Beyond the Sky - Session 16

The party assemble in the entrance hall, to meet with their new ally, already waiting for them. Unfortunately, Twilalux hasn't recovered from his alcohol induced coma, and still needs to rest.
Mikolotov: "So, are we planning on arresting him formally, or are we going to simply barge in there and take him by surprise?"
Adrian: "I'd rather we do this by the book if possible."
Valaire: "As much as I would love a direct approach, I feel doing things formally causes him to lose more face."
Adrian: "Precisely."
Mikolotov: "Right."
Night Eyes: "What evidence do you intend on providing?"
Mikolotov: "According to Adrian we have a witness and culprit who did the act."
"We have some letters but I'm not sure if they're hard evidence against him."
Night Eyes: "It would need a handwriting test."
Valaire: "But such things are worried about during trials, no?"
Adrian: "Our friend's testimony would be much harder to dispute. Put it all together, and it ought to be a good enough case against him."
Arkune: "If nothing else, if he tries to resist, it will help prove his guilt."
Night Eyes: "It should suffice, yes, Valaire."
Valaire: "And I have preparations in case he does."
Mikolotov: "But attempting to arrest the Chancellor on mere suspicion... I feel like he'll have a way to wriggle out of it."
Arkune: "If it comes to that, we can try to restrain him."
Valaire draws one of the two new scroll cases she bought on Adrian's coin, giving a mischievous smile.
Mikolotov: "He could have his bodyguard with him, too. And she's no mere guard."
Arkune: "Ah?"
"How dangerous is she?"
Valaire: "Certainly no match for Lord Adrian, I'm confident."
Mikolotov: "I hope so."
As the party converses a man in gold armour approaches them.
Lord Hector Ivandis: "Ah, Adrian! Nice to see you around here!"
Adrian: "Hector. Good to see you."
Lord Hector Ivandis: "You seem to have your friends along with you today? On some grand quest, eh?"
Valaire moves closer to the group, seemingly letting Adrian take the lead on the arrest.
Adrian: "I think that may be somewhat of an exaggeration. We're discussing a lead about a recent crime."
Lord Hector Ivandis: "Did you find out what rapscallion took your daughter?"
Kincaid moves back subtly.
Adrian: "Yes. And it seems it involves our good friend the Chancellor. I never would have thought him capable of such things, wouldn't you agree?"
Lord Hector Ivandis: "Oh, no. I could definitely see him doing a dastardly thing like this!"
Arkune: "From the little I've seen if him, I'm more amazed this is the first time."
Lord Hector Ivandis: "So you're off to confront him, then? Need some help?"
Valaire: "Some do need to keep their nose clean, mouse. It's simply possible there wasn't enough proof before."
Night Eyes: "Indeed. A simple matter of keeping ones tracks covered is often enough."
Adrian: "I can't say I'd turn down any help. My bigger concern, though, is whether he finds a way for someone else to take the fall."
Lord Hector Ivandis: "I've been looking for a chance to smack him or his big bloody bodyguard in the face for years!"
"That one never even talks. (Haven't even seen them under the helmet.)"
Adrian: "Heh, that makes two of us."
Valaire: "Shall we, then, darlings?"
Arkune: "I'm ready, at least. We've got to get him before he goes on holiday."
Night Eyes: "Indeed. We have not much time."
Adrian: "Agreed."
Lord Hector Ivandis: "Probably heading to Dragontooth where we can't prosecute him."
Night Eyes: "What IS going on in Dragontooth?"
Lord Hector Ivandis: "Dragontooth's an independent neutral country. Mostly just a collection of fishing villages and mountain clans. But it's also a place we can't go sending the military to find him in."
Valaire: "Then it certainly seems in our best interest to stop him now, hm?"
Lord Hector Ivandis: "Right, let's go!"
Arkune nods in agreement.
Lord Hector Ivandis draws his sword, running off, much to the strange looks of the guards.
Valaire looks at the man with concern.
Valaire: "...Did that just ruin our chance at subtlety?"
Mikolotov: "Lord Ivandis is not known for subtlety."
Adrian: "...I suppose we'll have to go follow him."
Night Eyes sighs.
The party continue down the halls of the residential wing, heading down to the most prestigious royal quarters, Goring's large doors at the end of the corridor.
Lord Ivandis is found, waiting outside, sword drawn.
Lord Hector Ivandis: "(Aha, you're here! Come now, time is no the essence, and I'm not a Knight.)"
Arkune: "(Should I ready my weapons as well, sir?)"
Valaire pulls out a parchment from the brass casing, holding it in one hand while she keeps her attention about her.
Night Eyes: "(Intending combat or no, it's wise to have a weapon at the ready.)"
Night Eyes readies her rapier.
Arkune gets ready with her mace.
Lord Hector Ivandis: "(Ah, the mace. Simple, but effective.)"
Adrian keeps his own sword undrawn and concealed, but at the ready.
Mikolotov: "(Right, I guess I can go in there and attempt to arrest him. I would think it best if you are behind me.)"
"(Luckily I explained to the Chief Guard our predicament, and I was able to acquire the keys to his quarters, so...)"
Adrian: "(This will need to be handled delicately.)"
Adrian looks at Arkune and Ivandis.
Mikolotov takes out the key, using it on the lock and opening it, stepping in, the rest of the party following in.
Kincaid: "I will be ready with story. Aside from this, I will keep mouth shut. This hides my face, but not voice too well."
Adrian: "Good plan."
Mikolotov: "Lord Irandale Goring, this is the Royal Guard."
"We have suspicion to believe you to be involved in the kidnapping of a Miss Jillia and Genevieve Illendis. I request you come with me for questioning."
Valaire: "(Well, now he'll flee for sure...)"
Mikolotov's voice echoes around the house, before footsteps are heard from the north, and a door is opened, showing a familiar grey face.
Lord Goring: "Knight, what do you think you are doing, shouting about all this and that about kidnappings at this hour? Most people are trying to sleep at the crack of dawn."
Mikolotov: "Milord, you are a suspect in a crime, and I would like you to come with me to settle these allegations."
Arkune: "Surely you understand the ways of the court of nobles and the structure of the law... If nothing else, you should come with us to prove your innocence, if you truly have done no wrong."
Lord Goring: "I don't have any time for this and your band of hooligans. I'm preparing to negotiate a trade deal with Eriban salespeople."
Adrian: "How inconvenient."
Lord Goring: "It is not a case of proving innocence, it's a case of time. I am a very busy man and I do not need this messing up my schedule."
Night Eyes: "Perhaps you should have considered that before committing to these acts."
Arkune directs her gaze to Lord Goring's, meeting his eyes with her own.
Lord Goring: "I have not done anything of the sort."
Arkune: "If I may intrude... You do realize that evading our inquiries merely raises our suspicions? What criminal wouldn't claim innocence as soon as the guards came?"
Lord Goring: "If you accuse an average man of murder, he will consider you to be one ruby short of a treasury. If you accuse the *Chancellor of the Exchequer* of kidnapping, he will consider you mad and not worth needing to settle this matter at all!"
Valaire: "Oh? But it might reflect poorly on your dealings with the Eribians if the man they're negotiating with is wanted for capital crimes back home, no? Even if you are innocent."
Lord Goring: "These are baseless accusations! Where is your proof?"
Arkune steps forward a bit as well, keeping her eyes on Goring.
Arkune: "We have the body, evidence, witnesses, letters, and the word of two lords."
"Now... Look me in my eyes. Tell me I'm lying."
Lord Goring: "Can you identify that it was me who killed whoever you speak of? Can you assure the courts that it was me who wrote the letters? And do the witnesses actually witness me doing these things? A word means nothing in the courts, the only things you can use are hard evidence."
Lord Goring stares coldly into Arkune's eyes.
Adrian: "Our proof is the man you hired for the job."
Valaire: "If you are innocent, then surely spending a scant few minutes of time to prove so is worth it to avoid unwarranted persecution, no?"
Night Eyes: "You could even do Adrian over once more."
Valaire: "Surely your dealings with Eribe are not so time critical as to disallow that moment, or you would not have been sleeping."

Arkune: "We even made sure to come early in the morning, before you leave for Dragonstooth... You've got plenty of time, sir."
Lord Goring: "You 'found the man I hired'? Where is this man, then?"
Kincaid: "I am here, Nobleman!"
Kincaid 's appearance shifts back into his own.
Lord Goring: "You!"
Adrian: "You sound much less confident now, don't you think?"
Arkune: "Hmm? Why react to this man if you do not know 'im?"
Valaire: "Curious that you recognize this individual, when he seems otherwise nameless. No?"
Lord Goring says nothing, closing the door he was speaking out from.
Lord Goring: "Titania. We have unwanted guests."

[Night Eyes : Initiative: 22.03
Mikolotov : Initiative: 20.01
Lord Goring : Initiative: 18.04
Valaire : Initiative: 17.03
Kincaid : Initiative: 14.03
Arkune : Initiative: 10.02
Bodyguard : Initiative: 8.01
Adrian : Initiative: 1]

Night Eyes: "The door."
Mikolotov: "Right."
Mikolotov moves over, and opens the door, roughly.
Mikolotov: "You can't hide, Goring!"
Lord Goring: "I don't need to! I have help."
Night Eyes dashes after Goring, invoking a spell. [Grease, DC 15]
[Lord Goring : Reflex Save: 15]
Lord Goring is able to keep on stable footing as the grease appears on the floor.

Lord Goring withdraws from the action, standing behind his towering bodyguard, whose glaive is already drawn. [Withdraw, Acrobatics: 23]

Valaire clutches the scroll, trying to run after Goring.

Kincaid moves forwards past the doors, drawing a small sword.

Arkune: "Stop right there! There's nowhere to run!"

Bodyguard silently swings its glaive at Arkune.
[Bodyguard : Glaive
Attack: 24, Damage: 12]

Adrian runs after the others.

[Bodyguard : Glaive
Attack: 23, Damage: 10]
Mikolotov moves past everyone, getting into range of Goring and striking him with the flat of his lance.
Mikolotov: "I'm sorry, but I'll have to take you in by force now!"
[Mikolotov : Lance
Attack: 14, Damage: 8]
Lord Goring recoils, barely moving out of the swing of the spear.
Lord Goring: "Who do you think you're targeting, boy?"
Arkune: "A criminal who's trying to flee the hand of justice!"

Night Eyes conjures a billow of smoke, vanishing entirely. [Vanish]
Adrian: "An accused criminal who resisted lawful arrest. Do you think yourself above the law of our kingdom, Goring?"
Lord Goring: "I do. I'm much better than all of you."

Lord Goring steps back preparing a spell, concentrating to cast defensively. [Vanish, Concentration: 18]
[Valaire : Dispel Magic, CL Check: 9]
Lord Goring vanishes from sight.
Lord Goring: "This is what happens when you annoy people like me. I'll make sure none of you are leaving here."
Arkune: "Block the doors out!"

Kincaid approaches with his weapon drawn, his eyes flashing, attempting to put his enemiy to sleep. [Slumber Hex, DC 15]
[Bodyguard : Will Save: 6]
The bodyguard drops to the floor in sleep.
Arkune: "Well then... that takes care of her."
Valaire: "Make sure that guard can't get up while we search for the criminal!"

Arkune focuses a small orb of flickering light in her hand, before thrusting it towards Goring's location, the light expanding into a cloud of moths and sparkling dust. [Glitterdust, DC 15]
[Lord Goring : Will Save: 22]
The Lord staggers as he is covered in the shiny dust, now visible again.
Lord Goring: "Damn, damn."
Arkune circles around the sparkling Goring.

Adrian glares at the sparkling figure, speaking with the weight of magic.
Adrian: "You really should give it up. Cooperate, and it will look much better for you than this scuffle." [Hypnotic Stare, Suggestion, DC 17]
[Lord Goring : Will Save: 23]
Lord Goring: "I'll do no such thing!"
Mikolotov swings his spear at Lord Goring, trying to incapacitate him.
[Mikolotov : Lance
Attack: 17, Damage: 5]
The spear wounds the lord in the side, bleeding a little.
Lord Goring: "You miserable reprobate! How dare you wound a Lord!"

Night Eyes conks the man on the back of his head with the pommel of her rapier.
[Night Eyes : Rapier, Cold Iron
Attack: 10, Damage: 9 Nonlethal]
Lord Goring is hit in the back of the face, staggering a little.

Valaire steps forward confidently, retrieving the other scroll from the scroll case.
Valaire: "We could do this the easy way, love, or we could do it the painful way. Better decide what you prefer before it's too late."

Lord Goring grits his teeth, preparing another spell. [Dimension Door, Concentration: 22]
Lord Goring grumbles.
Lord Goring: "You have me pinned against the wall, in my own home."
"You barge in here, into my private property, incapacitate my guard, and assault me."
Night Eyes: "No different from what you did to a defenceless child."
Valaire: "And to think none of that would have happened if you just agreed with Lord Adrian in the first place, hm?"
Adrian: "You had several chances to avoid this outcome. You were a fool to think I wouldn't be able to act against you."

Kincaid advances, casting a spell to try and take out Goring.
[Lord Goring : Will Save: 23]
Kincaid: "What is with you? You need to be put to sleep, already."
Lord Goring: "I'm not sure what else I can do."
"I'm an old man, and you have me surrounded."
Lord Goring raises his hands.
Lord Goring: "Seems I've been checkmated."
Arkune: "Good. You've made the right choice."
"Miko, have any cuffs?"
Mikolotov: "Of course."
Adrian hands a set of manacles to Arkune.
Arkune fastens them around Goring's wrists, doing her best to hold him still, should he struggle.
Valaire: "You should probably get that guard too."
Adrian: "Indeed. Mikolotov?"
Mikolotov attaches cuffs to the unconscious guard, hefting it over his shoulder
Lord Goring: "Then let's go."
Mikolotov: "Right, shall I escort them to the royal prison, Milord?"
Adrian: "Yes, I think that would be best."
Night Eyes: "They should still see the proper means, as not to undermine what we've done."
Mikolotov: "I imagine they'll be going away for a long time."
Valaire: "I suppose that's true. But you will see him executed for what he did to Jilly, won't you?"
Lord Goring grumbles.
Valaire focuses a sharp glare at Goring, a scroll still clutched in her hand.
Mikolotov: "Milady Valaire, we don't have capital punishment in this land, not anymore."
Valaire: "Oh, if it's a matter of nobody to carry it out, I would gladly do it myself."
Night Eyes: "Living with a shattered reputation may be the worse punishment."
Mikolotov: "I would recommend against that with a Royal Knight in the room."
Arkune: "Especially if he must live among criminals."
Night Eyes: "Can you imagine turning from this luxury to the dungeons?"
Valaire: "Love, you drastically misunderstand me."
"Executing him is fine, even if a royal knight is present, if I am officially sanctioned to do so, no?"
Mikolotov: "You would have to speak that over with Her Majesty herself. I do not think she would wish to execute her own cousin."
Adrian: "I'd like for him to enjoy a long life in exile or prison with which to reflect on his mistakes."
Kincaid approaches Lord Goring, looking him in the eye.
Kincaid: "Ha! What will you be saying now? Ruin me? I ruin you! I am no pawn!"
Valaire: "Do make sure you keep him restrained, love, and revoke any spellbook he may own. We would not want him to flee."
Arkune: "Execution would be far too swift of a punishment... Imprisonment and a ruined reputation lasts much longer..."
Valaire: "I will have to settle for this scum being made worthless for the rest of his life, I suppose."
Adrian smiles maliciously at Goring.
Lord Goring smirks.
Lord Goring: "Of course, of course. I will go away for a long time, and reflect on my mistakes."
Night Eyes: "You know, we haven't won yet."
Arkune: "And if you flee..."
"Ah?"
Kincaid: "Certainly feels like it."
Night Eyes: "I mean, we still need to make our case."
Adrian: "There will still be a trial. And the intricacies of the law are complex."
Lord Goring: "Discuss your plans later. Take me to the prisons already."
"I have much work to do, even from a cell."
Arkune: "Ah? Got to cancel that boat to Dragonstooth?"
Valaire: "Lord Adrian... you will keep him restrained in there, right?"
"Last we need is for him escaping when our backs are turned."
Lord Goring: "Whether I have to or not, I am still the Chancellor, even from a cell. I have many things to do if I am to be thrown into prison. Delegations, organisations."
Adrian: "Guards can be arranged."
Arkune: "Adrian, does he really stay in power even like this?"
Adrian: "Not for long."
Valaire: "And ways to prevent magic, darling?"
Arkune: "Surely the kingdom would look for a new chancellor?"
Kincaid: "I recommend not allowing him speech, or he may use same spell he give me."
Valaire nods.
Valaire: "Even now, I'm making sure..."
Lord Goring grumbles.
Mikolotov: "Milady Valaire, i believe myself and Arkune, and you, can transport these two to the prison block, and set him in spell shackles. I will need you still to prevent him from fleeing."
"And I will be watching you."
Valaire: "Me, darling?"
Mikolotov: "He is a vile and despicable man, but we should let the law deal with him."
Valaire: "And I have never suggested anything less."
"You wound me, darling."
Mikolotov: "Ah, sorry..."
"It's just that it sounded like..."
Valaire: "I merely speak what I want. Whether I can get it is another thing besides."
Mikolotov: "Oh, I see. I apologise, Milady."
Arkune: "I just hope his position doesn't mean they'll go too soft on his sentence..."
Lord Goring: "If this idle chit chat is done, i suggest we move on, already."
Arkune: "Quiet, prisoner."
Adrian: "I'd prefer that I accompany you as well. We don't know when that guard might wake up."
Valaire: "We have a substantial amount of evidence, so I doubt there is much they can do."
The party escort the grumbling Lord Goring and his bodyguard over to the prison block, Valaire keeping a close eye on him, and placing him in Spell-Shackles so he cannot escape.
As they leave, they spy Lord Ivandis, who had waited outside until they wanted to call him, as he thought he might not be able to hold himself back. After this, the party heads back to regroup in the entrance hall.
Valaire: "Well, then, mister Markus. Do you feel satisfied?"
Kincaid: "Yes and no."
Arkune: "Oh?"
"What's wrong?"
Kincaid: "I still have bitter taste in my mouth from my job. No amount of vengeance can cancel it."
Night Eyes: "This is true."
Arkune: "It's... understandable."
"Perhaps you can work to aid the world further?"
Valaire: "Then we are similar, in that regard, darling."
Arkune: "I know how a stain of shame can feel."
Valaire: "Unsatisfied from this outcome."
Kincaid: "It felt good, to take down corrupt Lord, though. I do not like being controlled."
Adrian: "We'll still need you at the trial. Once it's scheduled, will you hear of it yourself, or is there some way we might find you?"
Kincaid: "I imagine so. Just tell me time and place. You will find me in bar you met me in."
Adrian: "Very good. Thank you."
Kincaid: "So what happens to me now?"
Night Eyes: "Thank you, Markus."
Kincaid: "Am I free man? Or will I be held prisoner like corrupt Lord?"
Arkune: "You are free now," states Arkune before anyone else answers.
Adrian: "You are free. What you've done - are doing - is enough."
Adrian hands Kincaid a small bag of gold, as well.
Kincaid: "What you do for me, it is most forgiving and kind."
Valaire: "More forgiveness than you deserve. You are lucky that Lord Adrian is so welcoming."
Night Eyes looks at Valaire.
Night Eyes: "You helped me figure a few things out, Markus."
Kincaid: "I believe you wished to hear of your country."
"Is that still true?"
Night Eyes: "It is, yes."
Adrian: "I would be interested in hearing this, too."
Adrian turns his attention to the clerk.
Adrian: "I'm afraid an emergency prevented me from a meeting with His Highness yesterday. Could you relay to him that I would like to speak with him later today, if he wishes?"
Kincaid: "If you are not interested in talk of it now, then you can meet me at bar later. Speak to the patron there. He knows much more than you think."
Adrian: "Now will do, I think. It shouldn't take all morning, I assume?"
Kincaid: "It would not."
"Do you have place of privacy?"
Adrian: "I have rooms in the palace. We can talk there."
Kincaid: "As you wish."
The party travel to Adrian's rooms, and prepare to listen.