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Post by aspenivan on May 1, 2015 21:18:06 GMT
Vizier of the North Adjuran Sujjid had arranged and furnished the Palace Throne Room with the appropriate finery for an Imperial Trial, but nothing more. She did not want to make a major event of such a sensitive mediation, at least not anymore than she could help. So it was that she sat, raised on her throne in front of an enormous Imperial Banner, forming a triangle with the Jarl of the Giants and the King of the Faefolk below. Further off stood any spectators who had seen fit to attend, and at each of the chamber sat a royal scribe at a desk with parchment and ink.
"A declaration of her Excellency Adjuran Sujjid, Vizier of the North, servant of the Sword of Aed," she announced, more to the scribes than to the opposing defendants or the audience. "On this fifty-first day of the Harvest Season of the year Eight-Hundred Twenty-Three of the Prophet, I hereby call to order the Trial of Jarl Tholarg Wolfkin and King Aeron Sefti for the Resolution of the Commonwealth-Jotun War of 822." She allowed the bureaucrats a brief moment to finish recording before she continued.
"In principal question are two matters: The justice of the Jotun Cassus Belli for the Raid of Leoten, and the justice of the Commonwealth violation of the Ceasefire of King Pedro. In secondary question are two matters I have added at my personal discretion: The justice of Jotun coastal raiding in general, and the prevention of further bloodshed by issuing a resolution to the Commonwealth-Jotun War in this courtroom." Again a pause for the benefit of the scribes.
"I call on his Highness King Aeron Sefti of the Sefti-Cerdigonian-Navaren Commonwealth to speak his piece. When he declares the conclusion of his remarks, Jarl Tholarg Wolfkin of the Jotun Clans will be called on to speak next by default, without need for my explicit permission."
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Post by cerdigon on May 1, 2015 23:30:42 GMT
'' Beg Guhrim. Loo-Can-Tee. Leoten. '' The voice that rumbled from the corner of the room was soft at first but like a rising storm gathered strength as the King rose to his feet. '' Where does it end? Does Imperial Law and Justice hold no meaning in the North? The Jotun claim to be acting in the interests of the Crown but the Jarl cannot provide one scrap of paper from the Vizier as proof to his claims. Thousands of men and women are dead, countless more have been sold into the bonds of slavery. Fellow worshippers of Aed sold like cattle to the highest bidder. As a sovereign lord of the North and King of Nevara, I could not allow this transgression against my fellow Co-King and my people to go unpunished.'' The King made a point of wearing the crown that Vizier Ishui Seldu had placed upon his head at his coronation, it was Imperial recognition that both Cerdigon and Nevara were one nation. In attendance representing the Commonwealth were high ranking figures in the North. Chief Priest Fahuan and Aeron's co-monarch, King Pedro.
'' You ask why I had the audacity to break the cease fire before Imperial Mediation? '' Aeron said, pacing back and forth across the room, his composure beginning to slip, those words laced with more venom with every uttered syllable. '' The Jotun's barbaric display at Vizier Seldu's own funeral was cause enough. They laid the gold that they stole took from the cold dead hands of my people at the Emperor's feet. They insulted my father, my own blood with foul words that brought his honor into queston, a former King of Cerdigon! The Jotun claimed to start this war over honor, I broke the armistice to remove the stain on my own. Through their own actions, the Jotun have damned themselves! '' The King snarled, leveling one bronze finger at the Jarl's party before turning his attention to the Vizier.
'' My demands have always been for justice. Justice for Leoten, justice for King Pedro, and justice for Nevara. I ask that you grant it. Give Leoten restitution, restore her lost treasures, and turn over the criminals responsible for trial to the Commonwealth. Wulfrik Thunderfist is a murderer, a killer, and a pirate. He must be treated like one in the eyes of the law. '' A glance was tossed to King Pedro, silently inquiring if he wished to add anything, as he was the original wounded party. With no words left, the King resumed his seat next to the King and Chief Priest.
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Post by Vaklu on May 2, 2015 1:42:27 GMT
"No war was declared." Tholarg's words were ice water. "We carried out a punitive raid. Had I sent my men to make war Leoten and every village on Navara's coast would be cinders. Durring the war in the wastes Navaren did nothing. They sent no troops, they paid no taxes. There was an arrangement with the previous vizier that the Jotun were free to raid any kingdom that had not paid their taxes, as long as we tithed a portion to the empire. While it may have been i poor taste to present the emperor with our offering at the funeral feast. As for your father, his lack of honor has never been in question. He is a self confessed poisoner. I am willing to compensate the commonwealth 12,000 jien, no more. As for the surrender of Wulfric Thunderfist, this war will go on for a hundred seasons and I will still refuse you. He is a warrior who followed the orders of his Jarl."
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Post by aspenivan on May 2, 2015 2:37:22 GMT
Vizier Adjuran Sujjid waited until she was satisfied that each defendant had finished presenting their case.
"Very well. The Trial will now move onto the presentation of witnesses, whether to the course of events or the honor of the defendants. The defendants themselves may only speak to list the witnesses they wish to call to the bench; the witnesses are to introduce themselves. We will hear first from the supporters of Jarl Tholarg Wolfkin, then from the supporters of King Aeron Sefti."
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Post by Vaklu on May 2, 2015 3:16:21 GMT
"I call forth Thane Gudrik Bloodancer, General Stae Pjjokhat, and Daimyo Ikegami Naozumi,"
The Thane would stand before the court bold as brass. His armor polished and blade peace bound. His scarred visage hard and unyeilding. "The Jarl is one of most honorable servants of the Emperor in the north. When war on the wastelanders was declared he asked me to lead an expedition into the wastes. We were marching before all other despite the fact that the Jotun faced absolutely no threat from the hordes in the west. He has always made sure the taxes requested are payed. At the Former Viziers request we sent 1,000 heavy infantry south to train under the commanders of the empire. We serve as is our Duty and provide the services that our Mastery provide us."
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Post by ravigen on May 2, 2015 3:20:11 GMT
Naozumi had come to the trial as the principle ally of the Jotun, he felt it only just that he attend to mediate in favor of his ally and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He stood and made his way to present his case to the court, bowing once to the Vizier and once out of respect to each of the two leaders.
"Your Excellency, I have come here today to represent on behalf of Jarl Wolfkin and the Jotun." He straightened and glanced around the room briefly.
"Your Excellency, while I am a man of peace and can offer no opinion on the Raid of Leoten, I can say that Jarl Wolfkin has done what he has done out of his sense of honor and duty to his people, to the Empire and to Aed. King Pedro made no response to the Wastelander threat, or to any major incident that has occurred in the North these past few years, he could have raised thousands of levies to aid in the Wastelander threat but he spared none to the offensive, Jarl Wolfkin is right, he has paid his tribute only intermittently with up to half a year's distance between tribute at times. This is a serious dereliction of duty and crass laziness at best."
He paused to catch his breath and recollect his thoughts.
"While it is regrettable that this came to violence, Jarl Wolfkin was understandably aggrieved at the crass dereliction of duty and honor that King Pedro displayed by not even acknowledging the Vizier's call to war against the Wastelander. I believe the Jarl's offer of 12,000 jian in recompense to King Aeron."
"In addition, I understand that it is the your wish to bring further trade to the North? Perhaps Jarl Wolfkin, your dragonships would be put to good use protecting trade ships going to and from the many ports, for a fee of course, such an arrangement would benefit the Jotun and the Empire and would give your people a more acceptable alternative to raiding?"
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Post by aspenivan on May 2, 2015 3:32:48 GMT
The final witness in support of the Jarl, General Stae Pjjokhat, would be far less diplomatic than the Daimyo.
"If you will excuse my bluntness," he began with perhaps the only polite words he would speak at this trial, "Jarl Tholarg Wolfkin has more honor than every member of the Cerdigonian Court put together. He has more honor on his own than anyone in the Line of Cadoc the Poisoner could ever imagine. I've fought at his side, for which I'm proud, and I've never met a man so committed to the grim but necessary Duty of War and Right Rulership.
"King Pedro on the other hand is a useless, lazy pig whose only contribution to the Empire is the snot and bile that drools out of his over-bloated throat. If I were Vizier, I would have already put him in chains myself, confiscated his kingdom, and emptied his treasury. So, I can't see why the good and noble Jarl shouldn't have the right to give the animal a jab to remind him of his Duty and get back what the Empire deserves in taxes. In fact, I would say the Jarl was generous, limiting it to one raid and agreeing to a ceasefire right afterwards! A ceasefire which King Aeron, a man whose own honorless father spoke often of restraining from excess in the Court of Ishui Seldu, unsurprisingly violated on the flimsy pretext that the Union is only a Union when it's convenient for him.
"That is all." With a thud and a ripple of clangs from arms and armor, the General sat down forcefully.
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Post by cerdigon on May 2, 2015 6:20:14 GMT
'' I WILL KILL YOU! '' Lord Captain Tedwyr roared. The entire Sefti-Navaren delegation was on its feet after the General's testimony and the bodyguard grabbed the General roughly by his collar as he filed past, a mailed fist ready to punch his face to bloody ruin.
'' TEDWYR! Restrain yourself. '' The voice of King Aeron cut through the noise like a knife through butter and with whisperd promises of further retributions, the usually amiable bodyguard captain released the General with a shove. Thankfully, there would no weapons within the courtroom or blood would have surely been spilt.
'' I suppose then...that I shall call upon myself. '' The sovereign of the Commonwealth said with a mirthless chuckle.
'' I am not surprised that a killer of men, women, and children would find sympathy for the Jotun. '' King Aeron said, a smile sliding over those handsome features as he stood, brushing the insults away like it was little more than dust collected on the road. '' Was it not the Jotun's desire for loot and gold that drove the Jarl into the Wastes to attack the Heathen Orc's? Was it not the General's own vain desire for glory and blood that drove him to fight alongside them, attacking defenseless villages along the way? What glory, what honor to be had. '' The King said with a sneer, before pounding his fist on the table. '' The result of their reckless attack was a full fledged invasion of the North, their atrocities uniting the Wastelanders under a single banner. '' He leaned forward, pinning the General with a stare.
'' Now who was it that answered the call when the Wastelanders attacked? The Ikagami brought their hordes of peasents this is true and the Jarl a small force. Yet it was the Commonwealth that contributed ten thousand professional and battle hardened troops. It was the Commonwealth that broke the back of the Orc line at the Battle of Thundercrown. It was the Commonwealth that spilt its blood upon the field and drove a hole through their line in a meatgrinder. '' The King's voice rose, driving his point home.
'' It was only possible for me to ride with my entire army West because good King Pedro, one of the most honorable men I have ever known, promised to safeguard my Realm and defend it from Wastelander invaders. I stripped every fort, every garrison, and every Commander for the war effort. I requested my fellow monarch to safeguard our Realm and he did. ''
'' I call upon the fellow Co-King of the Sefti-Navaren Commonwealth as my next witness. '' The King said, waiting for Pedro to be seated before launching into his next point.
'' Now, Your Grace? Did I not personally ask you to safeguard the capital of Morgraig when there were food riots and the threat of Wastelander orc's on the frontier? '' He waited for the inevitable yes before making his next point. '' The King of Nevara has been late on his tribute payments, this is true. But the King has always been careful to repay his back taxes when they were owed. Does the Empire collect its tribute at the point of the sword, by killing defenseless citizenry? '' He chose his next words carefully, treading towards treason was on dangerous grounds by implicating the Vizier in the Sack of Leoten. '' No. The Grand Survaek Empire is a nation of laws. There was no representative of the Empire ever sent to the Navaren Court or my own to investigate the issue of missed tribute payment. It does not send assassins and killers in the night to slay babes in their cribs. ''
'' Twelve thousand jiien is an insult to those whom have died. Vengeance will not be sated and wounds will not be healed. I do not ask blood for blood. I ask for Wulfrik Thunderfist in chains and proper restitution to repair Leoten. He is the one directly responsible and it is he whom must pay for these high crimes. ''
'' My own father was held accountable for his actions during the War of Succession. Hold this man accountable for his Vizier. '' He said, pointing his finger at the Jarl himself.
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Fel
Yeoman
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Post by Fel on May 2, 2015 6:49:44 GMT
The aging, yet still proud and straight-backed king stood up, acting as witness as he was called by his fellow King in the commonwealth. It had been a hard several weeks, taking it's toll on the King's psyche. Many had heard the yelling, the occasional slamming of something against a wall in his chambers. It had not been pleasant since the raid.
"I must begin by reaffirming by fellow King of the Commonwealth, he did indeed raise the idea that the Navaren armies should be kept home, in caution of penetrating raiding parties or war bands, which would've had free reign in the villages and farms outside of our cities had they arrived at a time where every able bodied male was away at war. While the armies were at home, I received no communication, no scout, no messenger, not a single letter indicating any kind of discontent from the Vaekirate, or the Empire, or from any lord for that matter. Thorlag 'the unjust' seemed only to discuss my 'injustices' when he thought he could make a quick jien out of it, the only thing his brain seems to be able to comprehend. Additionally, while taxation was occasionally not delivered, not a single time was a messenger sent from the Vaekirate nor the Empire. Not once, because the taxes were always paid in full soon after. This kind of preposterous warmongering--"
He steadied himself for a moment, eyes briefly glazed over, "I can still see the bloody bodies that streamed in, women and children crying and screaming, wings and arms torn off for no reason other than the Jotun clans lack of a shred of honor and any kind of respect for the law!"
"Where is the accountability for this heinous crime against a sworn-vassal? I indeed thought that the Empire was a nation of laws, and I hope i'm not mistaken, one that didn't allow the brutal slaughter of civilians by glorified pirates, to begin with, and one that didn't allow blatant disregard for liege authority. Wulfrik's clear vigilante 'justice', though to call it justice would be a slight against the idea of system of law, is a clear circumventing, and trample on, the authority of the Vaekirate and Empire, and only makes both look weak against piracy and bloodthirsty savages such as the Jotun. These pathetic excuses of convenience spouted by our opponents, ones of attacks on character without a bit of relevance to the trial, of 'arrangements with the former vizier' with not a single scrap of Imperial stamped paper to show for it, the disgusting attempt to attack our Imperially recognized Commonwealth as 'flimsy' while having the weakest possible legal leg to stand on. It's clear there's only one possible answer to this trial," He had continued on, continuing to look at the Vizier while dramatically pointing at the Jotun delegation.
"Wulfrik Thunderfist must be in chains, and the victims of the Rape of Leoten compensated in full!"
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Post by aspenivan on May 2, 2015 19:54:30 GMT
Unfortunately for Vizier Sujjid and her hopes for a smooth trial, General Stae Pjjokhat was in a particularly bad mood today. The man waited for King Pedro to finish speaking, and then immediately stood up out of turn.
"Excuse me fine Fae friends, but did I hear an I will kill you?!" Pjjokhat was fuming, but also grinning like a wolf about to sink its teeth into its prey. "Well -- "
"General Pjjokhat, that is enough," the Vizier commanded, her expression tightening into a stern glare. But the Surv-Akur commander seemed not to hear, but only to shout so loud that no one could speak over him.
"I WILL KILL YOU, HONORLESS PAGAN WINGED SCUM! YOU HAVE THE GALL TO THREATEN A SERVANT OF HIS MAJESTY?!" He was fixing a murderous stare onto Captain Tedwyr. "OR ARE YOUR WORDS EMPTY COWARDS' TALK?! HAVE AT ME! PISTOLS, SABERS, AXES, YOUR CHOICE YOU RAT-SERVANT OF A RAT-KING!"
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Post by cerdigon on May 3, 2015 0:46:20 GMT
'' Bring me my sword! '' Captain Tedwyr was shouting for his squire, his craggy face turning a mixture of red and purple with rage. '' I'll cut your tongue from your treacherous mouth, you stinking dog! '' The massive Sylph had already begun to move towards the General, intent on starting the melee here and now.
'' Tedwyr. '' It was the voice of his liege lord that froze the bodyguard within his tracks. '' Majesty... '' Gwenydd began, fists curling and uncurling. '' I do not ask other men to fight my battles. '' King Aeron said, his eyes cold and harsh as he fixed the Imperial General with a stare of contempt.
'' You are my liege lord! Let me defend your honor! He is not worthy to cross swords with you! '' The bodyguard begged.
'' Vizier. Might I ask for a brief recess in light of these events? '' The King said standing, the Commonwealth delegation along with him. With or without the Vizier's consent it seemed violence was about to settle here in the court room, unless the Imperial Guard was called in to stop it.
'' General Pjjokhat, you insult my House and me personally. I will give you one chance to withdraw your remark and I will show you mercy. If you do not, then there will be consequences. '' There was no arrogance in the King's voice, just deadly confidence. It was Aeron whom had assaulted the city of Mog Bhenholm and seized the city in a daring raid, it was Aeron whom had lead the charge at the Battle of Thundercrown, it was Aeron whom had cut down Jodsar the Swift. He knew of Pjjokhat's reputation as a fierce fighter, he had seen it at the tourney and respected it. But this the King of the Commonwealth could not stand.
Yet there was something else that might be behind the King's confidence, his new arm. The King had been acting strangely since metal and flesh had been fused together to make him whole once more. Strange dreams, stranger visions, and Tedwyr prayed that it was not the influence of this...thing that was making the King act so brashly. He was putting his life on the line, he had a child on the way, and he was going to risk himself here and now? The Captain looked to the General for his answer, would the beast back down or stand his ground? Or would the Vizier end this madness?
'' Vizier, please. '' Tedwyr said, turning to the Emperor's mouthpiece in the North. Perhaps she could intervene? Nothing good could come of an Imperial General falling at the hands of a Northern monarch or vice versa.
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Post by aspenivan on May 3, 2015 21:09:27 GMT
"General Stae Pjjokhat," Vizier Adjuuran Sujjid declared at a volume that seemed several orders of magnitude louder than any she had reached before. "You will immediately retract your statements against King Aeron Sefti, or suffer the loss of all your titles and powers as an officer of the Surv-Akur." Sujjid's glare had intensified from menacing to outright deadly, though her composure remained quite intact.
"But as for Captain Tedwyr..." she turned her eyes, now softer, to the sylph captain. "You did threaten the life of the General, however much I can sympathize with your feelings. I will permit the two of you to duel outside the premises of the Palace, but I will not halt this trial." She snapped her gaze back to Pjjokhat. "Is that clear?"
Begrudgingly, Stae Pjjokhat turned to face King Aeron, with every small side-step he took his armor jingled softly as if to emphasize his hesitancy. "I take back my words of slight against your honor," he stated flatly.
"Good! Now begone!" the Vizier quickly interjected, as if to shoo the general away. Once Pjjokhat and Tedwyr were outside the chamber, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Now for the next stage of the trial." Finally, the scribes could get back to taking notes. "Each defendant will now present the other with a list of questions. First King Aeron Sefti will present his questions to Jarl Tholarg Wolfkin, then the Jarl will give his answers, then the Jarl will present to the King, and finally the King will give his answers. There will be no rebuttals from presenter back to answerer regarding any answer given. Simply questions, then answers."
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Post by cerdigon on May 4, 2015 0:59:31 GMT
‘’ I will not allow this. ‘’ A scowl slid over the King’s features as he stepped in the way of Tedwyr. The Sylph bodyguard had a toothy grin on his face, as if he was a boy on his name day that had just been given the greatest gift in the world.
‘’ My King… ‘’ The Sylph said, a long silent moment passing between master and servant. Aeron could not deny Tedwyr. By refusing this duel, the warrior would’ve fallen on his own sword in shame. He knew that it could be the last time he saw the old Sylph, a man whom had fought at his father’s side since crossing from the Fae Realm and had been a constant companion since he had assumed the throne.
‘’ May Aed Watch Over You ‘’ was all the King could manage before standing aside. With his eyes straight ahead, the bodyguard marched towards the door and perhaps his death.
‘’ Outside. ‘’ He snarled at the General, the doors closing behind them with finality. Aeron took a moment to compose himself, fingertips tapping on the desk.
‘’ Your Grace. The General interrupted my testimony. I have one final witness to call before I proceed. ‘’ The King said, turning to the Sefti-Navaren delegation.
‘’ Mistress Alis, please.. ‘’ The King said, extending one bronze hand towards the Sylph. She was an old woman. Her face hidden behind a shawl, eyes nearly blind with cataract, and she walked with a heavy limp. It was clear however that something horrible had happened to her… a wing had been ripped off violently, fingers were missing, It wasn’t until she reached the stand and removed her shawl that the true extent of her injuries were revealed. Her face was a mass of mottled bruises and injuries that had not quite healed. Bloody and new scar tissue slowly forming over shrapnel wounds that had been caused by Jotun cannonfire.
‘’ Mistress Alis… I want you to tell the court what happened during the Attack on Leoten. ‘’ The King said.
While her body might have been frail, the old woman’s voice was strong and firm. It hungered for vengeance as she fixed her milky white eyes on the Jarl and his Thanes.
‘’ There was no warning to the attack. We thought we were welcoming the Jarl’s ships home from their victory in the West. Crowds had started to gather in the Port District, my grandchildren were the first. The Jotun artillery started firing almost immediately… ‘’ She said, pausing to gather her thoughts. ‘’ My son ran to join the militia and I took my grandchildren back towards our home in the Coin District. The Jotun fired indiscriminately, there was no reason to when or where their shells landed.. they destroyed not only soldiers but buildings and homes… My grandchildren were running down the street through the chaos. An artillery shell landed close to us, hitting a nearby building. They were buried in the rubble… I was buried in the rubble… When they pulled me out three days later, my babes had been crushed to pulp, my son was killed in the fighting, and I was….left as one of the Wingless. ‘’ She said, her voice broken with defeat.
‘’ Give us justice! ‘’ She wailed, her poisonous stare fixing on Gudrik. By now the tears were coming hard and fast, the King motioning for his men to move forward and remove her before she completely lost leave of her senses. Aeron paced back and forth across the courtroom, lost deep in thought before he did an about face and marched towards the Jarl.
‘’ I have the following questions for you. ‘’ He said, his voice without a hint of the rage that he was feeling about to boil over.
‘’ First, before launching your cowardly attack, why did you not declare war? ‘’
‘’ Second, where is the legal justification that the previous Vizier gave you? Where is the decree? ‘’
‘’ Third, why did you order an attack on a civilian target? The King’s own manor had little in the way of citizenry; instead you chose to attack defenseless people that were there to offer your men and ships safe supply and rest. ‘’
‘’ Fourth, why did you not make official demands upon arriving in Leoten? There was no communication, no declaration of intent, just a savage and vicious assault.
‘’
‘’ And one final question… ‘’ The entire Jotun defense had been centered not around the legalities of their attack but that Aeron’s conduct and character gave them the RIGHT to attack his people.. ‘’ do you consider my personal actions and likability as a King as a valid cause for an assault on my subjects? ''
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Post by Vaklu on May 4, 2015 4:00:38 GMT
"Raids are not war. They are singular occurrences. Thus declaring war would have been a waste of time. There was no second strike planned that's why we agreed to Pedro's offer of armistice immediately." Tholarg was disinterested by the whole thing. He was more than slightly annoyed by Aeron's consistent disrespect to the Vizier by his constant disregard for her instructions. It suggested that regardless of what was decided he would do as he pleased.
"Gudrik decided the terms of the agreement with a Captain out of Fort Northreed."
"Leoten has always been considered a military and economic target. It has a standing force of at least 3,000 city regulars, not counting the 9,000 militia. The mint in the city is also an important target. My councilors agreed that the best way to rouse Pedro from his torpor would be to lighten his coffers. Pedro's manor was determined to be too far inland to raid without fighting the troops from the city anyway." This was all given in a matter of fact manner. Like he was discussing the price of grain or how to properly skin a deer.
"I don't remember hearing of your ships giving a declaration of intent when you came upon my ships. As your Admiral demonstrated, such acts only work when carried out swiftly."
"As for your last question." A smile crept onto his features. "You seem to be confused as to your own name. The only persons actions we have issue with is King Pedro the listless. Unless you've wed him without notifying the realms you are not considered one flesh. As far as i know he is still considered accountable for collecting and paying taxes in his lands. As for your likeability? I can't speek to that, except that your conduct recently hasn't helped."
"I have no questions for King Aeron that would have any worth to this trial. And even if asked the answers would mean little."
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Post by aspenivan on May 6, 2015 18:08:06 GMT
According to Survaekom legal tradition, the Vizier could have moved the trial to a final phase of rebuttals. But Adjuran Sujjid had heard all she needed to hear.
"The trial will now proceed to the phase of judgment, which I will pass with the authority invested in me as Vizier of the North." She first turned to the half-elf.
"King Aeron Sefti, your cause is just. However, as co-king with Pedro II of Navaren, you cannot simply ignore his proclamations and agreements under the pretense of being a separate ruler. Regardless of the justice of the Jotun raid, oaths and solemn signatures were made. At the very least, you should have consulted me or another imperial legal authority on the question. I will also note that given your repeated disregard for trial procedure by speaking out of turn, I cannot help but question your credibility in this case. Your violation of the Commonwealth-Jotun ceasefire stands as a violation, for which the Jotun Clan may demand compensation." She then turned to the giant.
"Jarl Tholarg Wolfkin, your cause is unjust. After much investigation on my own, I learned of this deal with the Commander of Fort Northreed and transferred the spoken agreement into writing for reference. The agreement was specific to Beg Guhrim, and cannot be taken as a general allowance to raid the holdings of any vassal-lord late on their payments to the Crown. The same goes for your raid against the goblins of Lucente, for which you had the approval of his late Excellency Ishui Seldu. This principle must stand, that neither the Jotun Clan nor any other vassal can speak on behalf of the Imperial Crown as to whether another vassal is deserving of retribution or not. Ever." Vizier Sujjid had to be crystal clear on this point: Vassals couldn't be allowed free reign to bash each others' heads over perceived slights to the Empire. "Furthermore, I find beyond distasteful your callous disregard for innocent lives in Leoten. I take this as evidence against Jotun raiding in general, and potential reason to investigate your actions in Beg Guhrim and Lucente more closely." Then, the Vizier allowed her eyes to move between the two defendants.
"This is my judgment. As regards reparations, the Jotun Clan will pay to King Pedro II a sum equal to the worth of all treasure stolen, and to King Aeron Sefti five-thousand jiien, before the first day of the year 823 of the Prophet. For his crimes against the people of Leoten and, by extension, the Empire, Wulfrik Thunderfist will immediately turn himself over to the Palace Guard in this chamber. He will spend the rest of his days as a Slave of the Emperor, wherever his Majesty the Sword of Aed would have him go." Of course, both Sujjid and the Jotun lords present knew that this was a mild punishment. Thunderfist would more than likely join the Jotunom Guard, and he would surely end up back in the North as soon as Vokoryn II began his stay.
"This will be considered the net sum of what is owed, given the reparations due the Jotun from the Commonwealth for the ceasefire violation. Furthermore, I hereby declare the Commonwealth-Jotun War over. Both sides shall cease hostilities and have any forces outside their borders return home. If there is to be another war between Giant and Faefolk, the aggressor must absolutely consult me, or my successor, before proceeding." Hopefully, this could keep the seemingly eternal conflict under control.
"Finally, as a matter of principle from this point onwards, the Northern Empire will no longer recognize the notion of raid outside of war. There will be no more special allowances for tax collection or any other purposes. But, in order to assure the Jotun Clan that they still have an integral place in the Northern Empire, I hereby offer to discuss possibilities for long-term profit through commerce rather than looting with the noble Jarl at the next possible convenience.
"This trial is now over. I expect all conditions to be fulfilled without delay."
__________
THE JUDGMENT OF ADJURAN SUJJID:
-- Jotun Clan pay 11 Gold to Navaren and 5 Gold to Commonwealth
-- Jotun Clan LOSES and Grand Survaek Empire GAINS Wulfrik Thunderfist (Warrior - Melee)
-- Any future cause for war between Commonwealth/Navaren and Jotun Clan must be brought to the Vizier by the aggressor-to-be before proceeding
-- All future raids by any faction in the North are considered acts of war and must have full war justification. No more special allowances from the Vizier.
-- Vizier Adjuran Sujjid offers to negotiate commercial deal with Jarl Tholarg Wolfkin as soon as possible.
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