You share this cell for 2 more days. The guards don't so much as speak to you. 3 times a day, the middle hatch slides open and 4 meals are placed through. It's not good food, (Sorry Darwin).
On the morning of the third day, you hear the sound of footsteps, keys jangling and then a door unlocking. 9 guards are outside the room. They reshackle you and escort you, two guards per prisoner out of the prisons.
You are taken into what can only be described as a palace, opulent and decadent. You are escorted to a large set of double doors which open as you approach.
Inside is a large room, approximately 1000 square feet. Along the walls, tiered seating of long pews provide ample room for spectators but there are none today.
At the head of the room is a raised dais, upon which sits an ornate throne, in which sits a man. Human and approximately 40, his dark hair is greying at the temples. Behind him stands a portrait of the same man in his prime and besides the grey at his temples and a few extra lines in the face, you would swear it had been painted yesterday. A tall man with a warrior's physique.
Ida, you recognize him immediately as you have seen him many times and met him on a handful of occasions. Rowan and Hamish may have seen him in passing and Darwin you have never laid eyes on him but nevertheless, it is clear that this man is the Duke of Haukberg.
Blue eyes watch your entrance carefully as he leans forward in his seat.
At one shoulder, an elf in finery stands, a Raven sat upon his shoulder. The Elf seems uninterested but the Raven watches you closely. At the other, another Human, this one dressed in armor that is definitely more practical than decorative, his eyes never leave you.
You are brought before the dais and lined up shoulder to shoulder. The 9 guards then retreat.
After a moment, the Duke reclines in his seat and relaxes his posture. The Elf produces a scroll and clears his throat.
'Wait.' the Duke says calmly, holding a hand to pause the advisor. 'No need to get so formal so quickly. Dame Ida, it's been a while. It saddens me that our meeting should be in these circumstances but rest assured, we will have a fair process.'
Then he lowers his hand and the Elf reads each of your names and the charges brought against you. 'How do you plead?' he asks, the beady eyes of his Raven burrowing into you.
Hamish keeps his eyes down, but glances to the people he's lived with for the past few days. Ida knows the Duke? Hamish had only heard of the man and never even seen him in person. He stays quiet, waiting to see what everyone else does.
Ida tries to put on the faintest smile, and bows to the Duke before she speaks. "Duke Haukberg, I too wish this were under different circumstances. I must plead guilty, as it is true that I broke the law, however I wish to explain myself and my actions with the hope you can understand they were trying to protect one who could not protect themselves." She remembered the Duke well, and knew that his aspirations were large but he was careful to maintain a fair temperament and to be looked at with respect. She also remembered that he had seemed to be a good man on the occasions they were in the same company and she hoped he would be willing to listen to each of the four of them, though she had no idea of how he viewed justice.
Darwin cleared his throat loudly and said with as much pomp and gravitas as he could muster, which it turned out was rather a lot for a small halfling, "I plead confusion". He had never been in a trial before and had no idea what else to say, and he wasn't going to plead guilty, he hadn't done anything wrong.
"I woke up in an alley after getting knocked clean out in a bar brawl, and then some guards whisked me off to prison without a 'by your leave'", he said shaking his head and holding his palms out upwards in front of him with a small shrug. "It is all very confusing to a simple carnival hand like myself"
The Duke's eyebrow twitches slightly upwards and there's a vague look of amusement on his face at this proclamation. 'Very well, and you, Master Hamish?'
Hamish swallows hard, then his coarse whisper echoes through the mostly empty hall. "No Master. Just Hamish, my lord. Your guards saw the dead man and there was no one else there, so I'm guilty. I never meant to harm him or anyone else, but I did. Maybe whatever punishment you grant can stop me from doing it again." Hamish awkwardly bows as he finishes, glancing around before straightening up when realizes no one else did such a thing.
The Duke nods and turns to the man at his shoulder with the Raven, holding out his hand for the documents the Elf holds.
He then reviews them summarily. 'These documents contain the reports from the Guards who arrested you, your own statements and any other information we've been able to scavenge about you and the incidents. I do enjoy being thorough, as much as my subordinates may dislike the workload that entails.' he smiles over at the Elf who's face doesn't change. The emperor once again leans forward in his seat.
'So, Dame Ida.' he says, his body language focussed on you as he reads and speaks. 'The law you violated was one I agree with and enforce in my lands. Assault is a stain on civilized society, young lady.' he glances at you with an arched eyebrow. 'However, you did so to protect another citizen, though the actions of her aggressor and your victim are, strictly speaking, legal, that is one of the Emperor's laws that I don't like so, that's a bit of a quagmire.'
He shifts his focus to Rowan, 'You are such a young man and it pains me to be in this position. I understand there are reasons for living beyond our laws, some valid, but they do not stand as excuses. I see here that my peacekeepers have had numerous run ins with you, and that really pushes the boundaries of my sympathy.'
'Mr. Darwin. You are a curious case. A Halfling who I can find absolutely no information about prior to the incident. You claim you were traveling with that marvelous festival that visited us which would make sense. However, I do have reports from the night of the incident that do not paint you as innocently as you claim. The tavern brawl was, after all, your doing, no?' he smiles. 'As to why you would destroy a water barrel in the street several hours later, well, it's beyond me. You don't seem prone to fits of rage with violent outbursts as far as I can tell, your anger, to go by the incident that started the fight, tends to manifest more cleverly.'
Finally, he turns to Hamish, his face solemn. 'Master Hamish.' he places unnecessary emphasis on the title. 'You are one of my citizens and, as far as we can tell, have not yet reached 18 summers, and as such you are Master Hamish.' his voice is stern but not unkind or venomous. 'You are a curious case too. A few reports here and there of someone matching your description but nothing concrete. You were spotted entering Priestsgate that night and you expressed you were looking for food from a temple, correct? Why you would then murder a priest doesn't make any real sense, does it?'
He reclines again and proclaims 'I have made my judgement.' in a manner that seems like he'd made it before you had even entered the room. 'Unless, of course, you have anything else to add before I pass my sentence, mmmmm?' he asks the four of you with a genuine smile.
Ida couldn't read Duke Haukberg well enough to know what judgement he would pass. She was genuinely nervous, for herself and the others, although she didn't believe the Duke would be unnecessarily cruel. She decided to try her luck to see how forgiving he could be.
"Duke Haukberg, thank you for your thoroughness in trying to best understand what happened in each of our cases. Although some of the details are unclear, after spending multiple days with each of these men, I believe that they are all inherently good. If you can forgive my assault, and possibly use it as an example of a citizen trying to protect another, and I am to be released, I would take personal responsibility of each of these men. I would like to teach Rowan skills to help him find honest employment at my family's home so that he will have no additional run-ins with the guards. I am unsure if Darwin would be re-employed with the festival after his time imprisoned, but I believe he could be an asset in the entertainment industry in Haukberg, even teaching others to put on bigger and better shows. Master Hamish, as being underage, I would like to be a retainer for me. He would be fed and employed, and would begin to learn skills for his future. If this were possible, you would have my loyalty as well as the loyalty of the Von Harding family. Thank you, again, for allowing me to speak."
Hamish's eyes grow wide at Ida's words and he flits between looking at her and the Duke. She's taking responsibility for me? What would she gain from that?
(Is everyone done with their initial meet and greet and ready for a little time jump?)
[Ready]
[Ready]
[ready]
You share this cell for 2 more days. The guards don't so much as speak to you. 3 times a day, the middle hatch slides open and 4 meals are placed through. It's not good food, (Sorry Darwin).
On the morning of the third day, you hear the sound of footsteps, keys jangling and then a door unlocking. 9 guards are outside the room. They reshackle you and escort you, two guards per prisoner out of the prisons.
You are taken into what can only be described as a palace, opulent and decadent. You are escorted to a large set of double doors which open as you approach.
Inside is a large room, approximately 1000 square feet. Along the walls, tiered seating of long pews provide ample room for spectators but there are none today.
At the head of the room is a raised dais, upon which sits an ornate throne, in which sits a man. Human and approximately 40, his dark hair is greying at the temples. Behind him stands a portrait of the same man in his prime and besides the grey at his temples and a few extra lines in the face, you would swear it had been painted yesterday. A tall man with a warrior's physique.
Ida, you recognize him immediately as you have seen him many times and met him on a handful of occasions. Rowan and Hamish may have seen him in passing and Darwin you have never laid eyes on him but nevertheless, it is clear that this man is the Duke of Haukberg.
Blue eyes watch your entrance carefully as he leans forward in his seat.
At one shoulder, an elf in finery stands, a Raven sat upon his shoulder. The Elf seems uninterested but the Raven watches you closely. At the other, another Human, this one dressed in armor that is definitely more practical than decorative, his eyes never leave you.
You are brought before the dais and lined up shoulder to shoulder. The 9 guards then retreat.
After a moment, the Duke reclines in his seat and relaxes his posture. The Elf produces a scroll and clears his throat.
'Wait.' the Duke says calmly, holding a hand to pause the advisor. 'No need to get so formal so quickly. Dame Ida, it's been a while. It saddens me that our meeting should be in these circumstances but rest assured, we will have a fair process.'
Then he lowers his hand and the Elf reads each of your names and the charges brought against you. 'How do you plead?' he asks, the beady eyes of his Raven burrowing into you.
Hamish keeps his eyes down, but glances to the people he's lived with for the past few days. Ida knows the Duke? Hamish had only heard of the man and never even seen him in person. He stays quiet, waiting to see what everyone else does.
Ida tries to put on the faintest smile, and bows to the Duke before she speaks. "Duke Haukberg, I too wish this were under different circumstances. I must plead guilty, as it is true that I broke the law, however I wish to explain myself and my actions with the hope you can understand they were trying to protect one who could not protect themselves." She remembered the Duke well, and knew that his aspirations were large but he was careful to maintain a fair temperament and to be looked at with respect. She also remembered that he had seemed to be a good man on the occasions they were in the same company and she hoped he would be willing to listen to each of the four of them, though she had no idea of how he viewed justice.
'Very well' the Duke acknodges your plea before looking at the others expectantly.
The Duke nods, and moves his eyes to the next.
Darwin cleared his throat loudly and said with as much pomp and gravitas as he could muster, which it turned out was rather a lot for a small halfling, "I plead confusion". He had never been in a trial before and had no idea what else to say, and he wasn't going to plead guilty, he hadn't done anything wrong.
"I woke up in an alley after getting knocked clean out in a bar brawl, and then some guards whisked me off to prison without a 'by your leave'", he said shaking his head and holding his palms out upwards in front of him with a small shrug. "It is all very confusing to a simple carnival hand like myself"
The Duke's eyebrow twitches slightly upwards and there's a vague look of amusement on his face at this proclamation. 'Very well, and you, Master Hamish?'
Hamish swallows hard, then his coarse whisper echoes through the mostly empty hall. "No Master. Just Hamish, my lord. Your guards saw the dead man and there was no one else there, so I'm guilty. I never meant to harm him or anyone else, but I did. Maybe whatever punishment you grant can stop me from doing it again." Hamish awkwardly bows as he finishes, glancing around before straightening up when realizes no one else did such a thing.
The Duke nods and turns to the man at his shoulder with the Raven, holding out his hand for the documents the Elf holds.
He then reviews them summarily. 'These documents contain the reports from the Guards who arrested you, your own statements and any other information we've been able to scavenge about you and the incidents. I do enjoy being thorough, as much as my subordinates may dislike the workload that entails.' he smiles over at the Elf who's face doesn't change. The emperor once again leans forward in his seat.
'So, Dame Ida.' he says, his body language focussed on you as he reads and speaks. 'The law you violated was one I agree with and enforce in my lands. Assault is a stain on civilized society, young lady.' he glances at you with an arched eyebrow. 'However, you did so to protect another citizen, though the actions of her aggressor and your victim are, strictly speaking, legal, that is one of the Emperor's laws that I don't like so, that's a bit of a quagmire.'
He shifts his focus to Rowan, 'You are such a young man and it pains me to be in this position. I understand there are reasons for living beyond our laws, some valid, but they do not stand as excuses. I see here that my peacekeepers have had numerous run ins with you, and that really pushes the boundaries of my sympathy.'
'Mr. Darwin. You are a curious case. A Halfling who I can find absolutely no information about prior to the incident. You claim you were traveling with that marvelous festival that visited us which would make sense. However, I do have reports from the night of the incident that do not paint you as innocently as you claim. The tavern brawl was, after all, your doing, no?' he smiles. 'As to why you would destroy a water barrel in the street several hours later, well, it's beyond me. You don't seem prone to fits of rage with violent outbursts as far as I can tell, your anger, to go by the incident that started the fight, tends to manifest more cleverly.'
Finally, he turns to Hamish, his face solemn. 'Master Hamish.' he places unnecessary emphasis on the title. 'You are one of my citizens and, as far as we can tell, have not yet reached 18 summers, and as such you are Master Hamish.' his voice is stern but not unkind or venomous. 'You are a curious case too. A few reports here and there of someone matching your description but nothing concrete. You were spotted entering Priestsgate that night and you expressed you were looking for food from a temple, correct? Why you would then murder a priest doesn't make any real sense, does it?'
He reclines again and proclaims 'I have made my judgement.' in a manner that seems like he'd made it before you had even entered the room. 'Unless, of course, you have anything else to add before I pass my sentence, mmmmm?' he asks the four of you with a genuine smile.
Ida couldn't read Duke Haukberg well enough to know what judgement he would pass. She was genuinely nervous, for herself and the others, although she didn't believe the Duke would be unnecessarily cruel. She decided to try her luck to see how forgiving he could be.
"Duke Haukberg, thank you for your thoroughness in trying to best understand what happened in each of our cases. Although some of the details are unclear, after spending multiple days with each of these men, I believe that they are all inherently good. If you can forgive my assault, and possibly use it as an example of a citizen trying to protect another, and I am to be released, I would take personal responsibility of each of these men. I would like to teach Rowan skills to help him find honest employment at my family's home so that he will have no additional run-ins with the guards. I am unsure if Darwin would be re-employed with the festival after his time imprisoned, but I believe he could be an asset in the entertainment industry in Haukberg, even teaching others to put on bigger and better shows. Master Hamish, as being underage, I would like to be a retainer for me. He would be fed and employed, and would begin to learn skills for his future. If this were possible, you would have my loyalty as well as the loyalty of the Von Harding family. Thank you, again, for allowing me to speak."
Make a persuasion check
Hamish's eyes grow wide at Ida's words and he flits between looking at her and the Duke. She's taking responsibility for me? What would she gain from that?
14