Session 35: Riches and Repercussions Report

General Summary

29th Misuthar 836PD   The pile of loot contains various valuables, several thousand gold in currency, a handful of diamonds, a pearl, a brass brazier which catches Jakuki's eye but is subsequently claimed by Ongar as a spell component, and various gems.   Collecting it all together, Theia begins a monologue in the direction of Roderick about ideals and justice. She chastises the pursuit of vengeance, the issuance of personal justice as one sees fit. She points out that while it may be considered naïve, embodying the change that we wish to see in the world will never prove to make it worse. As followers of the divine, it is up to them to exemplify empyrean ideals, and be that shining beacon for others to follow. To all of this, Roderick murmurs acknowledgement but doesn't otherwise elect an opinion. They finish filling the boxes and start moving them upstairs.   Jakuki and Ceonwulf move to the bar to keep tabs on proceedings upstairs - and to order something strong. Jakuki gets given a dose of Dragon's Breath and discusses with the barkeep about what the group have achieved until the guard arrive.   Nine Crownsguard fill the room, the slight captain towards the back ordering the arrest of the Dwarven duo and their compatriots, until the sergeant suggests a moment to find the facts first. He suggests the captain grill the proprietor - the barkeep - to one side while they detain the others and determine what crimes have been committed. The sergeant introduces himself as Tarak Nadir, and their commander as Captain Titus Colanthi. Roderick casts around himself to the bodies and Deg tied to the chair, suggesting that this bit was obvious but that the real story was downstairs. Nadir requests everyone else stand still and follows Roderick downstairs to Arinoth's body and the visceral scene around him. Zeke's death, the villagers and selling goods to Deg are explained, along with the subsequent assassination attempt and return. Upon being confronted, the fight upstairs ensued, whereby Deg admitted that Arinoth was in residence, so the party confronted and killed him. Zeke's hoard recovered, they were moving to return it to the encampment and move on.   Nadir reminds Roderick that such actions are generally unlawful unless done in the name of a registered mercenary company, and heavily hints that if the group were indeed registered in such a fashion it would make everyone's lives easier. Roddie understands, and informs the sergeant the group is registered as the Empyrean Company out of Rexxentrum, under the patronage of Thornbank. This placates Nadir as a method of resolution and they return upstairs. Announcing this to the captain, the Crownsguard withdraw, stating that they will complete the full report for the morning, and will need the mercenary company to stamp the affidavit declaring their action above board. Sergeant Nadir hints at Roderick that, having to work through the night on this report, it wouldn't go amiss that the men have something nice to drink.   With this resolved, and 2K returned in company of Gloriana at the helm of a wagon, they load up the boxes containing the hoard and return to the encampment. Roddie finds a nicer establishment, purchases a half-dozen bottles of quality tipple before likewise returning to the encampment.   Roderick steps away around the camp towards midnight, finding a secluded spot a few hundred feet away, bottle and two tankards in hand. He pours them both out and puts one down next to his symbol of the Raven Queen, and sips from the other. He begins to talk to nobody, talking out loud in reference to Bahamut. His meandering thoughts lend towards justice he has meted out, to being the representation of the Brand, of his family and group. How his actions are larger than himself, and how while he doesn't regret his actions of late, he does understand how they can influence the world.   A man steps out of the bushes, responding to something Roderick said and apologising for intruding. He asks for permission to approach and introduces himself as Patch. He commiserates with Roderick and agrees with the notion that justice and law do not always mete out the same; that sometimes one has a place where the other does not. The man fraternises with Roddie for a few more moments over his return from the eastern front and his return to a civilian life, the difficulty in reconciling the necessities of war with that of adhering to the laws of general life. With that, he drains the second mug and takes his leave. Retrieving the empty mug, Roddie finds a platinum disc beneath bearing the image of a canary. He pockets it and his own symbol of the Raven Queen, gathers the mugs and bottle and returns to the camp for rest.