, wearing old, dirty clothes as she whistles away. She fits new glass cases in place, wiping her brow every so often. She smiles to each and directs them upstairs, where Josa awaits. He sits upstairs, greeting each as they enter, "Ah," he claps his hands once, "It seem sthat Tymora has smiled on
[21:00] <Kotono> each of you, if what I have heard from Sylvie is true?"
[21:00] <Aaeru> "Well, I almost died..." Aaeru says hesitantly.
[21:01] <Janson> "But you should see the other guy!" Janson grins and claps Aaeru on the back.
[21:01] <Andria> "You're made of stern stuff thankfully!"
[21:01] * Wayland enters, Noel and Branna trailing behind him. "The other guy turned out to be a Sharran."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Goodness!" Going over to Aaeru and giving her a once over, "It seems that fortune has decreed it has not stuck to you! Now then...first of all, WHO are those two...gentlemen with you, Wayland?"
[21:04] <Wayland> "These fine men are Noel and Branna, and they wish to join us in our endeavors!"
[21:04] <Aaeru> "They do?"
[21:04] * Wayland turns to look at Noel and Branna. "Don't you?"
[21:05] * Aaeru glances over at them as well.
[21:05] <Kotono> "Ah," With a look to each of them, "That aside a moment, the city guard came first thing in the morning. Through interrogation, the Sharran known as Qusela is to be judged within a few days and likely put to the ax. A horrid affair!" Wrinkling his nose, "They are still investigating related parts, but a reward has been given for capturing a Sharran."
[21:06] <Andria> "They had mentioned something about a reward," Andrea agrees.
[21:07] <Aaeru> "I'm not sure what to think about a reward for doing what's right, but I suppose if the city wishes to make a solid contribution to charity, it's alright."
[21:07] <Janson> "It's good encouragement," Janson has no qualms about being rewarded for doing the right thing.
[21:08] <Kotono> Josa goes over to the supply cabinet. Inside you cans ee it stuffed with all sorts of things - vials, a few hanging hammers, nails, silken rope, bottles of healing nectar, a few books and pieces of paper, a sledge hammer and other such things. From these he takes a heavy sack out. It has a metallic jangle to it as he closes the drawer, going to drop it on the table. "Fullmarks. There's 30 in
[21:08] <Kotono> there, worth 300 marks in total."
[21:09] <Janson> "Nice!" Janson's eyes widen appreciatively.
[21:11] <Kotono> "Or wait," Frowning, "My math is off." Taking a moment to rub the bridge his temple, "Cursed monetary complications. Each one is worth ten platinum pieces, which each platinum piece being worth 10 gold marks...3,000, excuse me." Clearing his throat, "Ah, the ravages of math are nothing any civilized person easily endures."
[21:12] <Kotono> After that, "After I take half of it for expenses, upkeep and salaries," Ticking off his fingers, "That's 1500 marks for the four o you to split up."
[21:12] <Janson> "375 each? If we keep this up I'll be able to afford my own mansion, soon!" Janson cheers.
[21:12] <Wayland> "375 each. A pretty good haul, I'd say." Wayland muses.
[21:13] <Kotono> "If only Sharrans fell from trees," Noel's eyes go wide, "That's nearly as much gold as the old Malmuthian Emperors could shit out in a morning!"
[21:15] <Aaeru> It's a great deal of charity, Aaeru muses. Surely enough to afford a proper bed for every child the temple cares for!
[21:15] <Kotono> Josa goes and slowly removes 15 fullmarks. Each one is a heavy stamped coin, made of pure white platinum. As they're set on the table, "Ah yes, about that." A look to the two, "Ah Wayland, you have taken the reigns in trying to expand our business venture?"
[21:16] * Janson picks one of the heavy coins up, rolling it around in his hand experimentally.
[21:16] * Wayland nods.
[21:16] * Aaeru would later ask to convert them to something more easily shared with others, but that's not as important as seeing if Wayland's new friends get hired.
[21:17] <Kotono> The coin is a few pounds heavy, stamped on both sides with the seal fo the Baronies. "What can these two gentlemen do, and wherefore did you come on them exactly?"
[21:18] <Wayland> "They can fight, and they helped us with information leading us to the satisfactory completion of our mission. I've taken it upon myself to take them under my wing."
[21:20] <Kotono> Josa goes and takes one of the platinum coins, "Well, I suppose we can give them a try. With the rousing success of our first venture...hm." Stroking his chin, "This is a fine start, a fine start!"
[21:22] <Janson> "So, more of the same today or some other plan or just wait for business to show up at the door?" Janson asks.
[21:24] <Andria> "Also, how much are we going to charge? I had that question asked of me, and didn't know what to say, so it's a good thing we were advertising and working sort of for free before..." Andrea adds.
[21:24] <Kotono> "I have a few things, but today let's focus on cleaning and preparing this shop. Sylvie's down below," Josa says, ""We have to have a suitable place for our customers!"
[21:25] <Kotono> "Ah yes, a fee," Clapping his hands together, "I'm thinking 10 gold for a consultation, with a series of scaling fees for the job," Going on from there, "Perhaps lower the consultation and adjust the other fees so we reject minimal business."
[21:26] <Janson> "We can't really charge just for talking to people, can we?" Janson asks, before looking around for confirmation in a more uncertain voice, "Can we?"
[21:27] <Wayland> "Ten gold seems a bit excessive, don't you think? We don't want to discourage business, Josa." Wayland frowns.
[21:27] <Aaeru> "It doesn't sound right," Aaeru agrees. "But if consultation means actual work is being done on their behalf, regardless of success... well, effort could be rewarded?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "Why my friend," With a broad smile, "If our reputation is good enough, we certainly can! Though yes, my thoughts are the same. 10 is just too much for it if we want lots of business. We don't have to take every opportunity."
[21:28] <Andria> Andrea shrugs. "If you think that's fair, I'll go along with it. Business is your expertise, after all..." Andrea decides on the matter. "I do think 10 gold is too much when we're starting out, but I'll trust you on whatever you guys decide."
[21:29] <Wayland> "I think that, once we have several paying and high-profile jobs under our belts, we can start to charge more. Say two to four gold for a consult."
[21:30] * Aaeru still isn't sure what she thinks consult means meshes well with her employer's, but there is only one way to find out. She'll just argue her case then, if they don't understand each other.