Murders in the Foul Olde Sprit

[*Sanicos]

Laera walks up to the witness stand. She looks at everyone gathered, puts her hand on her pendant of Sune, and speaks:

My testimony to the Harmonium is accurate, but incomplete. Part of the reason for Nienna's actions is that I had asked her to protect me, and to keep me safe from Valexia. As far as her treatment of An'aroluth, Nienna's actions were purely with the intention of self-defense. As far as she could tell, she had no reason to believe An'aroluth did not intend to strike her down right there.

As far as Lorelei is concerned, she was acting based on incomplete knowledge of the situation, and I ask for leniency in her sentence. If she had known what she does now, she would never have acted the way she did.


Laera hesitates, then turns to the judge and speaks again:
Your honor, I feel as if this whole situation is my fault. None of this would have happened if I hadn't asked Nienna for help, or walked with Valexia in the first place. I... I offer to serve any sentence passed onto Nienna instead of her, since I am the one truly at fault here, even if the law says otherwise.

She closes her eyes, puts her head down, and places both hands on her pendant of Sune.

[*Captain Vanguard]

Reluctantly, Valexia appologetically looks at Laera, but decides to answer how she'd feel was the best way to reply to Caelus probing:

1) I do not deny it, Lorelei did cast a spell, several infact that did result in my death.

2) Lorelei pressued me by demanding that I leave Laera alone or she'd cast a banishment spell upon me. I responded with a hostile threat that if she refused to leave us alone id tear out her juggular. She then proceeded to cast a spell, several infact, that resulted in my death and several people being hurt.


I would like to point out that I do not have any disliking towards Lorelei since that incident and have come to believe this was not entirley her own doing. I have no evidence to proove otherwise, but I do believe she was coerced by another.

[*Mr_Otyugh]

Laera hesitates, then turns to the judge and speaks again:
Your honor, I feel as if this whole situation is my fault.  None of this would have happened if I hadn't asked Nienna for help, or walked with Valexia in the first place.  I... I offer to serve any sentence passed onto Nienna instead of her, since I am the one truly at fault here, even if the law says otherwise.

Judge Halmar: 'Tis ain't mine ta be judged lass, but I be mentioning 'tis all ta tha Red Death in tha end of tha trials before I be mentioning tha judgement.

If it please the court, might I request a ban on any further discussion of sentencing in this courtroom? Those present ought to be aware by this point that the Mercykillers handle any and all matters with regards to the punishment of the guilty, whether it be sending them to the gatehouse or removing their heads with a large rusty blade. This trial's sole purpose is to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.

Judge Halmar: Aye, 'tis be true. *takes his hammer on his hand* Let it be known tha Mercykillers are tha ones ta choose yer sentence. I be choosing whether ye be guilty or nae. So save yer breath ta prove me guilt or tha lack of it instead. *slams his hammer once*

[*silinrul357]

Prosecution's Questions for An'aroluth:

1) Did you, in fact, inflict any injuries upon Nienna's person?

2) Did you, or Nienna, strike a blow first?

3) Did the actions of Nienna and Lorelei work to prevent your revival of the victim?

An'aroluth speaks to all questions with a strange, if even a depressing, calm. It's very clear that she isn't enjoying herself to say the least. Her statements are, unless asked for elaboration or when necessary, typically short and to the point.

1) "Regretful, even accidental, but inexcusable. Yes... yes I did."

2) "I think the answer I just gave will suffice for this question too..."

3) "Yes, but there is perhaps a scale to it. Both attempted to stand in the way, but upon my insistence, Lorelei actually backed down. Nienna did not. Truth be known, as much as I truly hate to say it, I in fact expected a fight from Nienna. Her hatred of fiends is not unknown to me as to be worse than even my own."

[*Mr_Otyugh]

((as a brief note, going to try to wrap this up today, so if at all possible, lets try to handle all stuff involved in this quick ;) ))

[*ManyFaced]

Nienna enters the courtroom wearing relatively simple, but appropriate dress outfit. It could pass as a peasant if not for the clothÂ’s high quality and the jeweled accessories. She displays a degree of stress and worry, as any other person would in her situation.

To the questions of the prosecution (who asked for elaboration) she answers in detail.

(1)

“I suffered from severe lacerations over my torso, legs, and left arm. My clothing barely covered my body, both torn to rags. Blood filled my mouth and lungs, several ribs on both sides were broken, I could barely stand- the muscles in my legs diced horizontally,” Nienna makes a cutting gesture on her thigh. “-the bone beneath was cracked as well. The blade’s magic made the wounds- complicated, tore them, and made the injuries go deeper than they ever should.” She sighs. “I was kept alive by several persistent, slow acting regenerative items. They kept me standing through the battle and closed wounds so I would not bleed out.” Nienna closes her eyes, wincing as she finishes.

“What came in the evening was much more painful. I needed to break and re-set several bones. Muscle and skin had to be excised from the wounds; scar flesh from such quick healing is barely functional. I then had to let it heal naturally, some of the way, before healing magic could be applied.”

~~
(2)

“Ana’aroluth struck me while I was still unarmed. I did, seeing a Drow with a blade readied and enhancing it with magic, activate a ring that has a strong protective enchantment. That is another part of the reason I was still standing at the end.” Nienna pauses slightly.

“Earlier in the evening I did have my bow out, it was sitting on the seat next to me when I was overseeing a discussion between Laera and Valexia, on Laera’s request. It was fully put away before Valexia was harmed.”

~
(3)

“I am a very good gauge of fighting ability and weaponry and I can supply three reasons why such was impossible.

“First, she was fighting with full killing intent. Even if she struck with the flat of her blade, or the pommel, it still had enough magic within to kill. In the days later she actually told me, while I would have probably been killed by her assault otherwise, she could just raise me again.”

“Second, with a bow, there is no real way to manage to purely subdue in close combat. If I had the space to line my shots up without a mad woman swinging at blade at my head, then I would have. A longbow is, quite large and the draw required takes up more space. It took all my effort and skill to strike her with the arrows, let alone slide them in her legs without knocking arteries.”

“Third,” She looks at those in the room. “If someone is assaulting your person with a deadly weapon- what is the first thought? Fight back only enough to cripple them- maintain your life? Or is it so you do not die, leave affairs undone… friends, unprotected. I find it unreasonable to ask me to have done such.”
~

She finishes with a sad frown and slight nod.

[*Reptiller]

Defense's Questions for the Witnesses Laera, Illia and Anar'oluth*:

1) Who started warding themselves first, An'aroluth(you) or Nienna?

2) Did An'aroluth(you) indeed use the flat side of her blade? Did she(you) coat the blade with any sort of energy?

[*silinrul357]

Defense's Questions for the Witnesses Laera, Illia and Anar'oluth*:

1) Who started warding themselves first, An'aroluth(you) or Nienna?

2) Did An'aroluth(you) indeed use the flat side of her blade? Did she(you) coat the blade with any sort of energy?

1) "To be perfectly honest I don't remember, but if I had to venture a guess, I did."

2) "I -tried- to use the flat of my blade, but in your entire question also lies part the problem too. My blade is continuously coated in elemental energy, and did indeed hurt a bit more than the intention."

[*Reptiller]

Comment on An'ars anwser:

"It is clear An'aroluth used a sword only suitable for lethal attacks while acknowledging she initiated the hostilities both in spells and assault. I have no need to call the other witnesses, she has admitted her said actions herself."

Other witnesses wouldn't be questioned.

Questions for the Accused(Nienna):

1)"What was the reason for your attempts to prevent the ressurection?"

2)"Why do you believe you have been charged, seeing all the evidence?"

[*ManyFaced]

Nienna smiles softly as Hidlmor approaches, her anxiety receding somewhat. Throughout the last round of questioning Nienna stays focused on him alone and manages to speak as if having a normal conversation.
~~~~~
1)

“In past murders, I have witnessed Officers of the Harmonium ask for such spells to be held back until a thorough examination is done. Raise dead has days after death to be used. Resurrection manages to be several decades of time. A succubus, also, cannot die in Sigil. In normal circumstances, a resurrection spell would do nothing.”

~~~~
2)
“It is rather obvious.” She sighs deeply. “The interviewing officer, Annavkah, is a personal friend and acquaintance of An’aroluth along with the succubus. Before all questioning had been concluded of the event, she permitted An’aroluth to leave the Cage to tend to her business in primes of her choosing.”

“At that point, none of the witnesses could leave, let alone the accused. An’aroluth also wore no tracing or controlling devices, as Lorelei was forced to, even though An’aroluth had a greater command of divine magic and the sword.”

“Annavkah also imposed a special restriction on me soon after, on Valexia’s request. If at any point I had words with Valexia, or she felt threatened, I would be thrown into the prison without investigation. Valexia has attempted to use this power to force me from the bazaar several times, however, other Harmonium officers have just laughed at her requests and claims.”

“To put it simply, both of the ‘victims’ of this case have had a closely personal, and unprofessional relationship with the leading investigator. That is why I believe I am on trial, even with An'aroluth readily admitting she was the aggressor."
~~~

Nienna fidgets in her seat while waiting for further instruction. She complies to the bailiff's instructions promptly when told.