Session 0

"I have no idea!  I can't remember, you know."  You pointedly brush the cape aside.

The inquisitor stares at you for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh.  "I had hoped to spare you some of the indignity of being marched through town in cuffs, but if you want to be difficult...  Well, we can certainly be difficult.  I have been polite out of respect for not harming any of my guards, but my patience wears thin.  And you seem to be laboring under some delusions.  So let me set things straight for you.

"You are currently the prime suspect of a murder case.  One which is believed to be related to a criminal organization guilty of sedition and conspiracy, two counts of murdering public officials, and kidnapping my son.  And after this escape attempt, I would be well within my authority to take that head from your shoulders right now.  But I haven't done that.  Now, I'm well aware that you're stalling while you wait for your adventuring party, but do you really want to get them into more trouble?  At present, they're guilty of helping you escape.  If you were proven innocent that could be swept quietly under the rug with a fine or a few days in jail.  If they attack me, you'll all have assaulted a public official and I assure you that doesn't end well for any of you.

"They aren't going to arrive before any of my guards.  Even if they do and you all fight me together, you're not going to win.  And even if you managed to escape in the chaos, you're not getting out of the town.  And even if you get out of the town, you're not getting away.  This is one of the largest trading towns in the country, and we have quite a bit of influence.  More than enough to rope in one wanted serial killer no matter where she ran.  So your only hope of living a normal life from here on is to prove your innocence."

Near the end of her talking, you spot a figure crouched on the same roof that she jumped off of earlier.  They look human, probably male, but you don't really recognize them in the gloom.  Whoever they are, they're aiming a heavy crossbow at the inquisitor's back and seem to be waiting patiently.

The inquisitor notices you looking up at the roof.  You can tell she knows you saw something.  And she probably knows you know she knows, too.  But she refuses to look over her shoulder, continuing to stare at you.

"Let me tell you exactly what's going to happen.  You're going to hand over your familiar, put on some manacles, then we're going back to the dungeons.  I'm going to bring out the bodies of those two guards that died protecting my son.  We're going to perform a ritual to find out if you're the one that killed them.  If you are, I'll kill you then and there.  And if not... well, it doesn't prove your innocence, but it certainly creates some room for doubt, don't you think?"  The inquisitor smiles slightly, then flourishes her sword.  "The alternative is that I leave you chained you up in the middle of the street while I take care of the one sneaking up behind me.  As I said, my patience wears thin.  Either you're wasting time I could be using to look for my son or you're part of the group that took him."

The rat!  It's the rat, the rat is back!  She scurries up behind the inquisitor again, waiting a few feet away.  She glances up at the rooftop, but doesn't seem to be able to see the crossbowman from where they're both hiding.  Still no sign of the strix.  The spell holding you in place seems to be starting to weaken a bit.  You might be able to resist it now.  Maybe.

(A) (try to run)
(B) "Everyone, attack!"
(C) "Fine, I'll come.  But not because I'm interested in that ritual or anything.  I definitely know I didn't kill anyone.  I'm not hoping to confirm that myself."
(D) (cast an attack spell)
(E) "Fine, I'll come. But not because I'm interested in that ritual or anything. I definitely know I didn't kill anyone. I'm not hoping to confirm that myself." (lie)
(F) Keep stalling and try to run out the spell holding you in place
(G) "...Fine, I'll take the stupid cloak."
(H) "That's a reasonable enough argument, I guess...  OK, let's go."
(I) "That's a reasonable enough argument, I guess...  But have you considered FUCK THE POLICE?"  (attack)
(J) "That's a reasonable enough argument, I guess...  But have you considered fuck the police?" (flirt)

At this point I agree with G but not D. We’re already putting ourselves in a rather compromised position by taking the cloak, if we give the signal to attack she’s just going to kill us. I’m also not entirely convinced that’s towel guy up there in the first place, if anything I suspect it’s someone related to the actual culprit who’s just as likely to want to get rid of us too in order to avoid having any loose ends.

I agree that's a strong possibility that's why I want to get her out of the way with a spell

Maybe we can try to run into the river maybe have our druid friend follow us. While the others run away.

Druid could always transform into something that can breath underwater and/or something small enough that can sneak along side us.

When we are clear maybe have Druid try to find our friends?

I don't see any reason to take the cloak at this point if we're not using it as a misdirect to push/magic her or..... Why it would put us at some risk?

My thoughts exactly Fuzz. I just grown accustomed to suspect everything even if it is meant to be a kind gesture.