Sent To The Bureau Of The Courts

[*Darkrob]

The following is submitted to the Bureau of the Courts, filled and filed by Fraternity Judge Garen Seph

"In the matter of Dace Andor, Sasha and Kala Ta'Kan;

The citation fine of twenty five thousand (25000) jink, against Dace and Sasha, has been dismissed by my order. The amount is excessively high, rendering it far more than a mere fine. Without Mercykiller Authorization, which Factor Charae confirmed did not occur, it is little more than a worthless piece of paper. I will remind the court that such a penalty can only be rendered by a Justicar or higher and only once guilt has been rendered by the Fraternity. These conditions were not met.

The citation against Kala Ta'Kan of fifty thousand Jink (50000) has been dismissed by my order as Fraternity Judge. The amount is excessively high, rendering it far more than a mere fine. Without Mercykiller Authorization, which Factor Charae confirmed did not occur, it is little more than a worthless piece of paper. I will remind the court that such a penalty can only be rendered by a Justicar or higher and only once guilt has been rendered by the Fraternity. These conditions were not met. The fine, now paid, will be returned.

Also in the matter of Dace Andor, Sasha and Kala Ta'Kan;

Neither of the three has been officially charged. While charges may have been leveled, the inability to complete the process via official booking has rendered them void. Charges may still be laid but must be followed through due process.

As there was no warrant produced or official notice given upon entry, the Ship that has been seized will be released. It was unlawfully confiscated and will not be used against the Trio.

The three people involved have approached the Fraternity court for due process and are now under the authority of my court. They will not be detained, arrested or interrogated without authorization from my court or without court appointed representatives. I have ordered an independent investigation by Mercykiller representatives and all proceedings will be stayed until the findings are returned. When the court is satisfied that the law was obeyed by all, and due process was adhered to, the court will release the three to face trial. If the investigation finds against those involved in the arrest and interrogation of the three, an internal investigation will be launched and the three will be dismissed without charge.

I suggest the prosecution prepares their case. From my offical opinion, they have abused their office (the Fraternity office) by leveling threats and mistruths against the trio. Very unprofessional and amateurish. Contrary to the words of Helena Farseer, the Fraternity does not rule this city and these people do have rights.

Until this court is satisfied of due process, these proceedings are halted.

This is an official ruling on the process used against citizens of Sigil.

Judge Garen Seph

[*Cadence]

A terse response to Garen's submission arrives at Seph's office. The writing is small and slanted forward- as if hurried. This is the work of someone who clearly has a lot to do and not much time

Judge Seph,

Your verdicts are suspended on the grounds of insufficient evidence. A ruling shall be made pending further information from the Harmonium Investigators.

A final verdict shall be reached once a complete report is submitted from the Harmonium.

Verner Von-Reckinhausen III
Chief of the Bureau

[*A. Thereal]

The following day a thorough report is sent from the Harmonium to Garen Seph, Verner Von-Rickinhausen, and other appropriate representatives of the Fraternity of Order.

The following are the reports of the three officers involved in the Siren's Song incident. They will follow in sequence of execution, beginning with Notary IV Greyson Drab, Measure III Longstride, and the Fraternity's own Helena Farseer.

Greyson Drab
I found corpses hanging from some buildings in the Clerk's Ward. I notified my superiors. I ordered a sweet and inspection of the area. I led the inspection of the Siren's Song. I knocked on the cabin door. I identified myself as an officer. I heard spells being cast inside. I told my men to prepare for hostilities. I knocked again. The door was unlocked from inside. I ordered a rush to surprise aggressors. Inside were people protected by magic. I ordered them to place their hands behind their heads. They refused. They told me how to do my job. They told me what they think is the law.  They refused to cooperate. They drew weapons. Factor Ta'kan of the Godsmen tried to order me. I explained about the corpses. They permitted me to search the ship. I placed them under arrest for all actions preceding this statement. They refused. Factor Ta'kan cast a spell that stunned us all. The door bumped one of my men. He fell into me. I fell into another man. We fell. That man fell into a third man. They fell. The third man fell into a forth man. They fell. Measure Longstride was there when the magic went away. He made we leave. We left. Measure Longstride exited the cabin with the occupants. We escorted them to the Barracks. I went and ate dinner at home. I scolded my child for bad behavior. I made love to my wife. I went to sleep. I woke up. I reported for duty. Helena Farseer asked me to write this report. I wrote this report.

Longstride
I had been contacted by one of Greyson Drab's men and informed that more corpses with messages written on them had been found, so I immediately dispatched a contingent and headed that way. Upon arriving I was informed that Drab personally lead a squad to the overhead ship, the Siren's Song, but when I arrived, he wasn't on deck. Another officer explained that he had gone inside the cabin and had called for reinforcements after him. Naturally, I was worried and entered the cabin to ascertain my men's safety. But I found them all paralyzed by magic. The four occupants, Dace Andor, Sasha Andor, Factor Kala Ta'Kan of the Godsmen, and a dirty looking kobold all bombarded me with complaints. They explained that Drab had acted like an ass. They also confessed to defending themselves against Drab's officers are he decided to arrest them, and it was Kala Ta'kan who cast the paralyzing magic. I attempted to defuse the situation by ordering the soldiers from the cabin after they woke, and politely explained to the four occupants that there was simply no way I could not arrest them after such an assault. I also explained that it didn't need to get messier and they were welcome to walk to the Barracks of their own volition. They reluctantly agreed, and cooperated until we arrived, where I placed them in holding to await an appropriate investigator. I returned to my investigation in the Clerk's Ward, but was instructed to impound the Siren's Song for the duration of its inspection. Said inspection lasted approximately three-and-a-half hours, and we released the vessel as ordered.

Helena Farseer
I was contacted via the Harmonium to question a group of adventurers who had claimed abuses of Harmonium power during an arrest, to which I responded in the affirmative. The detainees were Dace Andor, Sasha Andor, Kala Ta'Kan, and Raka. I asked for each of their testimonies, to which all four confirmed the following:

-Officer Drab identified himself as a Harmonium officer before Dace Andor willingly opened his door.
-Dace Andor willingly opened his door.
-Officer Drab hastily charged the door.
-Officer Drab and his men were armed and agitated.
-Officer Drab ordered them all to place their hands behind their heads.
-All four detainees refused to cooperate, unless on their own terms.
-All four detainees only permitted the search of the Siren's Song trading vessel after Officer Drab explained the situation.
-Officer Drab insisted on arresting them for refusing to comply on the law's terms.
-Officer Drab called reinforcements.
-Kala Ta'kan paralyzed ten Harmonium officers against their wills.
-Officer Longstride entered.
-Officer Longstride comported himself admirably.
-Officer Longstride insisted that an arrest was unavoidable under the circumstances.
-All four detainees cooperated and walked willingly to the Barracks.

Throughout their testimonies and comments it was obvious that they were upset with the situation, and that the Harmonium were overstepping their authority. However, when I confirmed that nothing they stated was actually in violation of any laws, they included me in the accusation of overstepping my authority. Kala Ta'kan was even cited to say that the Fraternity of Order isn't the government and that the Sign of One is. I promptly educated her on the structure of the Triad. Ka'tan remained belligerent.

I then explained that they would have to go to trial for the assault of the Harmonium officers, but that they had the right to waive a trial. Dace Andor, Sasha Andor, and Raka agreed, to which they were fined a sum of 25,000 coins for the following charges:

-Refusing to obey an officer of the law during an investigation.
-Obstruction of justice.
-10 counts of accomplice to assault and battery.
-10 counts of accomplice to aggravated assault.
-Vagrancy (Raka)

Raka was also informed that he must promptly provide the Harmonium with proof of employment, or be required to relocate to the Hive as a vagrant. The Andors were informed that their vessel would be temporarily impounded during the Harmonium's inspection of its contents. Kala Ta'kan, as the confessor of the actual assault, was not afforded the right to waive her trial. She remained after the other three left, to which I explained her charges:

-Refusing to obey an officer of the law during an investigation.
-Obstruction of justice.
-10 counts of assault and battery.
-10 counts of aggravated assault.

I then informed her that her bail was set at 50,000 coins, to which she posted it herself. Take note, this was the sum of bail to ensure that she isn't a flight risk from her trial, and it was not a fine. All of her monies will be returned to her pending the conclusion of her trial, regardless of verdict.

Afterward I sought officers Drab and Longstride and was informed of the following that neither four of the detainees shared during their testimony:

-The detainees were heard casting magics inside their cabin after Officer Drab knocked on their door and identified himself as a Harmonium.
-Weapons were drawn on Officer Drab and threats were leveled.
-Kala Ta'kan attempted to leverage her station as Factor of the Godsmen to influence Officer Drab's responsibilities.
-Kala Ta'kan specifically threatened Officer Longstride with another paralyzing spell after she had already paralyzed Officer Drab and his men.

From all of this I conclude that Officer Drab is guilty of being an obtuse ass, but broke no laws. He followed procedure to the letter, even if he was rude about it. Those procedures being:

-He identified himself as a Harmonium officer.
-He entered the cabin after Dace Andor willingly opened the door, constituting an invitation.
-He did not enter alone.
-He immediately required the suspects (who were heard to be casting spells) to assume a non-hostile and compromising position.

Officer Longstride should be commended for his tactful handling of hostile and agitated adventurers. And the detainees consistently displayed an unhealthy disrespect for the law.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attached you will find nine affidavits signed by Greyson Drab's men, confirming the above reports. I expect that appropriate measures will be taken against Kala Ta'kan for her blatant disregard for Harmonium authority.

Peace and Harmony,
Zenodarakaro
Mover III

[*Darkrob]

Garen ensures that Leona has a copy of the testimony.

"Namer

Please verify the events during your investigation. Please do not tarry as this must be put to rest as soon as possible. Please remember, you are considered under oath of the court and must report honestly no matter the findings.

Judge Seph"

[*Leona]

A secure courier sends this letter to Judge Garen Seph with the seal of the Mercy Killers placed upon it.

After careful investigation into the matter that took place on the SirenÂ’s song and in the HarmoniumÂ’s barracks I have come to the conclusion that there are indeed violations of justice in this case. Much of this case is one word against another and thus word that was not corroborated by multiple witnesses was thrown out. I shall address this case by officers involved.

Harmonium Officer Drab:
In this manner he acted highly unprofessional this is again confirmed by Helena Farseer. Indeed all of the detainees say Officer Drab and his men seemed to be trying to provoke them into doing something to start trouble. There are conflicting viewpoints on exactly what happened and as such I am not going to try to debate who was right who was wrong as I was not there. However, there is one clear violation that both sides agree. This is the fact that Officer Drab did indeed force an entering once the door was open. On no plane does opening a door to speak to someone knocking on it constitute an invitation to enter into someoneÂ’s private space. Whether or not he heard magics being cast or not is irrelevant as there is no law against casting magics in oneÂ’s own home and indeed in the perilous times we live in when invaders can turn our own forces of justice against us such precaution becomes almost necessary. If Officer Drab had bothered to follow due process and obtain a warrant to search the premises then this would not be a violation, but he neglected to do so. As such Officer Drab was in clear violation of the law and of his duties.
Furthermore, I saw no evidence that should lead to Dace Andor, Sasha Andor, or Raka being charged with assault and battery. They played no hand in the paralyzation of the men in the SirenÂ’s Song. They say they didnÂ’t have weapons drawn, but even if they did drawing weapons does not constitute assault.

Harmonium Officer Longstride:
This officer should be highly commended for his actions in this matter. He was cool headed, quick thinking, and went above and beyond to ensure that this situation did not get any worse than it had. He is an example we all should strive to meet and I tip my hat to him.

Guvner Helena Farseer:
Here we shall discuss the gravest violation of all. Indeed Helena Farseer has commenced an attack on everything our Triad is based upon. It is quite simple really, the Harmonium commences the arrests, the Fraternity determines guilt, and the Mercy Killers determine punishment if guilt has been found. This is the basis of the Triad of Order. If we give in to a subversion of this basic agreement then we undermine ourselves now and forever more. I speak of Helena Farseer choosing to punish Sasha Andor, Dace Andor, and Raka without consulting the Mercy Killers at all. She placed a quite large fine on those three of her own accord. This is a complete disregard for how the Triad works and it truthfully saddens me.

These are my findings after my investigation into this matter. I do hope the courts act upon them appropriately. Fair Justice for all none are above the law.

-Namer Leona

[*Darkrob]

The following is sent to the Bureau of the Courts. It is filed properly and all papers are filed by the court administrators. It is fielded by Judge Seph.

Bureau Chief Verner Von-Reckinhausen III

The court has come to the following conclusions after a thorough independent investigation on procedure and protocol.

In the matter of charges against Dace and Sasha;

The Harmonium were correct in their actions against the duo aboard the ship. Upon knocking on the door, the group inside began casting spells. That can be construed as a threat to an incoming officer and precautions can be taken. There is no fault there.

The error, however, was with Fraternity Administrator Helena Fraser. She had incorrectly offered the duo the chance to Waive a trial in return for a fine and probation. Protocol demands that this offer to waive trial be given by a judge and that the defendants require council to be present (unless they refuse). Therefore the resulting conviction should be overturned due to technical error.

The fine that was given also far exceeded a usual court fine and should have been levied by the Mercykillers. A factor within the Mercykillers agreed and confirmed no justice was served by them in this matter. The fine must be returned and the matter closed.

In the Matter of Kala Ta'Kan;

Due to her authority in the Believers of the Source, and her position on various councils in the city, my recommendation would be to dismiss the charges in return for an apology to the Harmonium officers she stunned. I would remind the Harmonium, when the offer is made, to remember the aid the Godsmen gave them during their time of tension with the Doomguard. It would be in their best interest, and the interest of future relations, to agree to the terms.

Should you require anything further, I am at your disposal.

A3 Seph
Fraternity Judge
Acting Head of the Bureau of Interfaction Affairs.

[*Cadence]

The wizened old tiefling pens a response to Garen in his trademark forward slanted writing. He was known for his economy of words and this piece was no exception.

Judge Seph,

I have examined the evidence from various sources and read all the reports pertinent to this incident. I find your verdicts within reason and have no further objection.

My one recommendation is to mandate Administer Fraser attend several remedial courses to better hone her decision-making abilities pertaining to matters like these-  I will leave it to you to assign the particular courses.

I will personally handle the correspondence with the Godsman Factor.

Verner Von-Reckinhausen III
Chief of the Bureau