The 2 talk in hurried and hushed tones. Corvax lets out with a distinct bird call. Then the 2 step back into the woods to deter any looky loos.
They Wait behind the warriors hall in the woods.
Astrum gazes at a leaf in his hand a moment without speaking. Then with a sigh he lets it float to the ground and meets the dwarf's stare without faltering.
"Brave warrior. I have been spending a lot of time in the tower thinking, and studying. A great many things have become clear to me. I will spare you the details, but I will not allow an undead, one who feeds off of dead townspeople at that, to wander freely amongst us. We have killed every undead to ever come to town, and now Rissik sends us one with a bow on it and everyone wants to keep it. Well to hell with that. I will resist evil in all forms, especially in the form of a necromatic pet. Ripper is sorely missed in my heart, but as far as I am concerned, she is dead. In her place is Rissik wearing the mask of my past friend. If my crime is destroying evil, then I freely admit it. What say you?"
A rare laugh escapes Astrum's lips.
"I will tell you sir, I've met two dwarfs in my time. Yourself and Taklinn. Never let it be said that dwarves are not wise or dependable. I am glad to have you at my side."
"These laws have become twisted and corrupt. They have been used to condone evil more than they have been used to bring wrong-doers to justice. This has been seen over and over in cases such as Stiers and now Ripper."
"It becomes clear that words will achieve nothing. Arguing has never made the history books, action has. I made a direct strike at evil in hopes of rallying those who have not fallen to corruption. It was a gamble of my life, but it seems to be succeeding. The noblest, wisest, and strongest are with us. The Academy, the Grove, and the Brotherhood will not be cast aside so easily. Justice will prevail. Evil will not triumph. Of this, I am sure."
With that Astrum returns to a chart of constellations he had been scribbling on.
Thalenir arrives quick on Garith's heels, followed closely by Dreygor, Haven, Stiers, Ripper, Rasiri, and Grall. "Well, well, well…" he muses as he comes to a stop, observing all of those present. "Quite the conspiracy you men have here. Care to explain yourselves?"
"Man you guys are fast. Here I was thinking Garith was a sprinter, but it seems you were caught by a savage with a candy-loving vampire on his shoulders. You must have lost a step or two Garith." Astrum chuckles to himself at the joke then walks over and faces Thaliner.
"I say, you've brought the sherriff! Seems silly, a paladin who loves evil" Astrum raises an eyebrow and looks over at the vampire.
"Hallo there Rissik! How's your stay in my friend's body? Did you meet the death shade? If not I'm sure you will soon. It seems that once again Stiers failed to accomplish anything in killing you." Astrum lets out a laugh.
"Hello Haven! You're still my favorite I hope you know!" Astrum winks and side-steps over to the angori.
"Umm.. You have a little something... on your back there... looks like a vampire."
Astrum walks past Stiers, pauses as though to say something, shakes his head and then continues walking to face Rasiri.
"Well old chap, I always warned Garith you weren't a trust-worthy companion, but then I suppose everyone is entitled to a mistake or two." Astrum winks good-naturedly and hops back behind his hard-faced allies. His arms are raised as he turns to face the angry group.
"And I suppose you have come to take me away right? Well that much I knew would happen. You see I am right here, you can try to come and take me then."
Fire dances dangerously along Astrum's finger tips as a strange and hostile gleam comes into his eyes. A smile dances along his lips.
Drux comes to a stop on the other side of the group at the back of the old warrior’s hall. His expression is still quite hostile when he turns to Dreygor, "How dare you try to detain me this is an outrage. What gives you the right to do this to an innocent bystander? I have done nothing wrong in this matter or any matter; it was you who MURDERED an entire village of goblins and not just the men but the women and children too. You Dreygor are not the paladin that you claim to be." Drux yells.
Drux then turns to Astrum, "Astrum I understand what you tried to do here but it was not the way to go about this. The laws are clear in the fact that you should be punished if we will condone an undead to 'live' in our town. I call for a vote seeing as the whole town council is present on the matter at hand. Should undead be allowed to walk freely in this town?"
With this Drux waits for the rest to answer.
"Corvax, I wouldn't think that you and Alec would go along with such lunacy." Thalenir's eyes flare with blue light, and he stares unflinchingly at Astrum. "Regardless, I will strike anyone down who stands between us and justice in this. This man will be punished, whether by the law… or not. I ask you only once: Will you step aside and let justice be done upon Astrum?"
(OOP: I recommend this be resolved through roleplaying. If anyone fights or flees, I will step in and script the outcome. Settle it peacefully, or else I will settle it arbitrarily.)
Astrum eyes light up in glee.
"What's that Thalenir? You will strike them down? To persue justice despite what the laws say? Hmm, sounds particularly similar to what I did." Astrum laughs shortly, then raises his voice.
"It seems to me we have a corrupt magistrate! You've heard the evidence from his own mouth. He will disobey the laws just to get what he wants! Council meeting you say? Yes... Hear me! I call a vote to depose the unlawful magistrate and the evil loving paladin sherriff!"
Astrum looks around.
"Who here is the vote counter, my vote is to depose the magistrate and put Alec in his place, and perhaps Drux here as the Sherriff. Both have proven themselve much more loyal to this town's safety than you two." Astrum winks and looks over to Korzweil.
"Ah my dear mage, haven't you heard?" Astrum leans in close so that noone but Korzweil can hear. "The spoon told me!"
With that Astrum, bounces back and looks at Drux.
"Isn't it a shame old friend that the law attacks innocent people so quickly but not evil. And here all of my brave and loyal friends have been insulted by the "unbiased" magistrate. The lawkeepers have become corrupt! Either we must throw down these laws or new upkeepers must be inserted!"
Astrum looks thoughtful, then smiles.
"I've got the first new law! No undead-loving paladins allowed!"
With that, he plucks a blade of grass and begins chewing the end of it while waiting for the general response.
Stiers Draws his Holy Sword ( stiers wispers to the sword ) Then steps in front of both mages... put down your arms put away your magic both of you ! If you have a problem with the laws u should have spoken up !! But let me say Dreygor did attack the goblin village but my dear mage friend i was being tourtred there if u dont recall !!!! I say we all lay down or arms I will not stand for this we have bigger problem right now like a whole undead army comming from one side of the shard and where Ressiek is marching from the other.... But Thalenir the young mage does have a point she is undead even though she maybe half ripper we mus have some one who is not going to kill her when they are alone I my self will guard her and watch over her where she will do no harm.. Stiers waits for every one else to respond
"Ah but I did speak up! Didn't you hear the death spell? And look! Everyone has gathered for a council meeting! A feat that is nigh on impossible! You see? Everything is perfect!"
Astrum smiles and stretches, giving a contented yawn.
"So again, what say all of you to my requests?"
"I do not blame Ripper for being cursed, but I don't see her trying to correct the problem either."
Astrums taps his foot quickly.
"A new mayor? But Mayor Garith has done nothing wrong has he? It's the magistrate that is threatening to be unlawful! And more than one sherriff? Good heavens can you imagine the bickering! It would be a disaster in armour!"
Thalenir narrows his gaze at Astrum. "I don't need lectures in the law from a cold-blooded murderer who flees the scene of his crime and calls it justice, who skulks around in the woods and claims to be doing town some sort of service. At best, your actions are that of a vigilante, one that we can ill afford to tolerate. At worst, you're a monster more horrible than Ripper ever could be."
Thalenir looks at Stiers. "It is true. The goblins were monsters and a menace on these lands. As is any wandering undead or troll or what have you. Ripper is none of these things. If we kill her simply for becoming cursed as a vampire, we are no better than the army that comes to exterminate as all in the spring. She deserves our compassion and our aid. If you would see the vampire removed from our presence, then help her find a cure. I would do the same for anyone here who suffered such a terrible fate. We live in dangerous lands. There but for the grace of the Immortals go we, I say."
He grits his teeth. "I have had many strange traveling companions in my time. We tolerate uordeq and angori, even though, in some lands, they are called monsters. We do this because those who live amongst us are good people. So it is with Ripper. I say, let us not judge her based on her affliction, but on her intentions. If she becomes a threat, then you have my blessing to deal with her as such. But she has done no harm, committed no crime, and does not deserve to be persecuted for being a vampire any more than I do for being an empyrean."
Drux looks to Thalenir with complete distaste and he turns back to the address the entire group, ”Astrum I couldn’t agree more.” he says. “This town is in need of some major revision in the coming light. The law is not something to play with it is a tool and a growing tool at that. No one here has ever run a town, let alone started one from scratch, it isn’t going to be perfect on the first try.”
Drux then turns to so Stiers and says, “That is quite possibly the most intelligent thing anyone here has said yet. Beside the point of you guarding her, I agree in the matter of talking this though.” (Drux’s hands melt and his Hone dissolves) “As for guarding the vampire I don’t believe there should be any special treatment to anyone in town so it comes back to the matter of letting undead ‘live’ in our town. I’ll cast my vote no undead, remove Thalenir from his post and Ill happily step in as the new sheriff.” Drux finishes.
Astrum looks around with a confused expression.
"Lecture? Who's giving a lecture? I'm just comparing me to you. Or you to me rather. As for cold-blooded, I'm quite warm-blooded. I believe in fact we could compare my blood to Ripper's and find that I land a good few degrees higher! Well perhaps I have a cold! Does that mean I'm excused? I didn't ask for this cold! *sniff*"
"You forget sir that I was friends with an Uordeq, at least until he betrayed me!"
Astrum winks at Rasiri.
"I was also excellent friends with an angori, but he was turned into a dragon and then you guys tried to kill him. Poor fellow, he didn't want to be changed. We should have found a cure. As for causing harm, I see half the town cutting their wrists so that she may feed. That is vampire magic if ever I've seen it! Who would willingly risk their lives so that a vampire could wet her throat? Madness I say!"
Astrum looks at Stiers with a confused expression and sits down.
"Well... Alright."
With that, Astrum puts his sword away and lays his arms on the ground with a frown.
"I don't see how this is going to help, my sleeves are just getting dirty."
Stiers yells town vote !!!!! NOW LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS BOTH OF YOU
Stiers puts his sword back away..
Drux we should have the whole town vote! to keep the laws as they are or new ones vote for a new important people in office !
Shall we do this in a peacefull manor or Astrum you still wish to fight?
Stiers walks over to astrum and puts his hands out as a friend then helpes astrum up come friend I have been through your feelings also the excutions dont hurt afther the first two !1!! The Holy Sword glows Stiers looks down and says I must got ( stiers noise starts to Bleed Heavly Stiers turns and ( Teleport 10) disapears
Garith calmly steps forward. He lays his sword atop Astrum’s and looks around at everyone. “As Mayor I am the one that is charged with keeping piece during the council meeting. All that I ask is that all weapons be laid down and magic spells forgotten and only words use.” With that Garith steps back gathers himself before continuing. “Presently let us deal with the matters in the order that they occurred. Astrum you have killed someone and you must pay the punishment for this do you accept these terms?”
Astrum looks quizzically at Stiers and shakes his hand.
He then stands up and turns to Garith.
"As everyone is so upset at me, I will turn myself in." Astrum pauses. "...IF a new magistrate and sheriff are appointed. Otherwise I will not accept punishment and I assure you I will not be easy to catch."
With that Astrum returns to chewing the crippled piece of grass.
Thalenir furrows his brow at Astrum's odd behavior. He seems about to speak, but is quickly interrupted and torn back into the thick of the conversation.
He considers for a moment. "If Astrum will see justice without blood being spilt, a meaningless title seems like a small price to pay. So be it. Sentencing him will be my last act as Magistrate." He steps forward and sticks his sword into the ground next to the others.
His tone becomes more grim. "Let me be clear, though. Magistrate or not, I will suffer no such wanton attacks on one of my friends. If Ripper is cast out, I will leave with her… and I don't imagine I'll be alone. We will watch from afar as this town meets a most ironic end in the spring, having cast out the help it needed to defend itself." He casts a knowing glance to those assembled in Ripper's defense.
Drux turns to the mage and says, "You seem quite mislead by this. I will help a friend and Ripper's definately a friend and an ally but I will not tolorate undead so when it becomes unlawful to be an undead in this town of ours I will be the first to begin research on finding a cure for her alment. Oh and I restate my vote of no undead in town."
Corvax looks at all in attendance and puffs up his large chest " THIS STOPS NOW." "With law comes order this is not order." This is little more then a lynch mob."
Corvax turns and looks back at the men standing behind him. " hand me your weapons.' With a out stretched arm he collects the large weapons. " Now everyone will fallow me we will go to the tavern and we will settle this as a council."
With his other hand Corvax gently guides Astrum thro the woods.
Hopping from Grall's shoulders, Ripper follows toward the tavern. All this time she's been rubbing at her temples with the heel of her palms. Speaking as if in some minor discomfort she starts, then stops again and raises her voice so that Thalenir can hear her. She sounds much like Ripper, but somehow a bit more...rational.
"As a member of this council, and an enforcer of its decisions...I insist that I be allowed to speak on this issue before a vote."
Hands shaking slightly, they move to unbind the ribbons holding her pigtails so that long red hair falls free down her back. Something in her posture is changing as well, small tiny differences that would speak volumes to any other fae.
Haven shakes her head. " I really wish I could wrap my head around all that has happened. Undead or not, Ripper is a citizen. So she's okay with who she is.... shouldn't everyone be? You don't hate yourself for what you are, do you Garith? Astrum? She was not given a choice. She screamed out for help when we went looking for her. Do you all remember her screams?! One minute you let goblins sign paperwork and now a friend, someone we've known... seems like forever... is made to be what she is and she deserves to be taken down. I dunno what this town has come to but if afflictions are kill on sight I'll take my chances in the woods."
"I'm not wild about undead being in town, but I see no reason not. Ripper has not hurt anyone. Stiers, when he was a warlock, however, did kill at least 3. So I think it should be on merrit."
As the group walks back towards the tavern, he steps harshly between Astrum and Ripper as the mage attempts to speak to his recent-made enemy and growls menacingly.
"Back off, short-horned silver-hair! Or I'll bite those flame-making fingers off of your hands! I'd like to keep this nonviolent, just like the rest of us. But until we know we can trust you again, you stay away from our Ripper."
As the Angori walks with the group, making sure to stay between Astrum and the Fairy, he addresses Haven. "I agree, Haven. I've not lived here very long, but it seems that the town's long-standing history has been admittedly dangerous, but none the less peaceful within our own community. Since you have all accepted me, despite my tribal heritage and savage nature, I consider this place my new home," Grall says, gesturing to the town of Jastrey that surrounds them all.
"However, I'll not have new friends killing other new friends. I'm a savage, and even I find that morbidly barbaric."
Corvax starts to walk a little faster and speaks up "we all have our opinions about this, but this is not the time." " The law is the law, we will judge and then the time to voice our opinions about the law will come."
Just as everyone gets to the steps of the tavern Corvax turns to address everyone. "This will be a calm and level headed trail , So if there are some here that can not handle that please go about your business elsewhere."
Standing on the steps Corvax glances at everyone he can clearly see then turns drops all the large weapons he had collected and guides Astrum inside.
Astrum absentmindedly concerns himself with the forest around himself, marvelling at the surroundings. "You know Corvax. After this whole ordeal is over, I wouldn't mind learning a thing or two about the forest. Knowledge goes a great deal towards understanding the world but a more hands-on approach wouldn't hurt either.
OOP: I will probably take a level in druid when I have the exp.