Captain Report, Witness Reports

Shaylara Elwyn - First blood, killed 2

Sami Lee Atianna - Killed 4

Rani Frost - Attacked, No Death

Licht Munchausen - Unknown Status, Warrant for Escaping Arrest

Aethelric of Bandermere - Did not attack

We had heard screams from the Golden Lion and went to investigate. We found several people had been strung up and skinned alive. Suddenly a blood golem appeared...presumably summoned/created from the blood of the victims. We were attacked and attempted to defend ourselves. Once the golem was destroyed...someone was seen WATCHING FROM ABOVE. They ran off and suddenly we were all surrounded by robed cultists with weapons drawn. They started to close in on us presumably to attack or do harm. You dont advance on someone with weapons drawn unless you INTEND to do harm. We defended ourselves as we were not going to WAIT to be attacked first to determine if they meant us harm. We had already been attacked by the Blood Golem.

*The peasant militiaman, in his worn farmer's clothes and torn homemade tabard, recounts his version of the night's events in q quiet, humble voice.*

My companions and I were sitting in a Tavern, relaxing, when we heard a scream. We went outside to investigate, and found two young women, flayed. By some foul magic, a creature of living blood was summoned from the pool of gore beneath them. It managed to grab Lady Rani, but she escaped.

A kick from my horse, an arrow from Lady Shaylara, and a spell from Lord Atianna finished the creature.

We were preparing to go home when we saw a figure appear on the rooftops. It vanished. Afterwards a group of people wearing masks and strange robes appeared, holding weapons. They threatened us.

I prepared to defend myself, but did not make a pre-emptive strike. They had ample opportunities to charge in, and attempt to make quick work of us, but did not.

My companions attacked. I warned them something seemed off about the situation, yet the attacks continued.

Soon after you arrived, and arrested us. To the best of my knowledge, these are the events that transpired.

We were in the Lion, when we heard a scream from the Market Place. When we got there we found three women, hanging upside down from stakes with their skin flayed off them. I was in the process of respectfully cutting them down when the blood pooling below them formed into a blood golem and grabbed me. Arrows were ineffective and bludgeoning weapons only did partial damage. I was able to escape then Sami blasted the golem with a sonic scream which destroyed it.

During the combat, it mentioned an entity called 'Father' who, I had just heard had stolen and attempted to destroy a cartload of supplies.

I saw something off in the distance running away then we were surrounded by six masked people who threatened to kill us. Assuming they were followers of this 'Father' we defended ourselves but, upon retrospect, I regret the action that I took and wish to deeply apologise for same. It seems that Father must have magically controlled them to do so and we should have waited for them to actually attack. I intend to recompense the families of the 'victims' anyway I can.

Signed

Lady Rani Frost

*rubs his wrists as the manacles are removed before questioning. Putting one leg over the other and clasping his hands together on his knee. Shakes his head to get some of his sun bleached blond hair out of his eyes.*

Now this is what happened. I was in the Golden Lion to enjoy some company and maybe lift the spirits of those crammed in there as temporary housing when I was alerted by Rani and others running out to a scream in the streets. When I arrived with the others there were several young women hanging upside down, flayed and nude. I instructed Aethelric on the horse to clear out some of the civilians and Rani to cut down the women so they could be put to rest respectfully when a creature made of their blood formed and attacked us. After having some difficulty in damaging and dispelling the creature I broke it apart with a sonic spell. Shortly after a few people in the area noticed someone watching from the skies who ran off once he...or she...women can be evil as well. Can't say I'm sexist.

*uses a hand to brush the hair out of his eyes again as it had fallen over them*

Now then...as he, or she, ran off these people appeared. Drew weapons and advanced with intent to harm, which was evident with their statement of "Father says you must perish".

*uses his fingers to mark that last part in quotes before clasping them on his knee again.*

I responded as one does with someone who has marked intent to harm. Especially after they seemed connected with whoever did such a despicable thing as flaying those women and hanging them up naked. According to common law, as is practiced on ship and by the Port Authority...and really any law enforcement...intent plus opportunity is something you don't wait for being stabbed to act on.

I'd also like to mark that if it wasn't for ME and those I was with, this city would be in a much worse state than it is now. We may not have even survived until the crusaders made it. I destroyed a siege tower that carried untold numbers of the horde! I held the wall until it fell from below and we had to fall back!

Milo rode up on his Collie riding dog dressed in his fine noble outfit. He adjusts his fine hat and enters looking at those gathered. Spying his Sister; Rani, Lady Shaylara Elwyn and Sir Sami Atianna he frowned. He frowned noting Aethelric of Bandermere was also in a cell. He went over to the Desk Sergeant and began a dialogue.

What is the meaning of this?! Why is my Lady Sister, Rani Frost doing in a cell?!? Why are Lady Sharlara Elwyn and Sir Sami Atianna locked up?! And Mr. Bandermere? These are Heroes! These people fought and shed Blood for this city just days ago! This is unacceptable. Release these Heroes of the People and go look for real criminals. Fighting to protect the people of this city is Not a crime and any that think it is; is sadly mistaken. I want to speak to someone with Authority.

The Captain of the Watch leans forward

"Heroes of the city, doesn't make them immune to the laws of the city. They will be judged like all others. Mr. Bandermere is set to be released today for having no part in the massacre that happened in the streets. I tire of you all thinking you are above the law. Our Judge will determine their innocents. Not you."

He frowns. And what exactly are they accused of doing? My understanding is they protected this city; again and was later attacked again and defended themselves against armed persons?

Continued to speak "Your understanding is skewed. A group of people, while armed, did not attack. These "heroes" as you refer to them as well, attacked with intent to kill, and drew first blood. We have many witnesses including this Mr. Bandmere as you mentioned. They murdered six civilians. That's all you need to know. If you have nothing else, you're free to attend their trials."

His eyes narrowed. I'll do that. This is not over, Captain. He turns and leaves reporting this to His Father, House Atianna and House Elwyn.

The Captain logs this interaction for the trials

Truth of the matter is I never "claimed" to be a hero. Its not who I am...what I AM is a "survivor" Captain. I stood through the blood and muck and fought the biggest siege to ever happen in these parts and I am STILL surviving. Now your opinion of me is irrelevant in all honesty. I am not going to hide behind my title and claim this or that because I am of noble birth. I am not trying to be cruel I am just stating the facts of the matter. If I can walk away unharmed during a siege fighting Orcs, Goblins, trolls, all sorts of Horde filth, AND an oversized Hill Giant that looks to have been mutated then I sure as hell am not going to stand still and let cultists attack me. Does that make me a bad person...a murderer? Fine...I will take those titles over losing my life just after killing a blood golem that THEY possibly summoned. Common sense should tell you that you dont allow someone to surround you and "approach with weapons drawn" and just "assume" they do not have dangerous intent towards you. I may be insensitive but the one thing I am NOT is a fool Captain. Now I am done answering your questions for the foreseeable future because either you do not have common sense or you are TRYING to find a reason to OVERLOOK common sense just to pin murders on me. I will wait for the magistrate and give HIM this same speech and if I am doomed then so be it.

The Captain folds his hands on top of the table as Shaylara says her opinion on the matter. He leaned forward "And the Magistrate shall do just that. You 'heroes' and as you so eloquently put it 'survivalists', are not immune to the laws of this realm, or this kingdom. You drew first blood, and you shot to kill. You assumed these civilians we're a threat simply because they we're robbed, and had weapons. None lifted their weapons in a threat. They stood there while you shot your arrows. Aimed at their hearts. Instead of crippling them, questioning them." The Captain rises and heads for the door "Your self-righteousness shows me you have zero remorse for the innocents that you killed." he closes it behind him