Stasolya smiles at Jek. "I can stand. I usually do."She nods as he goes to fetch a guard to bring Lelith and her belongings in. She turns to the owlin and bows her head. "Greetings, Elder. We are grateful for your assistance. Do you know anything about the case? I have heard a testimony from Rumble of Hunger and we are waiting to hear Lelith's account of the events."
Jek turns back quickly, then looks back to the guard "Never mind about the horse chair. But the rest of it we want."
He comes back into the room. "I've also talked to a few of the Twilight Embers. Greko was lost, and Ro... Poor Ro. Hmmm.... Perhaps she should see the consequences of her actions? Just pretend they aren't there. I hope you aren't too squeamish. It is what Ro looked like, when I last saw him."
Jek waves his hand, and the shadows in the back of the room begin to coalesce as he casts Silent Image. Where there were empty seats before, there are now two translucent figures. The first is of Greko the Green, looking disappointed. The second is much more disturbing. It is an image of Ro Aleron, but his face is distorted in horrible pain, and there are numerous hooks impaling him pulling at his flesh.
"Do you think I should keep them here? Or is it not worthwhile?" Jek will ask his fellow judges.
Elder Piccolo doesn't seem amused by Jek's rambling answer. His eyelids rise and fall like he's bored or tired or...something. Irritated? on the brink of visiting a swift death upon any interloper in his midst?
The guard that Jek finds looks surprised by his request.
"Prisoner? We have no prisoners here in the Hall of...what? Hammers? Horse chair? I...wha'...very well."
When Shavaris addresses Piccolo, his head pivots toward her and, while it's impossible for a beak to frown, she would have sworn to the goddesses that Piccolo was frowning. His lack of facial expression was somehow even more disturbing than if he'd indisputably been angry.
"My capabilities. I am capable of torturing an answer out of a subject within minutes. Sometimes I do this fun thing where I jam my talons through their feet and then peer into their soul while they confess their sins to me. Additionally, I am an expert at discerning the truth, both through experience and psionic capabilities. What about you? Would you like to match your qualifications to my own? Well? An answer? You just get her to talk. Ask her the questions. I shall nod to you or shake my head to indicate if she's telling the truth or not. This is simple. Why aren't you prepared? This should be done already."
His head rotates toward Stasolya.
"Of course I know about the case. That is why I am here. You three are the judges? Goddesses help us all. What idiot picked you three? Goddesses grace, this is already a travesty."
When the guard returns to the room, he has another guard with him that's pulling a child's rocking horse.
"Is this the horse chair you requested?" The guard asks before his eyes fall on Elder Piccolo. Suddenly, he begins to pull the rocking horse out of the room.
Jek comes back in just as Elder Piccolo begins talking down to his new friends. He is shocked at the hostility in Elder Piccolo's voice. He was wrong, Piccolo is nothing like Eet. His elder brother was stern, but was not this... malicious. His jitters and nerves clear as Piccolo continues to speak. How can he speak of torture so nonchalantly. He is no Eet at all.
The illusions of Greko and Ro disappear as the shadows get pulled to him, and start flowing and swirling around him, rising up from the ground and enshrouding his body in the swirling darkness. His normally yellow eyes start to turn darker, shades of red bleeding in. He speaks in a quiet but intent voice. "My qualifications? I am a shade of the Bright Lady, chosen of the AUYRN. I have faced Vader and made him flee in fear of me. I have received council from your goddesses and the empress. We do not take our task lightly. There will be no torture, that is not the way this will work. You will help us find the truth, and we are grateful for that. But, a persons life hangs in the balance, and we will see if she was a true traitor, or another victim! Yes, we are the judges, as the Bright Lady wishes it to be us! If you have a complaint, bring it up with your goddesses!" Jek stares at him for another moment as the shadows continue to swirl about. Then, with a deep breath, the shadows calm around him and his eyes turn to back to the yellow color.
"Sorry, not sure where that came from. Anyways, no torture. And where are those guards? Weren't they going to bring us Lelith and her things? And our hammers!" Jek will say, back to his normal self.
"Ah, so you're special." Elder Piccolo quips as he listens to Jek. "Then you don't need me."
And with that...the ******* Owl leaves.
The two guards at the door with the rocking horse look at him as he goes, then look at the scary little shadow guy. One pushes the rocking horse back into the room...then lays three hammers behind it; a claw hammer, a sledge hammer, and a meat tenderizer...
Jek watches as Elder Piccolo goes. He raises his hand as if to stop him, but then thinks better of it. He turns to look to the others but gets distracted as the guards put the horse and hammers down. "I... What?... I guess that's fine. Can you just go find Krille? Have him come meet us here, please."
Jek will look sheepishly towards Stasolya and Shavaris. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make him leave. I'm not sure what came over me. It was just, he kept talking down to us, then he wanted to torture people, it seems like he enjoyed it. Anyways, maybe they have someone else that can help? Do we need anyone else?" Jek will wait for there response, then goes to sit quietly at the table to wait.
What was that? He has gotten mad before, but not like that. The darkness in him is stirring, ever since he tapped into it during their fight with Vader. He knew this might happen. He'll need to keep a leash on this darkness. He does not want to be consumed by it.
When Jek has Greko and Ro materialize, Shavaris's hand goes to her mouth and she inhales a sharp gasp at seeing Ro. Forgetting about the angry owl for a moment, she turns to Jek, "This is how you last saw Ro? I... oh man." She looks crestfallen as she knows he is lost.
As Piccolo answers her questions on qualifications, she turns a bit green on the torture descriptions after just seeing Ro like that. "Um... letting us know whether she is telling the truth or not will definitely suffice, no torture is needed." she mumbles in return.. his demeanor totally throwing her off, feeling like she was on trial instead of Lelith.
Shavaris takes a step back as the shadows start to circle around Jek. Her eyes widen at his change in demeanor and speech, impressed, she starts smiling and looks to the Elder to see his reaction. As he leaves, she shrugs, "Don't be sorry Jek, that was impressive. I didn't know you had it in you. We'll see if the guard brings back, Krille, Lelith or some other angry Elder. It'll be a surprise!" she says with a smile and sits down next to him. "Ready Staysola? I hope we can find the truth."
Elder Krille returns within a few moments. The expressionless face typical of the Owl Aarakocra falls on the three of them as he steps into the room.
"I understand there was some disagreements with Elder Piccolo. Perhaps I have misunderstood your needs. He is a bit...hostile...but he is in his position for a reason. However, should you prefer, I will bring forward one of the other Elder's to see if they can help you. None of them will be as proficient as Elder Piccolo of course. There's a reason I asked him to assist you. But none of them will offer you the issues that he has, either."
Shavaris looks to Krille and wonders what he means by none are as proficient as Elder Piccolo... proficient at what? "Yes, please bring forth one of the other Elders, thank you. We really appreciate the help."
Jek looks to Krille from where he is seated. He tiltes his head in confusion. He stands and faces Krille.
"Good morning, Krille. I think there may be some confusion. There was disagreement, but we never sent Piccolo away. We just said there would be no torture. And he apparently did not appreciate it when I answered his question on my qualifications. I... may have been a bit mad at him when he insulted us and talked about how much he enjoyed torturing people. If you think he is most suited for the task, then I am willing to apologize to him. But, the task will not involve torture. "
"Elder Piccolo is...a unique person." Krille said. "Let's...let us try Elder Qlille. She is...suited for your purposes."
Krille exits the room, and shortly thereafter another Elder arrives. She is snow white and in a purple robe, two very tall, almost comical horns of feathers on her head. She steps in, wide eyed, introduces herself as Elder Qlille, and asks what her function will be. Upon hearing it, she nods, and requests one of the rocking horse guards to summon Lelith...
Lelith entered the room with her head poised high as a stern gaze and a sneer of cold command swept the room like a general overlooking his soldiers. She was wearing a rather elegant toga-styled dress with golden straps around her waist and a vine headband. Her clothing and her manners gave the impression she was a royal judge gracing the room with her presence, for the purpose of giving her verdict on a poor criminal rather than the hapless victim that was to be tried today. Once seated, she shot a rather subtle smug look in the direction of the band members, she was more than aware of the irony of it.
Qlille looks at the Eladrin as she enters the room, tall and imposing. She doesn't look impressed, however. She looks away, gazing from each of the three judges, then pointing at a chair in the center of the room, in front of the table where the panel intends to sit.
"Please, have a seat." Elder Qlille says to Lelith as she begins to make her way around the room. "I will ask you to relax. I will ask you to rest your mind, so that I may enter it as you are questioned. This is as much for your benefit as theirs. It will show you have nothing to hide, and it will absolutely prove to the judges that you are telling the truth, or lying, whatever the case may be. Do you understand?"
Shavaris watches as Lelith enters the room. She doesn't know the elf, well, she doesn't know her at all. Just what transpired before she was hauled away. She found her chosen attire and demeanor very interesting. "Lelith, its just us. You don't have to pretend anymore or try and bolster who you are with dress and attitude. Those things don't matter when it comes down to it."
As Elder Quille addresses Lelith and explains her role in the trial, Shavaris relaxes a bit. She isn't sure how this is done, but is glad as this should help cut through the bullshit. She waits as they all listen to hear Lelith's response before the questioning can begin. Quietly, she leans over to Jek and whispers, "Are we just questioning her or are we bringing in witnesses and all that sort? Do you know?"
Jek nods and says "Thank you, Krille. I trust you and your judgment." Jek will pick up the meat tenderizer. He starts talking, as he takes a seat.
"The stories say it's wood, but I guess this will do. The stories say that the great judges of the land could silence any creature with but a tap of there enchanted wooden hammers. The greatest judge of all was Judge Judith. With robes as black as night and the eyes of justice, she presided over cases on worlds throughout all of existence. The stories say she could even play judgment to the stars in the sky." Jek finishes his story just as Eldar Qlille enters. He will nod and listen as she speaks. He likes her better than Piccolo.
-----
Jek watches as Lelith enters. The white dress was an interesting choice, but Jek wonders why she changed. Seems like a silly thing to do. Jek is a little confused by the look she gives them. Does she not understand what is happening here?
To Shavaris, Jek will respond quietly "All the witnesses are gone on there own tasks now. There is just her and whatever she has on her. And... her victims." As lelith's back is turned towards Qlille, Jek will once again form the illusions of translucent ghosts of Greko (with his look of disappointment) and Ro (silently screaming with hooks piercing his body) in the far back of the room.
Qlille looks at the two summoned images of the men that the Lightless has called forth, but she looks unmoved by their silent arrival. She listens to Jek and Shavaris, then reaches out with one finger and touches the bag at Lelith's hip before stepping away. Golden energy shimmers for ten feet around Lelith and her bag. Qlille steps near the door and pauses.
"I hear your thoughts." Qlille states to the Elf flatly. "But your deeds require answers. I hear their thoughts too."
She points at the panel of Judges.
"This may be unbelievable to you, but they only want what is best. Not to punish or persecute, but to seek justice and truth, wherever it may lie, so that your journey, and their own, and the journeys of those you have effected, may continue. You have to understand that this isn't about punishing you. It is about seeking what is right, and freeing you from the chains the Lord of Darkness bound you in, whatever those may look like. Please."
"I do not need to bolster neither my appearance, attitude, or anything for that matter. I am Lelith Iathrana and that is enough," Lelith looked intently at Qlille even as she was answering Shavaris, it lasted but a moment before she turned away. "I am, however, thankful for giving me the benefit of the doubt. Elder Qlille, Shavaris, and Stasolya."
"They are not my victims. Their untimely deaths were a result of the Lord of Darkness' actions. I have not harmed them nor laid a single hand on them since we first met. If you think this might unsettle my mind or draw forth any guilt, you will be disappointed to know that I've had plenty of time to move on from this," Lelith looked straight at Jek as she said this. "I am ready to answer your questions."
Stasolya waits quietly, standing next to the horse chair, as Qlille puts her spell in place and Lelith makes her statement. She smiles at the elf. "Thank you, Lelith. I hope that we will be able to bring everyone together to the truth and the right path forward. Why don't you start by telling us your version of events, from the beginning until the end?"
"Shortly after I named us, our group, the Twilight Embers in the Great Deku Tree. We fought numerous... disgusting creatures and set the Queen of the Gohma fleeing. We chased after it even as it hid from us and eventually killed it. But not without loss, not of the Twilight Embers, we were far too great of course. Some of the innocent people that had accompanied us, a mortal fairy native to Hyboria died to the Queen's minions and tore her apart. I carefully gathered all of her... pieces in hope of resurecting her in the near future. Regardless, the loss was dearly felt among us and laid our moral low. It was in that brief moment of weakness that the Lord of Darkness sought to seduce me, to put it mildly," Lelith looked disgusted.
"Although, I may sound conceited by saying this. I am not unaware of appearance. Dare I say, I have been compared to many from Princess Andromeda to the Princess of Hyrule, the greatest priestess of Hylia. A great honour to be compared to the incarnation of a goddess, I feel as if such a comparison would insult her, however. I am unworthy to be spoken of in the same sentence as her. Praise be, the Royal Priestess!" Lelith offered a quick quiet prayer before returning back to the subject. "Right, as I was saying. I have a rather otherworldly and beautiful appearance, no less a result of my own efforts as it is due to my bloodline. I thought the Lord of Darkness was, truthfully, less interested in that and more in using me to nip in the bud the Twilight Embers who up to that point had overcame any and all obstacles in their way."
"I now know that I was wrong. While that was an intended objective of that fiend, he also had eyes for me." Lelith's face scrunched up as she shivered. "Which I should've known. In any case, I had managed to resist the seduction attempts. I do not remember how many times he has tried to turn me to his side but I had thwarted all of his attempts until a certain fateful event in the Lon Lon Ranch near Hyrule Castle."
"A group of people, civilians, were seeking refuge there from the hordes of undead wandering Hylia's wilderness. Many of my companions were hesitant to help them as we had far more i important matters to intend to. I set the matter to rest by decisively marching there and seeking to help them. There we found out that there was a labouring woman who could not escape and so the people stayed with her to defend her to the last. A rather charming notion," Lelith scoffed as she seemed to be remembering something. "I had given them a solution which followed a rather simple logic. They had no chances of surviving if they stayed here, there was no doubt about this, and so I suggested I would take the labouring woman and her grown daughter to the Feywild to be protected and cared for by my family. They would have no reason then to stay at the ranch and they could start escaping."
"Instead of gratitude, what I received instead was disdain and condescending words from an elder of the group. I am a Noble Eladrin, the least I should've been given was respect. And so I gave him an ultimatum, if he dared so much as to speak like that again to me. I would have his tongue or perhaps his life. I do not remember which came first. My words are my life, once I have given them. I cannot go back on them. I did offer him the alternative of merely apologizing," the memory seemed to be distinctly unpleasant to Lelith. "Of course, he refused even as he knew who he was speaking to. As I was about to enact rightful judgement upon him, I was confronted by my companions and forced to stay my hand. The people at the ranch no longer desired our help because of me. My companions were insistent in helping them regardless and set upon slaughtering any horde that tried to approach. And we did. I tried once again to speak to the labouring woman's family once given the opportunity. The father and husband was receptive to my plea, I had suggested to leave his pregnant wife and daughter to me to take care of as only death awaited them."
"The people at the ranch once again interfered and forced me out. This time they forced my hand. I could only call them evil for their actions, they were men and women, adults. What they did with their life is their own to choose even if they decided to throw it away. But what of the children? Why would they forced to face death? In my numerous attempts to save, I realized that they did not truly understand what awaited them. Mortality only shows its true value at the moment of death. Only when they were choking on their own blood would they realize their foolishness for refusing our help and will experience true despair in their final moments." Lelith seemed to think for a few seconds more before speaking the next words. "...So that's how I came to the decision to kidnap the daughter, barely over a decade old! Of course, she resented me for taking her away from her family but at least she had a life to live now. You may question why I am speaking of this, this was the given context to what created a schism between the members of the Twilight Embers."
"I believe that it was at that moment of weakness that the Lord of Darkness' claws found purchase in my mind and came to learn of his true identity. He had plans but none that he would share with me. Only one thing, he wanted me to lead the Twilight Embers to the Temple of Time. I convinced them to turn away from trying to help the ranch and move on to more pressing matters. It was true that we were short on time then, I was speaking the truth then and they were confirmed by both Greko and Ro. We had several destinations in mind, from Kakariko Village, King's Landing, to Hyrule Castle. It is then... that I convinced them to go to Hyrule Castle. We met along the way the newest addition to the Twilight Embers. Once at the Temple of Time, as you likely already know, we were predictably ambushed by the Lord of Darkness and I was forced to watch myself fawn over that vile fiend. It was only at the death of my companions and some of the words exchanged that day which had provoked a rather strong emotional response allowed me to slip free from the hold on my mind. Once I found the opportunity, I escaped lest the fiend found the opportunity to try to defile me." Lelith glared in the general direction of Hyrule Castle, even from here she could tell where it was.
"Now the Lord of Darkness is part of a greater whole. He is part of the Calamity or as it calls itself Ganon. Ganon's interest in me has no waned, I can feel in every waking moment. That nearly god-like entity wants me back as its bride and lover. I do not want that to happen. I will not return to its clutches. I wish to find the Princess of Hyrule. She is my last hope for salvation, she is well-known to be abel to seal darkness and evil. I will not deny that my reasons for trying to find her are selfish but even before the Lord of Darkness' corruption, I had been looking for her in hopes of not only protecting her but helping her achieve her destiny in saving the world," Lelith clasped her hands together once again as she prayed to and for the Princess.
"To preemptively answer a likely question of yours. I had my reasons to not speak of what was going on to my companions..." Lelith now looked to be distinctly uncomfortable. "Until I succumbed, I did not know who was trying to reach into my mind. I believed I might put my companions into danger if I informed them and most importantly, I... thought it would be shameful, disgraceful, humiliating to seek help from them. I believed I could handle it on my own. I am no more harsh to other people in my expectations of them than I am to myself. Everytime I fail to meet my own expectations... Well, that is as far as I am willing to say. Regardless, I had my reasons. I know things might have turned out differently if I did but I do not believe the Lord of Darkness' plans hinged merely on my pride. It would have likely changed nothing. Ro's father had been hostage for long in any case."
Stastolya looks to Elder Qlille for confirmation of Lelith's truthfulness as she listens to her tale, then looks back to Lelith. "You speak in very vague terms of the actions upon your mind by the Lord of Darkness. I understand that these are personal questions, but I think they are important to our discovering your culpability for what happened. What did he do to first try and seduce you? You seem to imply that you did not know who he was at first. Exactly how did he contact you, and what did he say? What temptation did he offer in the moment of weakness following the fairy's death? These attacks you thwarted that followed, in which he tried to turn you to his side, what was the nature of them? Thoughts in your mind? Magic? You made a choice to kidnap a child. You see this as a moment of weakness? Something that left an opening for the Lord of Darkness to, as you say, find purchase in your mind? What does that mean? When did you know that he was in control, and you weren't? Was this a form of possession? You seem to imply that you did not give your consent to it but had to watch yourself behave in a manner you did not will. Can you describe this process in more specific terms?"
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Stasolya smiles at Jek. "I can stand. I usually do." She nods as he goes to fetch a guard to bring Lelith and her belongings in. She turns to the owlin and bows her head. "Greetings, Elder. We are grateful for your assistance. Do you know anything about the case? I have heard a testimony from Rumble of Hunger and we are waiting to hear Lelith's account of the events."
Jek turns back quickly, then looks back to the guard "Never mind about the horse chair. But the rest of it we want."
He comes back into the room. "I've also talked to a few of the Twilight Embers. Greko was lost, and Ro... Poor Ro. Hmmm.... Perhaps she should see the consequences of her actions? Just pretend they aren't there. I hope you aren't too squeamish. It is what Ro looked like, when I last saw him."
Jek waves his hand, and the shadows in the back of the room begin to coalesce as he casts Silent Image. Where there were empty seats before, there are now two translucent figures. The first is of Greko the Green, looking disappointed. The second is much more disturbing. It is an image of Ro Aleron, but his face is distorted in horrible pain, and there are numerous hooks impaling him pulling at his flesh.
"Do you think I should keep them here? Or is it not worthwhile?" Jek will ask his fellow judges.
Elder Piccolo doesn't seem amused by Jek's rambling answer. His eyelids rise and fall like he's bored or tired or...something. Irritated? on the brink of visiting a swift death upon any interloper in his midst?
The guard that Jek finds looks surprised by his request.
"Prisoner? We have no prisoners here in the Hall of...what? Hammers? Horse chair? I...wha'...very well."
When Shavaris addresses Piccolo, his head pivots toward her and, while it's impossible for a beak to frown, she would have sworn to the goddesses that Piccolo was frowning. His lack of facial expression was somehow even more disturbing than if he'd indisputably been angry.
"My capabilities. I am capable of torturing an answer out of a subject within minutes. Sometimes I do this fun thing where I jam my talons through their feet and then peer into their soul while they confess their sins to me. Additionally, I am an expert at discerning the truth, both through experience and psionic capabilities. What about you? Would you like to match your qualifications to my own? Well? An answer? You just get her to talk. Ask her the questions. I shall nod to you or shake my head to indicate if she's telling the truth or not. This is simple. Why aren't you prepared? This should be done already."
His head rotates toward Stasolya.
"Of course I know about the case. That is why I am here. You three are the judges? Goddesses help us all. What idiot picked you three? Goddesses grace, this is already a travesty."
When the guard returns to the room, he has another guard with him that's pulling a child's rocking horse.
"Is this the horse chair you requested?" The guard asks before his eyes fall on Elder Piccolo. Suddenly, he begins to pull the rocking horse out of the room.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Jek comes back in just as Elder Piccolo begins talking down to his new friends. He is shocked at the hostility in Elder Piccolo's voice. He was wrong, Piccolo is nothing like Eet. His elder brother was stern, but was not this... malicious. His jitters and nerves clear as Piccolo continues to speak. How can he speak of torture so nonchalantly. He is no Eet at all.
The illusions of Greko and Ro disappear as the shadows get pulled to him, and start flowing and swirling around him, rising up from the ground and enshrouding his body in the swirling darkness. His normally yellow eyes start to turn darker, shades of red bleeding in. He speaks in a quiet but intent voice. "My qualifications? I am a shade of the Bright Lady, chosen of the AUYRN. I have faced Vader and made him flee in fear of me. I have received council from your goddesses and the empress. We do not take our task lightly. There will be no torture, that is not the way this will work. You will help us find the truth, and we are grateful for that. But, a persons life hangs in the balance, and we will see if she was a true traitor, or another victim! Yes, we are the judges, as the Bright Lady wishes it to be us! If you have a complaint, bring it up with your goddesses!" Jek stares at him for another moment as the shadows continue to swirl about. Then, with a deep breath, the shadows calm around him and his eyes turn to back to the yellow color.
"Sorry, not sure where that came from. Anyways, no torture. And where are those guards? Weren't they going to bring us Lelith and her things? And our hammers!" Jek will say, back to his normal self.
"Ah, so you're special." Elder Piccolo quips as he listens to Jek. "Then you don't need me."
And with that...the ******* Owl leaves.
The two guards at the door with the rocking horse look at him as he goes, then look at the scary little shadow guy. One pushes the rocking horse back into the room...then lays three hammers behind it; a claw hammer, a sledge hammer, and a meat tenderizer...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Jek watches as Elder Piccolo goes. He raises his hand as if to stop him, but then thinks better of it. He turns to look to the others but gets distracted as the guards put the horse and hammers down. "I... What?... I guess that's fine. Can you just go find Krille? Have him come meet us here, please."
Jek will look sheepishly towards Stasolya and Shavaris. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make him leave. I'm not sure what came over me. It was just, he kept talking down to us, then he wanted to torture people, it seems like he enjoyed it. Anyways, maybe they have someone else that can help? Do we need anyone else?" Jek will wait for there response, then goes to sit quietly at the table to wait.
What was that? He has gotten mad before, but not like that. The darkness in him is stirring, ever since he tapped into it during their fight with Vader. He knew this might happen. He'll need to keep a leash on this darkness. He does not want to be consumed by it.
When Jek has Greko and Ro materialize, Shavaris's hand goes to her mouth and she inhales a sharp gasp at seeing Ro. Forgetting about the angry owl for a moment, she turns to Jek, "This is how you last saw Ro? I... oh man." She looks crestfallen as she knows he is lost.
As Piccolo answers her questions on qualifications, she turns a bit green on the torture descriptions after just seeing Ro like that. "Um... letting us know whether she is telling the truth or not will definitely suffice, no torture is needed." she mumbles in return.. his demeanor totally throwing her off, feeling like she was on trial instead of Lelith.
Shavaris takes a step back as the shadows start to circle around Jek. Her eyes widen at his change in demeanor and speech, impressed, she starts smiling and looks to the Elder to see his reaction. As he leaves, she shrugs, "Don't be sorry Jek, that was impressive. I didn't know you had it in you. We'll see if the guard brings back, Krille, Lelith or some other angry Elder. It'll be a surprise!" she says with a smile and sits down next to him. "Ready Staysola? I hope we can find the truth."
Elder Krille returns within a few moments. The expressionless face typical of the Owl Aarakocra falls on the three of them as he steps into the room.
"I understand there was some disagreements with Elder Piccolo. Perhaps I have misunderstood your needs. He is a bit...hostile...but he is in his position for a reason. However, should you prefer, I will bring forward one of the other Elder's to see if they can help you. None of them will be as proficient as Elder Piccolo of course. There's a reason I asked him to assist you. But none of them will offer you the issues that he has, either."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Shavaris looks to Krille and wonders what he means by none are as proficient as Elder Piccolo... proficient at what? "Yes, please bring forth one of the other Elders, thank you. We really appreciate the help."
Jek looks to Krille from where he is seated. He tiltes his head in confusion. He stands and faces Krille.
"Good morning, Krille. I think there may be some confusion. There was disagreement, but we never sent Piccolo away. We just said there would be no torture. And he apparently did not appreciate it when I answered his question on my qualifications. I... may have been a bit mad at him when he insulted us and talked about how much he enjoyed torturing people. If you think he is most suited for the task, then I am willing to apologize to him. But, the task will not involve torture. "
"Elder Piccolo is...a unique person." Krille said. "Let's...let us try Elder Qlille. She is...suited for your purposes."
Krille exits the room, and shortly thereafter another Elder arrives. She is snow white and in a purple robe, two very tall, almost comical horns of feathers on her head. She steps in, wide eyed, introduces herself as Elder Qlille, and asks what her function will be. Upon hearing it, she nods, and requests one of the rocking horse guards to summon Lelith...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Lelith entered the room with her head poised high as a stern gaze and a sneer of cold command swept the room like a general overlooking his soldiers. She was wearing a rather elegant toga-styled dress with golden straps around her waist and a vine headband. Her clothing and her manners gave the impression she was a royal judge gracing the room with her presence, for the purpose of giving her verdict on a poor criminal rather than the hapless victim that was to be tried today. Once seated, she shot a rather subtle smug look in the direction of the band members, she was more than aware of the irony of it.
Qlille looks at the Eladrin as she enters the room, tall and imposing. She doesn't look impressed, however. She looks away, gazing from each of the three judges, then pointing at a chair in the center of the room, in front of the table where the panel intends to sit.
"Please, have a seat." Elder Qlille says to Lelith as she begins to make her way around the room. "I will ask you to relax. I will ask you to rest your mind, so that I may enter it as you are questioned. This is as much for your benefit as theirs. It will show you have nothing to hide, and it will absolutely prove to the judges that you are telling the truth, or lying, whatever the case may be. Do you understand?"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Shavaris watches as Lelith enters the room. She doesn't know the elf, well, she doesn't know her at all. Just what transpired before she was hauled away. She found her chosen attire and demeanor very interesting. "Lelith, its just us. You don't have to pretend anymore or try and bolster who you are with dress and attitude. Those things don't matter when it comes down to it."
As Elder Quille addresses Lelith and explains her role in the trial, Shavaris relaxes a bit. She isn't sure how this is done, but is glad as this should help cut through the bullshit. She waits as they all listen to hear Lelith's response before the questioning can begin. Quietly, she leans over to Jek and whispers, "Are we just questioning her or are we bringing in witnesses and all that sort? Do you know?"
Jek nods and says "Thank you, Krille. I trust you and your judgment." Jek will pick up the meat tenderizer. He starts talking, as he takes a seat.
"The stories say it's wood, but I guess this will do. The stories say that the great judges of the land could silence any creature with but a tap of there enchanted wooden hammers. The greatest judge of all was Judge Judith. With robes as black as night and the eyes of justice, she presided over cases on worlds throughout all of existence. The stories say she could even play judgment to the stars in the sky." Jek finishes his story just as Eldar Qlille enters. He will nod and listen as she speaks. He likes her better than Piccolo.
-----
Jek watches as Lelith enters. The white dress was an interesting choice, but Jek wonders why she changed. Seems like a silly thing to do. Jek is a little confused by the look she gives them. Does she not understand what is happening here?
To Shavaris, Jek will respond quietly "All the witnesses are gone on there own tasks now. There is just her and whatever she has on her. And... her victims." As lelith's back is turned towards Qlille, Jek will once again form the illusions of translucent ghosts of Greko (with his look of disappointment) and Ro (silently screaming with hooks piercing his body) in the far back of the room.
Qlille looks at the two summoned images of the men that the Lightless has called forth, but she looks unmoved by their silent arrival. She listens to Jek and Shavaris, then reaches out with one finger and touches the bag at Lelith's hip before stepping away. Golden energy shimmers for ten feet around Lelith and her bag. Qlille steps near the door and pauses.
"I hear your thoughts." Qlille states to the Elf flatly. "But your deeds require answers. I hear their thoughts too."
She points at the panel of Judges.
"This may be unbelievable to you, but they only want what is best. Not to punish or persecute, but to seek justice and truth, wherever it may lie, so that your journey, and their own, and the journeys of those you have effected, may continue. You have to understand that this isn't about punishing you. It is about seeking what is right, and freeing you from the chains the Lord of Darkness bound you in, whatever those may look like. Please."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
"I do not need to bolster neither my appearance, attitude, or anything for that matter. I am Lelith Iathrana and that is enough," Lelith looked intently at Qlille even as she was answering Shavaris, it lasted but a moment before she turned away. "I am, however, thankful for giving me the benefit of the doubt. Elder Qlille, Shavaris, and Stasolya."
"They are not my victims. Their untimely deaths were a result of the Lord of Darkness' actions. I have not harmed them nor laid a single hand on them since we first met. If you think this might unsettle my mind or draw forth any guilt, you will be disappointed to know that I've had plenty of time to move on from this," Lelith looked straight at Jek as she said this. "I am ready to answer your questions."
Stasolya waits quietly, standing next to the horse chair, as Qlille puts her spell in place and Lelith makes her statement. She smiles at the elf. "Thank you, Lelith. I hope that we will be able to bring everyone together to the truth and the right path forward. Why don't you start by telling us your version of events, from the beginning until the end?"
"Shortly after I named us, our group, the Twilight Embers in the Great Deku Tree. We fought numerous... disgusting creatures and set the Queen of the Gohma fleeing. We chased after it even as it hid from us and eventually killed it. But not without loss, not of the Twilight Embers, we were far too great of course. Some of the innocent people that had accompanied us, a mortal fairy native to Hyboria died to the Queen's minions and tore her apart. I carefully gathered all of her... pieces in hope of resurecting her in the near future. Regardless, the loss was dearly felt among us and laid our moral low. It was in that brief moment of weakness that the Lord of Darkness sought to seduce me, to put it mildly," Lelith looked disgusted.
"Although, I may sound conceited by saying this. I am not unaware of appearance. Dare I say, I have been compared to many from Princess Andromeda to the Princess of Hyrule, the greatest priestess of Hylia. A great honour to be compared to the incarnation of a goddess, I feel as if such a comparison would insult her, however. I am unworthy to be spoken of in the same sentence as her. Praise be, the Royal Priestess!" Lelith offered a quick quiet prayer before returning back to the subject. "Right, as I was saying. I have a rather otherworldly and beautiful appearance, no less a result of my own efforts as it is due to my bloodline. I thought the Lord of Darkness was, truthfully, less interested in that and more in using me to nip in the bud the Twilight Embers who up to that point had overcame any and all obstacles in their way."
"I now know that I was wrong. While that was an intended objective of that fiend, he also had eyes for me." Lelith's face scrunched up as she shivered. "Which I should've known. In any case, I had managed to resist the seduction attempts. I do not remember how many times he has tried to turn me to his side but I had thwarted all of his attempts until a certain fateful event in the Lon Lon Ranch near Hyrule Castle."
"A group of people, civilians, were seeking refuge there from the hordes of undead wandering Hylia's wilderness. Many of my companions were hesitant to help them as we had far more i important matters to intend to. I set the matter to rest by decisively marching there and seeking to help them. There we found out that there was a labouring woman who could not escape and so the people stayed with her to defend her to the last. A rather charming notion," Lelith scoffed as she seemed to be remembering something. "I had given them a solution which followed a rather simple logic. They had no chances of surviving if they stayed here, there was no doubt about this, and so I suggested I would take the labouring woman and her grown daughter to the Feywild to be protected and cared for by my family. They would have no reason then to stay at the ranch and they could start escaping."
"Instead of gratitude, what I received instead was disdain and condescending words from an elder of the group. I am a Noble Eladrin, the least I should've been given was respect. And so I gave him an ultimatum, if he dared so much as to speak like that again to me. I would have his tongue or perhaps his life. I do not remember which came first. My words are my life, once I have given them. I cannot go back on them. I did offer him the alternative of merely apologizing," the memory seemed to be distinctly unpleasant to Lelith. "Of course, he refused even as he knew who he was speaking to. As I was about to enact rightful judgement upon him, I was confronted by my companions and forced to stay my hand. The people at the ranch no longer desired our help because of me. My companions were insistent in helping them regardless and set upon slaughtering any horde that tried to approach. And we did. I tried once again to speak to the labouring woman's family once given the opportunity. The father and husband was receptive to my plea, I had suggested to leave his pregnant wife and daughter to me to take care of as only death awaited them."
"The people at the ranch once again interfered and forced me out. This time they forced my hand. I could only call them evil for their actions, they were men and women, adults. What they did with their life is their own to choose even if they decided to throw it away. But what of the children? Why would they forced to face death? In my numerous attempts to save, I realized that they did not truly understand what awaited them. Mortality only shows its true value at the moment of death. Only when they were choking on their own blood would they realize their foolishness for refusing our help and will experience true despair in their final moments." Lelith seemed to think for a few seconds more before speaking the next words. "...So that's how I came to the decision to kidnap the daughter, barely over a decade old! Of course, she resented me for taking her away from her family but at least she had a life to live now. You may question why I am speaking of this, this was the given context to what created a schism between the members of the Twilight Embers."
"I believe that it was at that moment of weakness that the Lord of Darkness' claws found purchase in my mind and came to learn of his true identity. He had plans but none that he would share with me. Only one thing, he wanted me to lead the Twilight Embers to the Temple of Time. I convinced them to turn away from trying to help the ranch and move on to more pressing matters. It was true that we were short on time then, I was speaking the truth then and they were confirmed by both Greko and Ro. We had several destinations in mind, from Kakariko Village, King's Landing, to Hyrule Castle. It is then... that I convinced them to go to Hyrule Castle. We met along the way the newest addition to the Twilight Embers. Once at the Temple of Time, as you likely already know, we were predictably ambushed by the Lord of Darkness and I was forced to watch myself fawn over that vile fiend. It was only at the death of my companions and some of the words exchanged that day which had provoked a rather strong emotional response allowed me to slip free from the hold on my mind. Once I found the opportunity, I escaped lest the fiend found the opportunity to try to defile me." Lelith glared in the general direction of Hyrule Castle, even from here she could tell where it was.
"Now the Lord of Darkness is part of a greater whole. He is part of the Calamity or as it calls itself Ganon. Ganon's interest in me has no waned, I can feel in every waking moment. That nearly god-like entity wants me back as its bride and lover. I do not want that to happen. I will not return to its clutches. I wish to find the Princess of Hyrule. She is my last hope for salvation, she is well-known to be abel to seal darkness and evil. I will not deny that my reasons for trying to find her are selfish but even before the Lord of Darkness' corruption, I had been looking for her in hopes of not only protecting her but helping her achieve her destiny in saving the world," Lelith clasped her hands together once again as she prayed to and for the Princess.
"To preemptively answer a likely question of yours. I had my reasons to not speak of what was going on to my companions..." Lelith now looked to be distinctly uncomfortable. "Until I succumbed, I did not know who was trying to reach into my mind. I believed I might put my companions into danger if I informed them and most importantly, I... thought it would be shameful, disgraceful, humiliating to seek help from them. I believed I could handle it on my own. I am no more harsh to other people in my expectations of them than I am to myself. Everytime I fail to meet my own expectations... Well, that is as far as I am willing to say. Regardless, I had my reasons. I know things might have turned out differently if I did but I do not believe the Lord of Darkness' plans hinged merely on my pride. It would have likely changed nothing. Ro's father had been hostage for long in any case."
Stastolya looks to Elder Qlille for confirmation of Lelith's truthfulness as she listens to her tale, then looks back to Lelith. "You speak in very vague terms of the actions upon your mind by the Lord of Darkness. I understand that these are personal questions, but I think they are important to our discovering your culpability for what happened. What did he do to first try and seduce you? You seem to imply that you did not know who he was at first. Exactly how did he contact you, and what did he say? What temptation did he offer in the moment of weakness following the fairy's death? These attacks you thwarted that followed, in which he tried to turn you to his side, what was the nature of them? Thoughts in your mind? Magic? You made a choice to kidnap a child. You see this as a moment of weakness? Something that left an opening for the Lord of Darkness to, as you say, find purchase in your mind? What does that mean? When did you know that he was in control, and you weren't? Was this a form of possession? You seem to imply that you did not give your consent to it but had to watch yourself behave in a manner you did not will. Can you describe this process in more specific terms?"