“He has influence in this place?” Elisile murmurs to Illes. “That seems unlikely … is he playing games, do you think?”
At Lyrie’s cell she asks the guard, “How will she speak in her own defence if she wears that … horrible thing?”
** spoiler omitted **
The prison is wholly wretched and the thought of twenty stories of prisoners being bricked in to starve is pretty grim. Illes is a little lost in thought considering that until Tsuto speaks when his ears prick up. The bard slips his temporary pan-pipes from his belt and begins softly playing while the murderous half-elf berates his sister. When he sits back smugly, Illes steps forward.
"Tsuto, I'm going to ask you some questions now. Why don't you tell me the truth so that we can understand your situation and help your lawyer prepare?"
"What influence do you have in here?"
Tsuto blinks stupidly for a moment, then shakes his head as if clearing it, and then snarls, "Mind your own! Hey, that's my flute, you thieving bastard!"
The dejected fighter looks suddenly hopeful. "You'll do that? Can you do that? Look, I didn't have anything to do with what they did to that priestess. I went to one service she held in that temple and it so totally creeped me out I never went to another, just stayed in my room. I couldn't exactly resign - I didn't think Nualia would have allowed it - but I was going to get out next time she let us leave Thistletop and not come back. Too late, I guess... But yeah, if you vouch for me, I'll serve you. Gladly!"
The goblin simply hides under the bed beneath a blanket, and shivers occasionally.
"Honestly, I 'm not entirely certain if I can. It is a relatively common practice back where I come from, but in these lands... I will argue strongly for this arrangement with the judge. Do you know anything about the goblin? I was considering making him the same kind of offer if he is potentially redeemable. I have developed something of an interest in goblins and their personalities and potentials lately..."
Asking the potential future bondsman: "Tsuto said he had connections to get him out of here. Do you know who he's talking about?
"I don't know anything about that goblin. And I don't really know Tsuto well - I was hired by Nualia. To be honest, I barely talked to any of them - they are a bunch of freaks."
*waiting in the reception/screening area, to the guard Dravite says* 'Ow long be it takin' ta be checkin' oot a durned prisoner! Ye be frum de city, eh? How be it fer protectin' de innocents?
"Huh?" The guard seems confused by the question.
"Aylmora's body is healed, by the intercession of a strange force from beyond the pale. I have heard of such magic, though never encountered it before. I am also led to believe that you are not ignorant of this fact, and indeed may have had a significant role in it.
"The goddess tells me, through her emmissary, that Aylmora's mind was deeply wounded by her experiences. That is why her body faltered. But the healing of her physical injuries has led to the beginning of a slow but gradual healing of her soul, and that, given time she will recover. But she will be in no fit state to travel much for some time, and so we are willing to look after her here, and allow her to recuperate in her own time.
"But the forces with which you have dabbled... Ah, I am troubled. In and of themselves the powers that are granted can be used for good or ill, and so a strong heart can wield then in the name of Sarenrae. But you must be wary if you intend to tread this path - these beings have inscutable agendas beyond mortal ken. Make sure you continue to walk in the light of the sun, and do not fall into shadow, and follow your conscience. These are my words to you, and those of our goddess."
"Fresh meat!!!"
I'm done.
Illes holds up his pan pipes, and shakes his head, "Not your flute friend... but I take your point. I'm getting your old one enchanted right now. Listen Tsuto- we are trying to avoid the death penalty here, but we need a little help from you to make that happen. Are you going to work with the lawyer, if he wants to come to take statements?"
Tsuto shrugs. "Yeah, sure, whatever."
"One more thing... As extreme as it was, I can see you had issues with your father and wanted to settle a score there, but I don't understand why you and Nualia wanted to take out the whole town. What did Maurum the rope maker or Wellan the butcher have to do with your vendetta against your father?"
"They treated me and Nualia like s$*~. They had it coming. No one stepped up to stop Nualia being locked up by her dad, no one said anything when mine murdered my mother. It was like nothing happened, and they all ignored it. They are as guilty as if they did it themselves. The only way we could get justice was to take the whole town, and let them know what it feels like. I wanted to get Ameiko out, but she wouldn't listen and so she ended up standing with the town and.. that man."
Tsuto's eyes are hard and flinty, his mouth twisted with hate. "Any more questions?"
Larken has been pale and quiet the entire time. He can't think of anything to add that hasn't already been said or done.
"I'm hungry. Is there anywhere to get some bean curd and garlic rice?"
With nothing much more to be achieved, the party ascend from the prison level. As they are leaving, they bump into Verne heading into the prison gate.
“Ladies, gentlemen, delighted to see you,” he says blandly. “It is a fortunate happenstance that we meet – I can inform you that papers summoning Miss Kaijittsu and Master Agnarsson as witnesses to the trial of the Sandpoint suspects have been placed at your place of lodging. It will begin tomorrow. I have other business to attend on behalf of the Chief Justice, so if you will excuse me?” He moves nimbly between the guards and is gone.
The papers are indeed at the inn, as he described. The require Ameiko and Alwyn (as the nominated leader of the party) to be available during the period of the trial to provide testimony, and are signed by Verne with Ironbriar’s seal impressed in red wax – a somewhat forbidding skull and scales motif. There isn’t much to do that night – Ameiko is subdued and goes to bed early.
The next day finds the group at the courts. The gallery in the court is full – there is a lot of public interest in the case, and the great, good or merely ghoulish crowd in to see proceedings. The flunkies of the court are dressed in livery, and one intones, “All rise for the Justices’ Panel.”
The three judges enter through a door at the front of the court and take their places on a sort of tiered podium, writing desks in front of them. The highest desk is reserved for Ironbriar, who is dressed in lush red robes in contrast to the severity of his expression. Justice Chakkov is a bullish human of middle age, almost like a wrestler gone to fat and with a ruddy, florid complexion and an look on his face of seemingly permanent rage. Justice Kernwill, on the other hand, is a grandfatherly-looking old man with bushy white whiskers who seems slightly confused by the whole affair.
After they settle down, Ironbriar booms, “Bring up the prisoners!” Black-masked guards appear from below, dragging up the accused, all dressed in prison greys: Tsuto, looking smug; Lyrie, her eyes darting fearfully; Orik, impassively watchful; and the goblin, wrapped in chains, which shrieks, bites and struggles with the four guards trying to subdue it.
Kernwill blinks in surprise. “Goodness me!” he exclaims, seemingly surprised, “A gremlin!” A clerk immediately bends to whisper in the justice’s ear, who listens carefully, nodding. “Ah, I see, yes, hmmm. So it’s a griffin. Wait, can’t they fly?”
Chakkov pounds his desk. “What is that creature doing here? Is it even competent to stand trial?” he roars, spraying spittle. At this point, Ironbriar, Chakkov and Kernwill begin to confer, and after a few minutes Ironbriar delivers a judgement.
“The goblin creature, being utterly uncivilised and clearly devoid of intellect, is not competent to be tried in this court. As such, it will be treated as livestock, and property of the State. It is our judgement that it shall be forthwith removed from this court and humanely destroyed due to the danger it poses to ordinary citizens.”
“Quite,” harrumphs Chakkov, “Stick it in a sack and throw it in the river.” The goblin is dragged out after its brief moment in court, still spitting and screaming.
“Clerk of the Court, please read the charges.”
A flunky in an opulently braided frock coat stands and begins to read, charging each of the prisoners with conspiracy, murder, treason, high treason and cultic activity.
“How do you plead?” asks Ironbriar of each of the defendants, leaning forward theatrically.
“Not guilty.” says Tsuto casually.
“Not guilty!” sobs Lyrie tearfully.
“Not guilty,” mumbles Orik stoically.
“Very well,” says Ironbriar, leaning back and gazing at them with hooded eyes. “Counsel, please begin your opening arguments.”
Tsuto’s barrister, hired by Ameiko, is on first. A small, bird-like man, he makes his case. He argues that Tsuto suffered at the hands of his father due to his being the fruit of another man’s (specifically, an elf’s) loins, culminating in a big falling-out following the death of Tsuto’s mother, supposedly (according to Tsuto) at the hands of his adopted father. Unhinged, he fell into bad company and was exploited by Nualia to carry out her dirty work. However, Tsuto did not kill his father, who was instead murdered by the goblins at the glassworks. In addition, he attempted to rescue Ameiko from Nualia’s plans, though became enraged in his madness when she rejected his help to escape. Following the deaths of Nualia and his father, he now has recovered his wits and understands what he did was wrong. Effectively, the defence angle is temporary insanity due to neglect and abuse. While this argument is being made, Tsuto leans in the dock is a relaxed fashion.
The barristers for Orik and Lyrie, presumably court appointees, separately argue that their clients were dupes of Nualia and, once they understood what was going on were unable to escape due to fear for their lives from Nualia and the goblins.
The justices scrape away with quill pens at their desks, taking notes as these pleas are made, although Kernwill seems to doze off a few times. Once the initial arguments are completed, the first witness is called - Ameiko.
Tsuto’s barrister begins to question Ameiko, looking to support his case of Tsuto’s abuse. Ameiko certainly paints a picture that Old Kaijitsu was a stern and difficult man, apt to rages which he often took out on Tsuto. Tsuto was also sent away at an early age to a school in Magnimar, mainly so his father would not have to constantly suffer the evidence of how he was cuckolded by his wife. Ameiko’s mother died after falling from the cliffs near the family house in Sandpoint, and Tsuto immediately blamed his father for this and stated it publicly, leading to a final falling out after which Tsuto left Sandpoint for several years until his return with Nualia.
Ameiko also describes how she received a note from Tsuto on the day of the attack on the glassworks, asking her to see him there. Tsuto told her of Nualia’s plans and asked Ameiko to join them. When she refused, he attacked her, knocking her out, only coming round when rescued by the party. She saw no goblins and didn’t see who killed her father.
The other barristers and the justices show no interest in cross-examining her, so she is allowed to leave the witness box.
“Calling the next witness – Alwyn Agnarsson!”
Earlier...
When Tsuto finishes his tirade Illes looks sidelong at Ameiko to see what kind of effect it had on her and looking back to her sociopath of a brother shakes his head. "No. I think you've cleared everything up for us."
To the guard he adds, "I think we are done here"
At that point the group moved on to Lyrie's cell. Though her situation was depressing there wasn't any point in conversation, so everyone moved on to Orik's cell.
Though he hangs back letting Alwyn do the talking Illes likes the idea, but under his breath in Varisian he comments to Vethran, "Somehow I don't think the Honorable Judge Ironbriar is going to agree."
"Hey Orik, tell me this. How involved was Lyrie in all of this?"
After hearing his answer Illes was ready to move on and get the hell out of there.
Hudak starts to stand up and clap to root his brother on; then sits back down, somewhat embarrassed.
Earlier...
When Tsuto finishes his tirade Illes looks sidelong at Ameiko to see what kind of effect it had on her and looking back to her sociopath of a brother shakes his head. "No. I think you've cleared everything up for us."
To the guard he adds, "I think we are done here"
At that point the group moved on to Lyrie's cell. Though her situation was depressing there wasn't any point in conversation, so everyone moved on to Orik's cell.
Though he hangs back letting Alwyn do the talking Illes likes the idea, but under his breath in Varisian he comments to Vethran, "Somehow I don't think the Honorable Judge Ironbriar is going to agree."
"Hey Orik, tell me this. How involved was Lyrie in all of this?"
After hearing his answer Illes was ready to move on and get the hell out of there.
Orik looks a bit shifty.
"I don't know - she didn't hang around with me much. Seemed interested in the old ruins or something."
Hudak starts to stand up and clap to root his brother on; then sits back down, somewhat embarrassed.
Chakkov explodes with fury. "Who is that imbecile in the gallery! One more outburst from you, you filthy barbarian, and I have you expelled from the court!"
Kernwill looks startled. "Barbarians? Where?" her quails, looking round fearfully until calmed by a clerk.
Illes thanks Orik for his honesty and gives Verne a friendly handshake in passing.
Hudak starts to stand up and clap to root his brother on; then sits back down, somewhat embarrassed.Chakkov explodes with fury. "Who is that imbecile in the gallery! One more outburst from you, you filthy barbarian, and I have you expelled from the court!"
Kernwill looks startled. "Barbarians? Where?" her quails, looking round fearfully until calmed by a clerk.
"Uh, sorry, your honorableness."
(oolp)
“Calling the next witness – Alwyn Agnarsson!”
"Ah, yes, right here, your judgeships." Alwyn stands up and walks up to the witness box.
Ironbriar gazes down from on high with a faintly predatory air.
"Master Agnarsson, can you please retell us your experiences in Sandpoint as they pertian to the matter of whether the individuals here in the dock before you as guilty of the crimes of which they have been accused?"
He manages to say that in a single breath.
“Ah, yes, it’s a long story. It all started at the reconsecration of Sandpoint’s cathedral. At that point, our adventuresome group was nought but scattered individuals. However…
“At first, we thought it odd that goblins would have staged such an attack. After all, goblins are not known for their daring or their organisational skill, not to mention that the assault took place in broad daylight. Furthermore, it was quickly discovered that the attackers had absconded with the remains of Father Tobyn…
“Shortly thereafter, Ameiko Kajitsu, the proprietor of the inn we were staying at, received a notice to travel to her father’s glassworks…
“Furthermore, we found an ancient tunnel leading into an old temple. In there, we found…
“Once we made our way out of the catacombs, we were able to identify the woman in Tsuto’s journal – it was Nualia. At this point, things started to make more sense, as Nualia had commissioned the goblins to steal her adoptive father’s bones and burn down her old home again in order to please her depraved patron. Apparently Tsuto was Nualia’s lover. Also, the journal mentioned the goblin fort at Thistletop, so we promptly made our way there – and that is where the defendants enter the story.”
“Once we had defeated the goblin chiefs, we made our way into the tunnels under Thistletop, where we found another temple to the Mother of Monsters. Additionally, we found…
“We quickly knocked Orik into unconsciousness. Then, once I killed Nualia, Lyrie surrendered immediately. We asked her to call off the hellhound, but she was unable; she told us that they answered to Nualia only. We thought that the complex was cleansed after we had killed the goblins and their leaders – however, we were wrong…
“This story lets me draw some conclusions. The first, and most important, is that this was Nualia’s operation. She commanded the demonic dogs, she communed with the demon in the monstrous temple under Sandpoint and she’s the one who planned the goblin raid. The defendants Orik and Lyrie were merely hired help; they were far less powerful than her, and probably were terrified of her and her otherworldly servitors and demonic grafts. Secondly, the presence of the trapped demon under Thistletop affected the minds of those present. We felt it after only a night; we can only speculate what it did to those living there. However, now that it has been banished, its effects are gone. I feel that it is something of an extenuating circumstance, and that it lends credence to the defendants’ claim of insanity. Finally, there is nothing in the story that confirms the guilt of Lyrie or Orik of the charges previously mentioned. They are, in my opinion, mostly guilty of displaying terrible judgment and in associating with highly questionable people. While we captured Tsuto leading goblin commandos, we did no such thing with the other two.”
“That’s why, your judgeships, I have a proposition for you. To me, it is entirely clear that neither Lyrie nor Orik can be convicted of the crimes you have outlined. However, even though they did not torture and mutilate Aylmora or dispatch goblin raiders, they also did not stop Nualia from doing so. While this had much to do with Nualia’s personal power, it still seems to me that they deserve some sort of punishment. As his punishment, I propose to make Orik my bondsman. He will in effect become my squire. I will take legal responsibility for him, and if he fails to live up to the standards I set, I will be the one punishing him. Conversely, I will reward him for good behaviour. Keep in mind that we are sheriff’s deputies in Sandpoint – in this way, I strongly feel that Orik will be able to repay the debt he owes that town as he will accompany us as we go about the town’s business.”
“That’s a brief outline. Any questions?”
“Alwyn, I agree that your plan for Orik is a good one – assuming that the courts here will allow it. But in the interest of fairness, should we not offer the same for Lyrie? Whilst I have no particular like for her, her hostilities towards us were no greater than Orik’s, and I have seen no evidence that she was more heavily involved in Nualia’s schemes than he was. Also … it seems that Orik feels an attraction to her. If he is to become your bondsman, and an effort is not made to spare her also, it may cause complications in time.”
Elisile listens to the beginning of the proceedings, having nothing to add at this point. She is starting to figure out how things work … they all knew that Tsuto had killed his father, but in human courts you could ignore what everyone knew to be true so long as no one had seen it occur. Despite the fact that the eyes can be deceived as easily as the mind …
As for the other two, the trick there would no doubt be to cast them as Nualia’s unwilling dupes … which was probably not entirely true, but perhaps close enough to be believable.
Her face hardens slightly as the goblin’s verdict is pronounced. Certainly, she has no love for goblins, and would have sooner see them all fall in battle than shown mercy or taken prisoner … but at least she recognises them as fellow sentient creatures. Such callous disregard for another life (in fact, whether intelligent or not) does not sit well with her, or bode well for the other defendants. She doesn’t feel like there is much she can do for Tsuto or his co-accused at this stage – these human courts are beyond her.
“Alwyn, I agree that your plan for Orik is a good one – assuming that the courts here will allow it. But in the interest of fairness, should we not offer the same for Lyrie? Whilst I have no particular like for her, her hostilities towards us were no greater than Orik’s, and I have seen no evidence that she was more heavily involved in Nualia’s schemes than he was. Also … it seems that Orik feels an attraction to her. If he is to become your bondsman, and an effort is not made to spare her also, it may cause complications in time.”
"You know, the main reason I won't make her the same offer is simply that I neither like nor trust her. She lied to us repeatedly when we questioned her after her capture, and she's been sullen and hostile ever since. The fact that she is an arcanist probably does not help - I don't really understand the extent or source of her power. Orik, on the other hand, is a straightforward fellow. He might not be virtuous or gracious, but I understand how he thinks. With Lyrie around, on the other hand, I'd never sleep well."
“I don’t like her either, and don’t entirely trust her. While Orik is more likeable, I’m not sure we can completely trust him either … a knife in the dark can kill just as surely as a magic missile. And you saw what they do to spell-casters in that place … if they do not execute her or find her not guilty, will she need to spend the rest of her life as a drooling vegetable in the dark? Can we be sure she deserves such a horrible fate? If it helps in your decision at all, her arcane power does not seem that great, from perusing her spellbook. Certainly Vethran is a more powerful mage.”
Looking at Larken's darkening face as the goblin is being drug off...."Damn I cannae believe what I be gonna say.... Hold on Yer Honor! Da gobbo be here by our mercy ta be tried as a humanoid. If'n ye be havin' no interest in givin' da guy a fair an' honorable shot o' Justice, then I be askin' fer ye ta.....*gulp*..Dammit.....remand de lil' bast'rd ta our group's custody. His actions I will be takin' 'sponsibility fer, and his punishing will be hard work an' a dangerous path ta be travelin' wif us as a porter. Mayhap we can be reformin' da lil' prick but if'n not, den I can personal-like garan'tee he will be dealt wit quick and sure. Father Alwyn, be havin' me back 'ere, please."
"What say ye, gobbo? Quick death or comin' wit' us?"
Alwyn looks a little surprised as the party members intervene at the goblin's behalf, but quickly snaps out of it. "Certainly. We'll take him too, your judgeships."
Illes mutters to Vethran in Varisian, "We're worried Lyrie might betray us, but we'll take a frothing at the mouth psychopathic goblin? What the hell? I'd rather take the hot dark-skinned chick. Let's see what Ironbriar has to say about this. Somehow I don't think he's going to be keen."
- How long until she is healed?
- Can she stay here until she is well? (and if it will cost anything?)
- What can you tell me about this "force from beyond the pale?"
Leraje (my currently bound vestige) is eager to be out of the temple, so I'll make my visit short. After Aylmora is taken care of, I'll find an inn to sleep in for the night. The next morning I'll head to the courtroom.
Davos sits quietly as the preceding start. When the goblin is sentenced to death so quickly, Davos beams a wide smile. Hopefully justice will be as swift for the other two, he thinks to himself.
When Alwyn and Dravite start talking about sparing the murderers (even the filthy goblin!) Davos cannot contain his anger. He leaps to his feet and shouts, "NO! They are murderers. They killed my friends, tortured the woman I love! They must die, all of them! Especially that filthy shinbiter. Justice must be served here!"
It is perhaps fortunate that Chakkov is unarmed, as he seems in a rage that would surely intimidate the most froth-mouthed Shoanti beserker. His eyes bulge almost out of their sockets, he turns purple and his head seems fit to explode. He clutches his desk as if he is going to hurl it into the gallery and crush the hecklers.
"THIS!
"IS!
""IN-DE-FENSIBLE!
"WHAT RABBLE IS IT THAT HAS INVADED THIS COURT!? CAN NO ONE SHOW PROPER RESPECT TO THESE PROCEEDINGS!? SILENCE IN THE GALLERY, ALL OF YOU, OR YOU WILL BE FOUND IN CONTEMPT!"
Ironbriar rolls his eyes while Kernwick blinks supinely.
"The verdict of this court is final, and is not subject to influence by rabble-rousing from onlooker," says the Chief Justice acidly. He turns to the prison guards holding the goblin. "You have your instructions, sergeant - please carry them out." The goblin is dragged away through a door back to the prison.
"If I might suggest," continues Ironbriar, "Perhaps it might be easier if you were all able to give you testimony as a group, in order to prevent more interruptions. Clerk, please call Mr Agnarsson's associates as witnesses."
"This is highly irregular!" blusters Chakkov.
"Indeed, indeed, but we are dealing with adventurers, so matters are bound to be irregular," replies Ironbriar wearily.
Soon the witness box is crowded with armed adventurers or various races and professions; in fact Dravite, Vethran and Elisile have to stand in front of it to avoid getting crushed, while the others shove each other for breathing room. Ironbriar perches above proceedings like a bird of prey while Chakkov looms like a crimson-clad thundercloud. Kernwick starts from a doze, looks down and says in surprise, "I thought we didn't do juries any more," before being gently hushed again by a clerk.
Otherwise she’ll hurry out by another exit and get outside the building, positioning herself in the square so that she can observe the entrance to the court building and also the Hells if possible, and keep an eye out for the goblin being taken out. If she has to make a choice of exits to watch, she will position herself where she can see the quickest way to the river.
Spot : 14 + 6 = 20 (or Search 14+9 = 23 if applicable)
Looking somewhat put out by the shennanigans in court, the lawyers for the defense begin to cross-examine the witnesses. Their questions effectively boil down to:
- what seemed to be the frame of mind of the defendants? Were they in proper control of themselves?
- did they seem to be willing participants?
- was there any evidence that they participated in torturing Aylmora?
- was there any evidence that they took part in any other atrocities?
- when they offered violence to the party, who attacked first?
- how did they behave after capture and what did they say?
"Her recovery will take many months. We will care for her here, as is our duty to one of our faith.
"As for the forces you have dabbled with, I really know very little. Some day they are dead gods, other say they are powerful mortals who have somehow transcended to another existence. Some even say that spirits from ancient Thassilon lurk in the realms beyond. I can only repeat my injunction to be careful."
Looking somewhat put out by the shennanigans in court, the lawyers for the defense begin to cross-examine the witnesses. Their questions effectively boil down to:
- what seemed to be the frame of mind of the defendants? Were they in proper control of themselves?
- did they seem to be willing participants?
- was there any evidence that they participated in torturing Aylmora?
- was there any evidence that they took part in any other atrocities?
- when they offered violence to the party, who attacked first?
- how did they behave after capture and what did they say?
In order:
- "From what I know about possession and magical controls, I would say that they were in command of their own faculties. Tsuto led the goblins' attack on his father's property, and seemed quite excited about that. We attacked Orik and Lyrie, as well as Nualia and Bruthazmus, in a position they were unable to escape from, and they seemed rather resigned."
- "Tsuto seemed willing and enthusiastic to me. Lyrie and, especially, Orik seemed more like hirelings who had come to realise that their job wasn't quite what they had thought it was. THey seemed reluctant and unenthusiastic."
- "No direct evidence. Orik has denied taking part in that act, while Lyrie has refused to talk to us about it. We captured Tsuto before Aylmora and Davos were captured by the goblins, so he was obviously not involved in that."
- "The goblins led by Tsuto murdered all the Kaijitsu employees and killed his father by encasing him in molten glass. While Tsuto might not have played a direct part in that, I find it ridiculous to think that he couldn't have stopped it with a snap of his fingers. He also brutalised and tried to kidnap his own sister after she refused to go along with his plan of burning down all of Sandpoint."
- "As I remember it, Nualia's group heard us sneaking up on them and prepared accordingly. They attacked us first. Specifically, Orik and the demon-hound struck first. Then, once Orik went down, Nualia advanced into melee. Lyrie stayed away from the fighting and cast mostly ineffective spells upon us; once Nualia died, we were able to convince her to surrender quickly."
- "The three defendants have acted very differently after capture. Orik was unconscious after the final fight; once he regained consciousness, he has been expressed regret and been reasonably cooperative. Lyrie has been sullen, withdrawn and relatively uncooperative; she has also lied to us about her activities at Thistletop. Finally, Tsuto has been consistently hostile and uncooperative. He also seems very upset over Nualia's death, where the other defendants seem indifferent, or even relieved that she is no more."
"Your judgeships, I have an idea of how we can determine some measure of guilt and innocence. I know a magical trick that stops those affected from speaking falsehoods. If the court agrees, I could use it here, and we can question the defendants about the abuse of Alymora."
When Dravite stands to address the court, Elisile looks about for likely exits by which to intercept the goblin and his guard … but she hesitates to long. As she stands to exit the court, she finds her way barred by a burly bailiff, and realizes she is being summoned to the witness stand, where she soon finds herself, crowded and ill at ease.
- "From what I know about possession and magical controls, I would say that they were in command of their own faculties. Tsuto led the goblins' attack on his father's property, and seemed quite excited about that. We attacked Orik and Lyrie, as well as Nualia and Bruthazmus, in a position they were unable to escape from, and they seemed rather resigned."- "Tsuto seemed willing and enthusiastic to me. Lyrie and, especially, Orik seemed more like hirelings who had come to realise that their job wasn't quite what they had thought it was. THey seemed reluctant and unenthusiastic."
Elisile tilts her head at Alwyn’s answers to the two questions. “We saw no evidence that they acted under magical compulsion. However, the claw-armed woman was clearly a powerful, charismatic and intimidating individual. She had the goblin leader – and therefore the rest of the tribe – firmly under her sway, and commanded a trio of dangerous magical hounds … it would surely have been dangerous for any of these three to act against her, even had they wanted to.”
- "The goblins led by Tsuto murdered all the Kaijitsu employees and killed his father by encasing him in molten glass. While Tsuto might not have played a direct part in that, I find it ridiculous to think that he couldn't have stopped it with a snap of his fingers. He also brutalised and tried to kidnap his own sister after she refused to go along with his plan of burning down all of Sandpoint."
“The other two did not seem to have any direct part in the Sandpoint raid, or in the planning of the proposed raid, as far as we have been able to determine.”
- "As I remember it, Nualia's group heard us sneaking up on them and prepared accordingly. They attacked us first. Specifically, Orik and the demon-hound struck first. Then, once Orik went down, Nualia advanced into melee. Lyrie stayed away from the fighting and cast mostly ineffective spells upon us; once Nualia died, we were able to convince her to surrender quickly."
Elisile shakes her head slightly. “I do not wish to contradict you in this place Alwyn Agnarsson, but you were not in the forward group, so you did not witness all that transpired before that one,” she points to Orik, “and the fell hound attacked us. In fact, as we burst into the room, only the claw-armed one’s goblin minion attacked us, whilst those two,” Lyrie and Orik, “took up defensive positions. Only when Dravite Schorl attacked him to get past him to the priestess did the warrior use force against us.”
Larken allows himself to be herded to the witness stand with the rest of the group, but he stands, rigid and pale, as the rest of the procedings unfold. He studiously keeps his hands from his weapons, he carefully avoids making eye contact with anyone. He waits for it to be over... in the only way it can be, now.
"Most of it was a blur for me. I know that I gave the mage woman fair yield, and she took it. I offered her slaughter or peace, and she took peace, and did nothing whatsoever to harm us in any way after that.
I think that if you offer a foe fair yield, and they take it, you can't turn around and execute them. It wouldn't be right. I think you all need to respect that, if any order is going to be maintained. No offence, but you weren't there when the knives and fire were being unfurled.
If fair yield means naught, we can't offer fair yield in the future. Who would take it? They would fight on, and perhaps kill some of ours before they went under our knives. You understand that, right? If this house of judgment doesn't respect fair yield, here and now, then it no longer exists. That goes for the goblin too. He was a man of the knives, and the fire."
Elisile shakes her head slightly. “I do not wish to contradict you in this place Alwyn Agnarsson, but you were not in the forward group, so you did not witness all that transpired before that one,” she points to Orik, “and the fell hound attacked us. In fact, as we burst into the room, only the claw-armed one’s goblin minion attacked us, whilst those two,” Lyrie and Orik, “took up defensive positions. Only when Dravite Schorl attacked him to get past him to the priestess did the warrior use force against us.”
"That's how it happened? I just heard a big crash and started running towards the action; once I arrived, Dravite was down, as was the goblin. I just assumed that Nualia's party had gotten the drop on our scouts. In that case, I was wrong and Elisile is right. Sorry 'bout that, your judgeships."
Ironbriar looks sternly at Alwyn as he offers to take on some of the prisoners as bondsmen. "It is for the court to decide how the accused shall be disposed. We do not subscribe to Shoanti principles in Magnimar."
The defence advocates make quite a lot of play trying to find inconsistencies in the party’s version(s) of events, trying to undermine their credibility. It is also quite clear that both Lyrie and Orik are coming out better from this than Tsuto. Eventually, after a fairly chaotic session, the group are dismissed from the witness box.
Next up, the accused give their versions of the stories. Tsuto is led by his barrister to give a story of youthful hardship, mental abuse and harsh punishment. After being thrown out by his father, he relates how he met Nualia in Magnimar and how she revealed her plans to get back at the townsfolk. Tsuto alleges that he went along with the plot, which did not (as he describes it) include any killing at this point, simply an attempt to disrupt the economy of the town. However, Nualia became increasingly unhinged and fell in with the goblins, and Tsuto was too scared to try and break away. He alleges that the goblins killed his father and encased him in glass, and he was only fighting the adventurers out of misplaced residual loyalty to Nualia. He tells his tale with some aplomb, but his irritating smugness still comes through.
Lyrie's tale is similar in many details. A former student of the Acadamae in Korvosa, expelled (according to her) on trumped up charges and evidence falsified by jealous rivals, she was hired by Nualia to help explore a Thassilonian ruin (ancient history being one of her areas of expertise) and only found out later that it also was part of a goblin nest with which Nualia was allied. In an extraordinary outburst, she blames everyone else, including Orik, in Nualia’s group for the horror found under Thistletop, claiming that she was just an appalled onlooker.
As she gives her evidence, Orik gapes in disbelief and shouts, “You liar! You bloody liar!” Orik’s evidence furiously contradicts that, stating that he had nothing to do with torturing Aylmora and that Lyrie encouraged Nualia to try and extract arcane secrets from the priestess of Nethys. Orik’s story is that he came from Riddleport and, down on his luck, hired on as one of Nualia’s bodyguards. The other, a Shoanti barbarian, was killed by the slashing trap in the dungeon under Thistletop. Nualia’s indifference to his fate, and the vile rites she practiced at the one service to Lamashtu that Orik attended, hardened his resolve to get away at the earliest opportunity – an opportunity that never arose.
At that, the witness statements conclude, and the barristers sum up. Then the judges withdraw to deliberate.
Surprisingly shortly – after little more than half-an-hour, they return. The Chief Justice gives the verdicts.
“Lyrie Akenja and Orik Vandercasken, your testimony has clearly painted you as dissolute individuals bent of personal gratification and personal enrichment with little thought to the consequences of your actions. As a result, you fell in with this Nualia, an individual bent on undermining the city of Magnimar and its holdings, and showed little qualm at her activities and, indeed, were found to be defending her when confronted by the forces of good, as represented by Master Agnarsson and his associates. Your contradictory evidence undermines your testimony that you were uninvolved in the atrocities perpetrated by Nualia, and in any case your failure to prevent them is telling. We, the Presiding Panel, therefore find you guilty of the charges put before you. You are hereby sentenced to by hung upon the cross at dawn tomorrow until your souls vacate your mortal shells. May Pharasma judge you kindly. Sergeant, take them away.”
One of the defence lawyers leaps to his feet. “Requesting leave to appeal on grounds of….”
“Denied,” interrupts Ironbriar flatly.
As the verdict is given, Lyrie collapses in the dock and begins screaming incoherently and Orik’s shoulders slump in desperate resignation as he grips the rail. As they are dragged out by the guards, Orik looks over once at Alwyn before he disappears back into the prison. Tsuto just shrugs and settles back, seemingly calm and confident.
Ironbriar continues to give the verdict as the mutterings in the gallery subside.
“Tsuto Kaijitsu, it is clear from your testimony that you have had a life full of suffering. This may well have had an impact upon your ability to discern whether the company you kept was appropriate that a young noble and patriot of Magnimar. I am satisfied that you had no part to play in the atrocities meted out to the priestess of Nethys and that Nualia was the prime mover in the plot against Sandpoint.”
Tsuto merely smiles, and casts a look towards Hudak.
“Notwithstanding, this plot led to the deaths of several individuals in Sandpoint. I am not satisfied that your state of mind was so disturbed as to be unable to determine whether your actions were right or wrong. While we find you not guilty of the majority of the charges against you, we still find you guilty of conspiracy. This crime would ordinarily lead to a cruel, lingering and very public death on the cross. Nevertheless, the Presiding Panel inclined to be merciful, in consideration to your youth and good birth, and in deference to your sister.”
Tsuto leans back, and Ameiko allows herself to look hopeful.
“As such, the sentence of public crucifixion is commuted. Instead, to preserve your dignity, you will be garrotted in a private execution cell. Sentence is to be carried out immediately. Leave to appeal denied.”
Ameiko gasps as if she has been punched in the stomach. Tsuto looks astonished, then leaps to his feet. “This isn’t right! This isn’t what was agreed!”
His voice is lost in the uproar from the gallery. Ironbriar’s voice rises over the hubbub. “Sergeant, the prisoner is making a spectacle. Gag him and remove him to the execution cell.” Tsuto is roughly grabbed and a black cloth sack placed over his head. Two guards drag him out, kicking and struggling like the goblin before him.
Over the noise, the voice of the court clerk can be heard yelling, “All rise!” Ironbriar and the rest of the judges sweep out of the court.
Outside, beneath the frowning statues of the grand portico, Ameiko is in floods of tears, leaning on Hudak and almost unable to speak. Suddenly, an incongruous, familiar figure steps up – and then trips over the feet of one of the people streaming out of the building after the court verdict.
“Thank goodness I’ve found you,” gasps Gint breathlessly. “The sheriff sent me – we’ve got big problems in Sandpoint.”
"Huh." Dazed and shocked, Alwyn wanders out of the courtroom and into the street. "They never stood a chance, did they? This court will give out the death penalty to anyone breaking any law. Some 'justice'." He spits, narrowly missing Gint. "Oh, sorry about that, Gint. Didn't see you standing there. What kind of problems are you talking about? Not that I need any excuses to leave this town..."
As the party leaves the courtroom, Larken steps up to Alwyn, chest to chest, his eyes red with unshed tears of rage.
"We take no more prisoners." he growls, his voice shaking with emotion, "They die in clean battle or they go free. No one deserves the cross. No one."
He looks at Gint, listens to "big trouble in Sandpoint" and strides off into the crowd without another word.