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The Lamentation of Lolth - Chapter IV

Teleri nods. "Mmm. We can broach the subject to the new mayor at least. They may listen to us after all," she looked at the former mayor. "If nothing else, this punishment will help you perhaps atone for your evil and selfish deeds,"
 

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"I am sure that the council will listen to your request if you wish to approach them, and for what it is worth I will support this decision if this is what your heart and goddess are guiding you to do."

Turning back to face Applebottom, Ayden looked at the halfling and wondered if the geas spell would work upon him, and if Brother Ernest faith was strong enough to allow him to cast such a spell.

"Well Applebottom, you may wish to thank Priestess Teleri for possibly sparing your life."
 

"I believe this to be a very honorable punishment indeed, friend Teleri," Calenthang adds solemnly. "You are too kind," he says looking at Applebottom sternly.
 

She shrugged. "Evil done is evil done. If he dies as he is now, evil profits by adding another soul to its legions. If he atones for his deeds, evil looses. It's that simple," she smiled lightly.
 


Andreas pales at the Mayor's words.

"Just how many did you send to their deaths down that well?" He asks, his voice shaking with anger.

"I have no way of knowing exactly how many. I've lost count and never really had an interest to keep a tally. In exchange she was loyal to me and awarded me vital information on the village itself and the surrounding area that greatly sped up my plans for the dam."

At the mention of another possible fate Osborne's face does not change much. "Denying a man his free will is just as great a punishment as death, I no longer care what is done with me."
 

"At least you have come to accept that like those you sent into the well to meet their deaths, your fate is now no longer your own."

Turning to face his companions, Ayden felt they had stayed long enough.

"Applebottom has told us that which we wished to know, we should go speak with Sheriff Trond and the town council on Teleri's request to alter his sentencing."

Preparing to leave, Ayden paused and looked back to the halfling.

"Even though the sand in your hourglass has almost expired, there is still time to seek atonement for what you have done. Open your heart to Yondalla and seek her forgiveness, and perhaps the geas will become your means of salvation, instead of the damnation you see it as."

Turning back around, Ayden walked out of the cell and nodded to Sielwoodan as he passed the archer.
 

Chastity considers the others' words silently, not adding her voice to the conversation. Perhaps it is best to execute the treacherous halfling. Torm is not a merciful god, but senseless killing is not in his portfolio either. She frowns slightly in thought. Denying him free will, as he said, would not give him the chance to atone. It is possible, but unlikely that he will be truly forgiven if his actions are due to magical compulsion. Her brow furrows as she waits for the others to file out. Her gaze softens slightly as she considers the halfling, and she opens her mouth to speak.
 

Teleri looks at Chasity, seeing the look of conflict. "The purpose of the geas is to both punish him and to help him reflect on his past deeds. In any case, it would be more just than simply killing him,"
 

"In this case, justice is no longer ours to deal out, my friends," Calenthang says as he follows the others, not wanting his companions to think too hard on the matter, as it will only stress them out. "Let Mayor Trond and the Council judge this one."
 

Into the Woods

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