Session 19 - The Trial of Ruric Ironfoot

11/5/300 - Ruric Ironfoot is awoken early and the guards ask for his armour. His rest is frequently disturbed by the guards, keeping him from regenerating his spells.

Hrothbrand, the Brennus' sergeant, comes to The Once Proud Goose and asked Elnorin to come with him and collect Ruric's belongings. Hrothbrand mentions that Aethelwyn will try Ruric and the thieves this afternoon. Elnorin is allowed to speak with Ruric, confirming that the dwarf is well. As Elnorin is escorted back to the gate by a guard he asks about the legal system. Most crimes and disputes are dealt with by the arbitration of Aethelwyn who hears the cases and decides on a course of action or wergild. For more serious crimes (i.e assault, thievery and murder) more robust measures are possible. These include large wergild, mutilation or death.

Elnorin rests for a little longer at the inn until Braith and Heskan wake up. The trio head down to the docks to arrange transport for the remaining residents of the Drowned Isle. Farant Fairweather, the coxswain of The Winder Runner, indicates that the boat 'The Gull' under Captain Lena would be their best option. Farant also mentioned that half the islanders were still aboard the boat and, seemingly, too afraid to leave. Heskan went to speak with them and persuaded them to leave the boat with him. He took them to The Mason under the advice of a sailor from the Wind Runner. Heskan found that the other villagers had stayed there too (in the barn and on the floor) and, drawing on experience of festivals from his home, managed to cook a large batch of food to serve everyone. During the process he managed to get a family involved with the cooking and they seemed content to stay. Jean feared that she wouldn't be able to pay them unless business picked up but said she would try.

Elnorin was concerned about Ruric's trial so headed back over to see him and warn him about what he'd learned.

Braith and Heskan reconvened at The Once Proud Goose to talk.

The afternoon brought the trial. Aethelwyn explained that any who refused the zone of truth would be judged harshly. During the trial Aethelwyn was advised by Eseld. The accused were all ask 'For what do you feel most guilty' to which Ruric replied 'The death of my wife and daughter'. Aethelwyn established the facts and sentenced one thief to wergild and the other to mutilation. Ruric's closing statements concerned Aethelwyn so she deferred his sentence. During the course of the trial is emerged that the thieves were part of The Duskmantles, a gang in the town, and that they worked for 'Clubber' O'Reilly.

Heskan petitioned Brennus Aethelwyn for charity for the islanders. She agreed, inspired by the parties altruism. She used the opportunity to ask more of Ruric's character. On hearing of his recent actions (with the group within a zone of truth) Aethelwyn set wergild at 20 gold.

After petitions Aethelwyn, Eseld, Emrys and Orla spoke with the party about their recent exploits. Aethelwyn showed a good level of knowledge of the Northern Expedition's actions. She expressed concerns over the party's habit of taking the law into their own hands. She agreed that should the party help with the gnoll attacks on the outer steadings that she would consider them, as individuals, to be friends of Baile. She wished to discuss matters of diplomacy at a later date.

Hrothbrand took and sealed Ruric's wergild in an envelope.

The party spoke with Emrys about The Hall of Knowledge. Emrys showed fascination with Door, who rejected the idea of being disassembled but agreed to non-destructive testing.

At the Goose the party ate and agreed a course of action. Heskan spoke with the local farrier about an armour smith. He was directed to the dwarves at the quarry or the smith at Aethelwyn's Estate. 

Braith and Ruric met with Captain Lena of The Gull. They agreed two trips to the Drowned Isle and a price of 130 gold. On leaving the harbour Ruric paid the rest of the port fees to Art.

The party return to the inn where they ate and slept.

Elnorin and Heskan went to The Mason, passing on the good news to islanders there.

12/5/300 - The party spend the day on the road towards the quarry. They stop to camp for the night.