Edith settles the Kobolds down and asks Hans to act as translator.
She checks by asking them what deal the party offered.
The Kobolds reply that they agreed to say everything they remember about who brought the boy to them, and be prepared to repeat who it was in public.
Edith nods. “This information is worth a reduction in your sentence. Go ahead.”
The Kobolds state that three men brought the boy in a Wain. There was one man in charge, because the others called him ‘Sir’. All three men looked fit and worked as a team. They acted like trained military men.
The Kobolds are confident they could recognise the men if they saw them again.
Edith is nodding happily.
At this point, several of the party (and Edith) make a Spellcraft roll.
A shimmering circle appears in the ceiling, but immediately disappears as Edith casts Light (from a device) on it.
Edith looks seriously at the party.
“Surely this can only be Evil trying to spy on us. Do you think the Kobolds are in danger?
I am not sure how safe they will be here in the Temple. Would you be prepared to escort them somewhere secret and safer?
Also, is there anything else you want to ask the Kobolds?”
Cullen, “I am prepared to escort them to a safer place. I also wish to know how we can arrange for them to review Sir Guy’s men. We have found out that Sir Guy is evil, whether by nature or cursed control I know not, but his actions would appear to be detrimental to the inhabitants of this fair county. He was overeager I believe to get these Kobolds separated from your protection and their lives. I am no detective, but things rings of involvement to me.”
Edith says she will think about where the Kobolds could go, until their testimony can be used in a trial.
Her first thought is to discreetly ask Baron Thorgunby Wheldrake, who is a reliable friend of the Temple and has his own secure castle South of Nottingham, just over a days journey from Oakham.
There will need to be clear evidence against any Noble (such as Sir Guy Gisbourne) before any accusation can be made.
The man has been knighted by the Monarch and is the Lord of the Manor of Oakham.
Almost everyone in Rutland will be out in public tomorrow for the County Fayre in Oakham.
If the Kobolds could be hidden or disguised, they could see many many faces…
Cullen, “Good Lady, your plan sounds good unless those involved are preparing to flee. If I was one of the kidnappers, I would not be showing my face tomorrow or for the next few days. It is a fact that evil will often dispose of minor tools to cover their own trail, so it might be that the kidnappers’ lives are also now endangered.”
Edith thanks Cullen for his thoughts.
She has difficulty understanding how Evil thinks, so this insight is valuable.
She adds:
“If the ‘military kidnappers’ are from Oakham, and do get killed by their own side :eek: , then the deaths will be noticed. This is a town with plenty of gossip and gossipers.
Also I have the power to Speak with Dead. I would be prepared to use it if the bodies turned up and were identified.”
This plan seems workable, but what can be done in the meantime? I’m afraid I’m not as much use in town as out of it, but I should be able to follow any of Sir Guy’s men, given a tip on which to follow.
Edith states that Sir Guy has a large contingent of men here - which is fair enough, given he is responsible for both Oakham Castle and maintaining security in the Town.
There are also smaller numbers of men in each Rutland town and village.
(Maybe only one in a small village - and he might have another job too. But they all report to Sir Guy.)
Crumlin comments that the party is now well-known (‘the heroes who rescued the Baker boy!’).
Therefore either Simon the peasant or Jack Baker the apprentice would be a better choice to blend in and study Sir Guy’s men.
Edith suggests that the party decide if the Kobolds can be safely disguised and wander the streets of Oakham tomorrow, looking for the three men.
Meanwhile she will speak privately to the Baron about safe keeping of the witnesses.
Crumlin comments that if the Kobolds need to be moved, first thing tomorrow (after loading spells) sounds best. The enemy will have less time to organise.
He adds that he is keen to Identify the Magic Items (Giant’s Bastard Sword, Shaman’s Rod) the party have!
Cullen, "What are the most common people expected at the fair of the Kobold’s size and girth? Could we enlist some to go around with them to increase their disguise or camouflage? If we sent Simon around with this group, he would easily do most of the talking and we could also maybe include Hans disguised as they are.
Could someone please heal Ergj? I am out of healing for the day.”
Crumlin thinks carefully.
“Most of the folk coming tomorrow will be Human, with a scattering of Dwarves, Elves and Gnomes. Sadly Kobolds have a different build to all of these. We really need magic or a disguise specialist and it doesn’t seem we have one.
So we need to put the Kobolds somewhere safe until they can testify at a future trial, especially as someone is trying to spy on us.”
Edith returns and tells the party that Baron Thorgunby Wheldrake has offered a secure cell for the Kobolds.
He has sent a messenger to his Castle in Nottingham and a strong escort will arrive in Uppingham early tomorrow (Uppingham is just an hour or so away from Oakham, along the forest road).
Edith asks if the party will take the Kobolds to Uppingham first thing tomorrow and hand them over. This way hopefully it will not be obvious that the Baron’s troops have custody of the Kobolds.
The first day is nearly over, though there is time to take actions if desired.
Experience will be awarded at the end of the day.
The party are reminded that they have the following treasure to [COLOR=Blue]Identify (automatic 1st level spell for Clerics/Druids, plus any MU/Illusionist who has learnt it) and share out:
Bastard Sword (has 2nd level MU spell)
Rod (has 1st level C spell)
gem (worth 500gp)
9 short swords
They need to decide:
whether to take the Kobolds to Uppingham
what to do about supporting the candidates for Sheriff who oppose Sir Guy Gisbourne
At present the characters of both Gawain the Paladin and Hulfgar the Ocean Barbarian are ‘resting’. If anyone new would like to join and play either of them, they are most welcome.
Cadogan the Ranger is now officially played by Appleciders and Salazar the MU by MHaye. [/COLOR]
Just how long does it take to get from here to Uppingham?
"I agree it is … better not to let the kobolds out into the chaos of the … fair. Quite apart from the … possibility they may try and escape, what happens if … their disguise is uncovered? There would be a riot, the creatures … might be torn apart, and … there may be people who can manipulate the chaos … for their own ends.
“As for … identifying these items, if none of us can do so might there be a diviner … in the temple who can cast the spell for us? And if so, what would be fair … recompense?”
Oakham to Uppingham is about 2 hours walking, 1 hour riding.
The forest path goes past where the party rescued the Baker boy, then the Heimdall Shrine that Crumlin tends, then into Uppingham.
Crumlin says if neither Cullen or Aciryas want to load the Identify spell, then he will. One Identify (there is no no material component or any other restrictions) works on 1 item per level, so Crumlin would need to load the spell twice.
Let’s get these items identified. I’m quite interested in the bastard sword. If the short swords are magical, I’m guessing they’re all +1, so that would be a good haul to sell to buy supplies when we can. A rod would be a good spell extender as well.
Regarding the kobolds: what is customary within this campaign setting and within human justice? Do evil monsters usually get trials?
I suppose, barring any reason otherwise, that we should take the kobolds to the authorities. This would only benefit us politically as well. I suggest we tie them up in a line and walk them through town at mid-day.
[/COLOR]