PRELUDE:
As you (Shiloh) 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.
“Shiloh Dal-Rashid, you are being charged with conducting undead research, collaborating with agents of corruption, and willingly being in possession of undead on Mardrun.” reads the judge from a scroll.
“The maximum punishment for crimes such as these are physical punishment, moderate imprisonment, runic carvings to curb magic potential, or indentured servitude. 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.
SHILOH:
“I plead NOT GUILTY to all of these charges. Brother Oliver already has my testimony. I was part of Bos Mezar. I knew about the Undead. I was involved in the research. Each of these actions was performed under duress, as I was reasonably afraid for my life if I would have chosen not to comply.
My gods-forsaken life has been one string of abusive relationship after abusive relationship. I was thirteen when I was stolen away from my parents. I was turned into a grotesque experiment for a psychotic Syndar who thought I could make him more powerful. Then I was given to Faelyn and Anya. I was taught to be pleasing in vulgar ways, in the hopes of earning them silver. When I escaped from them, I was captured by the Pirates of New Oarsmeet. I shouldn’t need to describe the horrors I saw in that town. I managed to get away and found my way to Newhope, where I was taken in by the Ravens, who sought to use my skills as a mage and companion to be their eyes and ears in less savory areas where they would not dare show their faces. When I first visited Serai, I was attacked and fled through the Mana Stream, only to find myself surrounded by the monsters within the archive. When I was finally allowed out, long after I had thought myself dead, I was given two options: Keep the secret of Bos Mezar, or return to the archives and meet my fate. Since the day I was stolen, I have been shown that no one wants Shiloh. No one cares about Shiloh. All they want is what Shiloh can for them, as if I were a hammer or nail, or some other tool to be used and discarded.
I’m not a warrior. I’m not a hero. I’m not ready to give my life, especially by being torn limb from limb, so I joined Bos Mezar. For a year, that threat was looming over my head as I was forced to join in the research of these abominations, that if I didn’t cooperate, I would not live to see the morning. Al Haddad sought to use my knowledge of stranger magic to his benefit in his research, and my experience as a Raven to deal with nobles and other political circles. I could not openly oppose him; he had many friends across the land: if I ran, I would not make it far before the decision caught up with me. So I was forced, under the threat of death, to continue my work. I did what I could to slow the research, trying to find weaknesses that could be exploited or mix up notes to delay the process. I actively tried to persuade Baroness Catherine from granting access to the Paladin Blade to Al Haddad, in which I was actually successful, because I did not trust him to be willing to use it if the need arose, and would prefer to see such an artifact in the hands of those who oppose the undead, rather than harbor them.
When the news of the Undead finally broke to Mardrun, I saw my chance to escape my captors once again. I fled. I did, however, write my account of the events that had transpired and sent two copies of that letter: one to Oberon of the Ravens, as I knew from working with him that he would be interested in such news, and one to Brother Oliver, as I have always looked to the Order as a bastion against these abominations. Vazra, who had suggested I write the letter, was implicated in it, and as such did not receive a copy, though agreed to defend my honor and intentions if I did reveal my experiences.”
JUDGE:
Shiloh Dal-Rashid, 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.
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:
Ofrik of the Phoenix, attending in person
“We of the Phoenix believe that Shiloh was coerced into helping at Bos Mezar under threat of death. We believe that Shiloh escaped as soon as it was possible and should not be held accountable for her actions during this time. We believe that with our help, Shiloh will be able to receive much needed care and rehabilitation. What better place to receive such care as with friends on an island where she will remain until such time as the Order may deem fit. If she leaves, the Order may find her and impose such punishment as needed. We of the Phoenix look forward to working closer with the Order of Arnath’s Fist and the Order of Arnath’s Light in the future.”
When asked why the Phoenix would help in Shiloh’s punishment, and to expand on the comment…
“I believe that we only would assist in punishing Shiloh in the fact that we would be willing to keep her on the Isle until such time the Order would let her leave. But – We believe that Shiloh was forced into assisting Bos Mezar against her will and at no time were the undead her responsibility or her having ownership of them. Therefore, she should be found innocent of all charges.”
Laertes of the Phoenix, attending in person
“On behalf of Shiloh from knowledge gained, Shiloh seems intent on escaping whatever she endured in Serai at the hands of Al-Haddad and Bos Mezar, and has even approached the Phoenix with joining our commune on the Fire Isle. This one wishes that others realize that something must be at hand for Shiloh to wish a relocation so far removed from Serai.”
Anariel of the Phoenix, attending in person
“Shiloh is my friend. She has come to the Fire Isle to get away from Al Haddad and the bad people. She didn’t want to be around them. She wanted to be free, so she came to my tree house and we have been friends. She is nice to Reggie and I don’t think she has done anything wrong.”
Artyom, of the New Aldorian Marines, attending in person
“Against the accused named thusly, Shiloh Dal-Rashid of Bos Mezar. 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.”
When asked to clarify more specifically, this is in reply:
“Also, I have personally interacted with or been in the presence of Shiloh Del-Rashid. In my experiences with her, Shiloh has been known to be involved in less than civil dealings. Though I don’t know her as a friends nor have I spent significant time with her, I am less than certain of her character. However, I would like for the court to remember that like myself, individuals can be brought back to a path of virtue and be contributing members of society.”
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.
SHILOH:
As the testimonies received will either state or imply, my actions within the walls of Serai were not of my own choosing, as the alternative was death. As soon as I was able to safely do so, I fled Serai and the dark magic within, opting for the friendship and safety of the fire isle, and sent letters carrying more information to those I trusted with the confession.
As to the charge of collaborating with the red-eyed Syndar, I can only point to the singular encounter I have ever had with the twisted individual: we (those currently inhabiting the Onsallas outpost by the generosity of pack Longfang) ventured out late in the spring of May in the year 264. While out, we came across the red-eyed Syndar and his Mordok companions. I threw a number of spells at him, though his defenses were enough to render those spells useless. That was the last I’ve seen of him, and if I never again lay eyes on that monster, it will be too soon.
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.
“Shiloh Dal-Rashid, 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 court finds you not guilty.
On the charges of Collaborating with Agents of Corruption, the court finds you not guilty.
On the charges of Possession of Undead, the court 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.
“Shiloh Dal-Rashid, the court acknowledges your willingness to cooperate in this investigation once brought in for questioning. You have made it clear that you feel yourself a victim of circumstance, and have expressed remorse and disgust at the actions to which you were an accomplice.
The court has heard your lament, and wishes you to be treated once and for all. You have made claims in the past to be reliant on mana potions to serve as a functioning member of society, a dependence that has led you to a series of poor decisions. It is the judgement of this court that you will undergo rehabilitation for this addiction while under the watchful eye of the Order of Arnath’s Fist. In time, may you find peace from your demons.
For the acts you have committed as a member of Bos Mezar, you have been sentenced to no less than one year of community service. The Phoenix of the Fire Isle have agreed to take you in and house you for this period, provided you follow the terms they set for you.
“Your trial is concluded,” ends the Judge as his gavel strikes down on the plate; the noise echoing through the courtroom.