The Trial of Kemnebi Shadeweaver

[Jaeram]

He nods to the judge, steps down from the stand, and proceeds to take a seat in the row behind Cadmus.

[ThePaganKing]

*Elric sends out a note to Jimmy's Dice Den to get some food and some extra clothes ready for when he is fined and sent to jail*

*under his breath*

This whole thing is rigged. Orrick couldn't even answer my questions. Now they call a Paladin of the same order as Tifton, boy, this will be truthful.

*Elric smiles at the judge, then turns to Cadmus and winks*

[Cadmus Runesmith]

Cadmus rises from his seat and looks to Minson Brightstone.

1. Could you please state your name and title for the court.

2. Where you present the night that Tifton holyguard was slain?

3. Can you describe the events that led up to Tifton's Demise?

4. Did you winess Kemnebi Shadeweaver cast any spells that may have led to Tifton Holyguard's Demise.

5. Can you tell us what spell was cast, and what effects such a spell would have had?

6. Did you detect the presense or intent of evil during the casting of spells meant to save Tifton Holyguards life.
A. If so, from whom, or what?

[Leaving Hope]

* Jonas Londew rises, after hearing Elric mumble a few words *

Your Honor, with your permission would would like a Paladin from a neutral third party, such as one from the Red Blades, sit and observe the testimony of this witness. Given his god-given abilities, he will be able to ensure the witness is being truthful and forthright, and to detect and any malicious intent. While Paladin Brightstone is of the finest calibur, we want to ensure the defense and the jury we are doing everything in our power to provide truthful, dependable witnesses.

* Judge Nemits looks at Jonas Londew curiously, but eventually nods *

This is an odd request, counselor, as witnesses are sworn in and under oath, but if you would like to add this extra level of security you may do so.

* The court adjourns briefly. A veteran Red Blade Paladin named Vigo Larkton, with no knowledge of the trial or any relation to Tifton, is moved in to sit near the witness. He agrees to report any dark motives from the witness. The trial continues. *

[Leaving Hope]

Could you please state your name and title for the court.

My name is Minson Brightstone, and I have served as a Paladin of Helm for 20 years.

Were you present the night that Tifton holyguard was slain?

I was. I was present, and in the same room where Tifton died. I never left his room that day when I came on duty, and I never left his side until after he died. I was present when he died.

Can you describe the events that led up to Tifton's Demise?

Tifton Holyguard was assisting the Abbot to help build a crystal prison that would contain an incorporeal evil that seeks regain life and conquer Sundren, and Faerun. It is an evil dedicated to Bane's tenets.

Many years ago, the Abbot and Tifton were responsible for stopping a faction of Bane's followers called the Black Advance. They were led by a brother and sister named Ditus and Mestra Ill'Koresh. Helm's forces pursued the Black Advance until the Banites could retreat no more; in the days that followed, the Black Advance turned on the Ill'Koresh and surrendered. However, somehow the Ill'Koresh did not pass on to the next life, and became incorporeal spirits that sought to torment Orlan and Tifton and seek revenge against those that betrayed them. Years later, Orlan and Tifton devised the first crystal to contain these spirits.

Several months ago, the first crystal was stolen. We do not know by whom, but we believe it is currently in the possession of the fallen cleric of Torm, who now resides in the Necropolis. In order to be proactive, the Abbot ordered the construction of a second crystal. This construction of this crystal requires a large amount of magical dust to insulate a gnomish machine. Tifton was responsible for reducing a number of magical items to dust.

These items were given to Abbot Orlan Proskus by the defendent. Tifton took them, and while working to reduce the daggers to magical dust an explosion occurred. The magical dust, which we later discovered to be cursed, found its way into Tifton's body. Each time the Abbot sought to heal him, the dust rebelled against the positive energies. During our time trying to save Tifton, we learned that it thrived on dark and negative energies.

The abbot prayed for many nights for an answer from our Lord, and it came to him the third evening. To dispel the magic dust would render it useless, and then the healing process could continue.

Cadmus, and a number of others capable of casting dispels, including the defendant, entered the room where I was stationed to look after Tifton, and proceeded to dispel the dust within him. Kemnebi stood right beside Tifton, right next to me.

Did you winess Kemnebi Shadeweaver cast any spells that may have led to Tifton Holyguard's Demise.

I am not a mage, so I cannot comment on what specific spells were or were not cast. I can say definitively that I saw the defendant cast two different spells; but what they are, I do not know. I can say that the spells he cast did not use the same components as the others in the room. I would be able to recognize the spell again if I saw someone cast it.

Can you tell us what spell was cast, and what effects such a spell would have had?

I cannot, though I did sense an unholy aura emanating from the defendant.

Did you detect the presence or intent of evil during the casting of spells meant to save Tifton Holyguards life. If so, from whom, or what?

I did. Right as the casting began, I used my god-given ability to detect motive, intent, and character, and was surprised to sense an incredible darkness coming from the defendant. I am positive that the defendant sought to kill Tifton Holyguard. This man is truly evil.

Every other person in the room had good motive, and I did not detect an ill will or dark intent on their part.

* Jonas Londew, Judge Nemits, and the court look at the Red Blade, and the veteran paladin confirms the Helmite is speaking truth. *

[Cadmus Runesmith]

Cadmus nods as Minson Brightstone finishes his testimony.

"The prosecution has no further questions for the witness."

"We shall stand aside as the defense poses their questions for the witness."

Cadmus returns to his seat.

[ThePaganKing]

*Elric stands and smiles at the paladin*

"I just have a few questions to clarify your statement."

1. The crystals themselves contained an unimaginable evil, the souls of two powerful blackguards. It appears that with the crytal missing, the souls could have been releassed or hold more power to manifest. Did you detect any other evil essences within the room or did you only concentrate on the people in the room? Is it possible something could have manifested and struck Tifton without your knowledge?

1. You stated you do not know what spell or spells the defendant Allegedly cast? Therefore, can you say definitively that the spell the defendant allegedly cast killed Tifton?

2. You stated that you could detect an unholy aura coming from the defendant. Did you detect this aura only when the defendant Allegedly cast unknown spells or was it there before the casting began?

3. I have studied the ability of a Paladin to detect evil in an individual; however, I did not know that you could also perceive intent. Can you really detect the intent of a person or is it you infer an intent based on you sensing evil?

3. You stated that you detected an incredible darkness coming from the defendant. Do you mean to say that because you detected evil from the defendant, that it means he intended to harm or kill Tifton? Do you have any proof that he actually intended to harm or kill Tifton? Can we infer from your statement that merely because a person is evil, he means harm to everyone around him?

4. You stated that you detected no ill work or dark intent on any other people in the room. Did you detect evil in any of the others?

5. Did you know that one of the members casting dispells was a Warlock? Did you detect any evil from this individual?

*Elric again smiles, then returns to his seat to await the Paladin's answers*

[wangxiuming]

Alyrian's eyes narrow angrily. Your falsehoods begin to annoy me. Get your facts straight, charlatan!

[rustediron]

*flashes a look at Alyrian as Elric mentions the 'w' word. He then shrugs.*
Seemed an alright sort to me...

In any case, I hope Elric gets his act together, soon.

[Leaving Hope]

The crystals themselves contained an unimaginable evil, the souls of two powerful blackguards. It appears that with the crytal missing, the souls could have been releassed or hold more power to manifest. Did you detect any other evil essences within the room or did you only concentrate on the people in the room? Is it possible something could have manifested and struck Tifton without your knowledge?

Yes, it's likely the souls were released. No, I did not detect them within the room, nor did I detect any other incorporeal entities. They would not do well within Helm's temple.

It's really not likely that there was anything else in that room. The Abbot, a dozen paladins, and the adventurers there would have noticed.

You stated you do not know what spell or spells the defendant Allegedly cast? Therefore, can you say definitively that the spell the defendant allegedly cast killed Tifton?

Oh, no, sir, I've quite clearly said the defendant did cast spells. Two of them. And I've made it very clear that those spells were not the same dispels cast by the others in the room. And if someone casts the same spell that the defendant did in front of me, I will be able to recognize it.

I have never once said that the spells Kemnebi cast killed Tifton, though I believe they did. I only said that he cast something other than the others, that he had a dark aura around him, and that I detected a great evil within him.

I recall the words and motions of the spells Kemnebi used, if that helps, but I do not have the background in magic to know what they do.

You stated that you could detect an unholy aura coming from the defendant. Did you detect this aura only when the defendant Allegedly cast unknown spells or was it there before the casting began?

The major aura changes only happened during the casting, and after. There was a huge flair in the defendant when they were trying to save his life.

I have studied the ability of a Paladin to detect evil in an individual; however, I did not know that you could also perceive intent. Can you really detect the intent of a person or is it you infer an intent based on you sensing evil?

You're correct. The inference part is not divinely inspired, but rather the product of experience and observation. However, the sensing of evil entities is a thing Helm grants me the power to do, and one grows to recognize the types and sizes of auras on men.

I can sense some particular evil in this very room, counselor.

I can say with complete certainty that the defendant is an evil man.

I can say with complete certainty that the defendant's unholy aura grew substantially during the attempt to save Tifton's life. As I've testified, I do not know what spells he cast, as I am not a wizard, but I did see the product of them, and this aura most certainly would have been detrimental to Tifton.

Why would the defendant purposely emit an unholy aura and cast spells that are different from the others, when he was very clearly instructed on what to do?

You stated that you detected an incredible darkness coming from the defendant. Do you mean to say that because you detected evil from the defendant, that it means he intended to harm or kill Tifton? Do you have any proof that he actually intended to harm or kill Tifton? Can we infer from your statement that merely because a person is evil, he means harm to everyone around him?

Yes, I detected an incredible evil within the defendant, and that dark aura grew and darkened during the event; that is to say the defendant became more unholy and had darker thoughts. I believe this was because he was planning to murder Tifton, and his dark aura grew as he was doing it. * He speaks very clearly, and looks to the jury * The proof is in the unholy aura, the fact that while others were trying to dispel this dark magic Kemnebi provided more of it.

No, not every evil person will bring harm to those around them. But in these types of people we don't see major shifts in aura size or density. To be frank, we don't see them unleashing unholy energy over a critically wounded man.

You stated that you detected no ill work or dark intent on any other people in the room. Did you detect evil in any of the others?

Yes, the room was filled with people of various moral compasses, though no one in that room came close to the darkness I sensed in Kemnebi.

Did you know that one of the members casting dispells was a Warlock? Did you detect any evil from this individual?

I was not aware of their professionals or skillsets, no; I was only responsible for standing guard over Tifton.

* Looks to Alyrian * As I've mentioned, their moral compasses were diverse.

[Gamling]

Nulinus looks back at alyrian through his helm and begins to think deeply.

[Cadmus Runesmith]

Cadmus rises from his seat and looks to Elric

"Have you any further questions for this noble man of faith, or is he permitted to now leave the stand so we might continue this trial?"

[wangxiuming]

Alyrian approaches the prosecution's table - or at least as close as he is able. "I would like the opportunity to refute these baseless and unfounded attempts to slander me. The defense has introduced blatant lies into evidence, in a desperate attempt to place blame on everyone but the responsible party!" His eyes glare daggers at Elric and Kemnebi.

[ThePaganKing]

"I object!"

"The Paladin is stating something he cannot prove *The proof is in the unholy aura, the fact that while others were trying to dispel this dark magic Kemnebi provided more of it*

"This is accusation and not based in fact. You cannot say in one breath that you do not know if the spells the defendant cast killed Tifton, then turn around and say that the unholy aura and spells emanating from the defendant is what killed Tifton."

"I have three more questions for the Paladin."

1. You stated that you can detect evil, but not design; therefore, you did not know the defendants intent, is this correct? Therefore, you do not know if the defendant intended to harm Tifton, is this correct?

2. Is it true that Tifton was laying on the ground between you and the defendant? If that is correct, then could the evil aura actually have been coming from Tifton as the dispels started to work, thus making it seem that the defendant's aura waxed and waned? Is it not more plausible that as the dispels were discharged into Tifton, the evil within Tifton would wax and wane, thus causing a fluctuating aura that could have been attributed to the defendant, since Tifton was in between you two?

3. You say you do not have a background in magic, yet you do have a background in divine magic, yes? Is it not true that different forms of magic, be it divine or other, have different motions and components? And, is it not true that priests worshiping different Gods may have different ways in which they cast spells, based on that God and not the priest? That the same spell cast by Cadmus may have different motions and components or auras than a spell cast by another priest who worships another God?

Therefore, is possible that you were mistaken on the intent of the divine magic cast by the defendant?

[Cadmus Runesmith]

Cadmus nods to Alyrian, as Elric continues to ask his questions.

"If you wish to speak in your defense lad I shall grant you the oppurtunity to refute the claims made against you, but be aware Elric will use this forum in the attempt to further condemn you."

Cadmus looks Alryian in the eyes

"The choice is yours to make......."