4759 Pharast 30th Lepidistadt in Ustalav

After returning from Sanctuary the pcs immediately went to the court house to check on Wretch. A mob was forming around the court house and it began to rain. The pcs ran quickly inside before the mob could stop them. After some threats the mob attacked the court house but just as they did so the drizzle turned into a torrential thunderstorm. The pcs beat back the disorganized towns people with no fatalities. Hadhod thought it best that he stay with Wretch as his guard while Gregor and Glade investigated Vorskstag and Grimes Chemical Manufactory. The gnome and human knight knocked on the door and sent a guard that fetched Vorkstag and Grime. After a brief conversation Vorkstag pulled out the skin of the Shambling Man donned it and attacked. Grime was quickly defeated by Glade while Gregor held his own against the Shambling Man/Vorkstag. When both pcs turned on Vorkstag he shape-shifted into mist and flowed out of the office and into the chemical factory. The pcs pursued as best they could but there were many chemical vats and chemically enhanced "smart" zombies in the way. Vorkstaag threw the rest of his fire grenades from the 2nd floor and the two pcs could not put the fires out fast enough. Soon the whole building was ablaze and Glade fled out the front door while Gregor fled out the roof. Fortunately the downpour kept the flames in the factory. But nothing could stop the explosion that blew the roof off Vorkstag and Grime.

A few hours later the last day of the trial opens with Chief Justice Khard warning the audience that disruptions and mob violence will not be tolerated. Then the prosecution opens with the deposition of Karl the grounds keeper. Adivion and Gregor countered with a letter that indicated that Doctor Brada was blackmailing Vorkstag and Grime. They also showed the glass fragment evidence that proved the beast used special alchemical fire grenades made by Vorkstaag and Grime. And again the the two brothers pointed out that beast was reported as being blue not the gray and red of Wretch. Gregor showed the skin of the Vorkstag's Shambling Man which did match the description of the murderer at the crime scene.

After both the defense and prosecution rested the 3 judges deliberated for a little over an hour. When they came back the verdict was for acquittal at the narrowest of possible margins. Chief Justice Khard and Judge Daramid voted to acquit but Judge Aldaar voted for execution. Chief Justice Khard convinced Wretch to plead guilty to burglary and assault with the promise that exile would be the only punishment.The crowd when mad with frustration and the court was cleared. Wretch was remanded to the custody of the pcs. They were told to wait until midnight to leave town to avoid causing a riot.

4759 Pharast 29th Lepidistadt/Sanctuary in Ustalav

The pcs wake in time to clean up for day 2 of the trial. The prosecution begins with circumstantial evidence and ends with their three star witnesses; Miss Garrow, Miss Starle, and Miss Flicht. With the evidence provided by the pcs Andivion goes for the metaphorical juggler against the three elderly spinster sister witnesses. Andvion catches them in seeming lie about their religion and then accuses them of murdering the child molester Tarem Gatrone. The three women are shocked into a guilty silence. They seem unwilling or unable to deny the charge.

In the intervening silence Andivion proves that what was thought to be the Beast laughing might well have actually been the Beast crying as his sobs might easily be mistaken for maniacal laughter. Andivion insists that the women be arrested and bound over for trial for murder. The defense rests shortly after 2:00. As the pcs exit they begin to notice that the crowd is turning against them. The sight of the three old women being led away in chains causes many angry glances and cursing. The pcs quickly organize and set out for Sanctuary the site of another Beast mass murder, in this case mostly by arson. After searching the three buildings the most important clue the pcs locate is what appears to be a note threatening blackmail to people named, Vorkstag and Grime which also apparently a chemical manufactory as was later born out by  a fragment of broken glass. The pcs finally enter the basement of the hospital and discover 4 ghasts. At first the battle goes against the pcs as Hadhod is paralyzed.

The tide turned as Gregor drew upon his Pharasma granted power and quickly struck down two. After this feat the tide turns and the ghasts are cut down. The pcs then cross the river to talk to the blind former caretaker Karl. From Karl the discover that the "Beast" was blue, had a crippled arm, and used high tech flaming oil that did not require a wick. Then the pcs returned to Lepidistadt in what the hoped was time to rest before the final day of the trial. Unfortunately they see a small torch-wielding mob heading for the court house.

4759 Pharast 28th Lepidistadt/ Hergstag in Ustalav

The pcs finally arrive in Lepidstadt at 1:00 AM. They then go to see Adivion Adrissant to discuss the evidence they found. They finally get to their own beds at 2:00 AM in the morning and only have enough time for a short rest. The pcs sleep until 6:00 AM and then prepare for day 1 of the trial. They meet with Adivion at 7:30 AM. The trial begins at 10:00. After the prosecution finishes presenting its case for the disappearances in Morast the defense takes over at 12:30.  Andivion and Gregor combine to produce dramatic and convincing testimony that seems to exonerate the Beast.

The crowning moment was Wretch's attempt to use the fine silver surgical instruments. Wretch accidently destroyed one of the flimsy things. As the pcs leave the courthouse shortly after 2:00 the crowd seems to be turning against them for helping the Beast. The pcs organize and then travel to Hergstag the supposed scene of the Beast murdering ten children. When the pcs arrive the find the ghosts of children haunting six of the houses. The pcs attack the ghost children and pursue them as the ghosts flee.  The pcs kill two child ghosts in this manner and eventually corner the other four ghost children. Then followed a fierce but brief battle wherein Hadhod was seriously injured with a dark touch. Using cunning Gregor kept the Ellsa ghost out of the initial battle by mentioning wretch. Thus evenly matched in numbers the ghost children were cut down. Afterward ghost-Ellsa was questioned and then put to the sword. A brief few minutes passed and then the ghost-lord Brother Swarm rose from the ground and howling in fury flew to attack. Brother Swarm used his wasps to create a magically controlled swarm of wasps.

 Gregor was only slightly wounded. The pcs used ranged attacks and quickly brought the evil spirit down. The pcs then searched parts of the town and uncovered information that could be useful in the trial. The most noteworthy of these being that Karin was killed two days after it was recorded that the Beast was driven away by fire and fork from the Hergstag. The pcs then return to Lepidistadt in time for a complete rest before day 2 of the trial.

4759 Pharast 27th Lepidistadt in Ustalav

In the morning the pcs question a few homeless Kelid old people about the seastone statue. An old woman gives up the name Auren Vrood. The formal charges are read against the beast at noon. The pcs head out at about 1:00 to begin investigating. At about 3:00 the pcs meet the traveling freak show known as the Crooked Kin and attempt to rescue the pinhead Aleece with the help of their Strongman Egil trollblood. A dangerous phase spider attacked Egil and he was quickly slain by the poison. After the battle the pcs found the body of Aleece wrapped in webbing. The pcs brought both bodies back to the Crooked Kin for burial. There was much grieving.

The pcs arrive in the swamp village of Morast a while after sunset. The pcs talk with the village elder Lazne. They talk to him about the Beast of Lepidstadt and convince him to boat them to a nearby island. At the island they discover a manticore nest and are attacked by a mated pair of manticores. At firs the pcs seem to be in great danger but Gregor used his powers to ground the manticores one at a time where they were vulnerable.

Then the pcs searched the island and found a camp and a boat that contained evidence that Wretch was not the one attacking villagers. Then the pcs began the journey back to Lepidistatd.

4759 Pharast 26th Lepidistadt in Ustalav

While the pcs wait for formal charges to listed against the beast they search Lepidistadt for Adivion Adrissant to serve as Wretch's barrister. They find Adivion and he agrees to do so if the pcs will be his investigators.

4759 Pharast 25th Lepidistadt in Ustalav

The pcs turn the Beast of Lepidistadt over to the authorities. They return the books as requested by the deceased Petros Lorrimor.

4759 Pharast 23rd-24th between Tamrivena and Lepidistadt in Ustalav

The pcs and their guests travel from Tamrivena to Lepidstadt.