Tales of Aequar: Runite's Rise IC V

[super dark33]

Sorry you have to see your friend like this, Ceasar.

Spoiler: Spot

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(1d20+1)[10]

[CoffeeIncluded]

"He's getting away!"

And indeed, in the commotion Cesare is trying to sneak out the back.

[super dark33]

It takes Surdrak a few seconds before yelling S T O P
And flying a loop to crash down on Ceasar.

[Athedia]

Badger sighed and then let out a sharp whistle. A small dog darted through the crowd toward Cesare, and stopped in front of him growling.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Cesare runs, but he is short and the door is locked. It doesn't take long for Surdrak and Naga to catch up to him. As Surdrak lands, the shadows rise around him to loom over Cesare's head. And although Naga is short, so is the dwarf, and so the basset hound doesn't need to look up far to meet Cesare's eyes and snarl.

Cesare can't stare them down. Instead he spins around, wild-eyed, to face the other senators. "You're going to listen to them? Over me? Cesare? I have been in this senate chamber since the founding of Runite!
I have seen this city grow! And I have seen it debase itself! You mean to tell me that you will allow these--these mercenaries, these murders to lie and believe their lies over my words? That you will allow...subhumans to walk proudly among us?!"

Leif shakes his head. "Cesare, stop talking. Have you lost all sense of decency to your greed?" He nods to the halfling and Artorias. "Fix the document, in front of us. Then read it."

They do so, over Cesare's screaming and protests that grow to the point where he has to be escorted from the chamber. And the document reveals a plot. A contract between Cesare and Avir, detailing how they would divvy up tribute to Avir and how Avir would help consolidate Cesare's hold on the city.
It doesn't go into how Avir caused the plague but more describes their "business partnerhip" once Deirdre and her sewer system and riches are out of his hair. And it leaves no doubt as to who caused the cholera epidemic that swept through the city.

Things happen very quickly after that.

[CoffeeIncluded]

One by one, Cesare's backers fall silent. Even his most ardent supporters put up no more than a token resistance. The knowledge of what he did is just too much to bear.

"This isn't a trial," Leif says as behind him more guards appear to take the still-ranting Cesare into custody. "That won't be until later. But, well, I think we all know how it's going to end." He shakes his head. "I never thought Cesare would stoop to this."

"I knew he was an *******, but to throw the entire city to that beast?" Artorias turns to the party. "I'm sorry I wasn't there fighting with you. But Cesare wanted to shove the law through tonight, and I had to stop him. The only thing I could think of doing was to stay behind and talk.

"And you did a fantastic job." Leif claps a hand on Artorias's shoulder and looks down on him with pride. "I think you would make a fine Senator one day."

Artorias smiles. "Thanks, Leif. I hope you can all stay and see that. Though, uh, Badger...?"

One of the guards--one who was in the chamber the entire time, stops to look at Badger. "I'm afraid we can't let you leave either, not with those accusations of murder."

[super dark33]

I dont know about any of you but im no Public Servant and i assume my fellow fellows arent either, you could start another trial any time you want, but id rather appriciate it if you finished the current topic at hand, the slaying of a dragon, saving of your lives and fortunes and culture...

[Athedia]

One by one, Cesare's backers fall silent. Even his most ardent supporters put up no more than a token resistance. The knowledge of what he did is just too much to bear.

"This isn't a trial," Leif says as behind him more guards appear to take the still-ranting Cesare into custody. "That won't be until later. But, well, I think we all know how it's going to end." He shakes his head. "I never thought Cesare would stoop to this."

"I knew he was an *******, but to throw the entire city to that beast?" Artorias turns to the party. "I'm sorry I wasn't there fighting with you. But Cesare wanted to shove the law through tonight, and I had to stop him. The only thing I could think of doing was to stay behind and talk.

"And you did a fantastic job." Leif claps a hand on Artorias's shoulder and looks down on him with pride. "I think you would make a fine Senator one day."

Artorias smiles. "Thanks, Leif. I hope you can all stay and see that. Though, uh, Badger...?"

One of the guards--one who was in the chamber the entire time, stops to look at Badger. "I'm afraid we can't let you leave either, not with those accusations of murder."

"You got Cesare. I did my duty to my city." She whistled Naga over and went to Leif. Carefully she removed her weapons and other items, passing them to him. "Keep these please? And keep Naga fed and safe, he likes the scraps the butcher at the corner sells for cheap." She looked over at Natalia, a little sadness in her eyes. "Keep her safe as well, for me. Make sure she doesn't do anything to stupid."

Once her items were handed over to Leif she turned back toward the guard. "Can I ask my cell not be located near Cesare? I've had enough of his bull**** for this lifetime."

[Silverraptor]

Sora watches as Badger was being arrested. A deep sadness filled her that was completely contrary to the joy from the 'gotcha' on Cesare. She goes up and hugs Badger for a moment before stepping back, looking at her while holding the outside of her forearms.
"I'm sorry that this had to also come as a price to taking down Avir and Cesare. But don't worry, I'll be here for you. I'll do all I can to get you out and back with Natasha and Naga. I promise, Badger."

[CoffeeIncluded]

I dont know about any of you but im no Public Servant and i assume my fellow fellows arent either, you could start another trial any time you want, but id rather appriciate it if you finished the current topic at hand, the slaying of a dragon, saving of your lives and fortunes and culture...

"Even in its current state this city has the resources to handle two high-profile trials at once. And Susanna's contributions to the city will be taken into account." Indeed, the guard looks a little reluctant to arrest Badger, but she does her duty.

"You got Cesare. I did my duty to my city." She whistled Naga over and went to Leif. Carefully she removed her weapons and other items, passing them to him. "Keep these please? And keep Naga fed and safe, he likes the scraps the butcher at the corner sells for cheap." She looked over at Natalia, a little sadness in her eyes. "Keep her safe as well, for me. Make sure she doesn't do anything to stupid."

"Dammit Badger! I fail to understand what fantasies of martyrdom have gripped you, but they are not amusing in the slightest."

Naga starts to snarl and outright lunges at the guard as Badger is clapped in irons. He's physically held back by the others as he barks and barks. His barks become increasingly high-pitched and frantic as Badger is led away from him, and by the time she's out of sight they've become cries.

Once her items were handed over to Leif she turned back toward the guard. "Can I ask my cell not be located near Cesare? I've had enough of his bull**** for this lifetime."

"I'll do what I can." And both she and the ranting Cesare are led away.

Sora watches as Badger was being arrested. A deep sadness filled her that was completely contrary to the joy from the 'gotcha' on Cesare. She goes up and hugs Badger for a moment before stepping back, looking at her while holding the outside of her forearms.
"I'm sorry that this had to also come as a price to taking down Avir and Cesare. But don't worry, I'll be here for you. I'll do all I can to get you out and back with Natasha and Naga. I promise, Badger."

Spoiler: Everyone

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Sorry for the delay, but it really is no excuse at this point. But we WILL finish this game.

We'll be done soon. I'm trying to wrap this up as quickly as possible. But you guys need to find a lawyer if you want to defend Badger (or you can try it yourself, but...).

You can find a lawyer with a Gather Information check.

[super dark33]

As the group walked outside, Surdrak pouted.
Welp! I hoped we could get our rewards and or or payments sorted before any trial but i guess that will have to wait! and because of this plague there wont be much in terms of celabrations or people yelling our names or singing, pah. Do any of you know a good lawyer, becasue i dont think i can recall one.

[LibraryOgre]

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