War for the Crown Gameplay

”I understand,” Adelaide answers, mulling.

Steepling her fingers in front of her mouth and tapping her foot nervously, Josie measuredly replies, "I'm also looking at it this way. This is our first fairly major criminal that we have to deal with. We are effectively setting a precedent for how future criminals are likely to be punished. What do we want our precedent to be? I'm not particularly comfortable with it being 'let someone else deal with her' or 'get locked in the middle of town until you behave'. Even if it is something dangerous that we'd be having her do, we would be giving her a choice and a chance for reparations. We could even offer it as a choice of punishment. Do this or leave town. Do this or the stocks. If you have any other ideas, I'm open to hearing them. Because it doesn't really seem like most of us are particularly keen on the standard punishments."

"Different criminals will have different circumstances, though," Sarina points out. "Lucinia's issues with authority make it seem likely to me that no matter what punitive measures we attempt from a position of authority, she'll chafe under them, and either cause more trouble here, or end up in the Beggarwood anyways. We don't have the time to learn about her to figure out a punishment that might give her that choice and chance, and we can't reach out to her as an equal, so it seems to me that banishment is the best option, both for Lucinia, and for the town."

After listening to the discussion, Adelaide turns to Corey. ”You mentioned the stocks did work for at least one person in your previous area?” she comments. ”Do you have other observations of the general applicability of existing punishments? I want to ask Athena more questions about Lucinia next.”

Corey thinks for a moment. "Well, we didn't have much trouble in mah little town, but Ah do remember Count Varima banished one fella fer poisonin' his rival's cows. Ah can't say what happened ta him, but he sure weren't botherin' nobody in our town no more."

After sending for Athena, she returns, still in uniform from her shift, and gives a short bow to the group. "You called for me? Was there a problem at the manor I missed?"

”Nothing like that, we just want some advice that Onora’s not in the best position to comment on,” Adelaide answers, and explains what Lucinia did and what punishments the stewards are debating. ”Can you speak to Lucinia’s history and offer your thoughts on the matter?”

"About two years ago, she killed Joel's dog in a drunken rage," Athena replies bluntly. "We chased her out of town then, she came back a couple of months later, but we didn't really have the type of organization to keep her gone. Frankly, I think any kind of fairly harsh punishment short of torture or killing her'll satisfy the town. Most folks here are sick of her."

Josie asks, "Do you think that putting her in the stocks would actually do anything to change her behavior?"

”I’m no expert on that,” Athena shakes her head. ”I guess it depends on whether it makes her more scared of it happening again or more angry.”

With a sigh, Josie remarks, "I guess we'll try the stocks and if she acts up again we'll just move to banishment."

With the stewards more or less in agreement, Adelaide turns to address Lucinia and Onora. "We have determined a week in the stocks would be appropriate in this circumstance," she informs them, remaining solemn.

Lucinia’s head swivels around and her legs bend, as though to make a break for it, but Athena’s sharp eyes catch her and her iron grip closes around her arm. The local smith grabs the other arm, and they soon, accompanied by a small crowd, march her out towards the stockade.

Keeping her face neutral, Adelaide turns back to Onora. "What else are we looking at today?" she asks.

”A couple people with local rumours they’re worried about and a few small disputes between farmers,” Onora replies, takung a deep breath.

Josie replies, "Let's hear the rumors first."

Onora nods to an older man, who says, “Apparently Baronet Vort’s gone native with a band of peasants southeast of Baron Telus’s land; heard he was the one who destroyed the Gold Canyon bridge to keep outsiders away. I hear a witch got into his brain and stirred things up a bit."

Josie thinks about that for a moment before answering, "Hm. I suppose we'd better keep an eye on the bridge. Thank you."

Onora nods to someone else, a merchant who's been in town for a couple days. "I heard the Night Swan's been attacking caravans from Cassomir and Ridonport more. Put a crossbow bolt in a passing lord even. If it goes on much longer, I don't think many of us merchants can risk passing through Meratt."

Josie nods. "We've been keeping an eye out for any Night Swan activities. Thankfully, no violence has come to our small town yet. Thank you for the information."

The rest of the town hall proceeds in a relatively routine, mundane fashion, with small concerns and disputes being brought forward and addressed in common-sense ways. Once the line of people is gone, Onora takes her own leave as well. Upon return to the manor, the group finds a beautiful longsword sitting on the main table with a domovoi next to it. The blade shines in the light, and has a slight, jagged curve near the tip, and a pommel with four shattered gemstones around one intact white one.

Adelaide walks up to the table, taking the blade in keenly. ”This is a lovely, fantastic piece,” she tells the domovoi with a warm smile. ”Thank you for bringing it to us.”

The domovoi nods in reply. "If you take care of this estate, it takes care of you," he answers simply, then turns invisible.

”Indeed it does,” Adelaide comments softly with a satisfied smile.