Scroll Varrus Reports

Constable Reports: Varrus
27th of Tulcas, 247
Shortly after waking up, I stationed myself outside the Toga for the beginning of my shift.
The acolyte Melchizidek arrived and informed me that a Soldier of Ereal by the name of Fidren was hounding a man named Varrus, who had apparantly stolen from them. This occured near the Golden Anchor. Hypnoticus, Zephrius and Zemis stopped him and disarmed him in the process. I met with Zephrius, who handed me his sword. We then met with Zemis and Hypnoticus inside the Toga. They recounted what had occured.
They said an urchin saw something scary (but did not elaborate), while they were in the Toga. The kid tried speaking to the constable, who ignored her, so she led them instead to a house belonging to Varrus, who they found inside. The urchin then ran away. Fidren then entered and attempted to attack Varrus while claiming a theft, but the three of them stopped him and disarmed him. Both Fidren and Varrus ran and went into hiding.
Zephrius and company brought me to the home, where we found a newly exposed trap door leading into a basement that reeked of sweat and blood. There was a bloodstain in the back room of the basement. It was otherwise empty. They said that the trapdoor had not been visible the first time: an overturned rug was apparantly what had covered it. Varrus must have returned to empty out the basement.
I left a sentry posted in the house. Some time later, when returning to show Mystikqua the scene, I found Hypnoticus and Zemis inside the basement acting strangely. I finally convinced them to leave. I then had the sentry guard the trapdoor to prevent further entry.
Melchizidek's version of the events:
He was in front of the inn when the urchin came asking for help and was ignored by the constable. Zephrius, Hypnoticus and Zemis then followed the kid. Melchizidek decided to see what was going on, so he followed behind. They arrived at the house. The kid then ran off. Hypnoticus and company tried to find the urchin, and Melchizidek was left alone. He knocked on the door and Varrus answered.
Melchizidek recognized Varrus from when he tried to sneak into the Temple in an earlier incident several months ago, but doesn't think Varrus recognized him in turn.
The group returned, minus the kid they couldn't find, and begin speaking with Varrus. All enter the house. Melchizidek didn't get directly involved, and remained an observer.
He says they were questioning him. They asked him about himself, and he said he used to be Legio. There was a deck of cards and he said that he played often with his old legio buddies.
Fidren entered suddenly and Varrus paled. Varrus tried to run out the door, but Hypnoticus had it guarded. Fidren had his gladius drawn and was threatening Varrus because Varrus stole something. Zemis and Zephrius began attacking Fidren immediately, telling him to stop threatening Varrus. They fought until Fidren was disarmed, and then he ran, telling them he would remember them and circulate their names among his brothers. Varrus ran as soon as Fidren is gone.
The others walk out, as does Melchizidek. They search for a bit, and that is when Melchizidek initially finds me at the Toga.
Based on these reports, I have decided to warrant Fidren with Disturbing the Peace and Minor Assault for attempting to attack Varrus. Hypnoticus and friends were acting in the man's defense and cooperated with me fully, and I am not placing any charges against them for attacking Fidren.
Varrus is not currently wanted for warrants, but the basement certainly brings issues forward. He needs to be apprehended for questioning, if nothing else.
The Soldiers of Ereal have no authority inside the city walls. Any act on their behalf to suggest otherwise should be regarded as vigilante in nature. If something has been stolen, they can report it like any other civilians. I have been unable to find Fidren or any other SoE to question about this event: if his side is given, it could affect necessary warrants.
I have asked Melchizidek to contact his superior Astri, either to get information out of her or to reach me so that I may question her. Should anyone else have the opportunity, we need to ask the Cultists about Varrus, Fidren or the SoE in general, and what might have been stolen.
2.
Assistant Justice Aratus Tacitus has warranted Fidren. As this occured in his jurisdiction, he is to be contact as developments arise. He noted that issues with the SoE need to be handled delicately. But again, they have no more legal authority than anyone else outside our ranks.
There is technically nothing to warrant Varrus with at this time. He needs to be questioned and his house remains under investigation.
3.
13th and 14th of Aera, 247 (this began in the evening, and lasted well into the next afternoon.)
I found Varrus wandering the Harbour towards the Toga area and approached him in the street. I told him he needed to talk with me so that I could ask some questions regarding the prior incident. He tried to move on without me. I caught up to him and told him that we'd be going to his house, or he'd be going to jail. We went to his house.
Once we got inside, I opened the basement door and saw that there was over a half dozen rogue soldiers in wait. Varrus ordered them to attack me, and to "kill the prisoner." I reacted immediately and got out of the building before they could engage me.
They locked up the house again and I regrouped with a party outside the Golden Anchor, including Durus, Ladea, Seppoko, Lingkius and Zephrius. Once we broke into the building, we entered the basement. Varrus and his men were in the far room, along with a wounded and unconscious prisoner, Quoreg Skrr'Vad. A plan was developed.
Quoreg would be the immediate priority: Lingkius guarded Zephrius, who was to take the man away to safety at the beginning. The rest of us were to engage the renegades and to keep them busy during the rescue. Varrus was the only one I insisted be kept alive. He was the first target of our attack. As soon as we had him unconscious, Ladea removed him to the headquarters and the rest of us dealt with the remaining soldiers. I asked the legio what orders they had regarding the traitors, and they said kill. This was done.
A few minor outbreaks of renegades sprang up in the area, but they were all quickly eliminated as well. Varrus and Quoreg were both successfully moved to the HQ, and tended to. I had Varrus arrested for one count of Treason for mustering armed soldiers inside the city's walls and attacking local law enforcement.
Once Quoreg recovered, he was not agreeable. He could not speak Common, and kept trying to leave. He had to be subdued and rebound.
Eventually I was able to get the attention of Martennus, Centurion of the Legio formerly stationed in Rock Valley. He and I entered the jailhouse to speak with Varrus. It turns out that Varrus was one of his Optios. Martennus was angry with him, to say the least. Apparantly Varrus had orders to "gather information" (Note: this was never elaborated upon), and not to steal or to cause this mess. Eventually Varrus explained that Quoreg is of the Brak Taul tribe and is also the son of Gronir, the Blackroot chief who led the horde against Rock Valley. This of course instantly raised Quoreg's value in my eyes, and explained his harsh attitude.
Martennus asked me to have Varrus transferred to Vetallun. I refused for several reasons. Even if I had wanted to, I don't possess the authority to order a transfer. Varrus committed Treason within the city walls by mustering armed, hostile soldiers. I told him it would require a stronger authority to make that call, whether Phoenix Guard, City Justice, Legate, Tribune or higher in the legio chain.
As a mere Centurion and (in the city) civilian, he could do little more to insist. He tried to invoke bio:Pandarus, but when I told him I'd gladly hand the case over to the PG, he backed down. Clearly I had called his bluff. When I spoke with Legate Illryia, he agreed that Varrus should remain here, at least until he has spoken with a Tribune or equivalent.
Varrus was returned to his cell and we went back to deal with Quoreg. Quoreg threatened that the city would be burned. That is the most coherant of his statements, and the rest were all of the same nature. Martennus demanded Quoreg be moved to Vetallun.
Initially I refused: As potentially the most important prisoner of this war, I did not want him risked on the road to Vetallun by my order. Martennus told me a negotiation had been reached with another Blackroot tribe, the Belfir. They are to take Quoreg in exchange for lending their arms to the Iridinian cause.
I still did not allow it until Martennus finally came to his senses and told me the negotiation was supported by Legate Arax. This was enough for me to grant his release into Legio hands: I had the higher authorization (and accountability) I had asked for. Martennus, Seppoko, Dackel, Lingkius and others then took Quoreg and escorted him to Vetallun. As far as I know, the transfer was successful. I await a report from Eagle Century.
I gave time for them to be well out of the city before seeking out any Soldiers of Ereal: I did not want to give them the opportunity to start another conflict, as Quoreg was initially their prisoner -- he is what Fidren was stating Varrus stole from them. I was unable to find any contact from the Temple or the SoE, however the acolyte Melchizidek has been my liason to the Cult and was present for all known incidents involving Varrus. He will continue to try and arrange contact for us.
While being named a traitor, I believe Varrus was acting in the interests of the Republic and the charge is simply because of his methods, not necessarily his motives. Fidren, however, can still keep his warrants for assaulting Varrus at the earlier date, at least until he can be questioned. The SoE bringing an important prisoner of war and hiding him from everyone, possibly even the Senate-level authorities, is at best questionable. Under no circumstances should he be allowed direct interaction with Varrus, and if he wants to get Quoreg back, it is out of our hands and power to help him.
I do not know Fidren's rank, but his known superiors are Cytheria and Jacardus. The latter is Captain of the RV-SoE.
It should be noted that at least two other Blackroots were found in the city after Quoreg was brought to the headquarters, but before his transfer to Vetallun. They were both hostile and while at least one made it to the jail cell, neither survived their wounds. It is unlikely they will remain in the city now that Quoreg is no longer here, but if any are spotted they should be apprehended or killed. Preferably the former, but they are enemies of war after all.
4.
17th of Aera, 247
According to Dackel, who will be our primary contact with the Eagle Century regarding this case, Quoreg made it safely to a cell in Vetallun, though he was still unconscious when they left him. He will stay there for the time being, until Legate Arax issues new orders.
5.
Astri spoke with Ladea and myself regarding a few issues. I informed her that Varrus is in custody, and of the SoE's actions in holding Quoreg prisoner. She will inform her fellows: they may or may not wish to interview Varrus regarding his break-in into their temple. I told her this can be done, and she will contact us if it is necessary.
** Reports submitted by Constable Damov