Shel goes to speak to the librarian who makes a cursory note as to your possession of the library before granting you permission to take it. The engram stops fighting to stay.
you return to the city proper and being your journey back to the Empty Court. Along the way you are intercepted by Eleven-Sun-Truth. There is excitment in their voice as they speak to you.
My superiors have scheduled a tribunal to review the Hao Jin case. It is set for tomorrow which leads me to believe there could be a monumental development. Also, if I have understood my superiors remarks the judges will be people of considerable influence. As you have acted as Hao Jin's advocates so far I had hoped that you may agree to attend the tribunal.
You resume your trip back to Hao Jin reuniting her with the engrams. My thanks. I will need the rest of today with these to devise the required ritual. If you will excuse me.
Hao Jin sits with the engrams reliving the memories and working on creating the ritual.
|
Pooka sits idly while Luna curls up at his feet. The two of them wait patiently, though Luna is much better at it than Pooka. The halfling runs scenarios through his mind of what this tribunal will be like, and how someone like him might even be able to help.
Will we be speaking on Hao Jin's behalf? Is this to answer for the energy siphoning she has done and all that she has done to create the tapestry? I'm not sure I have any authority on the matter, or that my opinion does, but it should be quite a sight to witness. To think of what has come from the prize from the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. he muses.
Hao Jin looks up from her work. Yes sir?
The multiverse renews itself thanks to the cycle of souls, in which souls gradually meld with the Outer Planes, are eroded by the Maelstrom, and return to the Antipode to create new souls. My demiplane did not have the benefit of new matter and energy being infused into it in the same way, so I borrowed trace amounts from those who perished on the demiplane—all in order to sustain the life-giving environment. The process ultimately didn’t impact those souls’ afterlives, though it did infuriate an olethros psychopomp who refused to accept any of my explanations. In retrospect I know that there were better techniques but I had not yet discovered them when I made the tapestry and I stand by my assessment that the demiplane was not impacting the River of Souls in any significant way.
The psychopomp reported to her superiors as she felt she should and it is among the reasons why I am here in Axis in the position I am in. As for how I know it was not impacting their afterlives, that is down to my intensive and extensive research.
It is only my word at this point. The mechanism only siphoned a negligible portion of an escaping soul's essence to fuel the demiplane’s magic; the process by which the demiplane actively trapped souls was a malfunction and never my intention.
Diplomacy or Sense Motive to learns rumors by conversing with bystanders.
Knowledge (Planes or Religion) to identify obscure names and references you overhear.
Knowledge (local) or Profession (Barrister) to learn more about the tribunal’s structure.
|
|
Pooka does his best to help. He meanders around, talking with a few of the others that are doing the same. The charming little halfling manages to get into several conversations and makes a handful of new friends very quickly. Unfortunately when he tries to ask about the hubbub around the tribunal he is met with blank stares and shoulder shrugs.
At least the others are having more luck.
"So one of the judges prefers impassioned speeches while another prefers logical arguments and is already peeved by the meddling with soul energy. This is going to be an interesting tribunal, to be sure. I am equal parts torn to want to witness and be a part of this thing with such powerful and eternal beings, and to just be back at my farm with my dogs where life is much simpler."
"So what is our end game here? We still need Hao Jin's help in repairing the tapestry. Innocent lives are at stake. If there is anything to plea for passionately, that is is. However questionable the energy source is for the tapestry, we know that thousands of creatures will die if we do nothing. Perhaps we need to make our case from two sides. One with the passion of a group trying to save the lives of thousands of creatures, and a second with the math behind the amount of energy per soul and the measureable, or lacktherof, impact on each soul. Once the creatures inside the demiplane are safe, we can determine how to safely proceed with powering the tapestry and what to do with the souls that reside in it currently."
|
Yanndu reviews all the information gathered by the group, and nods to Shel when she informs him that Tchekua has a penchant for orators displaying passion, a fact he himself did not know already. "Shel, I believe you should open with an impassioned plea for the people residing within the Tapestry, and mention that the details of Hao Jin's past achievements and mistakes will be handled later during the proceedings. Try to grab all of the judges' attention towards the fact that the most impacted beings here are the residents of the Tapestry, and that they will all be victims of a disaster if Hao Jin is not permitted to assist our world into repairing the Tapestry. Keep it simple. Don't lie and don't embellish. Tell them they will be hearing arguments in favor and against the Grand Sorceress' past actions, but that the very purposes of these proceedings, the one thing all the judges should keep in mind, is that we are trying to avert a disaster of a scope both personal and cosmic for thousands of sentient beings and souls inhabiting the Tapestry."
Yanndu pauses.
"As for the second part of the proceedings, I intend to present the facts we have uncovered in an unbiased way. I will be absolutely truthful and factual in my delivery. I believe we are dealing with beings of nigh godlike powers, and they will not be fooled with trickery and hyperbole. I will present the facts as I see them, and even point out to the limits of our current knowledge. The judges can fill the gaps. I have utmost confidence in the orderly alignment of the multiverse and its caretakers."
Yanndu looks at everyone. "I volunteer to co-represent Hao Jin in these proceedings. I believe Shel should join me in order to get through to Tchekua, as he cares less about facts and more about the big picture. If any of you have something to add or contribute, you would also be most welcomed to join and do so, but I have the firm belief at this time that, regardless of the past wisdom or lack thereof displayed by the Grand Sorceress, she should at this time be allowed to follow us to Golarion immediately to fix the Tapestry or put an end to it safely. Are we all in agreement?"
|
she should at this time be allowed to follow us to Golarion immediately to fix the Tapestry or put an end to it safely. Are we all in agreement
I do not see a reasonable alternative. To let the tapestry fail, with safely mitigating the consequencies, would be a far worse alternative and send many more prematurely to the boneyard.
You secure lodgings for the night and spend the evening doing whatever small tasks each of you choose. Come the morning Eleven-Sun-Truth escorts you through the crowd, which parts smoothly and politely to
make way. Once inside the courthouse’s expansive, three-story entry hall you are surrounded by a host of barristers, bureaucrats, scribes, and more are discussing a combination of legal theory and the upcoming trials for the day. Eleven-Sun-Truth requests that you remain in the general area while it checks in with its superiors, mentioning that the trial’s set to begin in about 2 hours.
The time comes and everyone with an interest files into the courtroom. The room quickly settles and the trial opens.
Tenth-By-Third opens the precedings.
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—
Tenth-By-Third gets back on track. Hao Jin’s techniques were irresponsible and she did not respect arcane theory. Furthermore her sorcerer spellcasting is too unpredictable to be trusted with demiplane creation.
|
|
A PC serving as Hao Jin’s counsel cannot serve as a witness but can assist during each scene by assisting the witness PC or protecting that PC from the judge’s inquiries. Each of these requires a Profession (barrister) check, and an untrained PC can use any of the following in place of Profession (barrister): the highest of their Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma modifiers; or a modifier equal to their ranks in Diplomacy, Knowledge (local), or Sense Motive, whichever is highest. Assisting a witness typically involves asking the witness a question that helps steer the testimony or clarifies a fact.
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—
Tenth-By-Third gets back on track. Hao Jin’s techniques were irresponsible and she did not respect arcane theory. Furthermore her sorcerer spellcasting is too unpredictable to be trusted with demiplane creation.
Ograk quietly confers with his fellow pathfinders
It seems to me that the feat has not been replicated, before or since, so 'arcane theory' seems like a poor argument. She seems to be one of the most powerful mages Golarion has known, and the demiplane's existance alone, carved out of existing places, is testiment to that. Were she unable, she would not be sitting here in the tribunal!
|
Rallas nods his head as Ograk leads the defense of Hao Jin. He watches the judges reactions as his colleague speaks to gauge their reactions.
|
|
The testimony of Tenth by third dances a bit on Pooka's strings of patience, but he contains himself. Feels a bit like you are cherry picking the strictest interpretation of laws to suit your case here, don't you think? Just because a safer measure existed doesn't mean one is required to use it. At one point, those untested techniques would have been considered unsafe because they were unknown. Also, Tenth by Third, your personal bias against the chaos of sorcery is showing a bit here...
"Indeed, Pooka speaks up to assist his fellow pathfinder, "You mention these other methods as if they also weren't at one time deemed unsafe. Who is it that deems certain methods safe, and others unsafe? Were the other, safer methods available to Hao Jin at the time of the creation of the demi-plane? Your assertion that her sorcerous methods are too unpredictable is completely immaterial to this proceeding, and you only accuse her of it because it makes you uncomfortable. The facts are that despite how unpredictable you think it is, she succeeded in creating a demi-plane that has been stable for decades. Long enough that generations of inhabitants know nothing aside from their existence within the plane."
|
|
Yanndu experiences months of Hao Jin’s careful study of the tapestry weaver, and feel the mental weight of innumerable calculations as Hao Jin plans her own magnificent tapestry.
Ograk tries a simple opening statement,You argue there are safer techniques, but were these known to mortals at that time? Hao Jin remains one of the most powerful mortal mages to ever exist, and was so at the time of the creation of the tapestry. She acknowledges the short comings of the technique and wants to restore balance by fixing these mistakes, and has the technical acumen as one of the most powerful mages ever to do so. I am aware of no other demiplane in existance made from existing locations on the material plane, nor capable of even capable of devising such a powerful arcane ritual, nor can I name another mage who I'd rather have try this ritual. Months of careful study, and innumerable calculations went into this arcane feat. Were she unable, her deads would not have here in front of the tribunal!
Ograk makes a spirited argument and Tenth-by-Third seems to be swayed by Ograk's words. Both Tchekua and Zahal also seems to be swayed.
Zahal speaks next. 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.
|
|
Rallas tells the others of his observations and thoughts.
We must base our defense like a trident...three points. The judges all have different biases or tendencies. I am going to try to focus on each as I present a case. he says as he moves forth and straightens himself before the assembled judges.
It is a rare honour to be able to talk to a gathering of judges such as yourself. For those that do not know me, I am Rallas Linnderil. I am here to advocate for Hao Jin, and by default, the Tapestry. I know that the Tapestry has caused a few...issues. The causes are beyond my ken. But would it not stand to reason to study the Tapestry a bit more to see if there is something there that can be improved upon or even perfected? To judge someone who has devoted so much to a singular cause be fair? There was no malicious intent. And the Tapestry has become home to many beings in the meantime. I have seen the good in these inhabitants firsthand. I myself have gone into the Tapestry to help them with their plights. And should we not also abide by the old adage....let those that have done no wrong be the one that casts the first stone? he says looking towards Tchekua.
And I can appreciate the disturbance it has caused regarding the River of Souls. I am not a very religious man, but I would think that the Lady of the Graves wouldn't mind if some of those that are destined to meet her in the next world be delayed a bit by staying alive, would she? If not, she isn't the most gracious diety, is she? the elf says as he moves in front of Zahal.
Tchekua looks gravely at Rallas. Such attempts to deceive me will not succeed. Now what of these people abducted?
Zahal simply nods at Rallas.
|
|
Ograk makes sure his holy symbol of Pharsama faces Zahal as he addresses the judges.
The peoples moved into the tapestry were indeed moved without their consent, but this has created a living history. These civilizations, which otherwise might not exist today, have flourished in their new environment. It is impossible to know what may have happened without the creation of the tapestry, but what we can say, is that these are thriving living people today, who owe their present existance to Hao Jin's creation of the tapestry, and if we do not allow Hao Jin to intervene, there is grave danger to their current lives.
Ograk again makes an argument that seems to have some resonance with the tribunal.
Tchekua continues 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.