Turn #69 - Tribunal in Ilien

[X-ETN/Maire Cwyllmie (Libor)]

"If this is about heresy, I assume we should talk about the so called Temple of One True God. So, Geraldine, can you please explain how it came that such faith appeared in Ilien and why it grew on expense of Ruornil's temple?"

[X-WIT/Toreas Kharnmoin (Rune)]

The Archprelate of the Western Imperial Temple of Haelyn stand:

"Unfortunately, we have not been presented with a statement detailing the events leading up to this tribunal. Therefore, before I question the accused, I would like her to present her version of what caused all this to happen".

Edit:

As the Archprelate is rising to speak, the High Priestess breaks in. The Archprelate looks somewhat annoyed, but finds his seat again.

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

Geraldine looks at the Highpriestess and replies:

"Your Holiness,
The Red Wind took advantage of the unfortunate event when RCS tried to raise a militia to assist Diem in his assault on this city."

"However great the resources of Ilien is. It can not affort to fight Diem outside its walls, RCS inside the walls and the Red Wind all at once."

She pauses a moment

"I chose not to eliminate the threat of RCS, because it is a lawful temple in Ilien, a good church for my citizens, and the shadow ward they cast here is necessary to ensure the safety of my citizens. Instead I closed the temples and tried to contact its higher clergy in hopes of a diplomatic solution."

"The Red Wind took advantage of the situation and created his temple."

[X-ETN/Maire Cwyllmie (Libor)]

"Did you support the growth of Red Wind's temple at the expense of RCS in any way? Is it true that group of Red Wind's 'god' followers under leadership of ser Estevan fought in defence of Ilien against attack of Duke Diem?"

[X-Avanil/Aubrae Avan (Thorsten)]

One of the observers, a thin knight from Avanil with a bored expression, leans forward in his seat and passes a small slip of paper to the holder of the Diemean seat, before leaning back again to follow the continued proceedings.

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

The Governor takes the note and reads it.  After the High Priestess finishes he looks over, "If I may be permitted to make an addition to that question, since it follows the same vein, "If it is, as you say, that You could not afford to fight Diemed, the RCS and the Red Wind all at once - why did you choose the Red Wind and his heretics as the lesser of those "evils" as it were, to be allowed to continue unmolested in their works?"

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

"I have not in any way supported the Red Wind's temple."

"It is True that ser Estevan went on the walls of Ilien under an assault on the city. And he was joined by followers of the Red Wind. The facts of how it happened I know not. I do know that I have never requested ser Estevan's aid in the defence of my city. Nor did I know that he had been corrupted by the Red Wind before that night."

[X-ETN/Maire Cwyllmie (Libor)]

"Where the Red Wind's followers came from?"

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

Geraldine looks at the Governer as she replies:

"Your Lordship. Thank for comming over here to see justice in this matter. But justice will not come from your question. I did not choose that the Red Wind was a lesser evil, and as such your question makes no sense.

I have done nothing but defending myself and my city. I have defended it from all the threats I could and all the threats I was aware of. I did not know that it was not you who came to my aid when the Red Wind arrived under Mieran flags and started to dig around in my soil, convert my citizens and raid Medores coast.

From he entered the city he had his sorcerers around me day and night. I could do almost nothing that he would not be aware of.

And still, I told him not to build a temple here in Ilien.

Still my administration offered him no support when he did it anyway.

I saw him as the greatest evil in Ilien!" 

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

The Governor remains impassive, "Do you deny seeking aid from the Red Wind and his heretics then?"

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

"What aid is it the Red Wind should have given me?"

"All he have done while in my city is hampering my ability to rule, endangering the souls of my citizens, and persue his own twisted agendas whatever they may be."

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

The Governor's eyes narrow slightly, "Do not answer a question with a question...Your Excellency..." he states annoyed.  "Do you deny seeking aid of the Red Wind and his heretics?"

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

"yes"

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

"Thank you," the Governor nods.  "Other than asking, Do you deny accepting the aid or services of the Red Wind and this," his face turns sour, "Church of the 'One" God"

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

"The Red Wind, his followers and his church have done nothing in Ilien exept trying to further their own goals. They have done nothing for me, nor for Ilien."