Adventure #26 - The Wagon Incident Report

General Summary

Adventure #26 - The Wagon Incident Report 12/23/24
Players: Karl: Erberk Torunn, Seth: Gimp, Chris: Dimple Nackle, Kira: Tesh
Judge's Report #13 Presiding Judges: Cornelius "Tickle-Bottom" McAbernathy (or Pappy), Ahlysaaria Dryaalis
Written by Ahylsaaria Dryaalis
Introduction: On December 23rd, 8024, Helga McAbernathy discretely commissioned Erberk Torunn, Dimple Nackle, Tesh, and Gimp for the acquisition of the bones of Gorvath the Red so they could be made into a historical statute for Pappy as a surprise gift for the Winter Solstice. After accepting the terms of payment and given the location of the bones, the party set out using the unusual, self-propelling wagon with Erberk at the helm. While the party was gone, a powerful snowstorm descended upon Aberystwyth. When the wagon returned, only Erberk, Tesh, and Dimple returned with it, bloodied and bruised. Dimple explained that Erberk left Gimp behind, and immediately Helga McAbernathy rode out into the storm on Letti the Bulette to find him. After a time, Helga returned with Gimp, Gimp on a magical steed via a Mount spell, and both with slain bodies draped across their mounts. Gimp was received in near frostbitten condition, and was treated at Lady Lenora's Church of Sarenrae. The bodies were inspected and then given a proper burial in the cemetery at Lady Lenora's.
Given the alarming circumstance, the party was asked to give witness statements regarding the events that took place between when the party left and when they returned in a private meeting with Cornelius "Tickle-Bottom" McAbernathy and Ahlysaaria Dryaalis, two of the three presiding town Judges. Because Erberk Torunn is the third presiding town Judge and is also involved in this incident, he will not be acting as Judge in this circumstance due to conflict of interest. The witness statements below include three written witness statements given by Gimp, Tesh, and Dimple Nackle, and a transcript of the interview between Erberk Torunn and the other two town Judges.
Gimp's Witness Statement
Where to begin... It was like any other day. We all met at the Elderflower that morning while everything was being set up for the Winter Solstice. Helga asked to speak to us in regards to a special gift you, Pappy. It was the bones of Gorvath the Red. So we agreed to go get the bones and bring them back. Erberk, Dimple, Tesh, and I got into the magical wagon and set off. It was a normal ride with our normal random talks, when all of a sudden, the wagon shot me out. The roof opened up and launched me out. No one knew how or why. I was not too happy with Erberk as he was driving and controlling it some how. I don’t know how he did it but I know that was his doing. Once I got back into the wagon we continued. I believe Tesh was the one who spotted people as we got closer to where we needed to be going. She told us that she saw people and it looks like they are doing something to the bones. We were talking about what to do and if we should talk to them before doing anything else but, from that point Erberk made the wagon start to go faster and faster, and was yelling something about evil. Next thing I know is he is jumping off the front of the wagon like a mad man onto someone and the wagon crashes in the bones. The rest of us get thrown around inside the wagon. I think Tesh got out onto the left of the wagon, I was next then Dimple on the right, We both kinda had to use the wagon for support while at least my world was spinning. I don’t know what happened on the left side since I couldn’t see over that way. A human man came at Dimple and I, he got me in the chest but I returned a blow into his chest killing him in self defense. After that I moved slowly up to the front to see a man in robes pinned up against the wagon and the wall or bones. I cant remember which. I yelled to Erberk to help me move the wagon since he is the only one who can drive it. He didn’t come so I got on and tried to get it to work. I could not. I yelled at him again and he came that time to move the wagon. By then the 4 guys were all dead. We each inspected a body. The guy that I had killed in self defense had a few master work weapons, 2 potions, a climbers kit and some gold. I lay out the items to be inspected. Dimple had searched the one with robes and I know found a scroll of mount which I had used. We then loaded the bones into the wagon. After that we were all trying to figure out why Erberk had done what he had done. He said he cast detect evil and said that the guy (in the robe) was doing necromance. Only based on those 2 things did he decide that it was okay to attack these people. I get that in town you cant do that without a license but we weren’t in town and had no idea what was 100% going on. I told Erberk he just murdered those people from doing what he just did. He disagreed and said I was use less because I wanted to talk to them and see what was going on. He said it was cut and dry and that necromance is against the law and is to be dealt with action. We talked about not saying anything to anyone about it but that wasn’t right. Erberk and Dimple talked about blowing the bodies up but neither of them wanted to be the one to do the deed. Erberk said fine take them back to the church to be buried and expected me to move all the bodies into the cart and wasn’t going to help at all. I said no and he didn’t like that and then pretty much told everyone he was leaving go into the wagon, counted to 3 then left. Tesh and Dimple got in. I don’t blame them not wanting to be left behind. I yelled to Dimple to throw me the scroll of mount thinking I could ride back after I buried the bodies. The ground was too hard for me to use my helmet and it was getting dark fast. So I did my best to summon the mount. Which worked. I loaded the bodies onto the mount and started to walk back to town leading the mount. After that I just remember the snow storm and the cold weather burning my skin, and out of nowhere Helga shows up and hands me a potion to drink and tells me to rest. We got back to the church and the priestess healed me and told me to bed rest for 2 days, which I have done and now I am giving you my report, Pappy.
Dimple's Witness Statement
Ahlysaaria and Pappy, thank you for seeing me. I have a lot to get off my chest about the events that transpired as I am still a bit sore from what transpired. Helga sent a few of us a note to meet her to assist her with getting a present for Pappy. As you now know she wanted us to head out to retrieve the skeleton remains of Gorvath the Red. We thought the best thing to do was to bring that old magical cart that Erberk has behind the forge, the one that for some reason only he can control, as it has seats and enough space to load the skeleton remains into. Tesh, Gimp, and myself gear up and meet Erberk at the cart and head on out of town. We discussed events that transpired throughout the year, I learned that the Kobold Priestess is now Erberk's Apprentice, Gimp talked a bit about the new guard and Tesh told us how she met that skeleton in her shop. Gimp gets flung out of the cart somehow and Erberk brought it to a stop to let him get back in. We then see the sky turn purple and I say something like... 'Thats not good, from my studies that looks like Necromancy'. Then the cart picks up speed and we start barreling towards the light. This is where things start to get a little fuzzy due to a concussion suffered. The cart barrels into the light and Erberk gets launched off the cart towards someone on the ground. Gimp, myself and Tesh are still in the cart as it crashes and sends us flying in the cart. I awaken on the ground in a daze and steady myself inside. Gimp and Tesh slide out while I hear what I sounded like Erberk shouting 'mancy illegal'. I slide out of the cart onto the ground near Gimp as someone shouts at him, all the while still hearing Erberk's voice saying 'breaking the law'. I think the guy who shouted at Gimp ran into Gimp's Spear because I blinked and saw him with a hole through him where Gimp had readied his spear. I had tossed a bomb at something on the ground that caught fire and went around front of the cart to see a robed man pinned between the cart and rock losing a lot of blood. I kept hearing the ringing of Erberk's voice saying 'illegal activity' and eventually the cart moved with that robed guy falling in half. Bodies were looted and Gimp loaded the skeleton of Gorvath the Red into the cart. Then Gimp and Erberk got into some kind of yelling match over the rest of the bodies where Erberk didn't want to touch them cause they were evil and breaking the law. I got into the cart to try to just get myself into a safe position to not worsen the concussion and then I looked up when Gimp yelled my name to toss the scroll of mount that we had found. I tossed it to him as the cart went away. We got back with the skeleton, I told Helga during payment that Erberk left him behind and went out to try to find a means to go out to get him back. After chatting with Cecil and realizing that a hot air balloon wasn't going to cut it due tot he weather so I thought maybe one of Azalea's birds might be able to reach him and guide him back. She said that they were all tuckered in but she offered to go hunt for him, I explained how Gimp was left behind by Erberk and that maybe she could talk sense into him to go out to get him. Erberk and Tesh appear at the sanctuary and we see Gimp riding in with the bodies in tow.
And that is what I can remember. I will be honest, the whole thing left a really bad taste in my mouth and soreness in my muscles. I knew Erberk was reckless but in the past he only ever put his own life on the line, but that day he had threatened 3 lives with crashing that cart and then left behind Gimp. If he was so willing to just leave Gimp behind like that, that makes me fearful of what else he might do. I do not feel safe around him any more and I will not be going anywhere that Erberk goes. I fear that he is no longer just a threat to himself but also those that are around him. I also fear that after what I heard him shouting that in his eye he is judge, jury and executioner and if that is true then that makes me feel even more unsafe around him as it makes me think that if you dont agree with him you will be hurt or left stranded in the middle of nowhere to freeze. Thank you again for hearing my side, I apologize as my memory of the events is a little foggy due to receiving a concussion but that is what I remember happening. If you need anything additional I am willing to assist.
Tesh's Witness Statement
It all got a bit out of hand, if you ask me. Things got out of control before any of us knew it, and once things were put in motion, there was no stopping it. But you got to understand, we were all doing what we had to do, what we all thought was best. Even when we were being stubborn, rash, perhaps foolish.
It happened like this, we met at the Elderflower and they were serving a special eggnog, some with alcohol some without. I was thinking that the alcoholic one sounded good, but someone said that it was too early for that and ordered the nonalcoholic. I think Erberk ordered bacon. Poog was our server. I’ve never really spoken to Poog, but I find their voice incredibly soothing. We were told about the big skeleton, the red guy who used to be a war lord or something over Aberystwyth. Which was news to me, because I thought this was a fairly new town. Anyways, I was told briefly about what happened with that last year before I moved here. We were supposed to get the bones as a present for Pappy. It sounded cool and I wanted to go along because I thought it would be neat to see a big skeleton.

We went to Erberk’s fancy carriage, which I hadn’t been in before. It was pretty fancy and we were driving along when all of a sudden Gimp shot right out of the carriage. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but was a little worried that my seat would do that too. It was something about the carriage being connected to Erberk, remind me of Numbers and that sort of tech but I don’t know much about that. We were all in the carriage again when I saw flashing purple lights from up ahead. I didn’t know it yet, but that was the direction the big skeleton guy was. Dimple said that it was necromancy. Erberk said that it was evil. And that is when things happened very fast. And by things, I mean the carriage. It shot forward, it was like we were out of control. I tried to suggest a slower approach, so we could size up the situation before making a scene, but it was too late for that.

We crashed, I was lucky and didn’t get too beat up. When I had gathered myself, I looked out of the carriage and realized we were on top of the skeleton we were sent to retrieve. Erberk was outside nearest to me, fallen on a stranger. I got out of the carriage and went to help him. All the while he was spouting stuff about evil and necromancy and how he had to fight them. He was really concerned with doing the right thing. I don’t always agree with him, but he always does what he thinks is right. The people started to attack us, and it was too late for trying to reason with them. I was shot by someone in a tree so I went to stop them from doing so again. By that time Erberk was fighting the man nearest to us. Gimp and Dimple ended up on the other side of the carriage. I would have wanted to try and talk to these people first—they had a necromancer and were trying to raise the big skeleton—but with the carriage out of control and the crash we didn’t have the luxury to make civil introductions before the attacks began. And once someone starts attacking, it’s not usually easy to get them to stop. Fending off the group was not difficult, there were not many and perhaps the most powerful was injured already by the crash. The real fighting began afterwards. Erberk was so set that these people were evil and he and Gimp started to argue about where and when they should be buried. We had just talked earlier about how the group is good with bringing back bodies. Erberk was ready to go back, and he and Dimple were already in the carriage. Erberk was going to leave, with whoever got in the carriage. I got in the carriage, not caring to be left behind myself. When Gimp refused, he chose to stay behind. Just as Erberk chose to leave. Both set in their ways and belief. When we left, no one was thinking about any incoming storm. It was a disagreement like Erberk and Gimp often have. It wasn’t until we returned and talked to Helga, that the danger of the situation sank in. I think their argument was less about the bodies and more about their differing opinions and grudges against one another. Erberk has very strong opinions, and will do what he believes is right…no matter what anyone else says or thinks. He cares very deeply, sometimes to a fault. He thinks Gimp is weak—unable to
stand for and enforce the rules and moral codes of the town. I believe Erberk’s weakness is his passion. It is also his strength, but sometimes he is too focused on doing what he believes is right. But he is not beyond reason. I walked with Erberk to the church, I talked to him about going back for Gimp and how that would be the good choice. He listened, and we were on our way to ask Azalea for any aid. But by the time we had decided to help, Helga was already on her way back with Gimp and the bodies. I was very relieved to see that.
Erberk's Witness Statement Transcript
Pappy: Erberk, I’m glad you came! Please, sit your booty down and pull up a chair. I hope my message wasn’t too foreboding, bur there is much to discuss. Before we do, I first want us all to remember that we’re not only judges for the town, but also neighbors and friends; I know you, and you know me. We’ve been through a lot together, and we’ll get through this too.
Now, whatever happened on the night before the winter solstice, there is a lot of discrepancy around it and differing sides of the story. Instead of hearing a bunch of people jabbering away like lunatics and shouting over one another, we thought it best to hear it from each person one at a time and give them the space to have a conversation.
Now with that being said, let’s get started. In your own words, what happened between the time Helga gave you the job and when you came back to town?
Erberk: It’s good to see you too, Pappy! (Erberk shakes Pappy’s hand.)
Ahlysaaria, (Erberk nods) May the Father bless the work of your hands.
(Erberk sit down at the table and put the heat of the forge at the center so that it sits with the handle up)
I made the hammer as a commitment to the all father. It seemed fitting to bring it here as I have made a commitment to my home.
Ahlysaaria: (Ahlysaaria nods back.) Thank you. Now, please begin.
Erberk: After we met with Helga, we all went our separate ways to gather supplies and things that we would need for the trip.
After about an hour we met at the cart, and began the trip out to the tomb.
We were having light chatter, but it’s soon turned into a debate, about what I forget, however, the thought had crossed my mind about what would happen if I kicked gimp out of the cart. To which he was properly ejected without me doing anything.
I immediately stopped the cart and reviewed the controls to the best of my knowledge. Gimp came up to the cart and was very accusatory about it although I admit, I still don’t know how it happened.
After that he got in the cart and we continued on our way
Ahlysaaria: I have a few questions about this cart.
1. Where did this cart come from?
2. How do you control the direction of the cart?
3. How did you immediately stop the cart?
4. Any other important details we should know about this cart?
Erberk: Well, we found the cart in a field just going back-and-forth several months back. It’s been at the library for Zorka to look at and re-search. We take it out occasionally when we’re trying to get somewhere quickly.
I don’t know. It seems to only respond when I sit in it and tell it where to go.
I don’t know. It just kind of stops when I need it to.
It goes when I sit at the controls and brings us to the destination that we want to go to. It hasn’t attacked or done anything in that nature and the worst thing it’s ever done is eject people out of the cart and I don’t know how it did that. That’s all that I know about the cart. If you want anything more, you’d have to talk with Zorka. Maybe he has found something out about it.
Ahlysaaria: I see. There’s no need to view the cart now, but perhaps afterwards. Thank you for those clarifications. Please continue.
Erberk: As you wish. Not to go off on a tangent, but it does seem that the cart itself was made around the same time as Numbers. Well, at least within the same time.
Anywho, after continuing on the path leading to the tomb, Tesh and I discovered a pulsing purple light in the distance within the vicinity of the tomb. We pointed it out to dimple, who seemed to have overlooked it. He deducted that it was magic from the school of necromancy. I did detect evil and detected evil at the light vicinity. I mentally picked up the pace of the cart and told everyone to prepare themselves combat just in case. Necromancy is illegal and we are still within the town’s holdings. When we crested the hill and got a look at the perpetrators I saw two of them standing guard, while a third seem to be casting some kind of necromantic spell over the bones. I detected evil again, and once again spoke to the fact that there were multiple evil doers at the site. As the cart continued forward, I once again announce to the party to prepare for combat to which I was prepared to jump out of the cart and tackle the closest perpetrators. At which point I was hoping the cart would stop, the rest of them would get out, and put a stop to this.
Unfortunately, that’s not what happened. I was ejected out of the cart at the perpetrator I wanted to tackle. The cart did not stop as I had anticipated. It would continue on without the driver. It careened over the skeleton and slammed into the wall as I crashed into the closest perpetrator.
Ahlysaaria: I see. I have a few more follow up questions.
1. How far away from the necromancers were you when you first used Detect Evil?
2. When you mentally increased the speed of the cart, were you in control of that, or did that happen by accident?
3. Did you have an opportunity to stop the cart/were you asked to stop or slow down the cart by anyone?
4. Were you in control of your ejection from the cart?
5. What do you believe are the laws and punishments for necromancy?”
Erberk: Ummmmmm, about 300 feet? But then we close that gap and I did it again under 100 feet.
No, I was in control there.
I suppose I could’ve stopped the cart. It stops pretty quickly. There was a debate going on behind me, but I don’t recall being asked to stop the cart. I did tell them to prepare for combat and to brace themselves several times.
No, I was not in control at the time of the ejection. My intent was to jump off and tackle the first guy and instead I was ejected out of the cart at the Target.
I don’t have the book on me right now to look it up, but I believe it is dependent on the goal of the necromantic activity.
Of course, there is a permit available that one can apply to.
Ahlysaaria: “I understand. Were you able to question any of the offenders about their goal of their necromantic activity?”
Erberk: Unfortunately no. After I was ejected out of the cart, it continued on its path and hit the back part of the wall over top of the skeleton.
Tesh helped me up but by that time we were engaged in combat with the offenders. We both were taking crossbow bolts from an assailant up in some trees. I was able to knock back our closest enemy with a few well, placed attacks and tesh and I were able to get to cover.
I again did detect evil, and confirmed it.
After the battle, I healed the party and was able to move the cart off the skeleton
There was a necromancer that had been crushed by the cart, and he had a large sum of gold with him.
There were a total of four individuals that were involved in this.
Afterwards, we piled the bodies and we’re going to use a bomb to blow them up so that they couldn’t be resurrected.
Then it was suggested by Gimp that we put them in the cart and bring them to the graveyard. He refused to help with this, and I was perfectly fine, leaving them there as they were evil necromancers.
Gimp insisted that we do something with them, but then would not help with whatever he suggested. So I got fed up, got in the cart, and told him that we were leaving and that if he didn’t want to get left behind he needed to get in the cart.
He then started to try and use his helmet to dig a hole at which point I left. He had ample time to get in the cart, or to help with his suggestions, and he decided to do neither.
Ahlysaaria: Thank you for those details, Erberk. As a paladin, I too am quite familiar with the use of Detect Evil. When you detected evil the third time, were you able to identify that all of the offenders were evil? How many evil auras were you able to confirm? Tell me more about the third time you detected evil and the events surrounding that moment.
Erberk: Of course. Because I was shot with an arrow it broke my concentration. By the time I was able to do it a third time there were only two living perpetrators. Both were evil.
The necromancer pinned by the cart, and the archer that was running away.
Ahlysaaria: I understand. Tell me about the placement of these offenders in relation to your position. Where were they when you detected evil?
Erberk: One was behind me and the other was in front of me. The pinned guy behind me was probably 10 to 15 feet away. The guy running away was about 30 to 40 feet away and increasing distance.
Ahlysaaria: I see. And when you cast detect evil, you determined that there were two evil auras present?
Erberk: Yes.
Ahlysaaria: Were you able to concentrate long enough to confirm the locations of these two evil auras?
Erberk: Yes, but by the time I did that Tesh had caught up and dispatched the archer that was running away.
It was just the necromancer that was pinned by the cart. Gimp asked me to move the cart, which I did at which point the pinned necromancer expired.
Ahlysaaria: I see. Erberk, I need you to explain to me the details of Detect Evil and how you understand it to work.
Erberk: The first attempt you detect the presence or absence of evil.
Holding concentration, The second attempt gives the number of evil auras.
The third attempt continuing to hold concentration gives you the power and location.
If concentration is broken, it defaults back to the first attempt.
Ahlysaaria: And range and area of effect, please?
Erberk: I don’t know I just do it and it gives me the information.
Ahlysaaria: Erberk, I’m surprised. Detect Evil has a 60ft range in a cone shape, including your immediate surroundings (5ft around you). Do you now understand the problem here?
Erberk: Mmmmm, yes I can. However I used detect evil, and that’s the information that I received from it.
Which could mean that I was detecting evil from a different source while on the cart…
Ahlysaaria: “I know that Torag prefers you work for answers instead of having them directly given to you; because I respect Torag as your deity and your faith, I’m going to allow you time to dwell upon that. Consider all the information we’ve discussed, and let me know when you’ve drawn a conclusion.”
Erberk: It’s the cart. Each time I cast that spell I was in contact with the cart. The first two times I was riding it.
And the rest I was taking cover from an archer holding onto the wheel.
Perhaps that amplifies certain abilities.
Ahlysaaria: An interesting theory. You offered to take me to the cart for inspection; perhaps now would be a good time to do so.
(Ahlysaaria, Pappy, and Erberk leave the interviewing room and proceed to the cart located behind the library)
Erberk: Here it is! In all its glory. Quite the resilient cart.
(He points to the front) Hardly any damage on it.
(Erberk places his hand on the cart and casts Detect Evil, but does not detect any evil presence)
Ahlysaaria: Remember, we paladins can detect evil two different ways; a 60ft cone to detect a large area, or by concentrating on a single subject. When you detect evil via a cone, you cover a greater area and can detect multiple auras, but it takes longer to learn more about them. When you focus on a single subject, be it an object or creature, you can learn all that you need to know immediately. Essentially, it’s a quality over quantity decision. If you don’t make a conscious decision, we innately detect with a cone. However, right now as you’re attempting to detect evil from this cart, you’re placing your hand upon it, which innately causes you to focus on the cart alone. Touch isn’t necessary, but when you’re still honing your detection ability, your detection responds to your instinct first if you don’t purposefully guide it.
Now, when you focus your detection on the cart itself, you can visualize the subject’s outside border and your mind locks on, regardless of what you detect from it. Try again, and feel your mind lock on.
Afterwards, step back and try to detect evil with a cone instead. When you detect evil with a cone, you’ll feel your mental periphery gradually wash over the area, and multiple subjects (if any) will pop into your mind as you detect them, again regardless of what you detect.
Erberk: (Erberk focuses on the edges of the cart to mentally lock onto it with Detect Evil, then takes a step back from the cart and uses Detect Evil as a cone. Both do not detect the presence of evil)
Ahlysaaria: Being able to utilize this divine gift properly is critical if we are to bring justice and honor the name of our gods. If we are not careful in what we are detecting and make hasty assumptions, we risk bringing judgement and wrath upon those who might not deserve it. I understand that Torag teaches to show no mercy to the enemies of your people; one, therefore, should exercise great care in who is deemed an enemy.
I’m glad to help hone your divine gift, but alas, we did not ultimately come here to do so. After inspecting the cart, what have you gleaned?
Erberk: Yes, I would like to spend some time with a more experienced paladin to hone and gift the Torag has given me.
I have been reckless with my power. And was being hasty perceiving a threat that may not have been.
Ahlysaaria: Indeed, we paladins must have accountability, especially if we find ourselves far from the busy temple of our elders. Perhaps it would be wise that you and I hold each other accountable, for few in this town understand the devotion to the faith as we do. I may not agree with all the tenets of Torag, but I am well versed in them; I would be honored to straighten your path if you should happen to stray, and I would be honored if you would do the same for me. Do we have an accord?
Erberk: Yes, we do. After I set my apprentice at her task tomorrow, may I come and commune with you in meditation and prayer.
Ahlysaaria: Of course, and we should do so each day, while alternating which temple we do so in. Let us build each other up, as to be light for our deities among our people.
Now, there’s still something to be resolved: what exactly did you detect when you detected evil during the event in question? Again, I’m respect of your faith and Torag, I shall permit you time to consider and dwell upon the events here. Take your time, and let me know if a new conclusion has been deduced.
Erberk: Yes, I shall dwell on this. I will go and begin to work the forge in prayer.
Ahlysaaria: If this is what you need to do, I will respect that. But Pappy and I will be awaiting for you in the store front of your store front while you do; we need to resolve this with us present, and there is still more to discuss after you reach a conclusion.
Erberk: I understand.
(They depart together to the forge. Erberk prays and works the at the forge for an extended period of time, while Pappy and Ahlysaaria patiently wait sipping tea. Much later, Erberk emerges)
Ahlysaaria: You’ve been in your forge for quite some time. I hope your time in prayer has been fruitful?
Erberk: It’s has not. Questions linger on and the forge offers no answers this day.
You said you had other questions for me. Things both of you wished to resolve.
Ahlysaaria: I do, but I think it best to solve this problem while your mind is on it; you are close, and I would be remiss to change the directions on your thoughts when you are the cusp of it.
All I shall say is this. Consider each time you used Detect Evil during the incident, and then consider the parameters in which the spell works. I am happy to give guiding answers, but I believe as a follower of Torag that you need to work this out yourself. Feel free to review the transcript of our conversation this far; it should provide the answers you seek.”
(Ahlysaaria hands Erberk the interview transcript that had been written thus far)
Erberk: (Erberk reviews the document)
The way I was casting detect evil was the cone way. It would’ve been 5 feet around me, and the direction I was facing, which was forward off the front of the cart.
That means it would’ve had to be something near me.
Tesh, Dimple, and Gimp were all within 5 feet of me.
Ahlysaaria: Indeed. And tell us again about the time you used Detect Evil outside of the cart.
Erberk: I was taking cover behind the cart. It would’ve been the same way a 5 foot around me and a 60 foot cone.
Ahlysaaria: And what did you detect in that instance?
Erberk: I detected evil, then did it again, and determined there were two auras present.
Ahlysaaria: I see. And who was in the range of your detection?
Erberk: Tesh and the archer running away. Gimp and dimple were in the cart above me.
This is quickly pointing that one of my companions has an evil aura.
Ahlysaaria: And now you can see the problem. Who do you suspect?
Erberk: My first response would be Dimple. However, Tesh has a skeleton baking for her and does have a permit for this.
She was caught in my detect evil, the second time when I cast it, and detected 2 evil auras. After she dispatched the archer, I only detected one. It’s probably her.
Ahlysaaria: You are correct. I’ve known about her for quite some time, and I have watched her carefully since the day she arrived. I mean no offense, but I thought that you already knew, with her skeleton, and all. But know this; although she has evil aura, I am certain that she herself is not. She has only done good for our town, and I believe her aura is inherent to her and not within her control. Alas, perhaps there is someone better who can reveal more. Come, let us return to the church.
(Pappy, Ahlysaaria, and Erberk return to the church)
Ahlysaaria: Erberk, I’m sure you have more questions after learning what you have, and it’s time for you to hear the answers from the source. Tesh, please come in and sit beside me.
(A church acolyte escorts Tesh into the room and seats her beside Ahlysaaria, across the table from Erberk. Then, the acolyte bows and leaves)
Ahlysaaria: Either of you may begin when you are ready; Pappy and I are here to mediate if necessary.
Tesh: Erberk, you know me as Tesh, the baker. But before I came to Aberystwyth, I was Azar Ka’Tesh—Undead Lord, cleric of Urgathoa. I was born into a church of her followers and grew up in her favor and teachings. It is a dark cult of secrecy, gluttony, pestilence, and embracing undeath.
But the more I learned and the higher up I got, the more I found the ways of the church…distasteful. I realized that despite my growing up there and all the work I had done, I—and my family—was just as easily discarded as any piece of their rituals.
So I ran away and hid myself in the wilderness, which is where I found Wilks bones and reanimated them to be my companion and friend. It is also where I realized my true passion and decided that I would be a baker. I would find a new town and start my new life. In the church, many of the prayers relied on grand feasts of fine pastries, meats, and wines—all followed by a bite of something rotten. Hiding out in the woods, I realized all I wanted was to have some good bread or cakes again. Not for any prayer, but just to enjoy without worrying about any sickness to come.
So that’s what brought Wilks and I here to Aberystwyth, to start a new life and live for something more than death.
Do not mistake me, I still uphold my prayers and obediences to her as even now I live in her mercy. It is by her mercy that I was not struck down the moment I left the church—that I have not been pursued by her followers. She has me in life and death.
And that is why, when you have been detecting evil, it is my presence that you have sensed.
Erberk: Mmmmmmm I see…
I wasn’t always a student of the Forge. Pappy new me before I went to the temple. Hotheaded, quite stubborn, and untrusting.
We all have a path that we must walk. I appreciate you being honest and open about this.
I made the best decision I could with the information I had at the time. But in light of my inexperience and this new information, it seems I may have acted in error.
I did what I thought was right at the time. Protecting my home and fellow Aberystwythians. Now I’m not so sure…
Tesh: I do believe that. And I am sorry that my secrets misled you. But I would say, from my own dealings with necromancers, very few raise a skeleton in woods with good in mind. I think we still did what was best for Aberystwyth by dealing with the ones we found.
Ahlysaaria: The path of a believer is indeed quite different for each one of us. And yet each of those paths led us here together in this room. The gods have curious ways indeed.
I would agree with you, Tesh. Individuals that have both great necromantic powers and then choose not to use them for nefarious purposes are rare; I’m sure that these individuals who attempted to raise Gorvath the Red had malicious intent.
The problem is that their intent wasn’t known for certain. And, if I can be frank, these individuals were killed simply because evil was detected and their intent was assumed; they had no chance to speak, no chance to be reasoned with, and no opportunity to turn away from it. I understand that you had to resort to self-defense after the crash, but I can’t help but wonder what could of been if only their true intentions were revealed, or better yet a chance for them to turn away and have been offered a chance walk a new path. Erberk, I understand that Torag teaches to show no mercy to the enemies of your people, but casting an evil aura alone cannot define a person as our enemy. Tesh proves this very point, not to mention that you might also detect an evil object on a person and not the person themselves. We need to hold our judicial system to a higher standard than having the detection of evil be the sole justification of putting one to death.
Unfortunately, what’s past is past and it cannot be undone, and we must bear with those consequences accordingly. However, Sarenrae teaches that everyone deserves a second chance, and this situation too can be redeemed if we work together to allow it. We can set new standards of the due process of law, lead by example, and honor those lives lost, even if they had ill intent.
And, as followers of our respective deities, growing deeper in understanding of their expectations for us will only do us good. Tesh, Erberk and I will be meeting regularly, to hold each other accountable as paladins to our oaths, but also to make sure we don’t stray from the path. Would you care to join us? Although our deities vary, we can still support each other in ways that only followers of a deity can understand, and I think that we could find great benefit in enjoying fellowship and finding balance in our town between our faiths.
Tesh: I will join you then. I am glad to be among you both.
Ahlysaaria: Excellent, it shall be so. Let us meet once a week for discussion, and we can rotate which location we hold our meeting in (between the forge, the church, and the bakery).
I thank you both for your time, honesty, and tolerance with one another. Is there any other discussion before we adjourn?
Tesh: One more thing, more so for Erberk, but I would greatly appreciate your discretion on this matter. I doubt everyone in town would be as understanding as you all have been. I would like to keep the information of my past as quiet as possible for now. I understand if another situation like this arises and the information needs to be shared, but other than those dire times, I would prefer if this remained between us.
I know that is not a small thing to ask of you though, so in return I would like to pledge my help to you. I have heard you speak often of the old mines of your kin, and when the time comes, I pledge my help to you on that quest.
Erberk: Thank you, Tesh. I appreciate that. I’m hoping to check in to the mines sometime soon.
My lips are sealed. I understand that I will be a part of another meeting but I will keep what was said here regarding your aura quiet.
Tesh: Thank you, Erberk.
Erberk: No worries.

Conclusion After conducting thorough interviews with each witness, it's become clear to the presiding judges that a number of factors were in play that led to the incident. Erberk Torunn did not have sufficient knowledge or understanding of the capabilities of the self-propelling cart to operate it safely, resulting not only in the accidental ejection of Gimp, but also of Erberk himself. While the wagon was propelled at full speed towards the caster's in question, the sudden and unintended ejection of Erberk left the wagon without a driver, causing the wagon to crash into the casters before any further information could be learned about them, while also hurting everyone within the wagon and in its path. By then, it would have been too late for diplomacy; the casters in question likely felt that they were under attack and resorted to self defense in response.
During this time, two other factors were at play; Erberk's misunderstanding of how his Detect Evil spell worked (and it's subsequent misuse), and Tesh's evil aura (which was unknown to anyone in the party). Erberk used Detect Evil multiple times during the incident; once at approximately 300ft away from the casters, then approximately 100ft away from the casters, and then outside the wagon. Detect Evil only has a range of 60ft, and each time Erberk casted Detect Evil in the moving wagon, he only focused long enough to determine the presence of evil each time, but not the source of the evil aura itself. Not knowing that Detect Evil has a 60ft range, his positive detection of evil was enough to convince Erberk that the casters 300ft away were evil, when in fact he was actually detecting Tesh's evil aura in the wagon with him. This caused Erberk to accelerate the wagon, though by what means is unclear. This also happened again at 100ft, with continued wagon acceleration. After the party crashed, exited the wagon, and engaged in combat, Erberk used Detect Evil again, but this time long enough to determine two devil auras within his cone of detection. However, he never cast it long enough to determine the source; he assumed the two auras were from an opponent in front of him and from behind him, but one of those auras was actually Tesh again.
By this time the casters were killed, in-fighting among the party began almost immediately, particularly with Gimp and Erberk, about the reckless approach to the casters and whether or not their deaths could have been avoided. Then, a heated discussion took place of what to do with the bodies of the casters, causing Erberk to give Gimp and ultimatum, and ultimately the party left Gimp behind. Gimp used a Scroll of Mount to summon a magical mount and carry the bodies back, and got caught in the snow storm, later to be rescued by Helga before he succumbed to the cold.
Following the events, I (Ahlysaaria) cast Speak With Dead on the bodies to glean the information that the party might have gathered if they had taken a more diplomatic approach, and learned a number of important details. For one, the casters were all indeed evil, with the intent to use the raised the bones of Gorvath the Red for attacking Aberystwyth. I also learned that they were descendants of the long forgotten gang of bandits The Crimson Fist, looking to reclaim their leader in undead form, resurrect the bandit gang, and begin working towards retaking Aberystwyth as their rightful territory.
Although it may seem that things ended well despite the circumstances, a more accurate assessment would be that it was simply blind luck that the killed casters just so happened to be evil with the intent on doing harm. Although Erberk did eventually detect evil from one of the casters, having an evil aura is not illegal, nor is it punishable by death. There were no attempts at investigations (either direct or via surveillance) to understand the caster's motives before resorting to combat, nor was there an opportunity for due process. The body of the caster that was pinned to the wall was severed in two, held together only by the pressure of the wagon that crushed his body into the rocky wall behind him in the first place, and there was not a single successful detection of evil upon him before this happened; if he were a completely innocent man, Erberk would have effectively committed manslaughter. It is also troubling that a discussion of mutilating the bodies via explosives was taken into consideration, by one of our town Judges, no less. If that indeed took place, I would not have been able to draw out the casters motives, confirm their evil aura, and other gather the valuable information regarding their origins via my Speak With Dead spell.
Pappy and I discussed this at length, and we've decided upon a few repercussions as a result of the wagon incident:

Erberk will be placed on probation as a Judge; any further rash actions that go against the town's laws, due process, or jeopardize the townspeople's faith in Erberk as a Judge will result in him stepping down from his position.

Erberk will no longer have the same status or authority as the town guard; being both a Judge and Enforcer gives one too much power. Erberk will act as Judge only, and will leave the primary stages of due process with the Town Guard.

The self-propelling wagon is not be used until it's capabilities are further understood, and will be stored at the Library of Aberystwyth and under the care of Zorka. Erberk will only be allowed to use it during times of chaperoned study and experimentation.

The option to press charges against Erberk for the concussions and bodily harm they sustained in the crash will be given to Dimple, Tesh, and Gimp. Ultimately, each had declined to do so thus far.

The bodies of the casters will be given a proper burial in the town cemetery.

All repercussions are effective immediately, and will be reviewed as necessary.
End of Report
Signed,
Ahlysaaria Dryaalis,  Cornelius "Tickle-Bottom" McAbernathy

Report Date

23 Dec 2024