The group are kept in the defense chamber until just before it's time for the trial to commence. At 10:00 AM precisely The Trial of the Beast begins. 9 guards lead the Beast into the court, the giant creature freshly dressed in the long, shapeless robe that does nothing to hide his hideous form. The crowd immediately start baying and jeering, roaring abuse and promises of death in flames. Every insult hits Bland like a hammer and he visibly winces at the sound of each. He does not resist whilst he is shackled into the large iron chair in the center of the courtroom as the jeers continue. He looks around and sees nothing but hate-filled faces.
Chief Justice Ambrose Khard, a tall and imposing human man in his late sixties, commences proceedings by laying out the rules of the court in a lengthy speech, interspersed with gong strikes by the Herald. Khard concludes his speech by announcing that the good people of Lepidstadt have suffered many acts of terror and barbarity over the years but he would remind the gathered throngs in the gallery that he will not allow his court to become a circus.
During the opening statements Prosecutor Otto Heiger outlines his case. He alleges that the Beast is responsible for the murder of 10 people in the village of Morast a year ago, in addition to two other horrendous crimes that will be described as the trial continues. He concludes;
The prosecution will outline that the creature you see before you, is huge in stature but greater in evil. This murderer, destroyer and killer of children has affected all the lives of the good people of Lepistadt but now finally justice can be done.
Barrister Gustav Kaple then introduces his case for the Beast’s innocence, a halfhearted attempt full of stutters and awkward pauses, all the while being jeered and booed by the baying mob in the gallery. He offers a distraught glance at the members of the party in attendance.
Then it's time for the prosecution to call witnesses. Otto first brings three locals from Morast, two young women and a man, to the stand. The trio describes events as they saw them happen — that over a series of nights, the Beast came to the village and took people away; that a trap was finally laid for the Beast; that the Beast was driven into the swamp, and, they assumed, killed. Otto then calls the village elder, Lazne, who led the mob that drove the Beast off. He confirms the events related by the other three villagers.
Next it's the defense's turn to present their case...
Kendra and Professor Derlith sit in the lower gallery and the latter gives you a reassuring nod as you take the stand
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Vala stands, taking her place before the other defendants and turns to nod respectfully to the prosecutor. "Thank you, Mister Heiger." She then turns to the judges and offers a stately half bow, "And your assembled honors, thank you for the collective wisdom you bring to these proceedings. Prosecutor Heiger is right, after all. The good people of Leipstadt, Morast, and the surrounding lands have lived under the shadow of fear for a long time and they deserve peace and justice for what they have suffered. Mister Heiger is wrong though, to attribute these events to the defendant, the so-called 'Beast of Leipstadt'. As for the matter of the murders and disappearances in Morast a year past, we have found a number of truths that should serve to exonerate the defendant as being the force responsible for the tragedies that befell those good and hardy people."
She pauses for a moment before continuing, "It has fallen to me to present the most grisly thing we found at the site and if any of you are easily sickened I would advise you turn away." She then gestures for the mask-like flesh of a dead person's face to be brought forth. "Here we have the flayed skin of a person, perfectly sliced and delicately harvested from someone's face, removed whole and intact with the skill and finesse of a practiced surgeon. It is a grim and grisly trophy, left behind and preserved for all this time."
Vala then gestures to the Beast. "And I give to you the defendant. Towering in stature and an imposing figure, as Mister Heiger correctly says. But I ask you now to pay special attention to the defendant's hands. Large, meaty, twisted and muscled, they are not instruments of precision, fit for the delicate work that could produce this macabre and ghastly display. Just the opposite, in fact. Whatever or whomever was tormenting the people of Morast was truly evil and deserves to be found out and brought to justice, but it could not have been the defendant."
As Vala speaks, a small raven flits into the proceedings and alights on the shoulder of the Beast, its head craned at a curious and thoughtful angle as it watches and listens to the former professor give her defense. It whispers quietly to the Beast as the lady speaks,
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Zed finds himself once again needing to be in his official inquisitor outfit for a public event, as his position is a big an influence here as the evidence. However he did take the time to clean all the mud, grime, and blood off of everything before he showed up.
As the beast is led in, Zed watches with a disturbed sense of amusement at the spectacle. If that creature was half of what they said of him, he would break free of those miserable shackles and go on a killing spree. There's nothing holding him there.
Zed listens in silence to Vala give her testimony. A flawless combination of the friendly grandmother and the fierce woman. He starts getting lost in thought about the intricacies of societal interactions of shorter-lived races.
Zed waits until he is formally called to the stand and quietly makes his way there, gliding over the floor. There will be no hiding who I am now. But duty comes before ease of living. That is the way of things. He pale inquisitor politely inclines his head to Chief Justice Ambrose Khard, then finds his seat.
"Thank you, Chief Justice, and the court, for having me here today. When I was brought onto this task, I came into it with full skepticism. Perhaps the beast was an innocent victim of misunderstanding. Perhaps he was everything the rumors made him out to be. Perhaps, like most of us here, he is neither an angel or a demon, and has both good and evil in him." Zed pauses as he sweeps over the crowd with his piercing, white-eyed gaze. "I am an inquisitor of the church of Pharasma, and in my sacred burdens I have had to make very hard decisions that still keep me up at night." And have done things in the dark that no mortal should have to do, but it allows you all to sleep soundly and night.
"What I'm saying is that I am unbiased. I was brought into this to find evidence of the beast's innocence, but my entire time spent here has been looking for simply evidence. If what we would find would convict the beast, then let the justice system come down upon him full force." Zed's eyes flick to the punishing man outside, then back to the people. "But if somebody is accused of a crime, they must get their fair trial. Unbiased, blind, fair. I'm sure that if any one of you were sitting in the defendant's seat you would want to make sure the justice system found you innocent until proven guilty, instead of vice-versa."
"During the very same trip, we found a desecrated burial site. There were six graves that had been robbed. You can only imagine what is being done with the bodies." He pauses and shifts. "I have seen many graves robbed and desecrated in my line of work, and have spent decades studying the means and methods of how these vile criminals commit such a heinous act. In a way, I am an expert on graverobbing because of all my experience spent chasing graverobbers. And in my professional judgement, there is no chance that the beast robbed these graves." He lets that sink in for a moment. "While most graverobbers come from the top, these ones tunneled underneath the graves to rob them from below." He gestures at the same figure and hands that Vala did. "A nimble, dexterous, and intuitive feat. Three qualities that, if I may be blunt, the defendant does not possess. One can imagine if a hulking brute were to graverob, he would simply dig down and rip out what he needed. Not create tunnels too small for himself over a long course of time to collapse the graves from underneath. There is no possible way that the defendant committed this crime."
Just as Zed finishes his reasoned argument, Prosecutor Heigel stands, straight as an arrow.
Objection, my Justice. On the grounds of relevance and conjecture.
Otto Heigel wears a closely trimmed blonde beard and flaxen hair just beginning to turn white at the temples, probably placing him as Ulfen by descent. He pushes his thin-framed round spectacles up his nose and pulls at the sleeves of his immaculately tailored suit. He is striking more than handsome and his blue eyes stare piercingly across the courtroom at the dhampir.
Mr.... he leafs idly through a stack of papers on his bench, likely more for show than necessity, ...Oolmon...? Ulmin is it?... claims to have investigated the boneyard at Morast. But what has he found? Some graves bereft of their occupants? What does that have to do with this trial save perhaps to suggest that the Beast... he points an accusing finger at the creature who flinches under his gaze, ...found an easier means of gathering his prey. And this mysterious assailant that removes the faces of his victims presented by Ms Cross. Who is to say the Beast is capable of such villainy as we have yet, thankfully, not seen. Or has this mystery man that recovers trophies from his victims simply been conjured out of thin air?
My esteemed colleague talks of evidence and yet so far they have spoken only of evidence that is wholly irrelevant to the charges levelled at this creature. Faces and graves! We are here to discuss the murders and disappearances witnessed by this village Elder; he points to Lazne, still in the witness box awaiting cross examination, who in good standing has described to this court that he and his fellows bravely chased away the Beast of Lepistadt before it could claim more victims.
Prosecutor Heigel's impassioned objection is met with shouts of acknowledgement from the gathered crowd.
Chief Justice Khard looks briefly to his two other Judges, Darramid and Aldaar before speaking, slowly and deliberately, instantly hushing the audience;
I will allow it for now, Prosecutor, but if the Defense a point related to these crimes they had better arrive at it quickly.
Vermundr follows alongside Hazel as the pair walk Leipstadt's streets.
"This mark is distinctive but this city is very large. Finding its maker could take days or weeks - time I don't believe we have. What's your plan?"
Professor Derlith leans forward in his seat, fingers steepled beneath his chin as if breathlessly awaiting whatever comes next.
He is a showman as well as a lawyer. he whispers, loud enough that Kazamir can hear sitting just feet away but careful lest he is seen or overheard in speaking with the defence. Vala and Zed had started to make the crowd unsure, you can sense it from here. But now he is looking to snatch back the initiative. Good luck, Mr Rhuul.
The nobleman gives the investigator a short, reassuring nod whilst Kendra has to practically sit on her hands to prevent herself chewing her nails, the tension is so thick in court.
"Thank you, your honor. Please believe me when I say that we are not trying to misdirect or obfuscate things. Rather, we are demonstrating the nature of the one responsible for the events in Morast. If we are given the chance to present the remainder of our evidence without such interruption," she turns to Heigel at this and arches her eyebrows in a rather teacherly fashion, "I'm sure it will be plain to all how the defendant could not have been the culprit in question." She then turns directly to Heigel and adds, "You do your profession credit, Mister Heigel. That you for pursuing your duty so heartily, but we would appreciate you showing us the same respect we gave to you during your presentments." Without waiting for him to respond, she nods and returns to her seat, patting Kaz and Constantin on their respective shoulders as she passes.
Khard looks sternly at Vala and Otto.
Both of you. Attend the stand.
Khard leans down;
I will not have my court turned into a circus. Ms Cross, I have accepted your reasoning for now - Prosecutor Heigel, your objection is noted and dismissed. But; he raises a finger between them. The crowd may bay as they wish but I will have neither party playing for their benefit. We are here for the truth, if it is a performance you wish then the theatre is down the road. You will watch your tone in this court. Both of you. Or I will hold you in contempt.
He waves you both away before saying;
Defence. Continue.
There are mutterings in the gallery at the exchange and Constantin notices the faintest ghost of smile cross Heigel's lips.
Constantnin, give me a few minutes before you post, please.
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Kazamir rises, faces the jury for a long, silent moment, then walks, calmly, to the well. He bows to each of the Justices in turn.
” Justices, my Lords and Ladies, Thank you, ” he says, quietly, hands folded neatly at his chest. Then he takes a deep breath and begins, letting his rich baritone fill the courtroom, but with steady, metered rhythm, enumerating points in a tone of dry factuality.
“That the people of Morast have suffered, there is no doubt. That a monstrosity has preyed upon them – first their dead, and then their living – evidence has shown, and there is no doubt. The only question is to the agency of their woes.
I spoke with the folk of Morast, with the brave hunter Lazne, who drove a grave threat away from his town. I walked the Boneyard of Morast, and saw the sunken, emptied graves, the boat where Mistress Vala found that hideous trophy. Yes, something stalked the people of Morast with unspeakable intent…but I offer this: It was not the Beast that stands before us here in chains. “
Familiar with the flow of a court gallery, the investigator pauses, letting the boos and shouted denials wash over him, waiting – not for silence, but for the slight dip that always accompanies a judge’s angry gaveling for order. A moment after the last rap, he resumed, raising his voice so that the judges and jury, at least, can hear him.
”IT WAS NOT THE BEAST HERE BEFORE YOU! In that same boat that housed that blasphemous harvest of flesh, “ he gestures at the face on the evidence table, “ There were other items. Among which was an alchemical extract. ” He paused, His voice sharpening from the dramatic to the precise. ”It was an extract of the spell Darkvision. ”
Kazamir clasped his hands behind his back and began a slow pace, back and forth, now doing is best to give every impression of the wise, lecturing professor. ” For those that do not number Dwarves or Halforcs among their friends, or who have spoken to those friends about the nature of their vision in the dark, In the absence of light, Darkvision grant sight – clear in detail, but bereft of color, and of a limited range – perhaps twenty yards. The extract that we found grants the same vision as that of a Dwarf, though for a limited time. So, someone or something came to the Boneyard of Morast the night that the villagers stood up to defend themselves, something that had need of sight in the dark to do whatever deed it had planned… Here, his voice had dropped slightly, his shoulders had hunched slightly, and he trailed off and let the spectators hang on a moment of silence…
Before straightening, authoritatively calling out “But it was NOT the Beast you see here before you. Your prisoner, here, is a Flesh Golem, of that there is no doubt. Those learned in arcane lore can see that with ease. Those versed in such lore also know that Flesh Golems – indeed, all Golems – already possess Darkvision, a surely as any Dwarf. Indeed, I have seen for myself that your prisoner can see in the dark.”
“I leave you with this question, then, he says, humility in his voice, ” Why would one such as your prisoner need such a thing as an extract? Or could it be that some other agent, some menace whose natural sight did NOT allow it to see in the dark, was behind the tragic losses of the people of Morast?”
Kazamir faces the Justices, holding his gaze on them for a long, silent moment, before bowing humbly and saying a quiet ”Thank you,”.
"The relevance is that the evidence suggests a different kind of person or creature is preying on the people of this town. And although many accusations have been hurled towards the beast, we have yet to see any actual evidence of him killing anybody. Simply scared people assuming that the big scary creature must be the perpetrator. The relevance is showing that something far more dexterous and intelligent is likely to blame."
"The point of me stating my experience and credentials was to dispel any notion of conjecture, but of course it is up to the court to decide if my credentials are enough to recognize me as an expert on the matter."
Through his entire response, Zed remains calm and non-confrontational. This was an environment where facts rule, and with what definitely seemed like a fair judge he had no intention of letting the prosecution rile him up.
As they come back so the others can present, Zed leans into Vala. "He's trying to elicit an emotional response from us in order to dismiss our testimony. A dirty, underhanded tactic."
Hazel and Vermundr spend a frustrating few hours wandering the city of Lepistadt. Frustrating because though every silver merchant they enter agrees on the finery of the tools, none can offer a satisfactory explanation for their use.
They are clearly balanced, intricate and in some instances pointed or razor sharp which lead some to think they could belong to the medical profession.
I don't recognise this symbol. says one such merchant. Clearly it is a maker's mark but not one I am familiar with. But then truth be told I handle mostly silverware and the occasional dining set, nothing of this quality so I expect they would fetch a pretty penny. I'll give you 100 gold for the set - cash? he asks hopefully.
"We appreciate the offer but I'm afraid this set isn't for sale", Vermundr answers the silversmith. "But if the mark isn't familiar to you perhaps it's known to one of your peers - maybe someone that uses silver for things less practical than flatware? I imagine men in your trade travel the same circles. Of course we would make sure you're paid fairly for your time", the big northerner explains with a jingling of coin.
Constantin focuses on the judge as his companions speak, his eyes eerily distant.
(DC is 20 + target's Hit Dice)
Ethos. Establish your credibility with your audience.
Then he removes his top hat, stands, and straightens his cravat. He turns to the assembled jury and says, "Ladies and gentleman, our esteemed prosecutor has pointed out the odd circumstances of some of my fellow speakers here - a church inquisitor, a private detective. He has implied that their unusual professions perhaps make them ill-suited to understand the realities of this case, of what's at stake for the people of Lepistadt."
He folds his hands in front of himself and assumes an easy, relaxed stance and says, "I am Constantin Ionescu, and I am the student of the late esteemed Professor Petros Lorrimor, formerly of the university. I studied philosophy, history, and law under him during his tenure, before he retired to Ravengro. In short, I am a scholar and I lived here for many years as a local. I understand what the community is going through, and I have the scholarly training to stand here today in front of you as an agent of the law."
"Your honor, with your permission I will ask some questions of the witness, Lazne."
When the judge acquiesces, Constantin approaches Lazne's seat and says, "You spoke with us during investigations and told us about your recent encounter. Would you please tell the people succinctly about what you saw?"
Aye you're right enough sir. But most in my circle trade in the same types of goods. Reckon they must have belonged to some kind of professional at one time. he snaps his fingers. Someone at the university is bound to know what these are, have you tried there?
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After Lazne tells his tale again, Constantin says, "So you saw a caiman bite the creature on the shoulder and drag it under. I'm sure that must've been quite a big caiman, to drag a huge beast down - but likely you've seen that quite a bit. They can get big enough to kill a man, can't they?" He seems easygoing, almost as if he's chatting with Lazne like talking to an old friend.
Logos. Use reason and logic to arrive at your conclusion.
"Goodman Lazne, which shoulder did the caiman bite down on?" asks Constantin. He gives Lazne a moment to answer, but the reality is that the answer - left, right, don't know - doesn't matter.
"Goodman Lazne, could you point out on the defendant the location of the bite wound?"
Obviously, he cannot, for no such wound exists.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Constantin says, his voice becoming stern, "No such wound exists on the defendant. Yet we know - FOR A FACT - that the defendant can carry scars. Look at his body! Look at the cuts and stitches all over him. They never healed. But there is no sign of a bite from a caiman - no scar, no mark, nothing! Clearly the defendant can carry the scars of his injuries, and just as clearly he has no scar from a caiman bite."
"Whomever or whatever the people of Morast saw near the Boneyard that night, if it was bitten and dragged off by a caiman, it certainly was not the defendant."
Constantin's tone becomes softer again. "One might ask, where did those other scars come from? Who made this person, the defendant? What strange mind pieced together flesh and gave it this form? Could it be someone with a strange interest in surgery - in unusual tools, in dug-up cadavers, and in stolen faces? But that person is not on trial at this time. We are here to settle this matter of the defendant and whether he was, in fact, the one seen as reported by this witness. And the facts are that this defendant clearly does not have the injuries consistent with the witness' report - either because the witness did not see what he thought he saw, or because the defendant was never there."
Pathos. Sway them to feel for your cause.
Constantin turns back to the jurors and says, "We live surrounded by danger; just out in the wild are monsters, spirits, wicked sorcerers, anything that can be imagined in a terrifying story. And people sometimes lose their lives to such creatures. This community - our community - is our safety. Our home. And we will defend it from the things that would steal away our loved ones in the night."
"But this poor creature has no home, no community. He was made by someone and left to fend for himself. Looking different, looking like a monster, he has drawn the suspicion that he is a monster. But this community must now face the facts: the facts are that there is sufficient evidence to draw into question whether this creature is, in fact, guilty of the crimes of which it is accused. And we must decide, as a community, whether our response to someone who is different, who is scared, who has nowhere to turn, is to offer compassion, or to offer violence."
"If you are just, you must judge whether you can condemn someone for a crime of which they may be innocent."
"If you are practical, you must recognize that convicting the wrong defendant means that the true criminal is still at large, waiting for a chance to strike again."
Constantin gestures once more to the prosecutor and says, "This man's job is simply to convince you of what you wish to believe already." Then he brings his fingers together in a gesture to underscore the fine and important nature of his point. "Our job is to convince you of the truth."
"Thank you."
He sits.
(includes +10 from the evidence bonus)
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So my buddy is an assistant district attorney in Los Angeles. Recently he had a case in which they caught a guy who had committed armed robbery, they got the gun, they lifted his prints, had a ton of evidence.
The guy decided to defend himself.
Anyway, at trial, the guy decides that the weak link is the fingerprint expert (a 15-year veteran of the job). He starts examining the prints and crossing the expert, saying "So these prints you took, they're unique?"
"That's right, everyone has a distinctive print."
"And you can tell that from just this print?"
"We have a full print, and this print is very distinctive. There's a scar across the edge of the thumb."
"Really? There's a scar there? The person whose prints these are had a scar on the edge of the thumb?"
"That's right."
"So if that person were here, you could point out that scar and everyone could see it?"
"That's right."
The guy holds out his thumb and says, "So where's the scar, if those are my prints?"
The expert looks at his thumb, points, and says, "Right there."
The guy holds up his thumb and looks at it, sees the scar on his thumb for the first time, and says "Oh."
He was convicted.
Vermundr glances at the tools again as he considers the smith's suggestion. "We haven't been to the university yet", he admits. "But I think we'll head that way next."
"For your time", he says as he drops a handful of coins in the silversmith's hand.
There is a series of mumblings and hushed conversations from the gallery which are quickly silenced by Khard's glare.
Bland looks down into his lap through the whole affair.
Heigel can be seen frantically searching through his notes but offers no objections.
The defense presents its case in the matter of Beast vs Morast. Between each round of evidence there are murmerings of discontent from the gallery and at one point whilst Kazamir is describing Bland's ability to see in the dark, he is almost quietened by a series of yells from about a dozen viewers. Khard, Darramid and Aldaar all bang their gavels simultaneously, hammering the dissent into silence.
There will be order in this court. shouts Darramid with an impressively strong voice from such a frail body.
You go ahead and burn that monster twice, Justices. That'd be just fine. You go on and burn that child-killin' monster twice! a man returns with equal voracity.
Herald. Aldaar says to the imposing, black mail clad man beside their bench. Remove that man.
The armored herald sheathes his ceremonial greatsword on his back and strides purposefully up the stairs to the gallery. He siezes the man roughly and half drags, half carries him from court.
The first day of the trial draws to a close and Chief Justice Khard's rich voice echoes in the room.
We have heard from both the prosecution and defense in this matter. This court is now in recess and will begin once more tomorrow morning. he bangs his gavel to signify the end of proceedings.
The Beast looks on in confusion, turning his head left and right as Prosecutor Heigel stacks up his papers into a case and the citizens begin to file out, once again shouting abuse and jeers at the accused.
Blan stands as four of the dozen guard begin to haul him to his feet but he calls out to Vala and Zed.
I don't understand. Did we win? What's happening? you can still hear the creature vaguely as it is led from the room.
Kendra and Jon make their way from the viewing gallery to join the defence.
You did amazingly well. says Kendra. I was so nervous for you both, the hatred in here was almost overwhelming but you were so confident!
Jon nods beside her and smiles warmly.
Truly impressive. he compliments. Kendra had told me of your heroics in Ravengro but standing here in defense of that poor creature was both brave and noble. I can see why Professor Lorrimor entrusted you with so much.
"Be easy, Bland! Kazamir calls, walking as closely as he can to the golem. There is more to come, but we haven't lost!"
"More trials are yet to come Bland. There is no need to worry, for we will reveal the truth." Whatever it is.
The raven flutters on the Beast's shoulder and echoes Kazamir's and Zed's encouragements in a quiet whisper only it can hear.
The bird then squawks at one of the guards who seems to relish a little too much the rough shove he offers the Beast before flitting off back over the judges' booths and to a nearby, shadowed perch.
As the group gathers and begins to chat quietly amongst themselves, Vala gives Constantin an approving nod. "You were the spitting image of Petros up there, Constantin. Well done."
Vermundr gives the woman at the desk a wink. "We'd appreciate any help you can give us."
Zelda buzzes jealously in the air over his shoulder.
Vala nods to Jon and Kendra, a grateful gesture and she smiles softly. "That's very kind of you both, thank you." Her eyes flit to the departing form of Heigel across the way and her smile melts away as her lips draw into a tight line. She looks back to her niece and Jon and shakes her head gently, "Today was just the start though. We've two more of these circuses to get through and further yet to travel for our investigation. We'll need more than just our wits and flowery words to see this done right, I'm afraid."
You're quite right, my lady. Jon replies. Dedication, determination and no little skill. I watched your performance quite closely and it was quite masterful. Prosector Heigel still has all the cards to play, but as long as you can rebuff them then you have every chance of summoning a sturdy defence.
Justice Daramid and I were concerned that there should be a fair hearing, but from what you have seen thus far do you truly believe Bland innocent? How extraordinary a creature it - he - is.
Goodness, I wouldn't know where to begin. says the receptionist, looking down at the open case through her horn-rimmed glasses.
Wait a moment, let me think now. she begins flipping through a ledger on her desk and rummaging in drawers.
As you wait you notice students coming here and there, young men and women - mostly human but a few elves and gnomes among them - and all seem to have one topic of conversation to discuss as they hurry past - the Trial.
The engineering department perhaps... but then even I know those aren't spanners... oh! Doctor, she calls.
The man she is calling to is a small, grey-haired man in a tweed jacket. He hears her at the second attempt and looks up, his hair sticking up at odd angles as if he has just awoken.
Yes, Harriet? he sees you then and says, Oh hello again. We met yesterday, you're Professor Lorrimor's friends. he adds with a smile. Looking to enrol? Haha. he jokes.
Vala shrugs and shakes her head, "The creature has the mind and temperament of a child. Could it be guilty of any of these things for which it is being tried? Perhaps, but if so not in any sort of willfull, deliberate sense; not from what I've seen from it so far, at least."