Are These the Bandits you're Looking for?

9/26

The party awakens early in the morning to give their statements: In the inquisition are a priest of St Cuthbert and of Moradin, 2 guild representatives (Frank, the Raven’s defense barrister and Durin, the Silver Sword's barrister), and 2 guards.
During the inverviews, nobody mentions that they burned down part of the forest.

Squishy says "We looked for the bandit leader. The bandits had harassed some of the party. We found bandit camp. Only one bandit returned while we were there. We convinced him through deception that we were his allies. We found a few traps in woods. There is also a treetop lookout that can see all the way to the Keep."
Frank: How did you know they were bandits? Is there any evidence? "The bandits admitted to being bandits."
Priest of Moradin: What are you doing here, mind-flayer?  "I’m an outcast from my own society."
Priest of St. Cuthbert: And why were you outcast? What was your crime?  "My crime is not of your concern."

Mary: "We heard about the bandits on the job board."
Durin: How did you enlist the Silver Sword mercenaries?  "Squishy paid them. He found a necklace worth a lot."

Jak: "We left to capture these bandits and clear my friend’s name. We were attacked before by them along the road."
Guard: And how exactly did you manage to bring them in so easily where others have failed? "We claimed WE were the scouting party for the bandits." [why would bandits need a scouting party?] "We also know the bandits have been in the city."
How did you manage to freeze them when we found you?  "I wasn’t the one to freeze people in place" [The priests whisper a bit to themselves. Who did then? Miscasting doesn’t have that effect, does it?]
Do you know who else preyed victim to them men?  "I don’t know of who was robbed recently."

The party is released as the trial continues into the day. Squishy goes off to study. He's found at least half the info he seeks on psionic research. He finds the butcher later to get a brain. Afterwards he sells the extra stuff he managed to get on the journey.

Jak gets the 500 gp reward from the Silver Sword guild for bringing in Bachas. The other 500 gp is posted from the guard, but will be decided after the official verdict. The reward is split 60/40 between Squishy & the rest of the party. The government always works slower when it has to give out money. Jak asks about the elf that has been lost for some time in the area.

Mary goes hunting.

The rest of the day is spent lounging. [Elf is followed by the Raven Robbers guild.]