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Zed slowly rises, methodically approaching the stand. He is sure there are a number of townspeople with an entirely new view of him after the events of last night, but if he seems bothered by that or by the reaction to his companion's testimonies, it doesn't show. Zed comes behind the stand and pauses there for a moment. He slowly turns his head over the entire crowd and takes a deep breath, as if he was a channel for all the tension and frustration in the room and is trying to calm down. Then he starts.
"As part of our investigation we went to the chymic works of Volkstag and Grine, the alchemical factory on the southern river. We were greeted at the door by Grine, who was wearing an unholy symbol of Norgorber around his neck. The god of poison and murder." Zed pauses to let the murmurs settle. "He invited us inside, only to trap and attempt to kill us. We were attacked by a flesh golem in the form of a canine. An abomination, an amalgation of corpses stitched together and artifically given life." Zed gives another pause, paitently waiting for silence.
"We destroyed the creature and continues further into the factory. The main manufacturing room had a dozen people in it, badly deformed and misshapen by the terrible working conditions. At this point Grine forced them to attack us. They were terrified and did not want to attack us, as our psychic can attest to." Zed says with an indictation to Constantin, referencing when he scanned their minds.
"We pushed on, and then found Volkstag. A skinless monstrosity, making the flesh golem at the entrance seem like a fairy tale. A skin stealer, a type of fey bent on destruction and gruesome murder. Creatures very adept at performing complex assassinations and spy work." Zed's implication with this comment is clear. "Such a creature can take the skin of its victims, dressing itself up in their semblence and passing unnoticed. You wouldn't know if one was sitting right next to you." Zed gives another pause to wait for calm.
"Also of note is what each of the 'owners' said in their final moments. Grine made a final praise to "Father Skinsaw", the most brutal and monstrous interpretation of Norgorber's holy texts. Vorkstag said "That beast will burn regardless"." Zed leans forward. "If that doesn't sound like a plot to frame Bland, I don't know what is."
"On their corpses we found disguise kits, various malicious poisons, thieves' tools; all of the equipment necessary to pull off such a plot." Another pause for silence, Zed looking quietly across the room. "In Grine's office he had a preserved human head, as well as dozens of books on anatomy and surgery. Also there was a ledger detailing "customers" who have purchased stolen cadavers and anatomical parts from Vorkstag and Grine. Many local doctors and scholars, but also Doctor Brada of Sanctuary." Another pause as the accusation falls. "He also had a cabinet full of skins and masks made from a variety of human creatures. No doubt the wardrobe of Vorkstag. One of the skins was for the guise of an 8 foot tall mongrelman, made of flesh fur and scales, covered with fungal boils, and bearing a large bite on the shoulder." He says pointedly.
"And then we moved into the final rooms." Zed says quietly. He gives extra pause now, letting the room fall into expectant silence and letting the gazes fall on him.
"During one of my previous testimonies I tried to present myself as an expert witness. Perhaps that was a mistake; at the very least I did not go through the proper channels to make that claim. For that I apologize." Zed gives a deferential nod to the judge, going back to the crowd. "So today I stand before you and speak as a person. As a person who has spent more than a century hunting down the enemies of the Pharasman church, embroiled in the darkest plots with the most twisted individuals and most heinous crimes. Grave robbers. Desecraters. Murderers of unborn children." He lets the last crime hang heavy in the air for a moment.
"Some would call me jaded. Others call me inhuman."
"The truth is that at some point you have to distance yourself from the work to preserve your own sanity."
Zed pauses, then reaches up with a shaking hand to remove his tinted spectacles. Behind it are his unnerving ghastly white eyes, but also something else. The anger, sorrow, and pain akin to a father speaking of his murdered daughter. The king of quiet maelstrom that is contained but threatens to rip the man apart from the inside out. He speaks, his voice cracking for the briefest of moments.
"But sometimes what you see is so horrific that you can't."
"A room full of murky water containing thirty-six cadavers. Mothers, fathers, children. Floating to be preserved for the darkest work, their corpses nothing more than raw materials to Vorkstag and Grine. In there another ledger, buyers lined up in Caliphas as if they were just trading goods."
"Death was just a commodity to them."
"I hope Pharasma has no mercy on their souls."
Zed moves out from behind the stand, going back to his spot to sit, taking another deep breath.
Zed's delivery is methodical and monotonous. He relays facts, devoid of emotion, deliberately so - because none here know what it is to be labelled 'monster' better than he.
And yet despite his delivery, or perhaps because of it, the gathered crowd falls into silence and hang on his every word.
It is only at the end as he draws his testimony to a close that emotion creeps into his voice and he has to fight to keep a check on the well of grief and anger and pity that floods up inside him.
Karl's hand covers his mouth as Zed speaks of the relationship between Brada and the twisted alchemists and as Zed finishes, the court quieter than it had been in three days, the blind doctor stands and shouts;
No! You're wrong! Dr Brada was a good man, he was helping people. I saw it... with my own eyes... he says, voice trailing off and choking in his throat as his shaking hand reaches up to wipe away tears that fall from sightless eyes.
His sudden outburst smashes the silence like a hammer to a pane of glass and you notice even Prosecutor Heigl jumps slightly as he is startled by the vehemence of it.
Chief Justice Khard turns to the Court Guard and says, not unkindly;
Please remove the witness from the court.
The heavily armoured man nods in compliance and takes Karl by the arm, leading him from the proceedings where his choked sobs fall out of earshot.
Constantin rubs his eyes and folds his hands, waiting for the signal of the next phase of testimony. He seems to be ordering his thoughts.
After Zed's impressive turn, the crowd shifts uneasily, awaiting the next testimony
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Constantin stands again, looking thoughtful. Once more he takes in the mood of the crowd.
(DC 15 + Hit Dice of target, in this case the judge)
"We've heard much about the crimes that this creature is alleged to have committed, and about how there are many mysteries about who really was at work," he starts. "About a skin-stealing monster that had the bite of a cayman on its shoulder, that in the dark could easily be taken for the defendant. About grave-robbers and hidden cultists. It all seems like giant conspiratorial theories."
"This raises the question:" he says, holding up one finger, "of who is behind all of this. Really behind it. The defendant was made, created, no doubt, put together by stitches and sorcery. We still do not know who made him, or why."
"So we must ask ourselves, if a skilled sorcerer made the defendant, presumably he had some purpose for doing so... why make such a creature, just to release him into the world as a tabula rasa? Why expend the enormous effort and resources to complete such a task unless there is a goal in mind?"
Constantin closes his eyes and shakes his head ruefully, then looks back up at the jurors. "Well, that is speculation, but I submit that no rational mind would undertake such a project only to cast it aside in this fashion. So either the creator is not motivated by reason, which means there is a dangerously powerful sorcerer somewhere who is irrational, or else he has some goal to which we are not yet privy."
"We have heard the defendant speak of episodes of missing time - of blackness, losing awareness, hearing a voice speak to him inside of his mind. Could it be that his creator is still influencing him? Using him to do things for some unknown purpose? Yes, your Honor, that is speculation... but what is not speculation is that it is possible to send thoughts into another's mind. For someone able to create life itself in this form, perhaps that is trivial. And we also know that people can be controlled in this way by external forces. A sorcerer might say that the Law of Contagion means that a connection exists between the creator and his or her creation."
He holds up a hand to forestall the opposition. "I already know the objection to this - how can we prove that someone else has forced the defendant to commit some act? Is such a thing even possible? One would think that no good man could be compelled by an outside force to do evil..."
His eyes sparkle and he says, "Like the sheriff of Ravengro, a small town not far from here, who was himself possessed by an evil spirit and compelled to murder the very people he had sworn to protect."
"I submit, your Honor, that we have not established that, even if the defendant committed some of the acts of which he is accused, that he is responsible for them. And I further submit that if this is the result of some malicious sorcery using him for malign ends, then the real pursuit of justice, the true calling of protecting the community, cries out to find the defendant's creator, to know his motives, and to be sure that he or she cannot impose any further violence upon this community, whether in person, by magic, or by proxy."
(add +2 if the Read Aura check was successful)
Justice Kasp Aldaar makes several notes in his journal as Constantin speaks but his face, like the other Justices, is totally inscrutable.
But the crowd's silence after Zed's testimony is maintained through Constantin's.
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As the time comes to close preceedings, Prosecutor Heigl stands and paces back and forth before the Justices.
May it please your Honors. he says. I can conceive not only of no more important duty that may fall upon the shoulders of justices of Lozerai county, but also no more trying duty than you have been performing for the past long days.
We are in a unique position here. Unlike any encountered in the history of Law in Ustalav with a creature on trial that would traditionally be seen as monster. We have seen that it is unique, of that there is no doubt. But t's uniqueness also means we must treat as any other accused party that walks through those doors. So I ask you to look beyond this miserable creature... he gestures toward Bland. ....and look instead simply to the facts of this case.
The prosecution has presented evidence and eye-witness testimony of citizens in good standing. And the facts of that evidence has shown this creature to be a murderer and an arsonist.
And so I implore the Justices to find the verdict we all know is right and proper. That this creature, regardless of it's monstrous appearance or lineage, is guilty and should pay for it's crimes with it's life.
Thank you, the prosecution rests.
Vala sits in silence with her hands folded in her lap, gaze fixed on the floor, waiting for the proceedings to conclude. To the eyes of those near to her, she is obviously exhausted and looks more drawn and withered than she ever has before.
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Kazamir rises, walks to the center of the court, then pauses, head down for a silent moment. With a deep breath, he nods to Gustav, then to the prosecutor, and then flashes a quick, tight smile to Blând.
”May it please your Honors,” he begins, his voice carrying to the corners of the quiet court without the strain of a shout. ”The defendant before you here, this so-called Beast of Lepistadt – whom we have taken to calling, with his approval, Blând, is, as all well know accused of three crimes: The murders at Morast, the murders at Hergstag, and the arson at Karb Isle.
You have heard here how those at Morast never saw the Beast actually abduct or kill any of their number, how a Manticore nested near that village, and the bones of its victims were discovered in its nest. You have also heard testimony from the residents of Morast – that the one they thought was the beast was attacked and dragged off by a blood caiman – via a bite to the left shoulder. We have shown you that Blând bears no such mark, and that his nature does not heal such wounds as we do. We have shown you the grisly trophy recovered from the Skinstealer Vorkstag – this,” he again presents the skin, prominently displaying the bite on the shoulder, ” skin, matching the description of the ‘Beast’ that the hunters of Morast saw, and the description of the bite delivered by the caiman in the swamp. And you have heard of the surgical instruments and skins discovered – instruments traced back to Vorgkstag and Grimes. What lacked from Morast is any direct evidence of Blând’s presence, much less his involvement. The evidence, your Honors, does not support the accusation of the murders in Morast.”
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Kazamir pauses a moment, glancing back at his compatriots for encouragement.
”Your Honors, You have heard of our encounters in the ruined village of Hergstag, of the tragic, tormented shades of the slain children of that doomed town. You see here,” he gestures to Blând, ”a creature of flesh and blood, not a noisome wraith, such as the so-called Father Swarm that we met, and fought, and destroyed in Hergstag. In Hergstag, and only in Hergstag among the spots of accused crimes, Blând was indeed present – in mourning for his lost friend. You have seen for yourself that Blând does not shed tears as we do, you have seen for yourselves how this gentle giant weeps – and how it was, and can be, mistaken for malicious laughter. Blând was guilty of nothing more than poor judgment, choosing to bear the body of his friend home. You have heard, your honors, how no mark of violence was found on the victims, how locks and walls were unharmed. I ask you how such a large and powerful creature – that has shown no sign heretofore of the incorporeal and life-draining powers of the wraith – would have slain those sweet children while leaving no mark. The evidence, your Honors, does not support the accusation that Bland slew the children of Hergstag. Here, and only here, where Blând was actually present do we see no evidence of the sinister pair of Vorkstag and Grimes.”
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”May it please your Honors,” Kazamir continues, building momentum. He becomes more animated, beginning to pace the floor, one hand behind his back, the other gesturing. ” Blând is accused of setting the fires at the Sanctuary of Karb Isle. You have just heard, this very day, the grim discoveries that we made there. That Vorkgstag and Grine were present at the sanctuary, that they did Kaz’s face twists, as he contemptuously pronounces the next word, ” business together, and that the large creature that was seen was most certainly Vorkstag in his mongrelman skin. We have the testimony of the departed Doctor that the fire resulted from a lantern knocked over in a argument, and [not arson as accused. Here, where were the chymists, again, Blând was not! Your Honors, the evidence does not support the charge of arson laid upon the defendant.”
“ If I may beg the indulgence of the Court for one more moment, your Honors. I posit that, in addition to being innocent, Blând, who the world has called the Beast, is another victim here.” He pauses, letting any murmuring or protest from the crowd wash over him a moment before raising his own voice to cut through the noise. ” A victim!” he repeats in a ringing tone.
”These crimes are not new – the horrors at Morast stretch back a year. But why are we at trial now? Because the Beast – contrary to anything it has been shown to have done before – rampaged into the University, intent – not on the murder that uniformed opinion ascribes as his motive, but on theft. Immediately after, the Beast was captured, and crimes laid before its feet intent to see it burn. I submit that the party behind the theft - who I strongly suspect, but cannot prove, is the elusive M- Aubren Vrood, business associate of Vorgkstag and Grine – subtly engineered this trial to cover the trail of his theft. Who can say that it was not some whim of the Beast, when he has been burned away to ash? Why, if he was burned down thoroughly enough – such as he might be in a bonfire the size of the Punishing Man – one could not even question his bones, as one such as Mistress Cross could. I ask your Honors to note, as well, that when an active defense was, rather unexpectedly, mounted for Blând, he underwent an episode almost certainly denoting outside control – an episode for which Blând has no explanation or memory – that goaded a lynch mob into action – as if the party behind the theft was unwilling to risk an acquittal. Perhaps – likely, I think -our mysterious actor seized upon the crimes of Vorgkstag and Grine to ensure that this innocent creature was disposed of, discarded like a broken tool. “
But whatever motives lay behind them, the crimes, as we have gone to great lengths and great risk to show, can be laid at the feet of Vorkgtag and Grine, and at the sinister wraith Brother Swarm – but NOT, your Honors, at the feet of Blând, that whipers have so badly misnamed as the Beast of Lepistadt.
Thank you, your Honors.”
Kazamir concludes with a sharp, heel-clicking bow, and, without another glance, returns to his seat.
The three Justices are completely inscrutable in the face of the defence's eloquent closing arguement.
Then Court is adjourned whilst we discuss our verdict. Chief Justice Khard says as he bangs his heavy gavel.
The noise in the courthouse increases ten fold as all the onlookers begin speculating on the outcome and when exactly the burning might take place.
Gustav Kaple runs his hands through his hair, seemingly exhausted.
Well done. Kendra says breathlessly, leaning across the small rail between her and the group and reaches over to squeeze Vala's shoulder.
One way or another, it's over now Auntie.
Kendra is right. agrees Professor Derlith. Not one, not Bland nor anyone else, could have asked for a more empassioned nor skilful defence.
"Come on, aunt Vala, let's get you some warm tea," suggests Constantin, offering to help her up. "I want to check on Blând before we go, if the guards will allow it. I'll catch up with the rest of you." He puts his tophat back on and moves to intercept Gustav Kaple.
"Thank you for laying out the pieces for us, Mr. Kaple," he says. "Do you think the court would allow me to visit the defendant before going home, now that this part of the case is over? Does the defense still have the privilege of speaking with the defendant?"
Kaz nods distractedly in response to Hazel's praise, sitting very still and gazing intently at the Justices as they file out. Only when they are gone does he sag a bit, reaching into his coat pocket for a kerchief, with which he dabs his forehead a moment.
"I wish, I truly wish that I had a better sense for these Justices. I know what the evidence dictates. I just don't know if it is enough to sway them all."Kaz mutters to his friends.
Then, "I could truly use a cup of coffee...""
"Gustav, how does it work at this point? Should we wait here, or will we be summoned when the Justices are ready to deliver a verdict? Might we visit Bland while we wait?"
Gustav replies;
We can wait in the defence chambers. he stutters. They will fetch us coffee, though I keep a bottle of brandy in my desk there. he adds, looking like he needs it. Unfortunately, they won't permit us to see the defendant at this point. I don't know why, maybe they think we will help them escape if we have a sense that the verdict won't go our way. he shrugs.
But it should only be a few hours before the verdict is announced, they prefer swift justice in this city. You are free to come and go as you please but unless you have anything pressing I'd encourage you to stay here in case you miss the call to reenter court.
As if they were listening to Gustav's stuttered description of proceedings, the majority of the gathered crowd do not leave their seats, preferring to suffer the infernal heat that rises with so many gathered bodies and fan themselves uncomfortably with hats and books.
What do you intend to do after this is all over? Professor Derlith ventures to the group. I have some other high-profile work on the horizon in Caliphas, I'm sure you could be of immeasurable help. he asks hopefully.
"I'm really not sure, Professor," says Constantin. "Life has been taking all of us in strange directions lately. I don't think I'd be welcome at the university after this, and I don't really have somewhere to settle down, so a trip may be in order."
Zed sits quietly, leaned over slightly as he writes in a small but thick journal. If it was not for the scratching on the paper he would be still and silent as a grave.
Vala nods, patting Kaz's hand approvingly in the way only an old woman can as he returns to his seat after the closing argument. "Well done," she whispers.
As the judges go into recess to discuss their verdict and the group is directed toward the defense chambers, Vala shakes her head at Kendra, accepting her niece's gracious words but not believing them as far as she herself was concerned. "Thank you dear, you're too kind." When Constantin comes over, she takes his hand gratefully, offering him a wan and tired smile. "I would like some tea very much, thank you sweetheart."
The rest of the discussion outside of the defense chambers are lost on Vala as she focuses her waning strength on trying to not look as old and haggard as she feels.
"Next? I wonder. If I do decide to return to Caliphas, I shall certainly be happy to discuss your offer, Professor."
Kaz falls silent after that, gratefully accepting a cup of coffee.
Something was behind Bland's attack...And no matter the outcome of the trial, they are still out there. He smiles to himself, and lets one hand touch the holy symbol of Zohls under his shirt. Ah, Lady of Secrets, you DO so set puzzles in front of your servants...but then, there is also the unavenged murder of my friend. And the question of what was wanted with the soul of the Captain of Ravengro...No, I don't think I'll be bound for Caliphas anytime soon...
Kaz's face falls, then sets into a hard line as he waits. At various points in teh interminable wait, he returns Vala's hand-squeeze, and lays a comforting, calming hand on Hazel's forearm.
At some point he asks, "Professor Derlith - DO you know how Prosecutor Heigl came to be appointed? I know you said that you had been offered the post..?" He exchanges a hooded-eyed glance with Constantin as he waits for the answer.
Perhaps a start to finding who wanted Bland burned - maybe the Way?
Professor Derlith pours coffee for himself and for anyone else who wishes it.
Well the judicial system in this county is such that one of the Justices is responsible for assigning the prosecution and the other for the defence. The Chief Justice has power or veto over either though that is rarely necessary.
There no shortage of capable solicitors hoping to prosecute the case, but I suppose after I declined the offer, Heigl was chosen because he has a reputation as a tenacious, but fair, prosecuter. Some of his tactics were... Opportunistic.... But Id expect nothing less from a capable and experienced man such as he.
Judge Darramid had a much harder time finding someone for the defence However, of all she approached, only Gustav would take the task. And a fine job you did, sir. he smiles warmly to the man who blushes bashfully
I include myself in that I am ashamed to say. Darramid did not approach me for the defence, probably knowing I would need to protect my reputation if I were to still maintain good relations with the University here.he adds, offering a wan, knowing smile to Vala
Vala looks away, her gaze falling to the floor. "Indeed."
Constantin mutters under his breath as he sometimes does.
He nods to Prosecutor Heigl and says, "I'll go put on a kettle so we can have tea along with the coffee."
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The three Justices file out like a procession into their private chambers. Bland is led away by a group of guards, this time he is wearing a makeshift straight jacket made of thick hide and no less than a dozen chains wrapped around his body.
The atmosphere in the courtroom is strained as the members of the gallery talk eagerly among themselves and Prosecutor Heigel neatly files away his papers into an expensive looking leather briefcase.
He doesn’t look across to the defence benches at any point but wears a small, smug smile on his face.
Time passes interminably slowly. The minutes crawl into hours and the afternoon draws out like a blade from a scabbard. It is late in the afternoon when you start beginning to wonder if they will come to a verdict at all, indeed Gustav seems particularly concerned with just how long things seem to be taking.
Almost at that precise moment there comes a polite knock on the door and a court official invites you to reenter the courtroom. You see that not only did most of the audience stay, but dozens more - perhaps as many as a hundred - have crammed in, standing shoulder to shoulder to hear this most anticipated verdict.
The Herald’s greatsword on the flagstone floor, making most of the onlookers jump in startled surprise. The huge oak doors behind the Justice’s benches swing open and the three enter in ceremonial fashion.
Each take their seats and hushed silence descends.
Bring in the accused. calls Justice Daramid.
Bland is once more led in and chained to the huge iron chair in the middle of court.
Chief Justice Khard runs his solemn gaze across the courtroom, as if he is taking in every face that his eye falls upon.
Over the past three days we have heard evidence both condemning and liberating this creature before us. Both councils have presented their cases with eloquence and professionalism and we are ready to deliver our verdict. The accused will stand.
Bland looks around in confusion and then, realising it is he Khard is talking about, labours to his feet.
For the first time in the trial the black-armored herald speaks, his voice a clear baritone.
In the matter of the disappearances of the people of Morast. Do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?
The three Justice’s voices rise in unison;
NOT GUILTY!
The Herald’s sword slams to the ground and he begins to speak again, despite the sudden gasp of surprise from the gallery;
In the matter of the murders of the children of Hergstag. Do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?
Once more the voices are loud and clear;
NOT GUILTY! and once again the sword descends in a clang that cuts through the now constant din.
In the matter of the burning of the Sanctuary at Karb Isle. Do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?
NOT GUILTY!
Some people in the crowd are actually weeping with joy, almost overcome. But others in the gallery are now on their feet, spewing vitriol so vile and hateful that you have almost never heard it’s like. The courtroom is like a powderkeg and some of the more brazen men start trying to force their way through until the guards push them back to their seats, hands firmly on weapon hilts.
Chief Justice Khard hammers his gavel once, twice, thrice – so hard in fact that the handle snaps in twain but nevertheless he takes to his feet and bellows above the noise.
There are many cruelties in this world but to lie and blame another for one’s crimes is the most terrible of sins. We have asked ourselves a question – who is the monster here? Is it this creature before us, with it’s broken body and hideous form, or is it we, the people of Lepistadt, with our bigotry and lies? The creature once known as the Beast of Lepistadt but now forever more as “Bland” – is
THE VERDICT IS DECLARED! roars the Herald. CLEAR THE GALLERY! he then moves to Bland and starts undoing his chains.
Throughout the verdict Prosecutor Heigl sits in stunned silence.
Simultaneously Vermundr's heart swells with pride at the positive verdict for the cursed creature that stood accused and his spine tingles with danger as the crowd rapidly leans toward becoming an angry mob again. Instinctively he positions himself between Kendra and the bulk of the audience. "Perhaps now would be a good time to leave? I think the courtyard guards can handle things from here", the big northerner warns his employer.
"Getting Kendra home is probably a good call," says Constantin. "But I'm going to stay for Bland. He's not guilty... he's free. So where does he go now? How does he survive? He can't just sleep in a bole of a tree in the swamp. The villagers know that he's here, now. He needs a place to stay and assistance learning how to fit in... and many of the people here will be very, very hard to convince. He needs time and help. He still needs someone to care."