Sceptremass III The Council

Noon of the 2nd Kinsday of Petals

Heldris The Dove Knight

“The beast is terrifying indeed, as is the thunder for the mice. And we too thought it was responsible, but our investigation revealed that it was the doing of a curse on people’s minds. We were set to resolve the matter, but our attention was diverted by greater things occurring to the south of the realm.” The Dove Knight pauses for a moment, while the tapping of a light rain against the large windows echoes slowly throughout the library. “I intend to defend the creature, as is my oath to protect the realm and all who dwell within. And I would hope the hunters’ presence here has not some ulterior motive, and an innocent creature, albeit terrifying, won't have to die simply to favour some political deal.” The Dove Knight's last words end on a stern, almost wolfish, look.

Referee

Timea inclines her head weighing your words. “The trial will be in the afternoon when the King listens to the plight of his Vassals. The Sheriff will brief him at noon during the Council meeting but of course we won't know what is discussed there. You better prepare your defence, Dove Knight, maybe talk to the hunters or find these witnesses.'' She looks unconvinced as she gets up straightening her silken robes. “Politics is the art of making concessions to trade a small injustice in order to prevent a worse outcome. I fear we will all learn this valuable lesson by the end of Sceptermass.” After Timea has returned to her room to freshen up for her audience with the King you wander around the library looking for legal texts when you hear somebody behind you clearing their throat. An elderly woman with a sour expression looks at you quizzically but when you explain yourself she wordlessly puts books and scrolls on a table next to the stained window overlooking the courtyard. They read “Legal Decorum” “Various Precedents” ”Distinguishing Cases ” “Common Masurian Law” ”Law and the Limits of Power” From outside you hear the crier announcing high noon. You have two hours before the trial will be held.

Anastaz The Salt Knight

"So be it." Anastaz half-sighs, stands and leaves the hall.  

Referee

Outside the hall the air tastes fresh after the constant rain and the courtyard is almost deserted. You hear Tibor bickering in the stable probably harassing other horses. In the antechamber to the Throne Room Gundhilde waits next to a woman in an old uniform with whom she shares the same broad face and the same green eyes. Your squire steps forward and makes sure to sweep mud from your boots and adjusts your tunic, while Lady Margaret holds her hands out:” Your sword, Sir Anastaz.” She doesn't acknowledge the presence of her daughter and you suspect they were both waiting in silence. While you hand her your weapon she leans forward and whispers: ”Sir Ulrich doesn't have to learn about the … incident. He has enough to deal with right now.”

Heldris The Dove Knight

Heldris sits down at the table and opens the scrolls before him. Outside in the courtyard small figures hurry under the light rain, but no noise penetrates the thick stained window. Heldris begins to read, looking for a keyword or a hint of something overlooked.  

Anastaz The Salt Knight

The Salt Knight nods. "I understand. My goal is always to preserve the King's peace." As he goes to walk into the chamber, he casually states, "Gundhilde has been an exemplary squire."

Referee

The windowless room is dimly lit with candles. Margaret and you take seats next to each other on one of the strange roofed benches on the side, with the rest of the Council sitting opposite of you. Sir Ulrich holds a scroll to the light and squints at it. His elegant robes are stretched over his imposing belly. Sir Vladislav is leaning back and his face is hidden in the shadows. King Andrasz sits on the throne under the taxidermic head of a giant bear and studies his ring while his steward is whispering something in his ear until the King motions her to begin proceedings. She adresses the room with a flat, monotonous voice:” Priority are external threats, internal threats and harvest. Concerning the latter we expect major problems due to a persistent fog blocking out the sun. At this point we can't rule out a complete failure of crops.” She looks around. “Thoughts?”  

Window of the Castle Library

Referee

Heldris, you delve into the old scrolls finding obscure cases and scribble down notes on odd rulings. Deeper and deeper you immerse yourself until at last you think you might have a strategy. When you look up you realize to your horror that you have completely lost track of time. It is already afternoon and for all you know the trial might already be over.

Ser Perilake The Gilded Knight

The Gilded Knight pauses at the gate to the main keep, and looks up at the Lady Inga. No matter how heavy his heart, it is lifted in her presence. His troubled features are crossed by a smile, though the knowledge of Lord Ulrich at his side banishes it swiftly. For a moment, he entertains that he could simply pass by Zoltan's father and seek solace from the evening's troubling events - would that be cowardice? He pauses in unfamiliar hesitation. And a flash of anger burns through the disappointment; the boy's vengeance is one passed down to him, a burden of the blood. Did Ulrich intend this? To walk the path of peace but to leave the bloody business to his son... Perilake does not want to believe. Perhaps now is not the time - it is certainly not the place. He resolves to seek out the Lady Inga's wisdom before he entangles himself further in the matters of Kranach.

Referee

You hear the Envoy of Barow inquiring about the noble woman's steed as you walk past him and you hear her inviting him to take a ride if his busy schedule allows. Lady Inga turns around on her balcony when she notices the door opening and your heart stops for a beat as her smile illuminates the room. In two steps she is in your arms embracing you tightly. “My love, oh how I missed you!” she whispers in your ear mindful of anyone who might pass her room.  

Ser Perilake The Gilded Knight

Their embrace drives all the shadows from Perilakes mind, and he breathes in Inga as he holds her tightly. "I am here" he whispers. "And you are here with me. A moment of joy in this painful night...." At his words, Lady Inga pulls back and takes his hand, her face an unspoken question. Perilake sighs, and leads her over to a chair and table. His voice low, he explains the events of the Karpat tent, leaving nothing out. "You know how much I care for Zoltan. But today, he attempted murder - murder in righteous vengeance, but murder no less. He broke his word to me." He sighs. "I know not what to do." His face clouds with the anger from before. "The burden of Kranach's retribution should never have been placed on his shoulders. If this was Lord Ulrich's desire - then he has ill served his son. But I know not. And I know not whether I can trust Zoltan." He sighs heavily "Dagmar's betrayal was to save lives, but the Landsknechts -" He studies Inga's face as he utters the name of the Svenrik mercenaries. "- killed instead of spared. And it was all done in the name of the King.... I would have there be an end to this, but it seems the wounds will tear open once more, and drown us in blood. And the boy will never find his own path."  

Referee

Inga blushes when you mention the mercenaries. “The battle took place before my time in Swanstone, “she says slowly,”... but I can feel the pain of the family that took me in and I am ashamed of what has been done by our troops.” She mindlessly touches her necklace: the wooden falcon that you made for her. “Zoltan is still young and foolish. The death of his grandfather has been weighing on his soul since he was a child … and he still is but a boy. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him.” She is quiet for a moment searching for words, nervously playing with the figurine and her cheeks are flushed. “The wounds of war have not been healed …” She looks at you pleadingly. ” ... because they fester in the dark! Maybe we need to rip them open one more time … and … and … we can finally live together in peace!” It almost sounds as if she is trying to convince not only you but also herself.  

Ser Perilake The Gilded Knight

Perilake's hand finds Inga's, and their fingers intertwine.

  

Anastaz The Salt Knight

"My comrades and I have encountered a strange red mist on our travels, but I did not realize it posed such a dire threat. We could seek its cause, if it is the most grave concern."  

Referee

Lady Hildrad nods.”Well there is the small issue of two warbands approaching from… “ The melodic voice of Sir Vlad cuts her off from the shadow of his seat: “They have retreated. Lord Ulrich' s sources confirmed that.” Hildrad blinks.”Oh, well, … internal threats then …, Lady Margaret?” The Sheriff stands up and gives a longer overview of troubles within the Realm: a new Cult that is finding new followers rapidly, skirmishes between Szalai and Karpat troops over contested land, more huts that had been destroyed by floods in Swinjo, a great winged beast that had been caught and will be brought to justice… until the King clears his throat and she falls silent. “We all know that the most pressing issue right now is the other trial: That of Lady Bianca. Her conduct is unacceptable, but … will Kranach accept our ruling whatever it might be?” He looks around until his gaze lands on you. “And are you willing to repeat your accusations publicly, Salt Knight?”  

Heldris The Dove Knight

Heldris heart jumps when he realises how late it is. He quickly collects the relevant scrolls and rushes to the hall of the trial. He steps into the hall, out of breath, yelling: “Wait! You're making a mistake, the creature is innocent!”  

Anastaz The Salt Knight

Anastaz raises an eyebrow when he hears about the Bat, and frowns when the King asks him about Bianca. "Lady Bianca has blackmailed another knight, Lady Dagmar; I know this to be true, and the Iron Knight has admitted as much to me in private. But the blackmail is over actions Lady Dagmar took during the civil war, and I fear a public trial may stir up old resentments and undermine the peace in the realm."  

Envoy of Barow: Sir Ulrich of Kranach questioning his life choices

Referee

Sir Ulrich rises and leans heavily on the balustrade that seperates the benches. “My Lord, I fear that the accusations against Lady Dagmar's … actions during the war are already whispered on the corridors of the castle by Knights and Courtiers, servants and vassals. Lady Bianca has been officially summoned to defend herself. Even those who still don't know why will ask questions. A trial behind closed doors will only further divisions between the houses.”  

Anastaz The Salt Knight

Anastaz adopts a more open expression, and nods slowly as Sir Ulrich speaks. "Perhaps. Of course, as a friend of Lady Dagmar, I cannot claim impartiality..." He pauses for a moment, looking around the council. "I defer to His Grace's judgment."  

Referee

The King sits still for a while massaging his right hand, his delicate figure dwarfed by the massive throne. “ The actions of Lady Bianca are unacceptable and a desecration of the oath.“ He says slowly. “However … we need to tread carefully." He looks over to you apologetically. "House Barow must appear neutral in this matter. It will hopefully be seen as a gesture of goodwill if the prosecutor is an outsider instead of the Sheriff of Barow as would be the custom under normal circumstances. Lady Margaret will oversee the prosecution of the beast. But I want you to prosecute Lady Bianca, The Iron Knight."