PRELUDE:
As you (Al Maffajar) enter the courtroom, it is hard not to notice that your hands are securely bound with rough and thick iron shackles. You are pretty confident that you could not break them and the chafing and slight bruises being formed are sign that you won’t be able to wriggle free.
You take your place in a small box with a podium that sits facing a raised seat with a larger podium. In that raised seat is the honorable Judge Vincent Avan, Senior Judge of Lictor Mary Cul Tricuspis and the appointed judge for this trial. He is weathered but not old, with a non-aggressive yet stern looking face and demeanor.
You look around the room and notice the jury, all 12 of them, sitting off to the side of the judge. You pick out representatives, two each, of the clans and colonies assembled. You are hoping that the mixture of ulven and colonist jury members gives you a fair verdict in the trial. The main person that sticks out to you, clad in armor and a wolf fur despite the heat, is Khulgar Graytide. The Warleader of Clan Grimward is in attendance, surely to report how the trial goes back to his Clanleader. The significance of this is not lost on you.
You take one last look behind you to see a courtroom packed completely full of onlookers. People came out to witness the trial and seem to hail from all corners of Mardrun. There are almost two hundred people backed into the courtroom pews or standing in the aisles. Almost a dozen fully armored Lions of Arnath stand resolute and vigilant, keeping security during the trial.
The judge’s voice grabs your attention as you face forward again.
“Al Maffajar of Bos Mezar. You are being charged with conducting undead research, collaborating with agents of corruption, possession of undead, the murder of members of the Brotherhood of the Long Winter and others to be used as undead vessels, and resisting arrest,” reads the judge from a scroll.
“The maximum punishment for crimes such as these are maiming, life in prison, hollowing of your magic, and/or execution. Do you intend to confess or state your defense? You may plead guilty to each charge or you may state not guilty to each charge and state your defense. This is also when you may provide evidence and proof for the court to consider. You may speak, but do not ramble on for too long.”
The judge grabs a feather quill pen and waits for you to speak.
AL MAFFAJAR:
On the charges of conducting “undead” research and of willingly being in possession of “undead” on Mardrun, I plead not guilty. The Order in this case is mistaken of the context surrounding that which you call “undeath”. The subjects of the process are properly called Transcended. Next, as is a common misconception, the transition from death back to our world is a natural process, governed by a god of death known as Khukri. It happens naturally in nature to a small percentage of individuals. We of the Bos Mezar simply found ways of increasing the probability of a transcendence event occurring. There is no guarantee that any person may be able to transcend.
Secondly, you may call our people “undead”, but that which existed in Serai was different than what those of you here from Faedrun might be familiar with. What you encountered on Faedrun had no minds, no presence of spirit or personality within their outer shell. The Transcended are different. They possess a degree of the personality they had in their first life, the simplicity of their minds is simply a testament to the primitivity of the process by which their transcendence was enhanced. In time, it is theoretically possible for the full mind of an individual to be restored to them in their second life with an improved transcendence. However, such research would take years to complete. Nevertheless, this trait of personality which the Transcended possessed was witnessed in Serai by the Order’s investigation team. When they entered our settlement, we offered them our hospitality and, after some great persuasion, they accepted and were allowed to proceed further into Serai. They requested to see one of the Transcended, a wish that we granted quickly and without hesitation. We brought forth a Transcended, who was so docile that she could be led by children and would not harm them. In her first life, she was the nanny of Al Haddad’s young son Hadir, and in her second life she was devoted to protecting the children of Serai from harm. I ask, is something so tame that a child may lead it and play with it a danger? Is it what was encountered in the Old World, which showed no quarter or mercy? I think not. The Transcended are different. They were intended to fight and defeat the corruption of the Mordok, something which as of now may no longer occur, given that they were destroyed without consideration of the character that they possessed, the gentleness and kindness that their simple minds could comprehend. They were children themselves, thrust into a strange world beyond their comprehension and then killed without mercy. They were the children I will never have, and it was a joy to see them grow, to teach and show them the wonders of the world. A world robbed from them.
On the charge of collaborating with agents of corruption, I plead not guilty, and would question from where the grounds for this charge came. The power of corruption lies within the Dirge Swamp, with the Mordok and their converted associates. The Bos Mezar have clashed with the Mordok on many occasions, the most recent and memorable being the Mordok attack on Serai which occurred during the period when the Order’s investigative detachment was present. We have also fought the Mordok in defense of Pack Longfang. Serai itself would be broken rubble because of the Mordok were it not for the Order, which I am told is defending our streets against them. I ask you to consider these two points then, in conclusion: Would it not be more indicative of collaboration if Serai were to be safe from the Mordok, instead of under direct and heavy attack? Finally, why would we endeavor so greatly to destroy something that we were supposedly collaborating with? There is no rational basis to the substance, or lack thereof, in what this accusation entails.
On the charge of murder of members of the Brotherhood of the Long Winter and others to use as “undead” vessels, I plead not guilty for the following reason: We did kill members of the Brotherhood, but what we did did not constitute murder. We killed them solely in self-defense. As is common knowledge, some time ago the Brotherhood of the Long Winter was created near our settlement, as then concealed from the continent. However, soon after, the organization fell apart, and some of their members tried to attack us in Serai, likely to steal from us. Therefore, we killed them as they tried to kill us. Some of them did make the transition from death to life, that is true, but they were not killed with the intent to preserve their lives. They were killed with the intent to preserve our lives.
On the charge of resisting arrest, I plead guilty, provisionally, primarily due to the nature of the situation that we found ourselves in at the moment of conflict. The Order had come to our settlement and upon their request, we produced one of the Transcended to be viewed, as I described earlier. Even upon the revelation of her docile and controllable nature, which at the time was no threat to them, the Order party threatened the Transcended with death and refused to listen to any more talk or reasoning. We then mobilized the Transcended as well as our forces to defend ourselves from the attack on our way of life which we knew from that moment on was inevitably coming. We fought and therefore we did resist arrest, but consider this: If a group of bandits invaded your home, took your hospitality and then threatened the life of your daughter or your son, insisting that they must die and that you would be taken to whatever place these bandits had in store, would you go along, willingly and quietly, with whatever agenda these people may have had? I would guess many of you assembled know the answer to that question. Our situation has very few differences and as such may be viewed in the same light of horror and fear that one might apply to my theoretical situation.
JUDGE:
Al-Maffajar, of Bos Mezar, your defense has been noted to the court.
To clarify and summarize your charges:
Conducting undead research, having the knowledge of undead and research pertaining to them and their creation, and actively hiding it from the rest of Mardrun and specifically our Ulven hosts.
Collaborating with agents of corruption, specifically undead vessels, the lich that was discovered and destroyed on Mardrun years ago, and the red eyed Syndar seen with and working alongside the Mordok.
Possession of undead, having them physically in your possession and actively hiding it from the rest of Mardrun and specifically our Ulven hosts.
Murder, specifically of members of the Brotherhood of the Long Winter and others to use as undead vessels, and others to expand necromantic research.
Resisting arrest, during the Inquisition to Serai, after being summoned for questioning, refusing and fighting back against the Order’s agents.
Moving on to the testimonies, you may listen to them and then state a final defense at the end, which then the jury will decide your punishment.
TESTIMONIES SUBMITTED TO THE TRIAL:
Shiloh, attending in person
Al Mafajjar is Al Haddad’s lap dog. The two are never far apart, and the man is loyal to a fault. His testimony regarding Al Haddad should be considered suspect.
Artyom, of the New Aldorian Marines, attending in person
Against the accused named thusly, Al-Mafajjar. The Marines have been informed by way of word or witness that this individual is liable to cause immense concern given their involvement with the Undead. It is in the interest of myself and several others that such adept men and women have their agendas controlled or if it is deemed ultimately necessary, ended.
Manetho, testimony delivered via letter
I who write am Manetho, a traveling healer who was for a short time student to Al Mafajjar. I have served the wounded and sick of Hazemane, Onsallas, Serai, and many others, and worked in the field alongside Al Mafajjar of Bos Mezar.
It is my belief that Al Mafajjar acted as he did for sake of knowledge rather than power or black intent. It may be that he is mad, but if so, he is sick rather than evil.
When Al Mafajjar discovered I was a Syndar who had denied my magic, he would not stop but discover how he might undo this for me. With success, he exulted and could not cease talking of what he had learned. I believe he seeks knowledge, but does not understand the danger of what he seeks nor how it may harm. That is sickness or ignorance, not vile intent.
Mardrun suffers. The war took a great toll. Now a makeshift cure for the corruption spreads, but we still know little about this monstrous disease, and there have been too many deaths already. New victims still appear daily. Should this man be found guilty, I humbly ask the court consider offering them a chance to earn clemency in the same way they erred—by seeking knowledge. Put him to work on the secrets of the corruption.
These are the testimonies spoken to the court by witnesses or those willing to speak out in regards to your charges during the trial. You will be given one final chance to defend yourself and your actions against the charges and the testimonies levied against you. Be specific but be brief; this case will be taken to a jury and your punishment and fate decided.
AL MAFFAJAR:
“Through these testimonies, I am saddened. It is clear the people of Mardrun have grown intolerant and fearful of change. Our research was misunderstood and misrepresented as some allegiance to the dark powers that stripped every colonist of their homeland. We strove to offer a chance for closure to families who lost one of their number too soon, to give them one more chance to say good-bye. We were nearly able to give fallen warriors a chance to rise once more and defend their families and their homes even from beyond the veil of death. Bos Mezar could have unlocked untold secrets and answered so many questions about the world, had our research simply not been cut short. I am truly saddened that this is the current state of things.
JUDGE:
Your final statement is given and the judge and jury listen intently.
“The court will take a recess to give the jury time to decide your sentencing. The court is now in recess.” he says plainly as he bangs his gavel on the wooden pedestal.
The jury is out for several hours and the waiting is excruciating. Then suddenly the court herald announces that the judge has returned and then the court is back in session. The jury members return from the back room and hand a piece of paper to the judge. He takes a moment to read it, his face displaying no emotion… no hint of how your fate will be decided.
“Al-Maffajar of Bos Mezar, you have had charges placed against you, a full investigation into your actions and your character, a chance to state your defense and a to hear out the testimonies of your peers and other free peoples of Mardrun.
On the charges of conducting undead research, the jury finds you guilty.
On the charges of collaborating with agents of corruption, the jury finds you not guilty.
On the charges of possession of undead, the jury finds you guilty.
On the charges of murder of members of the Brotherhood of the Long Winter and others to use as undead vessels, the jury finds you not guilty.
On the charges of resisting arrest, the jury finds you guilty.
There is a moment of silence as the gravity of the charges and decisions made hits you like a hammer. The judge scribbles down some notes on a piece of parchment, reviews the paper that was handed to him by the jury, and says nothing else for a time; the void of silence seeming to last for an eternity, framed by the hushed murmurs of the audience in the court room. The Judge speaks, finally breaking the silence.
“Al Maffajar of Bos Mezar, your testimony and statements have made it clear that you hold no remorse in your heart for your actions, nor the atrocities committed by Bos Mezar. I had hoped that the trial would bring the gravity of your situation to bear, but it would appear that I was mistaken.”
“As a leading member of Bos Mezar, you have been involved in these projects which have defiled corpses and threatened to reignite the civil war. When confronted, you fought back, rather than submitting to justice. You have made it clear that you are a danger to Mardrun and to the sanctity of life. The court does, however, recognize your talent and analytical mind, and feels that you should be offered a chance at redemption, should you decide to take it.”
“You will be hollowed, your connection to the Mana Stream severed. This will prevent you from using your magic for harm, and keep you from performing additional rituals. It will also serve as a message to those who feel they may be able to perform these acts free from consequence. In addition to this, you will be held in prison for a sentence of a minimum of two years, allowing you time to consider the weight of your actions while removed from the general populace.”
“Your trial is concluded.” ends the Judge as his gavel strikes down on the plate; the noise echoing through the courtroom.