Turn #69 - Tribunal in Ilien

[DM B]

Wallac: "And yet we have not quite gotten to the Soul. We are still laboring over the Mind. And it was not my intention to break it up into sub-charges - that was your own wish. Indeed, we already have a conviction of the Mind! So from my point of view we are wasting time and effort here...

So I we could just focus on the specific at hand? So that we can proceed in an orderly manner to the Soul?"

Wallac seems a bit annoyed; and for once he has good reason.

[X-WIT/Toreas Kharnmoin (Rune)]

Toreas: "Pontiff, stop putting words in the tribunal members' mouths. You have already made it very clear that you are running the show, and that the tribunal has very little control over the progress. Don't make it seem like we are the ones stalling here. It was you that hurried the votes along during the initial hearings, and it is you who keep coming up with more accusations to be debated now. Had the tribunal been given enough time to investigate at the start, this would have been solved already".

The Archprelates rebuke is quite clear.

"But indeed, let us get these last accusations of Corruption of the Mind over with.

On the question of using death magic, the WIT votes "nay".

On the question of consorting with a vile ghost, reports indicate that some fairly advanced realm magic was used in Ilien and against the besieging forces. Few entities can wield such power, the most likely candidates being the ghost of Moeran Aglondier or the Red Wind. It seems clear that at least one of them, of not both, aided Geraldine with this magic. On the question of vileness, if the ghost was benign then why was it's presence kept hidden from the temples in Ilien? In addition it may be prudent to consider that if the spirit came into existence because of it's hatred to all things dieman and scions of House Diem in particular, as the IHH and ETN claim, that covers a significant part of the Anuiren population. A powerful ghost driven by such hatred can hardly be said to be anything but vile. I also question why Geraldine did not use her close ties to the temples of Ilien to aid the ghost in passing to the Afterlife sooner. Geraldine has already been found guilty of heresy for doing nothing when the temple of the TOG took roots in her city. It could be speculated that she deliberatly did nothing to put the ghost of Moeran Aglondier to rest for much the same reason - that keeping such a powerful spirit around in case her former liege lord would attack would serve her purposes better than letting a tortured soul continue to the Afterlife. Based on the information presented to the tribunal, the WIT votes "aye".

On the question of failing to protect the veil in Ilien, the WIT relies on the statement of the RCS and votes "nay".

[DM B]

Wallac: "Toreas, you are the most difficult man I have ever had the misfortune of speaking to. I am beginning to think that whatever I say or do I will be damned. I call this tribunal - stacking it badly in disfavor of the Reformation and the Countess. For that I am chastised. Then I am faulted for the manner in which I conduct the proceedings. So I adjust them. Then I am chastised of that - and everything else.

I have warned you repeatedly to respect the Pontificate and the Tribunal - but clearly you are unable and unwilling. But hear this; you are not Pontiff yet! Guards - escort the Archprelate to his quarters. He will not be joining us again. Coumain, you may take your seat again - or be excused alongside the Archprelate. I care not.

And to the honorable Archduke - if you came here to say nothing, vote nothing, then you can leave as well!"

[X-WIT/Toreas Kharnmoin (Rune)]

The Archprelate wordlessly stands and pulls his chair out, offering it to Cardinal Delvaine of the CJS. He whispers something to her, and then lets himself be escorted out by the waiting guards.

[X-Avanil/Aubrae Avan (Thorsten)]

Ser Ryence screws up his face in disgust at the Pontiffs words and actions, and narrow his eyes slightly as he watches the IHH soldiers forming up around the head of the WIT. Leaning over to one of his aides he hisses something to him, whereupon the entire Avanese delegation, save Ryence himself, rise and make their way out of the room right behind the Archprelate and his escort.

The knight crosses his arms across his chest and once more assumes the expression of mild boredom that clung to him during the first day of the tribunal. This time sitting on his own, surrounded by empty chairs in the otherwise crowded room.

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

General Kerric of Maesford had been enduring day after day of boring talk. Snakes whispering in corners, posturing and talking. Hours and hours of endless talking.

Oh, Gods, if ever there was a test to Kerric's loyalty, this was it. No one at the embassy, no aides from the court, no friggin' pay for the troops except some outdated scripts of debts to be collected in the region. No one to pawn off this "witnessing" to.

With the exception of the assassination attempt and the forcible removing of the Archprelate, this had to be the most disgusting assignment he had ever had.

What he would not give to ride freely back to the plains of Elinie... And apparently soon, what with the speed the Pontiff was turning the rest of the Conclave against him. Being part of the Holy Army that had ridden in with the Pontiff was quickly becoming less attractive.

Speaking of attractive... His eyes moved yet again to the place where Lady Alizabet was seated. Passing by without pausing too long. Now there was an interesting woman...

[X-CJS/Ruormad Coumain (Tristan)]

Cardinal Delvaine smoothly takes the seat recently vacated by the Archprelate.

After examining some notes in front of her she stands, her trained voice carrying clearly through the chamber, her language formal and ritualistic. You can hear the emphasis in her voice when she speaks.

"Most Holy Pontiff, considering that Countess Geraldine el-Mesire has been found guilty by this Tribunal of Corruption of the Mind, and that the punishment for Corruption of the Mind remains the same no matter the degree of Corruption. I would propose with your leave, that by acclamation, we move onto examining the State of the prisoners Immortal Soul.

Let us hope, by the Grace of Haelyn and Sarimie that the Corruption of her Mind has not spread to her Soul and that this most important thing can be preserved."

At this the Cardinal sits.

[X-Sea Witch/Aneira (John)]

A slight frown mars the smooth skin of the Sea Witch's forehead as she observes the interaction between the temples and her eyes track the departure of first the Archprelate then the Avanese delegation save Ser Ryence.  After a pause of but a few moments, she quietly rises and moves to sit beside Ser Ryence, leaning towards the knight to whisper something quietly in his ear.

[DM B]

Wallac, truing to acknowledge Coumain: "Finally some sense is spoken! This was my intention all along, to not get bogged down with trivia, but proceed in a seemly fashion. Nevertheless, the proceedings have progresses so far that we must finish the vote.

Please vote members of the tribunal..."

Several members have already cast their vote, here are the rest:

Kaven: "I concur with the Archprelate. Guilty on the Ghost charge, not guilty on the others. One more stone around her neck."

Carvaloen: "Guilty on all counts."

Wallac: "Very well, the votes have been cast, including the OIT, which abstains. Three votes for guilty on consorting with a ghost. Two votes proclaim you innocent. One abstains.

Geraldine, you have additionally been found guilty of willfully and through neglect consorting with a vile ghost. Clearly you are guilty of Heresy of the mind.

The tribunal is adjourned.

Tomorrow we will contemplate your Soul."

[X-Avanil/Aubrae Avan (Thorsten)]

Ser Ryence arches an eyebrow at the Sea Witch as she joins him, but nonetheless gets up to hold the chair for her. He politely holds a finger to his lips as the Pontiff speaks, then as the rest file out, turns to Aneira and replies in a hushed voice.

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

On the morning of the next day Lady Alizabet arrives early and as soon as she is admitted to the chamber takes her, now almost customary, seat. Arrayed in glorious deep black dress, sprinkled here and then with gold threads and details, her hair seems to shine with a vivid fire as it falls in easy tresses over her milk-white shoulders and done her back, unbound. She takes a small satchel from a page and opens it out, placing an ink pot, parchment and quills on to the writing table another page arranges next to. With a kind smile she nods at the pages and they retreat from her side to the edge of the room as she opens the ink pot and starts to make notes.

[DM B]

Wallac: "The tribunal is in session. Today we will explore the possible corruption of the accused's soul. So far we have found her not guilty of bodily corruption, but guilty of corruption of the mind. The accusation of corruption of the soul is, however, far more grave than the other two. To have given one's soul willingly to the shadow or acted so wickedly or so negligently as to have stained the immortal soul...that is the most grave of all charges. If the accused is found guilty I fear there is little chance of redemption.

It was the wish of the Tribunal that the charge of corruption of the soul be performed in a 'freeform' manner. I will honor that wish. Members of the tribunal, you are now free to begin the examination. Proof and witnesses will only be heard if relevant to your lines of inquiry or upon special request from the Tribunal."

[DM B]

Moerdred: "If the Pontiff and the Gods will bear with my tone; I would very much like to hear what the priests of the IHH have learned while questioning the accused. If, for example, they have found the Mark of the Shadow upon her soul, it would be nice to know. Seeing as it will save a lot of time and effort."

[X-ETN/Maire Cwyllmie (Libor)]

Maire stands and slightly nods towards the Pontiff "With your permission, Wallac, I will examine the accused now." After that, she slowly walks in circles around Geraldine reciting chants to call the help of Lady of Souls. Soon all present feels something is in the air, something making almost impossible to lie and something that would reveal any such lie. And it grows stronger with every circle Maire makes. Then it becomes apparent that Geraldine shines. But no, it is not really her, it is an entity made of inner light that resides approximately in the location of Countess, shining around and trough her. As Maire walks around Geraldine she asks questions:

"Do you feel any burder upon your soul? Don't keep it inside, let us know."

"If you have anything to confess, don't hesitate and do it now."

"Did the Shadow touch you?"

Doing that, Maire also carefully examines Geraldine and her light, that is clearer every step, from all sides, curious what she would find ...

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

The Governor is present, once again seated amongst the spectators.  As Marie stands his eyes narrow somewhat and he focuses on the High Priestess as opposed to the convicted el-Mesir a look of cynicism painted across his face.