Magistrate and Narrow
Log Info
- Title: Magistrate and Narrow
- Emitter: Jinks
- Characters: Paenitia, Aryia, Seyardu
- Place: Noble Quarter, A magistrate's office
- Time: Sunday, December 12, 2021, 8:36 PM
- Summary: Seyardu, supported by Paenitia and Aryia, meet with Magistrate Somerled to discuss Boti, the half-mulniessan they encountered at the Waystation, and later at the Soldier's Defence, who was going to be executed as a Charnese spy. Seyarud provides evidence that the boy didn't know the Leugner, and that the testimonies from soldiers Halette Malapelle and Reilly Appauline might have been incomplete and self-serving. Paenitia also has healer documentation, from the Soldiers Defense and Eustageline, regarding the Purple Pox and its mind influencing nature. Aryia is there to speak on the nature of Charnese slavery. They are asked to explain their motivation, which are variations of wanting to see justice done. The Magistrate reviews all that they have provided and concludes that his verdict should be commuted. Boti will be treated, then released into Temple Foster care. This meets with everyone's satisfaction.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-= Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a resolved look about her. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NPCs of Note -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Hein Somerled Human Male An elderly Acanian magistrate, the honorable. Barta the Magnificent Hobgoblin Female A russet-skinned Arvek Nar woman, the assistant. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Jinks 3'4" 39 Lb Gnome Male A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Under the unblinking eye of Navos.
GAME: Seyardu rolls wisdom: (8)+5: 13 GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (19)+18: 37 GAME: Skielstregar rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10 (rolling as Aryia) GAME: Paenitia rolls knowledge/local: (17)+11: 28
This whole process has not been the most pleasant; getting an audience with the magistrate, that is. Their's is a busy business and making time to discuss a past decision with present- and future hearings looming is tricky. But it's the sort of caveat you make when a life is on the line-- and that sort of consideration should be reassuring as the group heads into the hearing hall just after the midday meal.
The room is a good size but far short of grand. The far end of the hall hosts a raised platform, a simple desk, a padded chair, a stool, and-- behind it all-- a wall lined with busy shelves. A quartet of chairs sit against both the side walls while a simple wood lectern is built into the room at its centerpoint.
All told, the space before the magistrate's dais could likely host a dozen people without feeling cramped. More than that and one might be forced to become overly familiar with another occupant.
The magistrate-- an old Acanian man-- already sits in his comfortable chair, turned to speak quietly with his assistant, a russet-skinned Arvek Nar woman of smaller build leaning on a crutch.
The Red Knight has left her Ivory Steed outside, with instructions to fly around the city five times. She has no reason for this, but it will give him something to do that tires him out, and it's a trick he knows: Patrol the walls.
Knowing he will be showing his majesty to the entire city, the peacock-andalusian eagerly takes flight.
The dark skinned, dark haired lucht, takes a slow, clanking walk in heavy armour to the audience with the magistrate. She's found something useful. Concrete evidence of the effects of the myceloid dominion ability, and why Boti would have been helping the Charnese man.
It involved some talking to Eustagine, and the people she works with, to get something a little more reliable than the gnome would produce herself. She clanks up to one of the chairs.
It's a full sized chair.
Aryia had spent her time getting the stories straight. From the hospital, to the time in the Purple Pox caves, to the waystation. She also writes down some of the way slave trade works, and slaves marks, as well as their importance. She rubs at the base of her neck where hers once was, yet had been destroyed over the decades from all the scars.
The mul'neissa is present at the meeting, her in a snazzy silver vest and long sleeved white shirt, with black slacks. To be honest, her presence here was less for the goodness of her heart. It was more 'I'm pissed at the powers at be, and I'm gonna fuck up stuff. Legally.'
The elf waves to Paenitia, and offers a hand to help pull her up onto the chair.
Seyardu The fact that it took so long to speak to someone when someone was wrongfully being sentenced to execution was, not a pleasant premise, for certain. At least it gave her some time to look around. Speak to the owners of the waystation, to their oruch acquaintance, and anyone else she could find who had met the elvish urchin at some point.
But there was only so long until they had an opening, and she found herself in the office. The Silver sith-makar had dressed for the occasion, she looked shinier than usual, and her robes were well kept, emblazoned with a large blue rose on the side of her chest, to make it very clear who she represented.
"It is fine. I manage." Paenitia declines Aryia's offer of assistance with a laugh, belly flopping onto the chair and deliberately pointing her rear at the magistrate so he and his Arvek Nar assistant can watch her awkwardly climb to the seat.
She makes it, turns around with a clunk, followed by a second clunk as she slaps down a small tome.
"Hola, Magistrate." She waves, then turns to look at Seyardu, "The friend dragon will lead the speaking of evidence."
Once the group has entered the room, the pair on the dais settle and turn. The crutch thumps and the 'nar hops forward. She's younger with short, black hair slicked back and small tusks that barely peak out above her lower lip. She wears neat-but-simple servant's clothing and relies on the crutch due to whatever malady has her dragging a twisted right-foot.
"We gather to hear Truth, seek Justice, punish the Guilty, and grant amelioration for the Afflicted." The Arvek Nar's accent is thick years after leaving Bludgun but her words are clear and spoken with practiced precision. "Magistrate Hein Somerled sits under the unblinking eye of Navos. Live, Alexandria!" She leans her weight onto her left leg and raises the crutch, banging it down with both hands for emphasis. She then turns smartly and swings back behind the magistrate's desk, settling onto the stool with one last skip.
"Welcome," offers the magistrate, scooting his chair forward and settling back into it. Hein is old but clearly quite spry. He has wavy, light-grey hair and a chinstrap beard, countless wrinkles, large bags under his eyes, and age spots on his tall forehead. He maintains an expression that is both put-upon and no-nonsense with colorless lips practically fixed into a frown. He wears his magistrates robes open to reveal neat and clean attire beneath.
"I am told my verdict for the two Charnese spies has met with some disapproval from the mercenary community." His tone is leading but otherwise neutral and surprisingly unatagonistic considering the phrase spoken. He lifts his arms and laces boney fingers before resting both hands loosely on the desk. A whispy grey eyebrow raises in prompt.
Seyardu briefed the others on her finders before they entered. She found out some crucial details, namely that Zhag and Nathuilith didn't know the boy before, he was at the waystation for food, and he had been seen around by a couple people begging or picking pockets. Zhag'un recognized the guard in question as one of his ex-master's agents.
Aryia couldn't help but let her expressive ears press flat against her head, a faint frown pulling at her lips. For some reason, she felt like an old part of her and the current part of her agree that she severely dislikes this setting. But, she just gives a thumbs up to her friend, her giving a light chuckle from the nose at the antics.
Her glowing gaze settles on the magistrate. If it wasn't for his tone, there would be a massive scowl included.
She nods, then gestures carefully to keep a filter on her brain. "Yes. I will accept my translations from my silver friend here." <Handspeech>
"Peace on your nest, honored magistrate Hein Somerled." She greets with a bow before them, before she . "We come here today not as members of the mercenary community, but those who were present upon the apprehending of the Charneth slaver and potential spy, and the Sildanyari youth unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We believe that there is not substantial evidence to link the two together, and that the words of the charneth slave master are not substantial enough to declare the boy as working with him, especially given the circumstances."
"I am Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Haranna, Knight of the Pillar and Paladina of Tarien," The little lucht knight introduces herself, her expression hidden by her grinning mask, as always. Her voice light and cheerful, almost teasing, "We know the Justice is blind and suspect many the servants of it to be too, so we bring the spectacles and new evidence to put in front of your noses."
An antagonistic statement, casually tossed as a joke.
She nods briefly, "It is as the friend dragon say, I am not pay to be here, this I do to right a wrong I see."
The magistrate considers each advocate in turn, eyelids lowering dangerously when Paenitia speaks. If the frown wasn't the resting-set of his face you suspect his expression would have turned down during her jest. It would appear this man has no sense of humor.
"A good day to you all," he says after turning his gaze back to Seyardu. His hands are still folded calmly on the table before him. "Seventy years on and my ears remain open..."
The Acanian untangles his fingers and rests an elbow on the arm of his chair, lifting a hand with the palm up. The Arvek Nar has already begun to move before the gesture is done, hopping across the back of the platform and craning her neck, turning her head to search the shelves and cubbies. She comes up short, half-crouched and hanging onto the top of the crutch as she steals a bundle from its resting place. Standing, turning, and a thump of her brace later has her setting the papers into the magistrates waiting hand.
"I did not reach my decision lightly," he pulls loose the twine and begins smoothing out the papers. "Law is the firm foundation on which we build our lives," he looks up and glances between the cleric, pugilist, and knight in turn, "but that makes life no less precious..." He looks back down and sorts through, eventually issuing an 'ah.'
"Alger Luegner's signed confession. Acting on Alexandrian soil with the intent to kidnap, sabotage, and gather information." He holds up a piece of paper, setting it aside. "He states the boy is his junior and also a spy; his youth and training specifically meant to exploit the sympathies of the unwary." He glances up, then back to his papers. "Testimonies from soldiers Halette Malapelle and Reilly Appauline. They state the boy is devious, violent, and uncooperative..."
The magistates stacks each of the papers neatly as he goes through them, looking up and displaying a blank sheet. "Finally, the boy refused to offer any defense. He did nothing to argue against the crimes accused." He sighs and sets the blank paper down. "I was told there was none that could speak for him. This was in line with a foreign agent with no local attachments... but here you are, Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Haranna. Knight of the Pillar and Paladina of Tarien." He looks from the Lucht and between the other two. "And friends."
Aryia quietly listens to the magistrate, her frowning some. But, she gestures for all to see. "I am Aryia. A-R-Y-I-A." No family names, no titles. Just that. But, she lets the two others speak. They were better at the defense. She was just here for Charn knowledge. <Handspeech>
"The soldiers Halette Malapelle and Reilly Appauline..." Paenitia starts to say, then hesistates. Are those really their names? With her accent they sound... insulting. Insulting yet accurate. The knight forges on, "They are not the honourable types and you would not enjoy their company if they did not know your position."
"I think they encourage the confession, to make themself look better. Or the Charnese have the mean soul, like to see others suffer with him, pick the helpless boy. Friend dragon will explain that."
She pats at the books beside her, "These documents from the healers at the Soldier's Defense, that describe the Purple Pox infection, that they all have, that the boy have. It compel the mind, make one do the many strange things."
"And Seyardu, shaman caste of the makari, and cleric of the Celestial Mother, known as Althea in these lands. The other here with me has given her name, Aryia, A-R-Y-I-A is the spelling, if needed for any formal documentation." The silverscale explains.
"As a servant of Althea, I know better than many the importance of life, for all who deserve it. But I would ask you today, Magistrate Somerled. Can you trust the signed confession of this man? What was his reasoning for telling you this, given his own execution? It does not make sense, and when found together, all three, the guard, the boy, and the woodsman, all showed signs of varying stages of purple pox infection, with the guard not being the first to be afflicted. And our acquaintance who recognized the guard, did not recognize anyone there save for the guard."
"As for the guards, I stand with the statement of dame Paenitia. The guards who were stationed outside the boys room at the defence were needlessly cruel, and disruptive of the work at the hospital. The boy does not speak fluent tradespeak, which would explain his difficulty talking. We are here to speak for them, as it seems inability to talk has been taken against them. Should it be necessary, I will provide service for translating for them, as well as a zone of truth to prove their lack of attachments to the charneth slave traders."
GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (8)+18: 26
The 'nar stands from her stool again when Paenitia offers her books but stops when the magistrate pats the air and she settles back down. Somerled stands and pushes back his robes, walking to the edge of the platform and using the table to steady as he steps down. The old acanian crosses the floor to the paladina and holds a hand out for her books.
The first is accepted with a nod and he licks his finger before tracing it down from the marker and folding the tome open. This close he smells strongly of cinnamon and the leather of his old (but well-made) boots. He's intent on the words of the pages for some time, carefully reading so that he might understand.
"... and you three," the magistrate begins, holding the first book back down to the paladina and holding out his empty hand for the second. "How is it you come to speak for this boy?"
Aryia fidgets in her seat as the others took to the manner of courtroom talk quite well. An old part of her felt bored. And it agreed with her current self, so no headaches flared. Yet, the well dressed mul'neissa gulps slightly and signs slowly. "I am here as a runaway slave from Charn. I know how the chattel system works, and am here for reference. That is how I speak for him." <Handspeech>
The mute continues, "The reason why I am with these two on behalf of the boy is that I-" Wish to stick it to the guards. Wish to gum up the system. Wish to vent my frustration in a legal setting. Wish to- "-wish to see proper justice served with full evidence on all sides." <Handspeech>
"To put it simply, I am here to speak for them, as I do not believe that the proper investigation has been before sentencing this boy to execution." Seyardu states. "I brought him to the soldier's defense to undergo treatment, and when I was working there, came across them. While I thought it strange they were trying to escape, it made more sense after seeing how their guards were treating them, and to hear that they were scheduled for execution. This was put into question when it was mentioned someone who claims to be their associate openly ousted them."
"If they are truly a spy, then they are an excellent liar, as their terror and confusion was genuine. And even if that is the case, I am willing to go through the process of clearing their declarations with the assistance of magic."
"Aryia states she is aware of the marks that the guard had, which Boti did not have himself. If they are working together, would they not have the similar markings? The ones designating their roles. And she is here because like myself, she wishes to do good in the city, to make sure that people are treated fairly with proper and just reasoning, with evidence not overlooked."
Paenitia stands, holding out the second book. Standing on the seat she's almost as tall as the magistrate. She makes a small nod of her head, almost a bow of deference. She smells of lavender and lilacs, and the fish oil used on her armour. "By accident we meet, at the way station out of town."
"I do not notice the boy then. He there, but I miss him as I see this other, with the very serious symptoms of the Purple Pox disease. I treat him, and friend dragon too, this oruch she speak, instruct him to go see the clerics."
"Later, I am on the mission to destroy the source, with the Eustagaline, the author of the second book, and we encounter the wagon. The slaver, the boy, the slave-guard, they all there with the pox and under the control of it." She shakes her head a little, "the difficult fight, as they are not true enemies."
"It seem to me the infection bring them together, the association was not true. I have made the vow to protect the common folk, the helpless, and the boy seem in need of it."
There's another pause in the discussion as Hein looks through the second book. He's not as deliberate so ot doesn't take as long ; much of the information is repeated. The spine creaks quietly as he eases the pages closed and hands the item back to Paenitia. He scratches at his chinstrap beard in thought, listening to sith and Lucht before moving back towards the dais, meeting the Arveak Nar who helps to hoist him up. The old fellow claps her shoulder and leans in, speaking quietly.
"Their characters aside..." the magistrate resumes for the room at large, finding his breath and sitting back down into his chair, "it seems that our enlisted women have omitted some key information. At the very least."
A pause and he futzes with his sleeves, straightening them out before he laces his fingers again and rests his hands on the table. "Luegner's confession stands... for his own actions. The man is-- at best-- a slaver's agent and-- at worst-- the spy he confesses to be.
"I'll leave the boy in the care of the Soldier's Defense until he is fully recovered whereupon he and I will speak in person. Assuming he does not prove to be the sinister agent so accused I will release him into wardship of the hospital. There he can repay his treatment and have assurance of room and board for a year."
The Arvek Nar is behind the Acanian, perched on her stool and writing quickly with pen and ink. The magistrate slides a wax crayon and stamp in front of him, striking a tinder twig to light it.
"If this meets with your approval?"
Aryia tucks her bottom lip behind her teeth, watching her two friends handle the talking. What Seyardu said wasn't exactly her intent, but it was close enough to sound pretty. And less crass like her normal self.
She didn't... particular care about the fate of the boy (as heartless as that sounded), so her approval of the situation was lent towards the Knight and the priestess.
"Yes. That is the good verdict." The knight with the grinning countenance says, "He is young and make the mistakes, but is not what Luegner say he is."
"I will be check in on him too. To give the guidance, but if he need someone to look up to, ha-ha, that will be the someone else."
She giggles at her little joke, then sits down.
Seyardu sighs, and nods slowly. "Thank you for hearing us out, Magistrate. There is more to this, that the others omit or twist to their liking." She finally states. "If there is any further need for questioning, I will volunteer what time I am able, as a capable cleric of the temple of Althea. And I too, will check up on them afterwards, to ensure that they will be alright. They have had a rough time of things, but as a cleric of the celestial mother, I would offer what guidance I can."
Somerled nods, accepting the paper once its writ from the 'nar assistant. The paper is laid flat and he melts the wax from the crayon, dripping it onto the base of the sheet before he smothers the fire. He takes his stamp and rolls it left to right, planting the seal firmly. Finally, the Acanian signs his name.
"I dine every Korday with Malappelle and Appauline's commander's commander. I think we will discuss the quality of Alexandria's soldiers over roast beef this week." He sands his signature and then blows the page clean, handing it back to the Arvek Nar woman at his shoulder.
"You saved us from making a grave error here. And-- more importantly-- you saved a young man's life." He folds his fingers yet again and nods his head. "Alexandria thanks you for your service."
Aryia can't help but lightly laugh at Paenitia's little (see what she did there!) joke. Her two friends approved of this, so she did too with a light nod. Idly, she wondered, if the commander's commander of those two as a stick up their ass as far as those two guards, but she lets that thought die at the synapses before it could even reach her arms to gesture it.
"You're welcome," she motions slowly. <Handspeech>
"Thank you again, for the audience." Paenitia hops off her chair, landing with a clank, "Do you need the evidence for the files?"
"It is good to see the justice prevail. I feel happy and strengthened of purpose."
"Thank you for your consideration, and listening, Magistrate, for having this meeting with us." Seyardu offers with another bow. "Know that we are not mercenaries, but those looking to do what good we can in Alexandria. They are to do good for the city and those in it first and foremost, and to help those in need wherever able. This is my purpose as a cleric. I hope that those here will come to see that again."
"If there is anything else you need, we will be happy to listen, and if not, then we will take our leave, should you have other appointments to be attended to."
"We have made a note of the tomes and their authors." Somerled tells Paenitia, turning back from the Arvek Nar as they seem poised to prepare for the next hearing. "We're actually quite familiar with one of the authors as we've hosted her before. Kickin'-- Kiknik-- Kiknidded... the gnome botanist is an... eccentric personality, an amazing mind, and quite frequently at odds with the law."
The assistant's eyes roll so far into the back of her head you worry there they might stick.
"We have your names," the magistrate concludes. "We will seek you out if anything further is required. Good day."
Aryia fights the urge to roll her eyes as well, but she catches the assistant's expression of her own inner feelings. She shoots her a look of 'shit, I know, right?'
She gives an uncouth thumbs up, and rises to leave.
"Ha ha, this is true," Paenitia laughs, "She have issues with the law of gravity and nature as well." Her voice goes low, "I suspect it is the thing of gnomes, but I am still conducting the research."
She salutes, "I am happy to meet you. I have to go catch the bird. If you need the service, I am available for things."
With that, she makes her exit. Slowly. Short legs don't move one fast.
Seyardu had not sat down, so her turning to leave was easy enough. "Peace on your nests, both of you." She offers in parting, before she makes her way out of the room. Hopefully she managed that alright, she was not used to dealing with the higher ups that were not completely crooked or outright hostile.
OOC
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "of all my rp/dnd/pathfinder time, that was probably the calmest court I've ever been in lol"
<OOC> Jinks says, "Haha. Well, definitely no ninjas in the jury for this one. I had a framework I'd jotted down for Somerled. He was secretly rooting for you guys but needed a convincing argument and evidence to be presented. And he takes the court very seriously so the jokes or being combative would've made things harder."
<OOC> Jinks says, "And it was important to me that you guys had some time with someone in an official position that wasn't a big ol' jerkface. Esp. after the guards from the hospital."
<OOC> Jinks says, "Barta has some notes, too, but she wasn't going to get much screentime unless something weird happened."
<OOC> Seyardu says, "It's certainly good to know there's some reasonable people in charge lol"
<OOC> Jinks says, "And Pae jumped right on my not-at-all subtle lastnames for the guards. Bad apple and appalling."
<OOC> Jinks says, "Luegner is also German for 'liar' but that's less-obvious if you didn't take four semesters of that in college."