Yanndu outlines the historical context of the sites impacted. He also conveys details of Hao Jin's past and her interest in history as demonstrated by her research here in Axis.
Zahal takes over the precedings again. 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.
Yanndu details the argument that Hao Jin made earlier to the group. Explaining that the souls are not taken, only a small fragment utilised, in terms of the ritual and the magical theory behind it.
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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Ograk once again testifies,
I am an expert in all matters of healing that helps keep folks out of the boneyard, and that includes matters of the mind.
I have spoken to Hao Jin about these actions, and, as a skilled healer, I can testify as to what I've observed as to her state of mind. She is of sound mind, and faces this tribunal without reservation. So first, you can look at simple motives as to why. Were she not willing to change, willing to submit to reform, would she be in Axis whatsoever? Why not use her magics to fight against being here?
Clearly she chooses to be here, clearly she believes her actions need rectification. Moreover, at the start, she chose to ask for permission to enagage with us at all. She even specifically responded that she will not retrieve the engrams herself and remained here in the Empty Court in confinement while continuing my service to Axis.
You've heard skilled testimony from Yanndu as to the details of the arcane rituals, and I've perviously testified as to what I personally know of her casting ability, but I tell you this, she is one who is willing, and even trying to change.
Tchekua and Zahal seem to be swayed by Ograk's argument.
As the trial is nearing the end, 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 reservation, 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?
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Rallas' eyes light up when Tchekua mentions Hao Jin's hands off approach.
Perhaps Hao Jin did not want to impose leadership over the inhabitants of the tapestry. Would it not seem as dictatorial? Creating her own pocket kingdom> She might have thought to let them live and choose of their own free will ho they wished to be ruled, if they did. There were obstacles, but is there a settlement or state that hasn't met a few hardships? Some of these are not her fault. the elf says as he paces back and forth in front of the tribunal.
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”You can see how much Hao Jin cared for the people in the demiplane. As soon as we informed her of the problems that were detected, she jumped into action to try and correct it, even though she knew that your higher ups in Axis might not care for it. I say Hao Jin has proven how much she cares for the people, to her own detriment with this proceeding,” Shel adds.
Diplomacy
Diplomacy
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Pooka sees Shel floundering. Her argument seems sound, but something is clearly not resonating with the judges in her delivery. He tries to step in and help.
"In all of this, Hao Jin has attempted to do the right thing, as Shel is trying to convey. In the beginning, she was working to save and preserve historical sites so that they wouldn't be lost forever, and now she works to preserve the life and history again, to keep it from being lost. While her methods have not always followed every detail of cosmic law, she is here submitting herself for review so that we might not only save lives and preserve history, but do it in an acceptable way. She seeks to correct her mistakes, and that should count for very much."
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Yanndu plumbs the depths of his magical knowledge to identify whether there would indeed be other ways of regenerating demiplanes. However, he suddenly gets the idea of asking the judges themselves to verify whether they have such evidence at all or if they were only throwing hypothetical arguments unsupported by evidence...
Telepathically:
***...Pooka, please cross examine Eleven-Sun-Truth as a witness and please ask whether the powers of Axis could have intervened at the time and advised Hao Jin on safer procedures which existed at the time...this is a trial...a clear answer must be provided...***
Yanndu then begins to ponder whether the judges wish to conceal Axis' true intentions towards Hao Jin. Who is behind this trial, and what is the end goal? if this is only for the enforcement of cosmic laws, surely a preferred remedy or some kind of arcane community service towards the maintenance of the Tapestry or the relocation of its residents would have been put forward by the prosecution by now...
vs. DC20 + HD
Finally Yanndu uses his Empath powers to gauge the emotion of the last undecided judge and his attitude towards everyone in the room.
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Having heard the arguments in defense of Hao Jin the judges briefly confer with each other. We have no further questions. We will now retire to consider our decisions. You may all leave or wait as you see fit. says Tenth-by-Third.
About an hour later the three judges re-enter the room.
Each judge casts their vote with Tchekua and Tenth-by-Third deciding for Hao Jin and Zahal not convinced. However with a 2 to 1 vote Hao Jin is cleared of all charges. Furthermore Axis formally 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 you on your work with Hao Jin and assistance in the trial.
Hao Jin is next to approach you and at first she expresses stoic gratitude before her relief cracks the facade and she smiles warmly. She thanks you for your 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 your lifetimes—and when it does, she bequeaths it to the Society.
Once you are ready to leave, Hao Jin sends you back to Absalom herself, and she will follow shortly once she has her affairs in order here.