Turn #69 - Tribunal in Ilien

[X-Avanil/Aubrae Avan (Thorsten)]

Letting out a cry of alarm and surprise at the mans reaction, Ser Ryence takes a half-step forward and kicks out at the Archprelate's empty chair, sending it skittering across the polished floor towards the would-be assassins leg. The Avanese knight draws his sword halfways from his scabbard, before he realizes that it might be construed as an aggressive move by the IHH, and slams it home again - resorting instead to pointing a finger and, in a nasal voice, shouting "Assassin!"

[X-WIT/Toreas Kharnmoin (Rune)]

The archprelate shouts: "Haelyn aid me! Protect our brother!" and points his hand at the assassin. A bright light is seen in his hand, which instantly shoots towards his target.

OOC: Casting a hold spell on the assassin.

[X-Ghieste & HOT/GH (Matt)]

At the cry of "Assassin" the Lady from Ghieste steps forward with a confident stride, weaving hands around herself and clearly speaking strange and arcane words, almost song-like. From her hand, and into the armoured back of the weapon bearing figure, leap bolts of pearl and ivory coloured energy. They spin and twirl violently as they fly across the room to thump into the back of the so-called assassin, leaving a sparkling dust trail behind them that drifts out of the air and onto the clothes of those below their path. With a happy smile, and as quick as they strike, she begins to prepare another incantation of some kind.

[X-Mieres & SAS/AV (Mark)]

The Governor's arm jerks at the call of 'assassin' and he holding a small dagger which he looks to throw, but there are too many in his way and he has no clear shot.  Instead he holds waiting for an opening and glances about to see if there are any others in the room about to betray their kin or masters.

[DM B]

The assassins attack is interrupted - long enough for IHH templars to catch it. Catch it only their polearms, impale it and pin it to the ground.

[X-Ilien & PCE/GeM (Linde)]

Geraldine, seeing what the commotion is about, snatch her goblet and hurry a servant over to fill it up again. In antisipation of another burning beast, she stands ready to avert her eyes from the scene and tries to find some cloth to cover her mouth and nose.

[DM B]

Things wind down a bit after that. The thing, which is still alive and struggling all the while, is taken away. Later it becomes clear that one of men accompanying at Avanese envoy is missing, having slipped away during the commotion. Exactly how he managed to do that is hard to say - all exits were physically barred.

Needless to say the Tribunal adjourns for the day, but will sit again on the morrow.

[X-Diemed/Carvaloen Diem (Sheldon)]

The archduke lunged towards the attacker to physically come between him and his brother ready to lay fist upon it's face... but the reach of a pike heaved his target to a tantemount distance distinctly out of reach.  He then hovered helpfully near his brother, eyes darting back and fourth, scanning the dank room for more dangers.

When all is calm he exits with Narvelon, never leaving his side.

[X-OIT/Narvelon Diem (Cort)]

Narvelon turns to the attacker, but his reaction would have been too slow to fend off the attack.  Finishing his turn, he sees only his brother's back, which he touches as he mutters a prayer of protection.  By then, however, the combat is over.

The year has not been kind to Narvelon, and the exhaustion appears to have finally caught up to him.  He looks to have aged about ten years in seconds.  He shuffles over to the true Book of Laws, clutches it tightly to his chest, and walks out of the Tribunal with his brother, muttering his thanks.

[X-Sea Witch/Aneira (John)]

Nodding at the quick actions of the lady from Ghieste, Aneira takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.  After a further look around the the chamber, sheglances towards the Countess of Ilien, a ghost of a wry smile flashing across her face, before she quietly leaves the chamber behind the Archduke of Diemed and his brother.

[X-CJS/Ruormad Coumain (Tristan)]

Before leaving Cardinal Delvine enquires of Lannelah, the Pontiff's assistant in all this as to when training in detecting these foul spawn can be provided to the "cleared" clergy here, as she does not wish to delay any in ensuring that Sarimie's temple in Illien is clear before turning her attention to matters closer to home.

[DM B]

Once again it is explained that it's not all that easy. But the elf is willing to come to your temple and look at your staff.

[DM B]

The day after:

Once again the Tribunal is in session. And again it is Heresy of the Mind that is in question - that is, willfully aiding the Shadow or at the very least not acting against it, usually for personal gain. So you're still not at the sold-my-soul-to-Azrai part.

Today you will concern yourself with the Heresy of the One Temple. Whether or not it is of the Shadow remains - in some mind - in doubt. But it IS a heresy of the greatest order, enough to warrant burning in its own right.

So the question is, Red Wind and the Lost aside, did Geraldine actually help the heretical TOG establish itself in Ilien. Or at the very least did not do enough to stop it?

Evidence is presented. It seems excessive to claim that she encouraged the growth of the TOG. Indeed, she may have had little power to stop its growth once the Red Wind was in place. Which you've already covered, so the Pontiff warns you not to return to old accusations that she's already been cleared of. It's easy to see that there are those who disagree with the Pontiff on that point!

At any rate; it is also hard to deny that once the TOG did gain some power, Geraldine DID accept its services.

Does anyone wish to question the accused or otherwise address the tribunal?

[X-WIT/Toreas Kharnmoin (Rune)]

Archprelate Kharnmoin stands.

"Based on the evidence presented by His Holiness, the Pontiff, it is clear that Geraldine received aid from the TOG. As an Anuirean noble, tradition dictates that she leads her people by example. Especially in times of trouble, the people flock to their nobles for leadership and act from their example. Thus by accepting the aid of the TOG, be it actively or through ignorance, she set forth a statement to her people: that accepting aid from a heretic temple was permissible. Through this she aided the spread of heresy as the Ilinese people flocked to the TOG - increasing their power. As an Anuirean noble, she is responsible for her own actions, and how they are interpreted by her people.

One should also consider the time from the RW and the TOG appeared in Ilien, and until the Countess sent fourth her call for aid to the Conclave. Only when the walls of Ilien had been breached, and external forces were in her city, did she cry for help. While we have proof that she were in fact able to communicate with people outside of Ilien, as shown by Governor Vaumel. She were also able to organize and mount a strong defense against Archduke Diem and his allies. Such cynicism suggests a calculated and informed decision, and not the actions of someone who is trying to fight heresy.

I would also like to point out one thing: Geraldine has claimed innocence all through this tribunal. Yet as we have determined earlier, inactivity in the face of heresy is not the same as innocence. Still she has failed to produce a shred of evidence to show that she actively tried to counter the influence of the RW and TOG".

[DM B]

Wallac: "So what you are saying is that Geraldine is, at best, guilty of being too lenient. That she sought to use forces that she did, at best, not understand, to gain her a temporal advantage over her enemies. Even when she should at least have suspected that something was amiss."

Short pause.

"I can only agree with you there Toreas. However much I try, however much I allow for human weakness...it is hard to deny that she did too little.

Anyone else?"