Nicolas, Faustus, and Lya are able to learn quite a bit while conversing and observing.
Tchekua is an enthusiast of mortal history, having studied and catalogued the lengthy timelines of thousands of worlds. He is an avid archivist who understands the merits of preserving and understanding the past. The prevailing rumor of the off-world judge is that they’re a representative of the Boneyard, based on the group of psychopomps seen alighting and entering through the courthouse’s back entrance. If it’s true, the psychopomps would be especially interested in anything Hao Jin did that influenced the River of Souls (the means by which the dead reach Pharasma for their final judgment).
Tchekua has a slight bias toward those who speak in ornate ways, and he’s readily wooed by those who demonstrate sincere passion. The secretive psychopomp is a yamaraj named Zahal (yamarajes are dragon-like beings considered the strongest psychopomps) who specifically requested a position on the tribunal upon learning of it.
Anen identifies obscure names and references he overhears.
Tenth-by-Third is dogmatic even by the standard of inevitables. The scent of chaos offends the herald, whereas interacting with lawful-aligned beings sets the herald at ease. Some bystanders believe that the yamaraj Zahal may be serving as one of the other judges. A yamaraj is an extremely powerful dragon-like psychopomp that operates one of the Boneyard’s courts to determine souls’ fates. Any psychopomp judge would take offense at any interference in the River of Souls, so such a topic should be handled carefully if it’s brought up.
Faustus learns more about the tribunal’s structure.
It’s customary for the tribunal’s subject to have legal representation, both to assist her and any witnesses, but nobody knows who is serving as Hao Jin’s counsel (if anyone). Her case might suffer if she chooses to represent herself.
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Faustus asks to meet with Hao Jin, after relaying what he knows to the team. He invites Lya to come with, to be the sorceress's legal team.
"Hao Jin," he begins, "Have you given any consideration to your legal defense? I would like to offer my services, as well as those of my team mate, as your legal team. I am well versed in the practice of Law, as would be befitting one of my background."
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"One of her likely judges is Tchekua, an apkallu who was part of Hao Jin’s first tribunal. Tchekua was fairly sympathetic to Hao Jin centuries ago and might still be. However, as this is more of a hearing than a true trial, the judges listen to any statements from the subject and those who can speak to the subject’s character, deeds, and motivations. The judges control the proceedings’ tempo, often conversing among themselves before calling on the subject or witnesses to provide additional information."
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"One of the judges is a powerful inevitable, the herald of one of their demigods. He's stubborn and inflexible, but he'd like most of you. Might be best if I keep my distance."
"The other is probably Zahal. It's a yamaraj, a psychopomp. A big judge in the courts of the Boneyard. Probably a lot less of a stick in the mud than the inevitable, but probably shouldn't mention anything about interfering in the natural order of life and death--they hate that. If we've got to, be real diplomatic about it."
He looks grimly at his surroundings.
"Format sounds surprisingly...informal. Lot of opportunity for us to make an impact. What do you think about her chances, Faustus?"
• One of the judges examines an aspect of Hao Jin’s character or actions before positing a theory.
• The judge asks if there is any witness (i.e. a PC) who can provide additional information on the matter, be that evidence, context, or other arguments.
• The selected PC makes an argument. Ideally, roleplay this interaction, but at the least have that player describe the argument’s premise and style. Discoveries in the Hao Jin Tapestry are well known among the Pathfinders, so it’s encouraged for players to incorporate their experiences with the demiplane even if that particular PC did not play those adventures.
• The judges might try to discredit the PC or ask clarifying questions.
• The PC chooses a judge and attempts a skill check that suits the argument’s content or style. In general, skills like Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and relevant Craft, Knowledge, and Profession skills are most appropriate, and irrelevant skills (e.g. using Acrobatics to argue magical theory) should have no chance of succeeding. Success indicates the PC helped influence that judge. Exceeding the DC significantly can further influence the other judges.
A PC can serve as a witness more than once, but the judges would much rather hear from all of the PCs before calling someone familiar to testify. For a group with 6 or more potential witnesses, a PC takes a cumulative penalty on the skill checks to influence judges for each subsequent time that PC testifies.
Assisting a witness typically involves asking the witness a question that helps steer the testimony or clarifies a fact.
Doing so requires a successful ? check and grants the witness a bonus on their skill check. Protecting a witness typically consists of objecting to a judge’s characterization of the witness or other attempts to discredit a PC. This requires a successful ? check, a doing so negates one modifier that increases that PC’s skill check DC. Each time the advocate PC attempts to defend a witness, this check DC increases, representing the judges’ growing exasperation.
Tenth-By-Third opens the discussion by challenging how Hao Jin created her demiplane.
“The basis of this trial is the nature of this mortal’s demiplane, which violates at least fifty-three firm principles of astral safety, in turn triggering twelve separate instances of multidimensional uncertainty and instability. Safer techniques existed by which to achieve a similar result, yet she embraced an unintuitive and untested methodology—all compounded by a sorcerous disregard for cosmic calculus.”
The herald details some of these consistencies in Hao Jin’s behavior before Zahal encourages it to get to the point— that Hao Jin’s techniques were irresponsible, that she didn’t respect arcane theory, and that her sorcerer spellcasting is too unpredictable to be trusted with demiplane creation.
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Impulsively, Anen begins speaking.
Wish I hadn't left my white linen suit back in Absalom...
"If it please the tribunal, I should like to speak on the Sorceress' use of magic in the creation of her Tapestry.
"Now, I have spent a good deal of time on her demiplane, and I believe I can speak to its nature as well as any in my Society. I must, humbly, dispute the assertion that the Sorceress was cavalier or reckless in her methods of construction. The current, regrettable status of the tapestry is not her fault--these instabilities were created when others--much less gifted, and much less astute--made alterations to the glorious weave she created. If I may first argue on the nature of the bonds she used as structure for the tapestry..."
What proceeds is an exceedingly technical, and hopefully exceedingly convincing, demonstration that the arcane theory behind the creation of the tapestry was strong.
Tchekuna nods in obvious agreement as Anen speaks, and even the other two judges seem swayed enough that neither retort.
Zahal transitions to discuss that Hao Jin behaved unethically once she did create the tapestry demiplane.
“Consider the actions that followed: she used her untouchable redoubt to abduct mortals—as many as hundreds at a time. Was there just cause? Was there consent? Or was this the callous action of a sorcerer focused on her own goals rather than aware of the bigger picture?”
The yamiraj voices further concerns tied to the demiplanes’ inhabitants, the conditions in which they lived after being kidnapped, the motivations that could possess a spellcaster to behave in this way, and the way in which this is reminiscent of a night hag poaching spirits from the River of Souls.
Zahal then asks, ”Does anyone have anything to say on this matter?”
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Lya will step forward, directing her testimony directly towards Zahal.
"On the Material Plane, there is a planet called Golarion. This planet has been subjected to many calamitous events... the Worldwound, Earthfall, the Pit of Gormux opening, the birth of Tar-Baphon. Countless lives lost, and untold civilizations great and small lost to forgotten history. Would it have been better to leave these sentient beings to the whims of time on Golarion?
Or did those civilizations deserve a chance for a different fate? The Dwarves of Naldak's Point, who surely would have been wiped out by the Winter Witches of Irrisen, voluntarily chose to remove themselves to the Hao Jin Tapestry. I read Vargrim's journal, I held his Gladdringgoch! Hao Jin did not force them like a thief in the night, she offered aid that they may survive!
I speak not of hypotheticals, nor of third-hand knowledge of the Society's Chronicles... Shelyn as my witness, I was there!"
Zahal, as well as the other two judges, are left completely speechless at Lya’s impassioned performance!
Tchekua speaks up now, taking issue less with the abduction of people and more with the disappearance of property.
“An enduring stone structure might survive for thousands of years, its carved walls and sheltered libraries preserving the lore of lost ages for all who follow. To have such sites swiped not only steals the past from future generations, but it also robs the present people of their cultural heritage.”
Zahal finds this point curious, and Tchekua elaborates on how Hao Jin’s capturing sites for her own desires seems self-centered, may have harmed some of the creator cultures responsible for those sites, and ultimately paints Hao Jin as someone who doesn’t actually respect history.
Tchekuna then asks, ”What say you?”
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"The structure may be gone, and the people may be moved, but traditions are a powerful thing to mortals of all kinds. The stories of those who knew this world of when and now carry tales to each generation. Tales that are retold time and time again. Your argument is ultimately nullified by mortal factor, something beings of another plane need to remember about mortals is that our tenacity is unhindered by mere displacement."
Father Nicholas speaks highly of mortal spirit, faith, and tradition to Tchekua.
"If anything, Hao Jin did preserve these traditions and ways. As my colleague has pointed out; Golarion has had plenty of dangers that destroyed more than not just for the sake of existing."
As happened previously, none of the three judges have any retort for Father Nicholas!
Inspired by the topic of theft, Zahal brings up Hao Jin’s interference with souls. “Ah yes, and let us not forget what drew me to these proceedings in the first place: Hao Jin’s interference with the River of Souls. In recent years, her demiplane has captured souls bound for Pharasma’s judgment. And as I need not remind anyone, stealing souls is, ah…” Zahal leans down, taps her snout, and rumbles the last part of her sentence to convey its severity. “…deeply frowned upon.” Then with a smirk, she adds, “Unless this is what defines cosmic law these days?”
Tchekua and Tenth-By-Third loudly protest the psychopomp’s taunt before she laughingly apologizes and returns to the point at hand. In a more serious tone, she elaborates that Hao Jin purposefully siphoned souls to fuel her project, and that makes Zahal very unsympathetic.
Zahal then says, ”Surely none of you can dispute this?”
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"None of us are Shirley, but I believe that I can dispute it, your honor." Grisaia smiles as she steps forward to the stand. "You are right to question the methodology of the Ruby Phoenix in this case, as the use of souls as magical fuel is a grave violation of both the victims inviolate rights and the cycle of judgement. However, the technique employed does not involve the destruction of the soul, nor even enough for the souls involved to notice. It could be likened to the shearing of sheep for wool or perhaps even collecting finger nail clippings." The halforc raises one hand to display manicured nails, little worse for wear given the party's adventures in Axis.
"The trapped souls are the more serious concern and in this I submit to the court that the Ruby Phoenix is innocent of complicity in that circumstance. The tapestry was not designed to entrap the spirits of its denizens and were it working properly those souls would be returning to the river naturally. The metaphysical lines of the tapestry have become a net at the head of the tributary in Hao Jin's absence, not at her behest."
Tchekuna and Tenth-By-Third grumble half-heartedly but have no real substance to their rebuttal.
Inspired by the talk of recklessness, Tenth-By-Third expounds on Hao Jin’s irresponsibility. “Mortals are fallible, naturally erring from cosmic law and planar constants. The accused has a record of recklessness, and it is clear that she would revert to such reckless behavior again if permitted the freedom to experiment again. Can even centuries of self-reflection overcome a creature’s base instincts?”
This question causes the judges to argue with one another for some time. Tchekua insists that the rise of civilization is a natural outgrowth of mortals’ ability to surpass their instinct-driven ancestors and attain limitless levels of higher reasoning. Zahal takes a middle ground, acknowledging that societies and people may evolve, but they do so only by overcoming the staggering inertia of their current philosophies. Ultimately the judges come to a standoff on the subject and call for a witness to Hao Jin’s reckless tendencies and capacity to grow and learn.
Tenth-By-Third then looks to the Pathfinders and asks, ”What say you?”
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"Objections, You Honors." interjects Faustus on this line of questioning. "This IS a Court of Law. As such, we cannot try something merely because of something that they might do, but only what they have done.
"My client has already served centuries of penance for her acts."
He turns directly towards Tenth-By-Third. "As you just stated, the Ruby Phoenix, Hao Jin, has spent centuries in self-reflection.She has learned the faults in what she has done, and she is remorseful for the pains she has caused the denizens of her realm. But the time has come for her to prove that of her own free will, she has learned. Where before she was ignorant of Cosmic Law, she is now informed.
"This is a Court of Law. We deal in the Truth. We deal proof beyond a reasonable doubt. We do not deal in conjecture and assumption. This is the grounds of my Objections."
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"What he said."
"Faustus speaks truth, and with a Wisdom that should be expected from a higher court of Lawful beings. Logic does not determine all factors of life, however important it is. Mortals are beings of adaptation and learning, able to feel impact and decision at every given moment. Reflection allows even greater learning."
As has happened previously during the trial, all three judges seem more than satisfied with Faustus' and Father Nicholas’ response.
As the trial runs its course, Tchekua discusses the ongoing ramifications of Hao Jin’s pet project. “Even in the event that Hao Jin performed the necessary steps to create her demiplane and fill it for the sake of historic preservation, there remains the fact that she left her charges untended. Thousands of creatures across more than a dozen generations suffered in her absence as she explored the Outer Planes. Were she truly responsible, would she not have guarded and guided these people until such a time as they could chart their own destinies?”
Tchekua takes issue with any news of the tapestry demiplane’s impending collapse, considering this more the fault of Hao Jin (who was capable of intervening) than the inhabitants who lacked power or the Pathfinders who lacked perspective. Tenth-By-Third cares little for societies determining their own fates, but the talk of defaulting on responsibility riles the herald anew.
Tchekuna once again looks to the Pathfinders with an expectant gaze.
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Lya takes a moment to look shocked, and glance at Faustus and Hao Jin...
Looking back to Tchekua, she begins "In the cosmos, law is the ideal... Likewise in this situation, there is no one answer. How you interpret it reflects your identity as the judge.
The words of Eleven-Sun-Truth here.
If she is to be held to the standard of guilt by absence... were you not a judge who agreed to her voluntary exile her on Axis? If she is held criminally negligent, are you not equally guilty by enforcing her absense?"
She takes a deep breath as she lets her words set in.
"These accusations seem not based in facts and written law, but in hypotheticals. If such an accusation had merit, would not the court of Axis have enforced such an expectation? How can a... how did their honor Tenth-by-Third put it?... fallible mortal accused of recklessness have been expected to return and act as guardian and benefactor if even this court did not see fit to impose that as her punishment?"
Lya’s impassioned performance leaves all three judges speechless!
Afterwards, the judges confirm with each other that none of them have further questions, and they call a brief recess before reconvening to issue their verdicts.
All three judges come forward after the recess to state that they’ve ruled in Hao Jin’s favor. Axis formally drops charges against Hao Jin, recognizes her past several centuries of service, and encourages her to travel and create freely (albeit with a better understanding of how to do so safely).
After the trial, Eleven-Sun-Truth congratulates the Pathfinders on their work with Hao Jin and assistance in the trial. Once the Pathfinders are ready to depart Axis, Eleven-Sun-Truth hails them a conveyance to take them back to the gatehouse for transport back to Absalom.
Hao Jin at first expresses stoic gratitude before her relief cracks the facade and she smiles warmly. She thanks the Pathfinders for their help and agrees to help the Society directly by performing the transposition ritual herself. However, she warns that even with her magical mastery, performing the ritual will cause the demiplane to unravel dangerously within hours—there’s only one chance to get things right. She further speculates that after the demiplane finishes tearing itself apart, its built-in processes should slowly begin stitching it back together, so there’s the possibility that the tapestry demiplane could restore itself within the Pathfinders’ lifetimes—and when it does, she bequeaths it to the Society. Once the Pathfinders are ready to leave, Hao Jin can send them back to Absalom herself, though she prefers not making a reappearance on Golarion just yet.
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"Prithee, Goodman Sun-Truth, a final trifling matter ere we depart: Today art a most frabjuous day indeed, for we have Saved The Stories of not only an entire realm wholecloth, but also that of the great and mighty Artist who wove it. Your succor in this matter hath been impeccable, and I was wondering if thee would be willing to remember a name, howe'er small it may be in the Grand Scheme of things: 'The Sovereign Court'. We could use a wight like thee on the Outside...."