Saving the world on a Sunday afternoon
As the unfortunate victim of the barbarian, I have a great interest in justice being done. I live still, though I died, thanks to the radiant arts of the light. Truly are the holy men our greatest asset, for they manifest the virtues whereby we measure ourselves.
Innocently squatting on a rock, preparing an incantation to aid my ailing companions as they battled hideous odds, I suddenly found myself confronted with the red, snarling, huffing muzzle of Shug. Our eyes locked, and in them I could read the senseless brutal hate he held for me, my elven kindred and all men of wisdom and the arcane arts.
Only a moment he hesitated, no doubt savouring the anticipation of the foul deed he was about to commit. He smiled poisonously, and struck me, not once, not twice, but thrice with bone-shattering blows. Incapable as I was of imagining that he whom I had considered a companion and friend would so cruelly betray my trust, I fell, in surprise and agony, and my blood mingled with the dust.
My companion, a warlock, who had been battling the goblin hordes courageously interceded, but by the time he had struck down my assailant, the bloody deed was already done…it seems he still blames himself for what he considers lack of vigilance on his part, as he was somewhat familiar with the barbarian mindset, and suspected a certain ill-will on the part of the barbarian. Poor fellow, a truer friend there could never be, and I cannot conceive of the great sense of duty and love that would cause a man to believe himself so responsible for his friend’s well being, while busy battling such incredible odds.
I only ask that justice be done, for the Barony is the future of theses lands, whether the barbarians who dwell in them want it or not, and a glorious future shall it be…but only by rule of Justice. There is no need to punish Shug merely for the sake of retribution, but an example must nonetheless be made of him; though in many ways devious and cunning, the barbarians are a simple people who would misunderstand excessive mercy as licence further to vent the destructive energies of their superstition and prejudice on innocents. Let the barbarians of these lands know that we will brook no fall from the principles of virtue, nor an assault on the very principles of Light. Hold a candle to the Darkness, and the Darkness shall melt away.
Nanonenuni
Scryer in the Waters, Seeker of the Stream of Truth.
Report from the Court of Baron Van Heusen regarding the attack on Nanonenuni by Shug
After hearing from all those present at the incident and also from several interested subjects and visitors, a verdict has been reached.
Nanonenuni was preparing a spell but there is no evidence to suggest it was to be used to attack Shug.
Anger is not a sufficient defence or justification for killing another. Nor is taking a dislike to someone due to race, profession or any other reason. This applies to all, be they Clansmen or Kingdom subjects.
Shug’s plea of self-defence has been rejected and he is found guilty of the murder of the Water Elementalist Nanonenuni.
The punishment will be double execution to be carried out at the earliest convenient time.
The court would like to take this opportunity to point out that the Barbarian Clansmen are guests in our Kingdom and are expected to behave in a civilised manner while they are here. If they cannot do so, they should return home before any more incidents occur.
The Temples of Justice, Life and Freedom have also issued statements saying that Shug’s conduct will be closely watched and any further unprovoked attacks on Kingdom subjects will result in resurrections being withheld.
Chief Magistrate Hershey
High Marshal of the Temple of Justice
Magistrate Anderson
Marshal of the Temple of Justice
Magistrate Cal
Chief Judge of the Temple of Order
The King,
Baron Van Heusen
Chief Magistrate Hershey
High Marshal of the Temple of Justice
Magistrate Anderson
Marshal of the Temple of Justice
Magistrate Cal
Chief Judge of the Temple of Order
Your Majesty,
my Lord Baron,
esteemed Magistrars,
I call upon my right as a citizen of the Kingdom of Exiles and as a member of the College of Mages to address myself to you on a matter of the greatest importance and urgency.
While on the mission close to all our hearts – the hunt for the orcish Shaman Grak – which has already proven dangerous in the extreme, I was brutally murdered while engaged with Dark Druids in the vicinity of Lower Bogglehampton.
My death did not occur in the greater cause of the protection of the Barony, nor indeed was I engaged in combat with my killer at the time. This was an unprovoked, coldly executed murder of the foulest kind carried out not by an enemy, but by a so-called ally, namely the barbarian Shug McTavish.
Various members of the patrol had already noticed in previous encounters this man’s complete lack of support for the patrol – he would sit at the side and watch the battles, rather than join in – and I regarded this behaviour at best as a show of complete indifference to the patrol and our mission, and at worst as treason, and a wish for our failure.
During the said engagement with the Dark Druids, I spent most of my remaining mana in helping to push our enemies back into the hands of the patrol’s fighters, and once the battle had moved on I was then a powerless witness to my comrade’s valiant stand against these forces of evil. Dismayed by the amounts of damage our side was taking, and upon discovering that Shug was once again passively observing the battle, I approached him and urged him to join in.
What happened after occurred in such a short timespan that I could not even fully draw my sword, let alone prepare a spell. The brute turned around to me, as though remembering something he had forgotten, raised his sword and hit my right leg repeatedly. I remember nothing after this.
As for what happened after, I can only report to you what Pathfinder-Lieutenant Iilson, who witnessed my murder, told me afterwards. Namely that when he incredulously asked McTavish what he was doing, the animal turned on him and would have ended his life as well, had Iilson not cast a spell which allowed him to escape.
Left to his own devices, the murderer must then have stolen my talisman and a ring of sentimental value which I was wearing at my time of death, as these two items were missing when I was resurrected by a kindly druid some time later during the same day.
I have here related all the facts as they occurred, and for the truth of them I can call upon the testimony of Pathfinder-Lieutenant Iilson.
This was not the first time that Shug McTavish has killed a Mage of the College, and he has now shown that he has no respect for the laws of the Kingdom. As the case of the murder of the Water Elementalist Nanonenuni has already proven, Shug McTavish attacks without provocation and, in my case, was not even under the effects of a barbarian rage.
Marshal Raven has assured me that justice will be served and that McTavish will be killed permanently this time. I further request to personally lead the hunt for the murderous outlaw who must be considered armed, dangerous and VERY unstable.
Surely after the events of the last day it should be reconsidered whether any barbarians are to be allowed into the Kingdom unguarded, let alone become members of patrols. Their usefulness to the Kingdom cannot be such that the lives of actual citizens are permanently threatened by their mere presence.
Should barbarians be allowed to continue as normal in the Kingdom despite the dangers they pose to legitimate citizens, I strongly urge you to consider sending out Warlock bodyguards for every mage who has to go on patrol with any barbarians.
Knowing and trusting in your wisdom,
I remain yours etc,
Marajadeannira
Fire Elementalist
The College
Marshal Hershey
Your Justice,
We of the Order of the Flowing Essence, though we mostly keep our own counsel, hold our senses always open.
The latest (last?) victim of barbarian intemperance, has apparently written formal complaint about the ill deed, but know that this is not the limit of the affair. Beyond all else, let us tell you what we sense.
In the highest spires we hear the whispers in the wind, and it is clear as mountain air that with the fire shall come a storm, and know from experience that the zephyrs shall yet be cold and biting and fearfully abrasive.
In the dark and massive hallways we see the normally taciturn beloved of earth and note that this day has lent them an especially hard and stony mien, that the tunnels echo with footsteps heavier and more resolute and rumble with deep and indistinct mutterings. We had once thought these slow to anger.
But worst of all and perhaps the source of all unrest, everywhere do we smell the acrid odour of burning rage; the acolytes of the flame shake the foundations and scorch the heights of the College with their ear-melting oaths and roars, and inflame those of the other orders with their demagogic fire.
We know some of the Essence itself to be hissing and spitting like water poured on flames…and it is with deep and crushing shame that we admit their having taken the intemperate Nanonenuni as their icon. The acolyte Nanonenuni, once maligned and now vindicated, foul aspersions washed from his character, is now revelling in his new-found status and authority, and much more naturally putrid than he could could ever have been blamed for. And treachery of the scryers in the waters shall be the worst of evils, for we warn you that we are as the damp, and it is only a matter of time, be it long or short, before the thoughts of our dissenters seep out into the barony and corrode faith in the Baron, and in justice. We hardly need tell you precisely how the average commoner would define justice, Chief Magistrate.
We know not how or why it was that a mage of our College, an elven mage, no less, was assigned to a mission group comprising three barbarians, one of them the convicted murderer of an elven mage.
We know neither how this unfortunate affair might be resolved. We are merely subjects who love their kingdom, who are afraid of what may come of this foolishness and who have faith in the High Justicar of these lands. Do what is right.
Assyriass
Bargless
Mishakrostos
Scribes of the Order of the Flowing Essence, Scryers in the Waters, Seekers of the Stream of Truth.
Silvanus speaks
The trees demand that the Tree-Man Arduyne Montoya be released from his captivity! The trees are very upset that you should accuse such a wonderous person of murder. The trees dont kill unless they have to. The trees are good and right in this matter, and the trees have spoken. Arduyne /will/ be released, or the trees will smite you all, and I wont be able to talk them out of it!
High Master Celeratus is right in this matter, the druid killed /must/ have been a Dark Druid, for trees make no mistakes, and Arduyne has shown me his true form – he is part tree!!!
The Trees are verrry angry with you all!
Adiuvo speaks
Arduyne Montoya is a remarkably useful patrol member, for a human. To sacrifice him due to the usual internal squabbles of the human species would be a shame, especially when only one other relatively useless human life was lost. As a representative of the College of Earth, I most forcefully suggest leniency.
Celeratus speaks
I demand that Arduyne Montoya is released at once!
He was trying to help a member of the barony patrol, albeit one who was NOT in need of aid, I hasten to add, but attempting aid nonetheless. The cowardly druid attacked a barony citizen from behind, and then crouched over him muttering words. It is understandable that the Pathfinder, being fairly new to these lands, did not realise a Priest of Might needs no aid, and so used force to counteract the blatantly hostile attempts of the druid.
Master Interfector has informed me that he was well away from the grove when he was attacked, so the druids had no reason to act offensively towards him, unless of course the… creature…. was a Dark Druid, and as such deserving of death.
Pathfinder Montoya acted in a way which I approve of. I would not hesitate to induct such an obviously well-balanced young man into the Temple of Might and demand this farce of a trial is called of immediately.
Orchid speaks
After a fight against hard plant creatures, I awoke leaning up against a tree, that some druids had made heal me. I was covered in a lot of blood from the fight, and the druids saved my life. I went back to the party with Arduyne Montoya, and a couple of the druids who I had seen when I first woke up were with the party. They tripped up Interfector, and bound him to the floor. I don’t know why, but Interfector had probably gone all nasty at them like he usually does. They didn’t hurt him, but Arduyne still came up behind one of them and slit his throat. Marshal Liana wasn’t happy, and nor was I, coz they had saved my life, and he had now taken it away. I didn’t follow his orders for the rest of the day.