The Trial of Disorganizer

[Padma]

The Prince of Lancre rises again, leaning heavily on his cane.

"Your Honor, I stated before that I had more to say on this matter. I wish to speak again, now."

Judge Hale indicates he should continue.

"I have been friends with disorganizer since our earliest memories. Together, we created the Principality of Lancre, and I welcomed him as the chief of that partnership. He saw fit to name me as his heir when he stepped down from that role. So you can imagine my horror, my anger, when I realized what evil he was perpetrating on the people of Tsort.

"I believed at the time, and I still believe, that he knew what havoc he was wreaking. That he knew, and made no attempt to stop!"

The courtroom had begun buzzing as Padma spoke, and the noise was crescendoing. Hale banged his gavel.

"I will have order in this court! Prince Padma, do you understand that the accusation phase of this trial is over, and we are now accepting defense tesimony only?"

Padma smiled slightly. "I understand, your Honor. But I felt it necessary to set the approriate stage for my remarks. For you see, despite my rejection of his methods, whether induced by strange gasses or not, I understood what he was doing!

"The people of this land had grown complacent. The Nobles had become indolent, and were more concerned with petty land squabbles than with leading Fanatika to its rightful place on the world stage. As the leader of the "Undead", he forced us all to put aside our minor quarrels and learn to work together. And this learning stood us in good stead in the wars that followed, leaving us at the pinnacle of world power, with no rivals worthy of the name.

"And yet, his method turned out to be terrible, and cruel. I do not ask for clemency, because I feel he should be punished for his crimes. Still, I remember that young man I played with by the sea, in the hills of Kultis, and the plains of Tsort; who achieved the accolade of Knight years before myself, yet never held me as lesser. This man who was a confidant of the great Prince Shaitan, but who still had time for the concerns of the common folk in his care. This man, who, at great risk to his own life, saved me from certain death at the hands of an other, truly evil, one. This man I hold as my brother, as dear to me as my own family. This man still lives in his soul, and is what causes him to cry out for punishment for the evil he has done.

"It is for this man, that I ask for the punishment to be mitigated, yet fitting."

Tears had begun forming at the corners of the old Prince's eyes as he stirred old memories. These he dashed away as he sat down abruptly, indicating his speech was at an end.

 

[Shaitan]

* Court convenes the next day and Judge Hale announces the closure of the defense portion of the case. *

Hale: The principles, most notably Princes Grandmaster and Padma and the accused disorganizer, may now cast direct questions to any person who has testified. This questioning will be for today only and I will announce the findings of the court tomorrow. Please proceed.

(OOC: Anybody can request additional data about testimony given at this point, not just the people named. It can be for prosecution or defense. You'll need to coopt characters for the answers so try to keep in the mode of those characters.)

 

[Shaitan]

* The courtroom falls quiet as the bailiff announces Judge Hale's entry. The aged judge takes his seat and calls the court to order with a sharp rap of his gavel. He pauses for some moments, looking out on the assembled lords and citizens. His gaze lingers on disorganizer for some time until he finally clears his throat and adresses the assembly. *

Hale: Will the defendant please rise for the statement of the court.

* disorganizer stands up, flanked by Prince Padma on one side and Prince Grandmaster on the other. He is noticeably pale with dark circles under his eyes but stands straight and proud as he awaits the verdict. *

Hale: It is the finding of this court that disorganizer is guilty of the charges against him.

* The mutterings in the galley are subdued. This announcement was not unexpected. After a minute Hale raps his gavel and calls again for order. *

Hale: The testimony given of disorganizer's conduct both directly and indirectly has made such a verdict quite clear. Less clear is what punishment is merited by his various actions and intentional inactions. Evidence has been presented that disorganizer was befuddled by poisonous gasses from the Tsort salt mines and testimony has also been given that he was under the influence of a powerful and despicable persona. With the amount of such testimony and cross reference of it this court is convinced of the truth of the disabling and maddening effects of the gas. It is the court's belief that this gas rendered disorganizer succeptible to suggestion and distorted the reality he saw to such an extent that he believed himself and those around him to be of monstrous countenance.

So, with disorganizer confirmed to be out of his right mind, what culpability does he have for his actions? As you recall I cleared the courtroom after disorganizer's public testimony of guilt. While the gallery was cleared I interviewed him directly and heard of the horrors of Tsort directly from him. His testimony to me was both horrific and unreal but there was no doubt that he spoke the truth as he saw it. There can also be no doubt that he is, now, as horrified and disgusted by the activities in Tsort as any man of honor.

There were a couple parts of his story, verified by testimony in this court, that indicated some remaining goodness and control under his command. The first was the protection he extended to the Spiritualist visitors to Tsort. The second was his selfless act in saving the life of Prince Padma. Ironically, it is these acts that condemn him now. They show that he did still retain the ability to distinguish between acts of good and evil and could control his actions when the situation meritted. These few people he acted to protect while hundreds were corrupted or destroyed under his direction or with his tacit permission or inaction. This court therefore determines that disorganizer is culpable for his actions in their entirety and will sentence him accordingly.

* The courtroom is in an uproar and it takes Hale several minutes to restore order. disorganizer does not seem to react at all but Padma notices a single tear streaking down his face. *

Hale: It is the decision of this court that disorganizer be punished by the ending of his own life. At the rise of the sun tomorrow he will be hung by the neck until dead. Guards, please remove the convicted.

* The commotion in the courtroom is now a bedlam. People push and shove trying to get towards disorganizer or judge Hale. The bailiff and two guardsmen quickly usher the judge from the courtroom and position themselves at the door, barring any other from entering his chambers. Padma and Grandmaster, along with the Vanirian guard, barrel a path through the mob of the galley trying to protect disorganizer from the violence of some and the equally dangerous crush of well wishers. A seeming eternity passes and they finally win free of the press. Padma continues to push back against the crowd and Grandmaster turns to adress disorganizer but sees only the last of the guardsmen as they hurry disorganizer to the cells beneath the court building. He turns back to Padma and both men exchange a look of despair and anger and, perhaps, conviction. They turn as one and walk from the court building. *

 

[Grandmaster]

As the rose over Execution Hill, its rays fell upon the scaffolding that would be used to end the life of one Disorganizer of Tsort, criminal against the people of Fanatika. A crowd had assembled to watch the ghastly spectacle. The execution stands on the scaffolding. Disorganizer ascends the steps up to the platform, where the executioner bounds him hand and foot and places a bag over his head. He then slips the noose around his neck. A Vanirian official steps forward.

Official: Disorganizer of Tsort, Criminal Against the People of Fanatika, you have been condemned to hang by the neck until your death. In this way you will atone for your heinous crimes. Have you any last words?

Disorganizer: People of Fanatika, I die before you today a criminal. I deserve what I am getting.

The executioner goes to through the switch that will open the floor under Disorganizer. Suddenly, a man steps forward from the crowd. A ray of light glints of the pistol tucked into his belt. He has on his face a look of supreme confidence, the look of a career soldier who has seen much death and has lived to tell about. But today, his job is to save life, not to take it. He calls out to the executioner.

GM: Halt! You will stop this execution!

Executioner: And who are you to order that, man?

The man draws from a sheeth under his jacket the ceremonial dagger of Vanir, recognized by all as a symbol of princely authority.

GM: Who am I? I am Grandmaster, Prince of Vanir! That is who I am!

Executioner: My lord, I did not know.

The man ascends onto the scaffolding. He stands mere feet away from the executioner.

GM: By my power as supreme monarch of House Vanir, I hereby pardon Sir Disorganizer. He is free of guilt in his crimes!

Official: Lord Grandmaster, the courts have ordered his execution! Surely you will not override the ruling of Honorable Judge Hale?

The Prince draws the pistol (which unbeknownst to the crowd is unloaded) and holds it by his side, a look of anger on his face that would stop oncoming tanks. Several in the crowd, who lived near the Marillion, had seen that look before, and feared it.

GM: Sir, I pay the salary of the Right Honorable Judge Mr. Sirius Hale. I will accept or override his decisions as I see fit. Is that clear, sir?

Official (stuttering): Yes, m..m..m'lord.

GM: Good. Now unbind this man, and release him from the gallows. He has suffered enough for his crimes; I will not allow such unnecessary death in my lands.

The executioner releases Disorganizer. The lord moves slowly, in shock and awe of the events unfolding. He and the Prince step down off the platform, and begin to leave. They are joined by Padma. The three walk away from the crowd. Everyone's eyes remain fixed on the three Princes. As they walk, and Grandmaster and Padma shoot a look to one another, silently saying "That was too easy." The Prince of Vanir laughs, drops the pistol on the ground, and continues onward.