- Prep. -
Dear Journal,
There was a Trial in Peltarch Courthouse.
Captured mercenaries were held, for assaulting 'Township', Peltarch King's small town.
Insane, probably possessed woman named 'The Vulture' led them with terror, lies and iron fist.
Two of six captured mercenaries were tried, had chance to avoid hanging on gallows.
One of them was a scared kid - under age of twenty, named 'Hadge' ... shaking and shocked ... other one was a man who offered remorse, offered to serve Peltarch ... and it was said he was considered mistrusted by rest of guilty mercenaries ... his name 'Ted' or something alike.
As for Law Court procedures, Dear Journal,
Court was led by one of Peltarch Magistrates, Vlana of the Noble Borodin family of Peltarch.
Famous, smart and influential Bard, Nate Wingates with his newly married wife, Isolde - also important Bard were acting as Defense for two of mercenaries.
i've noticed that Nate can speak reasonably when needed, ... it is nice, as Law Court is not a place for too much of art-flourish, playing emotions.
i've dressed for the Court Trial Professionally this time, in my Peltarch Defenders Uniform & Cloak, wore a light grey scarf at my neck with a small silver symbol of Selûne. Tried to behave and look pleasant, calm, gentle but stern still ... to look and behave professionally, to keep a mind state of focus with attention, to be spiritually clear ... to keep mind sharp and critical to 'Court Procedures', to be fair and consider both formal and informal laws well ... to have gentle heart for innocents and to be quite merciless to the Wicked.
... it's sad, but being merciless to criminals can protect innocents, and keep safer people on my side, on peltarch side as well.
Long story short,
... i didn't feel meaningless, and Nate with his wife did excellent work ... they were reasonable, and well-prepared for this Trial - not only with law understanding and papers at hand.
Hadge was proven innocent, of both accussations - which were of premeditated murder, and of destruction of property.
'Ted' was sentenced to jail, with possible release later depending on his cooperation. Magistrate Borodin, or it was prosecutor - stated that 'Ted' confessed remorse only in jail, which is important argument in my opinion.
... i was not sure if it was true that 'Ted' tried to protect kid, and i said that if 'Ted' wants out of jail, he should protect kid - even if working away from Hadge.
Turning murderers to jail instead of death sentence is called in Peltarch 'Blackwood Defense', after Abigail Blackwood case ... She was quite Evil Blackguard and Demon Summoner ... but Peltarch used her against her former allies.
... i think jail is also training and indoctrination ... or can be at least. Peltarch Defenders and other 'Protectors' can use Criminals, even if it's tricky ... i think that's how 'Blackwood Defense' works.
Reyhenna Jorino, 'Beautiful Blonde in Front' also was mentioned in 'Blackwood Defense' ... i am not sure about her. While she was Paladin, Temple Wards didn't let her in after a certain time, as other evil people are kept away ... she said 'remains of demon war', i think. Was it Evil Aura or Artifact that triggered Temple Wards? Or she was corrupted during war tragedy? ... we'll see.
After Trial, we had to witness hangings.
... i tried to not avert my eyes, even if it was painful ... considered it my duty.
... for many others it was sadistic show, however ... people had different reactions, usually strong and negative.
Three were hanged, necks snapped.
Vulture send winks and snide expressions ... then Guard kicked stool under her. She hanged and resisted death - neck didn't snap, her face turned colours ... and she struggled.
Isolde loudly claimed that Vulture is possessed, then we sensed magic 'Contingency Spell' linked with 'Teleport'.
We tried to 'counter' that magic-escape route, including my lesser dispel.
Spell was defeated ... Vulture panicked in shock, then died.
... i left soon afterward.
-- Chea Allin, a Witch & Cerulean Star 2nd.
P.S. i am quite Wicked as well, no mercy for me. i do not need nor want forgiveness ... forgiving people and showing mercy allows one to repeat her or his errors and mistakes too easily, i think. it's easier to improve when mercy is neglected, when forgiveness is denied. innocent kids need some gentleness however, they did not choose their way yet ... didn't went too far ... whatever their way is/will be. i quite strongly neglect confessing, and at any rate - i am not accepting other people's confession(s). i am not a priestess, accepting confessions would harm me, would harm those i try to protect as well ... far too much.
'no mercy to the wicked'.
- Magistrate Vlana Borodin. -
- Opening Trial. -
- Hanging. -
