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).
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.
The time having passed, the Pathfinders share what they have learned with eachother, as well as what they already knew but only recently recalled.
The group is gathered in the tribunal room, and once the time has arrived all are sufficiently silenced. Sitting in judgment are the apkallu Tchekua, Tenth-By-Third, a herald of the demigod Olomens (the herald is an 8-foot-diameter brass sphere inscribed with many thousands of mathematical characters that slowly swirl about their body as if driven by ocean currents), and the draconic psychopomp Zahal.
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. "Are there any who can present evidence to the contrary?"
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Esteemed gentle-beings, my name is Meylara Raven. I will be assisting the sorceress Hao Jin with her defence. My colleagues here will be providing testimony regarding the specific charges against her. She pauses for a moment, then addresses the question. Honorable Tenth-By-Third, I believe you were commenting on the techniques used in the creation of the demi-plane. Perhaps one of my colleagues can provide some additional color to her actions. Meylara turns to the group expectantly.
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Setare steps forward with a stern look on her face.
Her eyes close and she sinks into the memories of the engram that gave her strength!
”We completely u.. understand that the accused has violated many rules by crea.. creating the tapestry! At the same time I ... I stand here in front of you as a Pa.. paladin that knows that the warmth of our joint ambitions bind us all together as living beings!“
She feels anger rising! She looks at Tenth-By-Third with narrow eyes.
”And I sincerely believe tha.. that your accusations and the cosmic calculus cannot stand above the rules of life and love! The tapestry created a u.. unique environment where many so.. societies and lifeforms could prosper and some of them would have been endangered or even wiped out! I .. I know laws but to stand here and just argument with co.. cosmic calculus is enraging and makes me sad! You should go beyond such narrow views!“
Tenth-By-Third seems to consider Setare's words. The argument is not lost on it, but neither does it seem completely convinced. It looks to Zahal, who continues. “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?”
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Torean steps up to defend the sorcerer's craft. "I will not defend Hao Jin's abduction of the people to her tapestry. But her crafting of the demiplane was amazing. While in the tapestry, the people there had safe and expansive lives. They grew and even thrived within its spaces. Many didn't even know they were in a different place, so intricate was her craftsmanship. The cultures and history of these people live on in the tapestry, undaunted by the conflicts we have. They have been spared the violence of Galt, the yoke of the Chelaxian rule, and the threats of the Winter Witches. It was not a moral decision to take them, but her skill has made it into a bearable one so far."
Zahal does not seem impressed by Torean's argument, though it is at least a sound one. "So," it says, apparently content to move on.
Tchekua takes 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. What have you to say to that?”
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"Noble Tchekua" Quenly begins, speaking aloud. "I represent the ancient lorekeepers of Kyonin; and I stand before you as the Jacinth Sage of the Order of Jeweled Sages. Both these organisations, and it must be said also much of the Pathfinder Society to which we belong" - he gestures towards his comrades - "are dedicated to the preservation of history and of knowledge. And so I must agree that you are right to be concerned about the impact of Hao Jin's removal of entire structures to her tapestry.
And yet, as my esteemed colleague Dhiara the Topaz Sage would no doubt put it, History stretches out before us. It does not merely lie behind us. Each step that we take creates more history. For this reason it is important to preserve the agents of history: the people who make it. A stone is just a stone, no matter if it is carved into some beautiful shape. A library is nothing without scholars to sit and work within it.
In many cases, Hao Jin took people into her tapestry who would have been lost otherwise. Would it truly have been better to leave those people to perish, for the sake of leaving stone intact? And was it not preferable to bring their homes with them, instead of thrusting them into some alien world?
Hao Jin's work was radical, but it enabled the skein of history to continue where it would otherwise have been cut. Hao Jin enabled people to make new histories. Now, we of the Pathfinder Society seek to preserve those histories. Without Hao Jin we cannot succeed. If Hao Jin is not allowed to complete this one last task that we have come here to ask of her then it is not just innocent lives that will be lost. It is History itself."
The judges seem to find Quenly's point well stated and appropriate. Zahal follows up on a similar point. "“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?”
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Victoria looks around and supposes she may need to make a statement as witness to the trial.
Worthy Tchekua, we can only mention the chaos that will befall if action is not taken soon to correct that which unravels as we speak. You can help us put an end to the needless destruction by allowing Hao Jin to correct this flaw.
bleh
will use reroll
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
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Torean stands. "I have seen Hao Jin's memories, and I believe I have seen how she has grown. She was reluctant for us to even pursue this endeavor at risk of violating Axis' laws. She has agreed to your tribunal readily and she seeks your approval before she takes this task on, no matter the cost to those in the Tapestry. I believe she understands her earlier hubris and now she only seeks to follow the strict guides that she has learned here."
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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?"
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.
Hao Jin seems fairly peaceful through the whole situation. She doesn't particularly thank you for the assistance, but at the same time doesn't seem put out by your interventions on her behalf. Perhaps she is still absorbed in the problem with the tapestry.
The judges re-enter, and Tenth-by-Third seems ready to pronounce judgement. "We have concluded that what Hao Jin has done was done with all good intention, and while intention is not normally a factor in cases such as these, we must consider the limited scope of human understanding. While negligence is not a mitigation, the fact is that Hao Jin could not have known the calamity that her creation could cause. Though she might have had some concept of the offense this might cause to Pharasma and the Boneyard, it was not through spite or malice but out of a desire to create that she violated these principles. It is a tenet of justice that for a true crime to be committed, one must have the desire to do so, the guilty mind. We find that Hao Jin has more than served sentence for her negligence, and have strong belief that with our ruling she will not make the same mistakes again, but could be a force for balance within the planes. It is for that reason we formally drop all charges against the sorceress Hao Jin, thank her for her several centuries of service, and encourage her to go forth and create freely, although one will hope more responsibly."
The long pronouncement complete, the judges rise, as do all within the room (and hopefully yourselves as well), and make a timely departure lest they be pestered.
After the trial, Eleven-Sun-Truth congratulates the Pathfinders on their work with Hao Jin and assistance in the trial.
As for the sorceress herself, she 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 their lifetimes—and
when it does, she bequeaths it to the Society. Once the group is 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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Setare bows to the judges after their ruling.
Later you see her smiling warmly when it is clear that Hao Jin will support them.
It almost seems as if the trial and the memories of Hao Jin that washed over them gave her more confidence. Her speech seems more fluent
”Lady Hao Jin, I .. I sincerely believe that to.. together we can save those that st.. still remain within the tapestry! And I a.. am glad that you s.. see our efforts in the r.. right light! I very much ho.. hope to see you again and I w.. will not forget this t.. task and will tell my siblings about it!“
She turns to her companions.
”Thank you f.. for everything! I learned a.. a lot while observing yo.. you!“
She turns to Quenly and his dragon and bows again.
”Dear j.. jeweled sage Quenly. May our p.. paths cross again.”
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When Torean hears the ruling, he merely grunts and nods in acknowledgement. Later, he bows to Eleven Sun-Truth and thanks the entity for its help. "It's been amazing to visit Axis and if I ever return, I would hope we could see each other again."
He congratulates Hao Jin on the ruling. "Please be quick in your preparations. Those lives that have been in your tapestry's care hang in the balance."
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Quenly nods sagely as the verdict is returned and his creature relays the words of the judges to him telepathically.
'Go forth and create freely' - until they disapprove of what you create. Such rank hypocrisy! These beings are the essence of Law? They tie themselves up in sophistry and seek to impose their will on others whom they consider lesser. Hao Jin is foolish to ally herself with them and to suborn her will to theirs.
"Setare. When you are ready, you will find me at the Sanctum of the Sages. Let History be your guide."
Quenly seeks out the Ruby Phoenix. "Hao Jin, I am glad that you will be able to assist the Society. It amuses me that the Tapestry might renew itself; out of chaos comes new life. That you, the Ruby Phoenix, would nonetheless attach yourself to Law when you have been reborn from destruction and chaos multiple times is puzzling. All the more-so now that I have witnessed the conduct of those who would sit in judgement over you."
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Thank you honored judges. I hope you enjoy safe and orderly journeys back to your homes. Meylara bows to the judges as they depart.
She turns to Hao Jin. It has been an honor madam. I expect we will be hearing from you shortly regarding the disassembly of the tapestry? I look forward to it.
Once we are back in Absalom. It has been a pleasure traveling with you all. Enjoy your downtime and perhaps we shall see each other again in the future.