The Trial of Hildmor d'Kridis

[*Agony_Aunt]

McStickley walks down the aisle, fear removed, but the psychological damage is plain for all to see. Those who saw him at the previous trial would recall a showman, an artist, a confident fellow, but this man was hardly recognizable.

He shambled rather than walked, muttering to himself, his eyes darting wildly.

His eyes alight on Hildmor and while no fear is present, his eyes twitch madly and bubbles form on his lips.

He makes his way to the pulpit, takes a vow to tell the truth, stuttering and mumbling at times, being asked to repeat the vow clearly several times.

Finally he stands ready to answer questions.

He finally realized the court is waiting expectantly and recalls the question asked.

He starts muttering and rambling, occasinally his voice rising to a shriek and ot other times to a barely audible level:

"Own words...? Yes... own words. Idea. My idea. All know d'Kridis rich. My ca..ca..ca.... work failing. Needed out. Needed jink. d'Kridis in trouble, I was in position to influence events. Schemed. Spoke with Khazeet. He also needed jink, problems with gambling debts. Told him, plan foolproof. Khazeet agreed. We worked out signals. Hasty though, hasty.... had to be quick. Message passed to Hildmor. Khaz bargained with Hildmor via signals. Signals worked! d'Kridis agreed.

After trial, went to get jink... jink, lovely jink. d'Kridis, invite me to his tower. The TOWER!!! Bitch, witch, slut, whore! She was there" *pointing at Raven if she is present* "she... cursed me, they cursed me. They did this to me!" *pointing to himself* "I cannot sleep, i sleep and cannot dream, i dream and have nightmares! They did it tooooo meeeeeeee!!!!"

At this point he becomes totally incoherent, rolls around on the floor, foaming at the mouth, muttering and scratching at the floorboards as though trying to burrow through the wooden floor.

The court bailiffs move forward to restrain him.

[*Mr_Otyugh]

Cratten to McStickly "Calm down Evrin, ye just take a moment to gather yer thoughts and cool while I go through what ye just told to the court." After this Cratten turns to talk for the judge and the courtroom as a whole...

"The prosecution will go through the story which McStickly just told to the court so that all can hear it. McStickly knew that Hildmor d'Kridis is rich, and he also knew his case was weak so he saw an opportunity to take some extra profit. He did this with Khazeet whom had gambling debts and convinced even him. They chose to do it within the court with signals and it worked out.

Afterwards he went to fetch the jink they agreed upon from Hildmors tower, while it wasn't clear in his verbal testimony, I'd like to present the first evidence which is McSticklys written testimony for the court, which states that the sum of jink agreed upon was paid, and a bonus. This quantity of jink was then shared with Khazeet. Within the tower he was threatened by Hildmor and his assistant, which to be noted to court is also wanted, but so far still walking free. Unfortunately whatever Evrin McStickly had to go through has got him into the state ye now see, I'm certain Fraternity records can show ye what he used to be as he is part of Fraternity currently still.

Yer honor, I would like to request a fifteen minute break so that our witness can get a hold of himself, though I'd also like to request someone to be with him through that entire time. We ain't wanting to negate defense their right to question him."

[*Agony_Aunt]

If McStikley is given chance to recover outside the courtroom he can be brought back to a reasonable state, but by this point the effect of the spell would have worn off. The whole ordeal was really too much, and to get him back into the courtroom is going to require something more than a Remove Fear spell ((a +4 Morale bonus just ain't going to cut it this time ;) ))

[*kitteninablender]

A young man makes his way into the audience of the courtroom, watching the proceedings. He is a young elf, really a disguised Rith, who watches the trial with a degree of curiosity. He's there for his good friend Hildmor..in some form. Part of Rith always knew that this day would come, that judgement would be passed. Part of him wanted to drop a smoke bomb, grab Hildmor, and make a run for it. But he couldn't. The Harmonium Geas he had willingly taken upon himself to clear his name would not allow him to willingly break the law until the killer was caught, or the Geas removed.

So instead of do something illegal, which he cannot do, he's going to do something perfectly legal. He's going to write a note, and pass it to the Bailiff. The note reads quite simply: "I would like to serve as a Character Witness to Mr. Hildmor D'Kridis...the Hero of Sigil."

[*Mr_Otyugh]

He remained quiet a moment, thinking for while, then nodded, a slight smirk in his face. He passed the written testimony to bailiff

[i]"Yes yer honor. I'll present the court the written testimony of Evrin McStickley."[/i] ((Which Agony has to write down :P)) [/li]

[*Agony_Aunt]

The deposition from McStikley is presented:

I, Evrin McStikley, hereby do solemny declare that the following is a true and accurate representation of facts relating to the trial of Hildmor d'Kridis (Court Reference: 3643-Y5-745), the events surrounding it, and the involvement of certain persons in it.

Being low on funds, and realizing my career was at an end, I envisioned a way to use my position to influence the outcome of the aforementioned case by presenting a reliable witness who was present during the events on which the case was based.

I convinced Khazeet, the proprietor of the Bazaar bar, who I knew was deep in debt due to gambling, to present glowing report of Hildmor's actions.  I told him that Hildmor would surely pay, and that we could negotiate a high price for such a testimony.

Khazeet and I worked out a series of signals we could use to influence the trial as it happened, as we had no easy and unseen access to d'Kridis.  During the trial i slipped a note to d'Krdis informing him that he would have the chance to obtain a good testimony if he was willing to pay.

The plan went well, with d'Kridis and Khazeet bartering and finally achieving a sum of 50,000 jink.

A few days after the trial and d'Kridis' release, I made my way to Hildmor's tower where he invited me in.  I asked for my money, but before he agreed to hand it over he interrogated me on a number of topic.  I cannot say rightly why he was asking questions about senior members of the Guvners and Harmonium but it seemed like he was trying to find out who was responsible for his arrest.  Like a conspiracy was happening against him.

When i couldn't answer, his accomplice, a woman named Raven, used dark magics upon me.  She made me deeply fearful and the interrogation became worse, with implications of death.  I feared for my life and just wanted to get out of there.  It was the start of the breakdown i thereafter suffered.

Before I was released, and i use the word release rather than left, because that is how it felt, I was handed the promised sum with a bonus for a job well done.

I then ran from there, to the Bazaar where I handed Khazeet his 25,000 jink before trying to flee for Elysium.  However, i was intercepted by a member of the Harmonium before i could get through the portal.

Signed:

Evrin McStikley
Ex-Prosecutor and Ex-Guvner

[*Darkrob]

*after reading it*

I'd like to ask the witness why he suddenly felt the need to admit guilt to serious crimes during this trial all the while knowing he can't cut a deal with the Harmonium? The fraternity will still deal with him accordingly as keepers of the law.

*looks around*

There is no witness to cross examine? Your honour... as much as I'd like to take this written testimony at its face value... it is unethical to force the Defence to accept something they cannot question.

It must be ruled inadmissable as cross examining a piece of paper is impossible and the court has already shown McStickly as a babbling barmy not able to stay off the floor long enough to do so himself. One may conclude that this information was fed to the man while the Harmonium held him, feeding him hopes of absolvement. Unless it can be proven otherwise... it's simply a piece of paper with fancy words...

[*Xndar]

The judge grumbles, its eyes all simultaneously narrowing...the first apparent and overt sign of displeasure yet shown on its bizarre face so far.

"Your objections are noted, as asked for. Your declarations of what the court must and must not do are, however, imprudent. I stated when this trial began that my word is law in this courthouse, and that fact has not changed. Presume to tell me what to do again in these proceedings and the defendant will be forced to acquire new legal representation.

The written testimony of the witness is admissible evidence; that does not mean the court necessarily views it as compelling evidence. If the defense has tangible proof to support their accusations of foul play on the part of the prosecution's acquisition of said testimony within the evidence that has already been admitted to the court for the purposes of this trial, they are ordered to bring it forth at this time. If not, then we will proceed with the next witness for the prosecution."

[*Darkrob]

Very well your honour... we desire the same proof you request.

*turns to Cratten*

Defence askes for the prosecution to produce all deals offered to the Witness with the written permissions given by the Fraternity to offer them. Surely the prosecution realizes that it cannot act on behalf of the Fraternity of Order in relation to acts committed against them... and their courts... by one of their own members.

If council cannot produce them, then the defence will have to take that as they willfully misled the witness into false testimony.

At that point... it will be up to your honor, as noted by your order, to decide if they have overstepped their bounds in the Fraternity's name and decide how to proceed with the evidence offered by Officer Erroc.

*with that he sits and awaits the prosecution*

[*Mr_Otyugh]

((Sorry shadowblizmasta xD I was intending to take you now, but since the court kinda moved to point where it makes sense to just take Khazeet first))

Cratten gets up to speak as he's given chance to do so

[i]Yer honor, My next witness is that of supporting the first one, the prosecution calls Khazeet. Prosecution would also like to notify that any flammable documents to be warded from fire such as the written testimonies of Khazeet and Evrin McStickly so that he may handle them if required as I and defense question the witness. And it is to be noted to court that Khazeet as per story of Evrin McStickly and himself were part of this same act. I can answer the defenses question why Evrin McStickly chose to speak now, if yer honor allows of course, I can merely talk on behalf of Harmonium on this, not on my witnesses own line of thoughts...[/i] [/li]

if judge would give some kind of acknowledgement to speak further he'd mention the following

[i]Evrin McStickly was offered a deal by the Harmonium for full protection and pardon, from charges if he'd testify against Mister d'Kridis. We have a safe house for him in unspecified location, which I can inform the judge in private. We deemed he had already suffered enough to pay for the crimes, but that his actions could do more good for public by speaking of the truth to us all. And nae offense to court, but he is in our custody and thus we have full authority over him. While the Harmonium regularly acts on behalf of Fraternity of Order, we are not required to perform as they request as Fraternity is not required to perform as we request. If Harmonium wanted, we could've taken this court to Arcadia, but Harmonium wishes to show their token of good will, and I hope the Fraternity does so in return.[/i] [/li]

He'd then get to the part where Khazeet would be brought in, this time he's less inclined to let him speak freely and instead asks the following questions when he's in the witness booth, he'd also hand the witness statement of Evrin McStickly (if warded from fire, if not, then he'd place it on the table before him), also a paper written version of Khazeets written testimony is placed akin

[i]Khazeet, ye're a known and respected barkeeper. Can ye testify yer part in what McStickly has written before ye? And can ye verify this is the copy of yer written testimony? *he gestures at the written testimony that Khazeet had written, more for Agony to write again!* Did ye deliberately take jink from the accused Hildmor d'Kridis, directly or through middle-hand and let it affect yer decision over the witness statement during the previous trials? Which to be noted is of case: 3643-Y5-745 And how would ye characterize Hildmor d'Kridis?[/i] [/li]