I like the simpler version. Adam was never involved with these things. Had he been, I believe the manticore, the undead, and the dwarf would have been pulled to pieces, which would have saved me the effort of having to recognize that Bookman played a valuable role in slaying the pregnant manticore before it produced more offspring.
Adivion frowns. "This dwarf. How fresh was his body?"
Recent, not new. A week to couple weeks maybe. Though I'm just a monster hunter.
"And a skilled one," Adivion adds. "Petros would not have suffered fools to protect his daughter."
The advocate considers for a moment, before continuing. "If the dwarf has only been dead for, let us say—liberally—a month, then he is not likely the suspect, this necromancer you spoke of. The murders that Adam has been accused of in Morast are almost a year old. That is too great a lapse in time."
"I find it more likely that this "fake" Adam either died in the swamp, or escaped. Perhaps it is responsible for the other murders he has been accused of."
He looks through the items and information arranged on the desk. "This should be enough to start for tomorrow. I will present Adam's defense as a case of mistaken identity, using the proof of other people on the island and the lack of blood caimin scarring as evidence. If you have any commentary, make it now."
"As good a plan as any, I suppose," the Doctor says, a tinge of doubt creeping into his voice. "Are we needed at the trial? Or should we look into things further?"
"If I am going to convince the judges, I will need your expert testimony for the trial. You will have to be there." He turns to Karras. "Doctor, I am detecting some doubt from you. If you have concerns, please voice them."
"My concerns are merely those born of the limits of time, Barrister. I'm afraid that the defense you've concocted, while a good start, will not hold up against the sure biases of the jury."
"Would that I could split myself in two, to be present both here and to further our investigation, I would."
"I must agree, Doctor," Adivion says. "My strategy is thin, but I have reviewed all the evidence the prosecution has submitted. They offer little to support their claims outside of the testimony of witnesses. I suspect they are hoping the biases of Lepidstadt justices make up the difference. I am not sure where you hail from, but in Vieland county, there are no juries."
"We need only argue Adam's innocence to the three judges presiding over the trial."
"Ahh, of course," the Doctor says, blushing at the uncharacteristic lack of attention. "I am familiar with the justice system here, but absent minded today."
Karras neglects to give any indication of his place of residence.
"I'm sure it is the best defence we have." Aduard says, from the comfort of the armchair he seems to be merging with. "Not to deny The Beast did these things, but to deny Adam is The Beast." he sighs "I had thought we might pull a stunt - perhaps change his eye colour, or give him dark glasses, then ask the witness and when they get it wrong... More extreme is to dye his hair. When we ask for the Beast's hair colour and they give Adam's, we reveal we dyed it."
A breath "Might prejudice the judge though. Depends how much this is a genuine trial, and how much a show." A longer breath "Might be worth asking talking to the record. The record is only going to show words - if we take it higher and all there is to back up what they do is words, then it could cost their job. Judges hate that, though."
Left unsaid was that at least one judge was more interested in justice than in a show trial. I did not break a confidence lightly.
Well I'm satisfied with what we've got, and I'd rather not approach anything like we did the last time we were dealing with authorities. Not anytime soon anyway. So, I am eager for some rest. How about it lads, Radag yawns. Oh and ladesses.
Esta grimaces at Adivion's mention of appearing in front of the judges before hiding a yawn behind her hand. "Sleep would be real nice."
Adivion nods. "Yes, we could all use some rest. Where are you staying?"
"Oh. Um... I don' think we ever got rooms anywhere," Esta says, looking at the others. "We got here an' just... started intvestigatin'."
Dashil was supposed to be taking care of our arrangements before we were peeled off for this trip, she should be with Kendra.
"Additionally, I did leave instructions asking for a secretary." Aduard wakes from his half-sleep. "And leave instructions for him to work towards lodgings. Honestly, at this point, I'd sleep in the carriage again."
Adivion smirks. "I thought not. I had my secretary arrange for rooms in the Brazen Skull. It's the only inn in this city I'd consider staying in. Get some sleep, I'll see you in the morning."
---
After what seems like not nearly enough sleep, the party awakes to the pale light of morning. Rapiers resting in their scabbards line the walls of the common room like deadly tally marks, the mementos of famed alumni from the university. Above the forest of blades hangs the namesake of the inn: the bronzed skull of a stone giant.
The return trip to the court house is a short one, but a throng of onlookers, eager for the trial to begin, seethes around the Punishing Man. A line of nervous guards hold the crowd back from the courthouse, but when they notice the party, a cry goes up and a hail of boos and hisses are directed towards them. Half of a rotten cabbage sails from somewhere in the crowd and lands at Esta's feet, startling Oolong.
Some of the guards near the front doors hurry forward and escort the party the rest of the way inside. Adivion Adrissant waits for you just beyond, in the plain stone atrium. "A lively bunch, are they not?" he asks. Although he doesn't smile, his dark eyes glitter with something resembling amusement.
They're lucky they didn't hit Esta's pet with that cabbage. I thought about feeding it to them despite their poor aim, Radag says wincing at the headache he has from lack of sleep. Let's just get this over with. Where do I need to sit, and what are the chances I can hold onto my weapons while we're at the trial? Radag crosses his arms in firm objection to having to be awake.
Adivion chuckles lightly, patting Radag on the arm with a gloved hand. "Low, I am afraid. The only weapon permitted in the courtroom is the Herald's sword. The same goes for any magic." He looks to Esta and Aduard. "The Holy Sister of Justice monitors for magic use at all times. If something needs doing, excuse yourself from the room."
"And while we are on the subject, make no jokes. The ceremony of Lepidstadt's justice system is a serious thing and the Chief Justice has a grave reputation."
Esta had learned how to deal with suspicious stares from strangers at a very early age, but a crowd of visibly angry bystanders was another thing entirely. She does her best to keep her head up and eyes forward, but when she hears a thud and Oolong yelp at her feet, she shoots a look of panic towards the crowd. Briefly watching the sea of enraged onlookers, she scoops the fox up and clutches him to her chest as she buries her face in his fur, trying to calm her trembling while she hurries into the building.
"How long does somethin' like this usually take?" she asks after Adivion has explained the rules of the court.
Aduard turns up just in time to catch Adivion's speech. While still dressed neatly, he's nursing an enormous mug of something hot, and stifling yawns. "I've a spell or two that might still be worth casting - but I'll follow your lead. Could have your secretary find us travel to..." he yawns "Morast after the trial breaks?"
Radag nods in agreement with Aduard's request, as he begins mentally accounting for his personal armament of weapons and dark humor.
Aduard grunts in annoyance, and sips his drink "Vergstag, I should say. Good gods it's early."
"We can have our new temporary secretary start organising travel then. Perhaps organise the purchase of some specialised supplies if we're to go up against an incorporeal undead like a Shadow or an Attic Whisperer. I still have vivid memories of Harrowstone."
He turns to Kaple. "I'll also hand over a list of impressive looking books that'll help bolster our claims regarding your client. I doubt the judges will read them in time, but they'll add weight to my testimony."
Have either of these eventuated?
Aduard, finding his drink cooled, starts to drink more quickly. slurp "If we sit in the corner, we may be able to work on a plan for Verstag while the trial progresses." slurp "I've no desire to go up against a 'ghost' - or spectre, shadow, wraith, koblak or attic whisperer - without preparation." slurp "I've a few spells that might be helpful - I'll concentrate on them."
He turns to Karras "As for you, doctor, perhaps we should ask a priest to attend you. You still look a little peaked from the poison? I'm capable of the effect myself, but I'd rather save my magic for the Undead of Verstag."
A thought occurs and he now turns to Adivion. "I set a list of books to quote - I'll look for references as we go, if you like. Additionally, did Kaple inform your your client's sobbing resembles laughter? Good gods alone know what his laughter resembles - Adam's almost as grim as Irfist, here."
"I'd expect this first day to last until the early afternoon," Adivion replies.
The advocate turns to Aduard. "Mr. Kaple mentioned it, yes. I suspect we will use it tomorrow, when the girl he befriended is brought up."
"He also provided the list of books you mentioned. What was not in my personal library, I have arranged to be requisitioned from the university."
"I will have a member of my staff visit the church of Pharasma will the court is in session. I believe they might sell a blessed oil that Mr. Irefist could apply to his weapon for combating spirits. My staff will also see to it that a coach is arranged to take you to Vergstag." Adivion smiles contentedly, seemingly unaffected by the late night and early morning. "It is nice to be able to delegate."
"I'll be alright," the Doctor says, brushing aside Aduard's concern. "Just as long as there's no more of those damnable spiders to be found in Vergsteg."
"As for the town, I suspect we'll need to talk to the dead children, as well as the mill owners. We'll need to press the sisters on their recollections, and see if they could have mistaken Adam's sobs for laughter. I suspect they did, and if we can get them to admit it...
"As for talking to the children, it is a dark thing, to treat with the spirits of those that still linger, but it seems they would know what happened to them better than any others."
I'm not so sure we can get someone to admit Adam's tears were anything other than laughter. I saw it myself and if it weren't for you all, I'd be agreeing with the witnesses, Radag comments reluctantly.
"I imagine you're correct, Master Irefist. Still, we shall need to do our due diligence. To do less would be a dereliction of duty as investigators. But, armed with what we know from the children, we may have more luck with the sisters. Perhaps we should visit the dead first?"
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The doors to the court above swing open. The sounds of chatter and chairs being dragged across the floor filter down, echoing off the stone walls and floor. A young man with a head of red hair and startling blue eyes approaches Adivion and speaks to him in a hushed tone. Dressed in a manner similar to Adivion, the man steps back from the advocate and eyes the party with practiced indifference.
"The strategizing will have to wait, I am afraid," Adivion says. "Hector," he gestures to the young man, "my assistant, informs me that the trial is set to begin. We must take our places."
Adivion leads the group up the stairs and into a grand room panelled in dark oak. Three throne-like chairs with built-in lecterns for the presiding justices stand in front of the of the east wall. The witness stand and a pair of polished mahogany desks, one each for the defense and prosecution, face the justices' chairs. An iron cage, built for the trial, sits in the center of the room. Behind the barred structure is a series of wooden pews, intended for the various witnesses to be called. Finally, perched above it all, is the public gallery. Set against the western wall, the balcony has seating for use of the citizens of Lepidstadt and is accessible only via a separate entrance guarded by members of the city watch.
The Beast's trial has turned out the people of Vieland county. Usually empty save for a few legal enthusiasts, the gallery is loaded to its maximum occupancy by members of Lepidstadt's gentry and city council. Despite their genteel nature, the group quiets when Adivion and the party enter, their conversation dropping into hostile whispers.
Adivion gestures for his witnesses to seat themselves in the pews before taking his position at the defense's desk. He scribbles a few notes to Hector, which the young man then carries back down into the waiting rooms. Adivion turns in his seat to face Aduard and nods.
The prosecutor Otto Heiger comes next, followed by a trio of legal advisors. Middle-aged and handsome with closely cropped brown hair fading to grey and a short beard, the barrister directs his witnesses, Elder Lazne and a trio of villagers from Morast, to take their seats behind the party. The elder nods solemnly to the adventurers.
A quiet anticipation falls over the room as the sound of chains rattles from up the stairwell.
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The Beast pauses to glance around the courtroom. It catches the eyes of the party, its look a mixture of anger and fear. When it sees Esta, its arms twitch upwards. One of the burly guardsmen leading it notices the movement and jabs it with the end of a staff. It grunts in anger and surprise, but catches itself and continues moving forward. The crowd above overcomes its shock and begins to shout and jeer. A trio of nervous-looking guards thump their spears to silence the rowdy group. The Beast is led towards the cage, where the chain across its ankles is latched and locked to a thick iron ring at the base. That done, a guard removes the muzzle and closes the barred door, sealing it with a massive padlock.
"All rise," the Herald announces after the gong's note diminishes, his voice clear and deep. As he speaks, a trio of imposing figures dressed in voluminous black robes with starched ruffs and powdered wigs, marches through the chamber and take their seats at the three thrones.
The first is Embreth Daramid, the judge the party met the day before and an old friend of Professor Lorrimor's. She takes her seat in the left-most chair. Her pale eyes land the party, but her expression betrays no recognition. The second is a severe-looking man in his late sixties. A jagged scar runs through one white eye and down the side of his face, pulling the corner of his mouth into a permanent half-sneer. He takes the right-most seat. The final judge is a dour man with jowly cheeks and an enormous cartwheel ruff, the effect of which is equal parts intimidating and ridiculous. He takes the center seat.
The last figure to enter is a woman in grey robes, a heavy hood concealing her eyes. Around her neck hangs an iron spiral, the holy symbol of Pharasma. The priestess takes position behind the justices, standing at attention opposite that of the Herald.
"The Honorable, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Palatinate Court of Vieland," the Herald booms. "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Palatinate Court of Vieland, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. Gods save the Prince and this Honorable Court."
”You may be seated,” the Chief Justice intones, producing an ebony gavel. ”Today, and for the next two days, the Honorable Justices will preside over trial of the Palatinate of Vieland versus the Beast of Lepidstadt.” A murmur ripples through the gallery, but it is drowned out by the Herald ringing the gong.
”The trial is to run from 10 A.M. to mid-afternoon each day for three days, upon which a verdict will be delivered,” the Chief Justice continues. ”After the Honorable Court is seated, opening statements will be made, first by the Prosecution and then by the Defense. Following that, witnesses will be called and evidence presented, in the same order as before, with time allowed for cross-examination. When the Defense has exhausted its witnesses and evidence, I shall call a recess, lasting until the following day. At the end of the third day, closing arguments will be made and the case will be submitted for a decision. The Honorable, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices will retire to review and deliberate the outcome of the trial. Any verdict reached will be made by a majority ruling, with each Justice receiving a single vote.”
The Chief Justice pauses for the Herald to strike the gong.
”While in session, as Chief Justice, I possess the power to remove people from my court and discount evidence I find insubstantial. Contempt is punishable in my court by overnight imprisonment or a fine of no less than one thousand gold lions, perjury by hanging from the neck until dead. Levity will result in immediate banishment from the courtroom and a fine of no less than five hundred gold lions.”
The Herald rings the gong again.
”The use of magic is forbidden in this chamber, whether in the form of spells or enchanted item.” The Chief Justice gestures to the grey-robed woman standing behind him, her back to the wall. ”A representative of the Church of Pharasma serves at the court’s pleasure. She will routinely inspect the room for any duplicitous use of spells or otherwise. If such usage is discovered, it will result in a fine of no less than one thousand gold lions and any testimony associated with it shall be struck from the records. If it happens a second time, an additional fine of two thousand and five hundred gold lions will be levied and the offending party will be barred from this court for a year and a day.”
Another ring of the gong, and the Chief Justice takes his seat, waving towards the Prosecution.
When he is finished, Adivion stands. ”May it please the Court, my name is Adivion Adrissant, and I represent the defendent Ad-” He is immediately cut-off by a chorus of boos and jeering from the gallery. The uproar is silenced by the Chief Justice banging his gavel loudly against the lecturn of his chair. ”I will have order in this courtroom,” he shouts. ”Justice Embreth advised me to make this trial sealed off due to the unprecedented level of public interest. I disagreed, but any more outbursts like that, and I will bar the doors to the courtroom.” He eyes the gallery coldly. ”Continue, Mr. Adrissant.”
Adivion, cool in the face of the mob’s rage, nods slightly. ”Thank you, your Honor. As I was saying, I represent Adam.”
”And who, exactly, is Adam?” the scarred Justice asks.
”My client, Justice Aldaar,” Adivion replies. ”While others might call him the Beast, Adam is the name he chose for himself.”
Adivion goes on to explain that Adam, while certainly terrifying and bestial, is a thinking, feeling creature. While the circumstances of its feral appearance and unnatural origins are not up for debate, the nature of the crimes it has commited certainly are. He accuses the Palatinate of shoddy investigations, relying on the biases of Lepidstadt’s people to do the work of proving Adam guilty for them and allowing the actual killers to remain at large.
”While Adam might be guilty of some of the crimes the people of Lepidstadt accuse him of, he is not guilty of the crimes he is accused of today, nor for the crimes in the days to come,” Adivion concludes.
Adivion cross-examines them, asking probing questions into the details of the events. Are they certain that they saw the Beast? It stands before them now, as plain as day. Does it appear as they remembered? When they ambushed the Beast, did it flee into the swamp? To a specific location? When one identifies it as retreating to the Boneyard, Adivion thanks them and excuses them.
Heiger then calls forward the village elder, Lazne, whom he identifies as having led the mob which chased the Beast away from the town. The prosecutor asks if Lazne has any military experience and the elder explains that he served in the Royal Army against invading orcs from the neighboring Hold of Belkzen. Adivion challenges this line of questioning as irrelevant. Heiger explains that establishing Lazne’s experience will lend credibility to his laying the ambush and leading the villagers against the the Beast. Judge Embreth tells Heiger to continue.
Lazne continues, confirming the events as explained by the three villagers. He explains that the Beast fled towards the Boneyard, and then deeper into the swamp, where it was ambushed by a massive blood caimin. Lazne had assumed that the Beast was dead until he was called to come and testify in this trial.
When Heiger is finished, Adivion cross-examines Lazne, asking him about the Boneyard and if the villagers had searched the grounds after the Beast was run off. Lazne mentions that the villagers tended to stay away from that island, as it was considered cursed.
”How much do you know about blood caimins?” Adivion asks. ”They’re savage creatures, are they not?”
”Objection, your honors. Leading.” Heiger protests.
”Sustained,” agrees the Chief Justice.
Adivion bows slightly to the judges. ”Allow me to reframe the question. Have you ever witnessed a blood caimin attack, besides the one already mentioned.”
”Aye,” Lazne answers. ”They’re common enough in the swamps.”
”Describe the wounds that such an attack would cause.” Adivion requests.
Lazne rubs his chin, freshly shaved and washed in preparation for the trial. ”Grievous, I’d say. Most grievous.”
”No further questions, your honors.” Adivion says, walking back to his table.
Now Adivion can call his witnesses. He casts an appraising eye towards the party. ”For my first witness, I’d like to call…”
10:00 am
The Doctor sits, hat doffed, watching the judges as they file in to be seated. Daramid was a woman of reason, it seemed. If they could present the evidence in a way that made a compelling narrative for the B - Adam's - innocence, she would rule in favor of that evidence. But the other two? Karras recalled what he knew of the other justices, their names, as well as their biases, leanings, and previous judgments...
11:00 am
Frowning slightly as Adivon begs off Lazne - why wasn't he pushing the caiman angle more? Asking Lazne why Adam doesn't bear the scars of the attack? - Karras jots a note on a sheet of paper and passes it down the line of his companions.
One of us at least will be called to testimony. Two issues must be pressed. 1) That the isle is not cursed, but rather the is or was the playground of a necromancer. 2) That a caiman attack would surely leave scars and even wounds - fresh as day on Adam's physiology - that would be visible to all in this court.
Additionally, we should enter the face we found into evidence.
"Doctor Arruk Karras." Adivion finishes.
Karras approaches the witness stand and is sworn in by a guard. After the Holy Sister scans the alchemist for potential magic, Adivion's questioning is allowed to begin.
"Doctor Karras, would you explain to the Honorable Justices your background and the nature of your expertise?"
Once seated and deposed, Karras frowns as the sister goes over him, the Doctor's mind wandering to his dead assistant. However, at least fortune seemed to be smiling on the Doctor today, if not Adam - there seemed to be no knowledge in the courtroom of the mess that Karras had left behind in Caliphas.
"I am a learned man, barrister. Once an educator, I have retired these days to more... direct pursuits. Conscience demands that I spend my days investigating the dark corners of this blighted land, and science is my foremost tool. My expertise is none other than the things most of our people stay fearful and ignorant of, lest they bring the attention of such things upon themselves."
"Which superstition, I might add, is poppycock. Ignorance is no cure for the horrors around us! I have seen many of them in my day, and I can tell you, with surety, that Adam was not the monster that killed the unfortunate victims of Morast's recent tragedy."
10:00 AM
Esta shifts uncomfortably in her seat as she waits for the proceedings to begin, staring around the room as she strokes Oolong's fur for some comfort. When the crowd begins to murmur, she turns towards the entrance of the chamber where Adam is being marched in, letting out a despondent sigh at the sight of his manacles and distressed demeanor. Catching his eye, she waves back at him and gives him a reassuring smile, but inside she worried. She knew firsthand just how deep the prejudice and superstition of small town communities could run.
11:00 AM—12:30 PM
With rapt attention, Esta observes the proceedings, utterly unfamiliar with the practice, but intent on learning how it worked. She was relived to hear the Doctor called to the stand first. If anyone can start convincing the crowd to go against their fears, it'd be Doctor Karras, she thinks to herself.
As Karras explains his background, Prosecutor Heiger whispers something to his advisors, who start to scribble something down on a sheet of parchment.
"Thank you, Dr. Karras," Adivion replies. The barrister pauses for a moment, as though considering where to begin. "You investigated the island that Adam allegedly retreated to, correct? Could you describe for the Honorable Justices what you discovered there?"
Karras pulls his formula book from his satchel, and opens it towards the back, where the Doctor had kept meticulous notes of the experience. Licking his finger, he turned the pages and began reading aloud.
"The isle was abandoned by the locals, who were too superstitious to think of setting foot there, making it inadvertently exactly the type of place that one would want to avoid. We came across a manticore, a base creature, pregnant and rage-filled. Were it not for the steady aim of Irefist's bowarm, and the powerful magic of Bookman, the creature may well have killed me."
"In its nest, there was a half-eaten dwarf, his identity obscured by the savageness of the manticore.
"At some point in the past, the island was used by at least one, or perhaps more, grave robbers. We found the accouterments of such a foul trade, a canoe, and a long cold campsite. More than likely, the graverobbers perished on that isle, as there was no sign of them, but their belongings."
"We also found the remnants of an elixer of darkvision. A most curious find, for a creature such as Adam would have no need of such a salve, having the ability to see in the dark."
Pulling the empty vial from his satchel, the Doctor hands it to the nearest judge.
"Alas, we found no caiman, but I am positive that Adam was not the creature that fought the giant gator of Lazne's account. You see, in Lazne's account, there was a viscous wound dealt to the creature, where the blood caiman grappled the Beast by the shoulder, and pulled them both into the water. A creature such as Adam cannot naturally heal, you see. So no doubt, there would be a horrific scar, and perhaps a still festering wound upon Adam's shoulder, were he the attacker described in Lazne's account."
"It is our supposition that perhaps the graverobbers were employed by, or working with, a necromancer. This necromancer could have in fact made Adam, as well as others like him, and being similar in appearance, Adam stands trial for the misdeeds of another creature, one that likely still lies somewhere in those dark waters, with a wound matching Lazne's accounting."
Pulling a fine meslin cloth, wrapped around the disembodied face, from his satchel, the Doctor hands it to the closest judge. "We found something else in the canoe. Unwrap it carefully, and I suggest those of weaker constitution avert their eyes."
"The business of necromancers is a foul business indeed. I cannot tell you its purpose."
Bookman nodded along with the doctor, then winced and scrawled a note to pass to Adivion.
'I can clarify Adam is not necessarily the product of necromancy.'
Adivion holds up a hand to stop the Doctor after his revelation of the empty vial and turns to the Justices. "If it please the Honorable Justices, I would like to present this glass vial, discovered on the island in question."
The green residue is still visible at the bottom of the flask as it is passed between the judges. Adivion turns back to the witness.
"You described this as an elixir of darkvision and that Adam wouldn't need this to see. What did you mean?"
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The Doctor points to the vial. "You see the green residue, yes? Let me know if you cannot, we should have someone fetch a magnifying glass if that is the case."
"An elixr of darkvision is of course more than likely a magical creation, rather than a scientific one, though that is a possibility as well. Regardless, it matters little - the green residue will be found in most instances of such an elixr created in Ustalav. There is a reaction between the magic and the more mundane compounds at play - specifically mugwort root in this case, which is found in most of the freshwater boglands of our land. It is an enabler, or a conductor, if you will, to the magic, and allows it to take root, when synthesized, in a stable form in which it becomes a transitive means that allows the imbiber to see in the dark as a dwarf - or Adam - does."
"And that is what I meant. Adam should, if I am correct, not have need of such a thing as an elixr of darkvision, as he should be able to see just fine without it. That is an easy enough thing to test. Get as white a cloth as you can find, and paint a message on it with black paint. Wait until sundown and extinguish all the light in the courtroom. If I am correct, Adam should be able to read the message in total darkness."
When the Doctor finishes his explanation, Adivion thanks him and announces to the justices that he has no further questions. Prosecutor Heiger stands and smoothes out his black robes before approaching.
"Good morning, Doctor Karras. What is the nature of your relationship with the Beast?" he asks, smiling thinly.
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The Doctor growls, "I don't know a Beast. Adam, however, I had not met until our arrival in Caliphas. I am a researcher of truths, you see, and while I admit that in most times I would be predisposed to the same biases of many in this court, using appellations like Beast to describe the accused, perhaps even hunting him myself..."
"It was clear from the outset of our encounter with this investigation, from when we first encountered the break-in at the university - quite by circumstance, as it were - that there were serious flaws in the evidence being used to paint Adam with culpability in the original crime. And so, my associates and I are looking into leads. Leads, frankly, that should have been looked into before the trial started, by any responsible investigators."
"My relationship is less with Adam and more with the inalienable truths of our land, for only by shining light in its darkest corners can we live free. To execute an innocent, as I believe Adam to be, at least of the Morast crimes and perhaps the others, because of our fear and prejudice... It is an inhuman thing to do, sirs."
"It will be, of course, painful to examine these truths, but they must be done, and so I ask you, Prosecutor Heiger, what is your relationship with the truth? Judges? What is yours?"
"If you serve the truth, you must stay this case, and give us time to see to the other crimes that Adam is accused of. It is the responsible thing to do, for Adam, for our rule of law, for our very humanity."
Pulling thoughtfully at his beard, the Doctor looks to Heiger, at once seething and apologetic. "Does that answer your question?"
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Heiger seems somewhat taken aback by Karras's outburst, but one of the justices, the scarred man, replies first.
"Leave your moralizing at the door, Doctor Karras." the judge growls. "The integrity of the justices and of Prosecutor Heiger is above question. Continue speaking like that and I might find you in contempt," he finishes icily.
Heiger, having regained his composure, stands with his arms behind his back, facing Karras. "Vieland stands in awe for your selfless defense of the Beast, doctor," the prosecutor continues, his voice heavy with practiced sincerity. "While searching the island, you mentioned a number of things uncovered: grave robbers tools, empty graves, a used phial. It's all quite fascinating, were this a trial for grave robbers. I didn't hear you mention anything that goes against our eye witness testimony. Did you find anything on the island that isn't circumstantial?"
Karras sat, growing red in the face, as the justice dressed him down, and Heiger continued his examination. Then, he sat some more, in silence, the seconds ticking by.
Ustalav used decorum well. The intention was to impose some order, some semblance of civility upon its peoples so as to present them with a sense of safety, of normalcy. But the foundation of the society that this decorum was draped over, it was rotten from the ground up, Ustalav's decorum no more than a veil. A useful one, and a fanciful one in some ways - the word gothic originated in Ustalav after all - this decorum was all that kept the country from a descent into a sort of collective madness.
But there was still a rot, underneath. That the justices and Heiger had brushed aside the Doctor's plea did not surprise him. But it did enrage him. Despite his education and well-mannered (at times) speech, the Doctor held little use for decorum.
Finally, Karras exhaled, and drew a handkerchief from his satchel, and wiped his brow as he talked.
"It gives me great relief that the integrity of the justices and the prosecutor are beyond the need for self-examination."
"The most important evidence that has been presented here today is not our findings of graverobbers or darkvision, but that of your witnesses' testimony, Prosecutor. Again, I posit that by the villager's own account, Adam cannot be the Beast the villagers described, as he has no scar or wound consistent with the attack they described. Your own evidence, presented to this court, exonerates Adam from the Morast attacks. Given the integrity of this courtroom, yourself, and the justices, I have no doubt that this will be done."
"I have no more evidence."
Aduard sits bolt upright, almost spilling his coffee as Karras talks.
Desperately he scrawls a note to Adivion.
'If P claims healed by magic, ask show simpler spell disguise.'
A few seconds later a second joins the first 'Ask test; stabbed A +m no heal = twin, ALL eye-witness dismissed. Sell as trap.'
Golems cannot be healed by cure, as they are not alive (and have SR), but need (at minimum) Make Whole. We need to block off 'maybe he was healed' as a comeback.
We also then get to argue "where is the wizard who cast it".
For the second point... This is a killer for us. Adam may heal! We need the opposition not to push the point. Hopefully if we can make it look like a poorly hidden trap they won't push it. Of course, if they take it, and he doesn't heal, then it should be categorical proof there is a second individual who (by their own witness testimony) exactly looks like Adam. Every eye-witness from then on we get to go "but how do you know it was Adam, and not the Beast?"
If they take it, and he does heal, we're sunk.
Do we know where Adam actually was during this period? A witness to his existence sure would be convenient.
An additional note is folded and handed over - this one more verbose and not so urgent.
'Intent? Why Adam take people? Graverobbers have reason.'
The whispering from the gallery grows louder as Karras reveals that Adam bears no blood caimin wound, but the prosecutor waves away the doctor's accusation. "Your Honors, curative magics exis—," he explains before being cut off by Adivion.
"Your Honors," the barrister interjects. "If the Palatinate assents, I propose a test. I have at my disposal, a blade and a healer. If she cannot erase the presence of a simple cut with a spell, then how would they propose Adam bear no scar their own witness described as 'most grievous'?"
"Ridiculous," the scarred judge replies. "You think to make this court some carnival tent?"
"We should allow it," Judge Daramid fires back. "It is unorthodox, but it goes to the root of the accusation."
The chief justice considers the proposal for a moment before nodding. "We will allow it," he says, prompting a satisfied smirk from Daramid and a scowl from the scarred man.
Glancing between the justices and Adivion, Heiger shrugs hopelessly and gestures for the test to commence.
At Adivion's request, Hector brings forth a dagger of dull black metal and holds it out for the Holy Sister to scan for any enchantments. "Adamantine," Adivion explains to the justices. "A necessity, for Adam's flesh is quite difficult to damage otherwise." When the priestess is satisfied, he approaches the Beast's cage. For his part, the Beast understands what is required of him and leans toward the bars enough that the barrister can reach through and deliver a light cut to his exposed forearm. The Beast grunts gently at the pain, but does not flinch. Red blood, alarmingly bright against his pale flesh, trickles slowly from the wound.
"Your Honors," Adivion continues. [b]"I would like to present as evidence proof that Adam cannot be healed of injuries through magical means. To assist me in this, I will call forward Ms. Esta Vyrelian, a healer skilled in techniques mundane and arcane."
As soon as the talk turns to healing, Esta squeezes her eyes shut and wrings her hands in her lap. "Please don' call me. Please don' call me," she repeats quietly to herself, though she knows it's coming. And sure enough...
"Your Honors," Adivion continues. "I would like to present as evidence proof that Adam cannot be healed of injuries through magical means. To assist me in this, I will call forward Ms. Esta Vyrelian, a healer skilled in techniques mundane and arcane."
At the sound of her name, Esta releases the breath she'd been holding and stands, nervously smoothing out her tattered skirts. "Stay here," she whispers to Oolong, then makes her way to Adivion, trembling hands clasped tightly in front of her.
Radag's eye's widen at the development, I don't like this, he mumbles, unfolding his arms as if to prepare for something that might require them free. When the beast, or Adam, barely lets out a weak grunt from the wounding, the tension in Radag's shoulders eases, but only until Esta is called. That thing better be what they think he is and not some sort of undead, he grumbles, readying to sort out Adam if he gets any ideas about harming Esta.
"Thank you, Ms. Vyrelian," Adivion says as Esta approaches. He turns to judges, blade in one hand. "First, a demonstration that she is no charlatan or illusionist."
He draws the knife across the palm of his free hand, blood immediately welling up and pattering onto the floor. The barrister grimaces, and an audible gasp erupts from the gallery. Adivion holds his wounded palm towards Esta. "If you would be so kind, my dear."\