Turn #69 - Tribunal in Ilien

[X-ETN/Maire Cwyllmie (Libor)]

"I think she erred and should do penance. But I don't think she deserves death."

[DM B]

Kaven: "Clearly she did not do enough."

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

The Governor is present at the tribunal but no longer a member as the Archduke has come to claim his seat.  Instead he sits quietly listening to the deliberations of the current tribunal members.

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

Geraldine sits quietly while the members of the tribunal adress each other.

[DM B]

Very well. Remaining members of the tribunal, please cast your votes.

[X-Sea Witch/Aneira (John)]

The Sea Witch is present as a silent observer again this day, though her attention appears divided between the proceedings and a slim, battered old book which she is flicking through the pages of, occasionally frowning at the contents.

[DM B]

Moerdred: "I find the evidence clear enough. She did not do enough. If one assumes the Red Wind and the Speaker are one and the same. If one assumes that the One God is of the Shadow. I am not convinced. Heresy yes, of the Shadow, doubtful as of yet. Therefore I will pass no judgment on this."

(he abstains)

Carvaloen Diem: "Guilty."

Narvelon Diem: "Guilty."

Wallac: "It would seem there only Maire is against. Moerdred abstains. Four in favor. Geraldine el-Mesire is found before gods and men to be guilty of heresy of the mind, in that he willingly cooperated with a known servant of the Shadow - the Red Wind - accepted his aid, and allowed the growth of a temple he promoted - a temple she have every reason to suspect must be of Azrai, even if it has yet to be proven to be. May Haelyn have mercy on your soul!

The Tribunal is adjourned for today. Tomorrow we will hear the rest of the charges of heresy of the mind; failure to heed warnings about the weakened veil, the use of death magic, association with a vile ghost. Those things."

Geraldine is not returned to her quarters this time, but put in chains and led to the IHH temple under heavy guard.

[DM B]

The following day the tribunal continues.

Wallac lists up the accusations, which seem grouped into:

- using death magic on the besieging troops
- consorting with a vile ghost
- failure to protect the Veil in Ilien

The evidence is presented:

- The RCS has found no trace of death magic; the plague that swept the camps seem to have been mundane in nature, brought about by the general filth and wickedness of the soldiers. Altaweir is quick to point out that the RCS still believes Moeran Aglondier to have used such plague magic in the past (before his death). Surprisingly the RCS i gainsaid by a written statement of Archbishop Geren of the Inquisition.
- The ETN and the Pontiff have helped put to rest the ghost; being the Ghost of the late Moeran Aglondier, still bound in death to this place, driven by great hatred for all things Dieman and scions of House Diem in particular. It is proven that the Countess did indeed interact with the Ghost, but the evidence is hardly conclusive in terms of vileness or not. The Pontiff also points out that this is an issue the Conclave must continue to monitor, should more ghost activity arise.
- When it come to the Veil it is weak and has been weakened even further under Geraldine's rule. The evidence (largely gathered by the RCS) doesn't seem to indicate any neglect on the Countess' part, save that she had the misfortune of falling out with those who could strengthen the veil for her.

Once more the members of the tribunal are allowed to speak or question the convicted.

[DM B]

High Priestess Maire of the ETN makes a short, but impassioned speech on behalf of the Countess, stating that she thing her foolish and misguided, but ultimately not evil. In light of what has been presented here today she will give the accused the benefit of the doubt that no others seem willing to extend.

[DM B]

Moerdred has to laugh a little: "If the holy men of Ruornil cannot fault the countess, and if the High Priestess AND the Pontiff cannot say if the ghost i truly evil...who am I to judge? though I am not always optimistic when it come to human nature - I must follow my conscience and cast my vote as 'Nay'."

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

Every time she moves around in her chair the chains binding her rattle a little. A constant reminder that she is now convicted of herecy and at the mercy of the tribunal. So desperatly trying not to move, Geraldine sits as still as possible.

Aside from the ounce of pride that contributes to the fear that make her sit perfectly still, her face show a woman who still have hope and faith, albeit a more humble version of the Countess that sits before the tribunal today.

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

Most are looking at the tribunal members or the Countess so few observe the Governor's reaction to Marie's speech, wherein his eyes roll and a scowl crosses his face.

[X-WIT/Toreas Kharnmoin (Rune)]

The Archprelate stands:

"It seems to me that His Holiness, the Pontiff, has taken the liberty of changing the charges against the accused. At the start of the tribunal, we were asked to investigate and pass judgment on three accusations: Corruption of the Body, Corruption of the Mind and Corruption of the Soul. As we stand here today, however, we are presented with three specific charges, and are asked to question the accused based on these charges. As the Pontiff should well know, Corruption of the Soul is a most grave accusation, and not one to be judged lightly. For those who give their souls to the Shadow, there is no absolution, not here and not in the afterlife. It goes against the very fabric of life, and a soul given to the Shadow is forever corrupted, as the soul is immortal. If the accused is found guilty of such a crime, he or she is cut off from worldly communications before put through a punishment so harsh as to prepare them for what is to come in the afterlife - an eternity of pain and punishment.

The three accusations presented today is hardly enough to conclude on the initial accusation. Based on the information presented earlier, and the fact that the Countess is already convicted of Corruption of the Mind, a more thorough investigation is warranted. If the Tribunal is limited to questioning the accused about the three very specific charges presented by His Holiness today, I fear that the Western Imperial Temple may be forced to abstain from passing judgement on the charge of Corruption of the Soul, as the Tribunal is hindered from carrying out it's duty in a satisfying manner". 

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

The Lady Alizabet sits quietly in her seat, taking care to make notation on each of the questions and charges with her goose feather quill in a beautiful script in a gilt edged book. At various points she nods or sighs, but mostly remains impassive.

[X-OIT/Narvelon Diem (Cort)]

I must concur with the WIT in this matter.  A more holistic approach is in order, and the Tribunal must be allowed to rule on the state of the Countess's soul, not just on three specific incidents.  I have no problem with them being discussed during the process, but I fear the Pontiff will have us lose focus on the larger picture.