PRIOR SESSION SUMMARY
They discuss with Jesebel her involvement with Alusair’s torture, and she confesses to the whole thing. Shenvallei kisses her, losing charisma in the process, and instigating a fight with an undercover Harmonium agent. They find an inn next to the courthouse, to rest for the big Trial tomorrow.

GM: You had gotten to the inn by the courthouse, gotten bathed, dressed, and were just waking up in the morning when we left off.
Alusair: wonderful.
Alusair: “Lets go get this over with..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “It will end. One way or another.”
Alusair: We… go.

You go to the courthouse… the building is buzzing with activity… criminals are being moved from place to place, men armed with small librarys trundle about. You are met by a very well armed Harmonium agent, who escorts you to a large set of oak double doors.

The doors are opened by the Stewards, and you are ushered into the courtroom. It is a massive construct, of largely rare woods, and the room is fairly packed with people.
When you enter the courtroom, the wood paneled room is abuzz with noise and conversation, and not all of it is idle speculation. You hear, from off to the side, a group of people, declaring, “This trial is going to be a sham… we should hang that murderer right now. Just run a knife right through him.” On the other side are a collection of grieving widows, their children trying to console them. Off to the side, in a special box, you can see Van Kellias sitting next to the armored man who defended your escape route.
Directly opposite them, you see Sergeant Iakken, who arrested Shenvallei and brought him to Jan van Haal. Seated next to Sergeant Iakken is one of the men you bound up outside the Bar of Belief, one Corporal Gregor Challach. Next to Gregor sits the Harmonium Agent whom you encountered yesterday. Next to him are several women of various races, all who seem very sad to be there. You are brought before the court, and are seated next to Jan van Haal, who looks somewhat agitated at your armed escort.

Jan van Haal: “Shenvallei! . . .ah.. I was hoping we might do without the guard, this time.”
Jan van Haal takes out a pair of spectacles, perching them on his nose as he starts digging through a paper folder. Almost off-handedly, he makes a “shoo”-ing motion to the Harmonium escort.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Guard? no. This is my witness Alusair.”
Jan van Haal: “Witness? What’s a witness doing here? I’m sorry, where are my manners. Pleasure to meet you, miss. Witness box, that way. Guard, before you leave, would you be so kind as to show the lady?”
Alusair: “Thanks, I think I can find it on my own.”
The Harmonium guard snorts and takes his place by the door.
Alusair heads to the witness box along with Van and the mercykiller. She greets Van quietly, but otherwise stays silent.
Jan van Haal: “I dare say, Shenvallei, that the situation looks mildly grim.. But you didn’t need me to tell you that.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “What is the worst case scenario of judgement?”
Jan van Haal: “Its a dark day indeed when a jury of the Fraternity of Order enters the courtroom with their minds already made up.. a grim day indeed. Hashkar would not be pleased.”
Jan van Haal: “The worst case! If you were found guilty… well.”
Jan van Haal: “The sentence for many of the crimes they accuse you of is death, in assorted gruesome and grissly fashions.”
Jan van Haal: “Sometimes they simply hang the guilty from the neck until dead. I’ve also seen the Mercykillers have the guilty party eaten by a pack of.. well.. its hard to say, it depends on what they have on hand.”
Jan van Haal: “Unfortunately, you’d probably end up serving a sentence for quite some time before execution for the lesser crimes – hard labor, jailtime, community service of some kind.. Possibly even a combination of all three.”
Jan van Haal: “But! Chin up! I’m sure we’ll manage to pull a Balor out of the old hat yet!”
Jan van Haal pats Shen reassuringly on the back.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I wait.

A man approaches the two of you, smiling, his pitch black eyes glinting in the light of the Courtroom. “Jan! I didn’t know you were representing the defendant! It truly has been so long… what was it last time… failing to get an old woman off for stealing a piece of bread because she was hungry and couldn’t pay?”
Jan van Haal: “Oh? Such a shame that no-one could find the shopkeep’s son when he’d been seen with the coin she’d used to pay.. Convenient, given he was in Harmonium custody until someone released him.”
Jan van Haal leans back in his chair, “But I suppose you wouldn’t know anything about that.”
“Me? Of course not… I wasn’t even in Sigil at the time. Besides, from what I’ve read, your client is most excellent at making people dissapear... quite the magician he is! Really, van Haal, could you make my job any easier?”
Jan van Haal: “For you, Xii’lee… no, no I don’t think I will. Must keep some of the challenge in it, after all.”
Jan van Haal: “After all, what would you do with yourself if you couldn’t send people to the Baatorian granite mines over a loaf of bread?”
“Oh, it’s not like she had much longer to live… relax, van Haal, before you get so wound up you snap and I have to get you put away too.” Xii’lee flashes a sharp, toothy grin, in stark contrast with the beauty of his face, before walking back to the desk of the Prosecution.
Jan van Haal mutters under his breath, “Were he not a city official, I would settle this little feud as such things were meant to be settled between true gentlemen.”

The baliff stands, with no undue ceremony, and belts forth, “Now presenting the Honorable Philip Valquette, Steward of the Hall of Census Records. All stand.” The majority of the court stands, and the aides stop shuffling about, as a door opens, an into the court steps Philip Valquette, a stern looking elf with shock red hair, barely drooping over his ears. His goatee and hair are perfectly groomed, and his green robe is brilliantly offset by a dark blue vest, set with the sigil of the Fraternity of Order. He takes his seat behind the gavel, rapping it quietly, but authoritatively.
Shenvallei D’ansille notes the elf.
Alex: In what manner do you note him?
Alex: A love note, perhaps?
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): mental
Alex: I take it you don’t stand?
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): Ive been standing this whole time already
Kiergath (Jan van Haal): you were, I believe, put into a seat, if you look up.
Alex: Da.
Shenvallei D’ansille: [1d4 = 4]
Shenvallei D’ansille: I do not stand.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I flip a coin instead.
Philip Vaquette: “Counsel, let it be noted that the defendant, Shenvallei D’ansille will be held in contempt of court for showing disrespect to the presiding Judge.”
Philip Valquette: “Please, be seated. We are now calling to order and judgement Case Number 30561, pertaining to the subject Shenvallei D’ansille. Will the charges against Shenvallei D’ansille please be read?”
Jan van Haal sits, as do the rest of those mentally linked to his puppeteer.


Harmonium Officer: “Shenvallei D’ansille is being charged by officers of the Harmonium with the following: Resisting arrest, multiple counts. Murder in assorted degrees, multiple counts. Theft, multiple counts. Consorting with Known Anarchists. Consorting with Unknown Anarchists. Resisting Arrest, multiple counts. Assaulting Harmonium Agents. Assaulting agents of the Court. Corrupting Harmonium agents, multiple counts. Kidnapping Harmonium agents. Unlawfully detaining Harmonium agents. Murder of Harmonium agents. Consorting with the Free League. Conspiring to Revolution. Trafficking with fiends. Interfering with a Harmonium Investigation. Attempting to intimidate a Harmonium officer. Leading the Athar Revolution. Inciting Riots, multiple counts. Unlawful use of a Whore. Owning an unlicensed whorehouse. Being a Prime, multiple counts. Insulting a Harmonium officer. Disturbing the Peace. Disturbing the Peace, aggravated. Disrespecting the Law. Aiding and Abetting known criminals. Trafficking in illicit substances. Illegally using a private residence as a place of business. Breaching parole, multiple counts. Holding an unlicensed gathering of more than fifty persons. Tampering with evidence, multiple counts.”


Jan van Haal blinks, glasses falling onto the table infront of him. He coughs quietly and recovers them, looking mildly embarassed.

The crowd erupts in murmurs of panic, discussions erupting throughout. The consensus is that a case with this many charges agaisnt a single person hasn’t been brought about in quite a long time. The speculation, however, can barely disguise the contempt and snorting of those members of the Fraternity of Order that are sitting on the jury at some of the charges. Philip raps his gavel loudly, attempting to draw the attention of the court, but it isn’t until the Armored man sitting next to Van stands up and bellows “SILENCE! THE LAW WILL TAKE ITS COURSE!” The court falls into a stunned silence.
Shenvallei D’ansille whispers to Jan, “Am I free to speak at will here or will they take offense to that?”
Jan van Haal leans over to Shen and whispers, “That would rather be a breach of protocol, yes.”

Philip Valquette: “Silence! Silence! I will have order in my court! Thank you, Vhailor. You may sit. Those are the list of the charges brought against Shenvallei D’aniselle by the Harmonium. The charges that he will be tried on are as follows. Resisting arrest, multiple counts. Murder in assorted degrees, multiple counts. Theft, multiple counts. Consorting with Known Anarchists. Resisting Arrest, multiple counts. Assaulting Harmonium Agents. Assaulting agents of the Court. Corrupting Harmonium agents, multiple counts. Kidnapping Harmonium agents. Unlawfully detaining Harmonium Agents. Murder of Harmonium agents. Conspiring to Revolution. Inciting Riots, multiple counts. Owning an unlicensed whorehouse. Aiding and abetting known criminals. Trafficking in illicit substances. Illegally using a private residence as a place of business. Breaching parole, one count. Holding an unlicensed gathering of more than twenty persons. Tampering with evidence, one count. The murder of one Taiya Valquette. Shenvallei D’aniselle, how do you plead?”

Shenvallei D’ansille: “Not guilty, all accounts.”
The Court gasps, taken aback by the audacity of the claim.
Jan van Haal looks a bit twitchy himself.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Actually if it pleases the court I will need a moment to address each count and provide an accurate plea. Please retract my former statement.”
Philip Vaquette: “It does please the court… plead your case, but mind your language, as you are already in Contempt. Also bear it in mind that you are in the House of the Fraternity of Order, and any falsities you profess will be seen through, as clearly as glass.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “To the counts of resisting arrest, multiple degrees of murder, and theft multiple accounts, I plead guilty with explanation.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “To the counts of murder of Taiya Valquette, tampering with evidence, holding an unlicensed gathering, breaching parole, illegally using a residence as a business, traficking in illicit substances, aiding and abetting known criminals, owning an unlicensed whorehouse, inciting riots, conspiring to revolution, I plead not guilty.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “That is all.”
Philip Vaquette: “Let it be noted that the accused has plead guilty to the crimes of resisting arrest, murder, and theft.”
Philip Vaquette: “Out of a sense of morbid curiosity, Shenvallei D’aniselle, and because I am a fair man, I entreat you to provide to the court your explanation, insofar as it matters to the verdict of the jury.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Very well.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “In so far as to the matter of theft my explanation is as follows:”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Any item taken by myself which was not mine was no longer in the ownership of a living or sentient being or organization.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “In so far as to the matter of resisting arrest, my explanation is as follows:”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Firstly I assume the count mounts on two charges, one in the great bazaar, and two in the bar of belief.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “In regards to the great bazaar incident, the arresting officers were the same ones involved in a previous incident at the bar of belief and had mis-identified me as a known necromancer. I therefore felt that their intent was not to arrest me but to kill me dead on the spot. Even at that I fled rather than fight.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “In regards to the recent resisting arrest charge at the bar of belief, I again tried to run but took no hostile action against the arresting officers. For this incident I do not have much to say.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Lastly, in so far as to the matter of multiple accounts of murder, my explanation is as follows:”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Each of the latest incidents were performed out of either self-defense, or mercy. I will explain this of the last three incidents now:”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “First the preist of the false god Oengam. Let me start by making this claim. I am not a member of the Athar and never have been. My patron is Corellon Lorethian – Father to my people.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “This priest of whom we found was waiting to die. Their cult is new in Sigil and has some sort of suicidal doctrine that they bring upon others.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I took his life, out of pity and disgust. And by his own will he forced the blade I used deeper unto him.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “In this matter I am guilty of nothing more than assisted suicide which if is a crime, I am guilty.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “May I hear the next most recent count from my attorney?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Oh never mind I remember.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “The matter of the harem, and the Athar lieutenant Shenvallei.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I do not speak of myself. For there was another using my name. And he is dead now, his slayer sits in this room as my witness!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “The matter was of self defense, both against the weapons this false Shenvallei and his followers were using, and against his attempts to bring us into his fold as members of the Athar cabal!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I wait, gauging the courts reaction.
A shout rises up from behind you, full of obscenities and rage.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I look.

Hans Langregger: “BLASHPHEMY! OUTRAGE! HOW DARE YOU ATTEMPT TO IMPLICATE THE ATHAR IN YOUR FILTHY MURDERS! We never have had a lieutenant named Shenvallei! Factol Terrence would be livid at the thought! He and I both know every single ranking Athar by name, and there never once has been anyone of rank holding that name! And how dare you claim us to be a cabal, and involved with a priest of ANY power, false or not!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Do my words LIE?! This congregation of people at our former residence was based on the belief that I was this Athar lieutenant – the “Slayer of the Gods” it was said. It was not until later that we found this false Shenvallei was the root of it all, perhaps under order of your factol, perhaps not. Either way I AM INNOCENT!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “NEED you further testimony? Alusair will claim this to be so.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I sit.
Philip Vaquette: “Shenvallei, I invite you to guard your tongue against further lies in this court. The Factotum speaks true… our records show no such Athar Lieutenant, and as a personal friend of Factol Terrence, I trust those records implicitly.”
Jan van Haal looks positively thunder-struck, and is currently chewing on his moustache.
Philip Vaquette: “And with regards to your innocence, I believe that it will be the jury that will be the judge of that, not you. Please, Hans, sit.”
Philip Vaquette: “Will this… Alusair stand, and give her testimony with regards to this matter?”
Alusair stands, hands clasped behind her back, “Your honor? To which particular matter would you wish my statement.. there are, as has been mentioned, several.”
Philip Vaquette: “The matter of this so-called Athar Lieutenant that the defendant has been so… distastefully dishonest about.”
Alusair: “The defendant has been so dishonest regarding the so-called Athar lieutenant because he knows only half truths on the matter.”
Alusair: “I would be lying if I claimed to know the whole truth as well, but I can say he was no Athar.”
Alusair: “Shenvallei is correct, however, in stating that he claimed to be such, or was known as such. Surely you have all heard the rumors of this “Athar” led uprising. It is a half truth, for I have no reason to believe the Athar are involved, though defectors from their ranks may be.”
Alusair: “We first heard rumors that Shenvallei was the leader of an Athar movement several weeks ago. Imagine my surprise, given I had known him since an hour of his arrival on the Planes. We investigated, as many others would. We clashed several times with the followers of the supposed Athar, including apparent Xaositects, disguised as Harmonium agents.”
Alusair: “Ultimately, we found their leader, the man known as Shenvallei, almost by accident. We stumbled upon his headquarters and Shen met him personally. There was a battle, and many people were killed. A battle, I will add, that we did not start.”
Alusair: “As Shen here, your defendant, said, I faced their leader, who was using Shenvallei’s name, in combat. I fought him, and I killed him.”
Alusair: “So the honorable Factotum is correct – the Athar are not involved in this except as the victims of a rather clever propaganda campaign.”
Hans Langregger: “Finally, someone speaks up for us! And truthfully, too!”
Philip Vaquette: “Thank you for that clarification, Miss Alusair. That clears up… many of these issues.”
Alusair nods slightly in acknowledgement of the Factotum, and bows deeply to the judge, “I will, such as I am able, be happy to answer any further questions.”
Philip Vaquette: “Very well.. Shenvallei, what proof do you have against the charge of Kidnapping an Agent of the Harmonium, one Riley de Beul?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Riley de Beul as far as I am aware renounced her agency to the Harmonium prior to joining us willingly.”
Alusair: “Your honor, if I may request permission to speak.”
Philip Vaquette: “Permission granted, but it better be good.”
Alusair stands again, a pair of feathery wings folded close in on her back looking more like a black, red-mottled cloak.
Alusair: “If it pleases the court, Shenvallei was not responsible for the kidnapping of the said agent.”

The Court gasps in shock.
Alusair: “At the time of the kidnapping of Shenvallei, he was incarcerated in the Harmonium prison in the Gate-town of Curst, awaiting a trial.”
Alusair: “I followed and, under hopes that it could be accomplished with no loss of life, freed him from said imprisonment to further the investigation into the movement I have previously spoken of. With the real Shenvallei now imprisoned, it seemed logical at that point that the impersonator would be more easily found.”
Alusair: “We encountered miss de Beul on the way out of said prison, where, after pointing out the odds, I persuaded her to stand down. There is, after all, no dishonor or shame in admitting oneself to be outmatched, and it is no crime to surrender to a superior foe.”
Alusair: “We did not demand her cooperation after our escape, though she had come to the decision that she could at that time no longer continue, in light of recent events, to serve with the Harmonium. Miss de Beul is, to the best of my knowledge, free at this point in time and well.”
Alusair: “Given, at this point, the nature of my testimony, if your Honor wishes, I will find more appropriate seating with the defendant.”
Alusair bows slightly to Valquette, if only to signal she’s done speaking.
Philip Vaquette nods solemnly. “I feel that in light of current events that would be wise, although the court appreciates your honesty in testimony, and will give it due consideration.”
Alusair nods, “Of course.”
Alusair turns to Van and unbuckles her sword belt, wrapping it around the scabbard and offering it to Van, “If you would hold on to this?”
Van Kellias takes it reverently, nodding.
Alusair makes her way back over to the defense, sitting on her heels in the absence of a chair. And, indeed, in preference to one.
GM: You get a chair provided to you.
Alusair: Does it have a back?
GM: Yes. It’s a good chair. Arms as well.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Thank you Al.”
Alusair: Look at whoever brought it
Alusair: Spread my wings meaningfully
Alusair: and stay put
Alusair: :P
GM: You are provided a chair without arms.
Alusair turns it around and sits, using the back as an arm rest and leaning her chin on her forearms.
Philip Valquette: “Very well… Shenvallei, what do you say to the charges of Tampering with Evidence at a Crime Scene, as well as multiple counts of Inciting Riots?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Can the court please describe said crime scene and my alleged involvement?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Because I do not recall being present to either of these allegations.”
Xii’lee: “Will Corporal Gregor Challach please stand and deliver the statement he has prepared for the court.”

Gregor Challach stands, rigidly looking the Judge in the eye to deliver his testimony.
Gregor Challach: “Your Honor, this man was seen at, or seen fleeing, the site of four independant riots in our great City. One such instance took place in the Great Bazaar, whereupon he attempted to evade capture by Harmonium officers, including myself. Another instance occured, where he was seen leaving the scene, leaving behind pandemonium and several charred bodies. One final instance, the Hive, where he was seen leaving an unlicensed gathering of over twenty people, who degenerated into an anti-governmental Riot after his passing.”
Gregor Challach sits, having given his statement.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “That was three Gregor. Was there another or can you not count that high?”
Philip Valquette: “Let it be shown that Shenvallei is held in contempt of court a second time, for insulting a peacekeeping officer. Shenvallei, I advise you to guard your tongue. Another outburst like that and the court will pass it’s verdict right here and now.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “At any rate, I beleive I have already explained the incident at the bazaar. The second instance with the charred bodies I do not recall. The third in the Hive again had to do with the false Shenvallei and his followers mistaking me for him.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I assume the instance regarding the charred bodies was an attempt to frame me to have me incarcerated. Why I do not know, perhaps so that the false Shenvallei would then have no challenge to the name. I assume this because at each crime scene were found daggers with my initials on them. And Each crime scene always happened not only near my location but these daggers were often planted on me.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I have one of these daggers with me if you would like me to submit it as evidence.”
Xii’lee: “A likely story… I didn’t do it! I had the daggers, but someone put them on my person! I didn’t kill those people and leave the murder weapon behind!”
Xii’lee snorts in disgust.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “If I am lieing the court would see it!”
Alusair: “Your honor, it may be presumptuous of me, but I have no small familiarity with bladecraft, and Shenvallei, were he to attempt killing anything larger than a duck, would be truly pitiful with a dagger.”
Van Kellias: “Your honor, I second that motion. He is a man of arcane skill, rather than martial.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Van?”
Philip Valquette: “Upon judgement from these two statements, I resolve that the defendant is of pitiful physique. Sergeant Iakken, would you please describe the crime scene where the Defendant tampered with Evidence?”
Van Kellias sits in silence, next to Vhailor.

Sergeant Iakken Nefud stands, bows to the judge.
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “Your Honor, one week ago yesterday I was assigned to guard the crime scene at the Bar of Belief. As you may be aware, there was a sweep conducted there in search of members of the so-called “Athar Revolution”. “
Philip Valquette nods.
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “My patrol and I were keeping watch while our investigators looked over the premises in search of evidence of evil doing. If it pleases the court, I will also remind them that there had been a battle in said Bar not long before, between a Harmonium patrol and the accused.”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “The patrol had apprehended at least one person from the inn, who has since confessed to being involved in the Revolution. The accused, however, escaped as did his entire party.”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “One week ago yesterday, the man at that bench returned, in company of three others. Their names were taken as follows; Van Kellias, Jhaelyn Sunsdottir and a Githyanki who went only by ‘Ki’ina”. “
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “Three of the four surrendered willingly, and were found under oath to have done nothing wrong, nor to have intended any wrong doing. They appeared to have entered under exactly the reason claimed – to attempt to aid in the investigation.”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “Miss Sunsdottir in particular was very cooperative, describing a kidnapping of her brother, but was too shaken to give any details. I suspect she was coerced into cooperating.”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “The fourth culprit, the accused now before you, attempted to evade capture. Despite being outnumbered, he attempted to flee by way of the back door. He charged and attempted to grapple with my second in command, corporal Mauren, but fortunately the Law was stronger than a panicked criminal fleeing Justice.”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “My second in command is present, if you wish to question him.”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud bows to the Judge and sits.
Philip Valquette: “Thank you, Sergeant. Shenvallei, you stand accused. What say you in your defense?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I fail to see how the above story proves my tampering with evidence. All I did is enter the bar and resist arrest.”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud leaps to his feet, “Because you returned to the scene of your own battle with the Lawful Order of this city, the Harmonium, to attempt to tamper with evidence and allay your own guilt!”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “Your guilt is Proven by the fact that you ran despite all odds against you! An innocent man does not flee the law!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Your honor, my actions proved nothing of the sort.”
Philip Valquette: “It is true, what Sergeant Iakken says. Van Kellias, a man proved innocent, did not flee. You ran. You must have had a reason for doing so.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I ran because of previous run-ins with the Harmonium, not because of any at the time crime.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I knew I was wanted. I did not want to be jailed again. It is that simple.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “The reason I went there in the first place was for different reasons. It was not to tamper with evidence.”
Xii’lee: “You heard him! You heard him! This man has no respect for the law!”
Shenvallei D’ansille shoots a glare at Xii’lee.
Philip Valquette: “Xii’lee, that is quite enough. Shenvallei’s disrespect for the law is quite noted.”
Philip Valquette: “Shenvallei, the mere fact that you returned to the crime scene and are not a Licensed Investigator merits that you are indeed guilty of Tampering with Evidence, regardless of your intent.”
Shenvallei D’ansille stares at Philip dumbfounded for a second.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “You cant be, oh right yes.”
Philip Valquette: “You presume to question my ruling?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “That must be a harmonium made law, is all I was pondering.”
Xii’lee snickers, barely able to contain his joy.
Philip Valquette: “The Harmonium do not make laws, Shenvallei. The Fraternity of Order instituted that particular law to ensure that evidence presented to a court would be admissable. Without that law, many of the rulings we have been able to make over the years would be null and void.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “So if I was to return to that bar to get a drink or if I was magically teleported there against my will I would be charged with the tampering of evidence?”

Sergeant Iakken Nefud stands, yelling in rage, spittle flying from his mouth, “If you were to return to that bar for a drink, you would be charged, and rightly so, with loitering and vagrancy! The bar has been closed and, besides no longer having a legal permit to serve refreshments, is no longer admitting patrons! So you might as well sodding add tresspassing in the bargain!”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “Any one of which, I will add, would be ten piking years of hard labor, hauling rocks in Vorkehan!”
Philip Valquette: “Sergeant Iakken.”
Philip Valquette coughs, quietly.
Sergeant Iakken Nefud glares in blind fury at the judge.
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: “Is this a Court, or a Free League circus? The man has confessed to murder and resisting arrest! The law proscribes punishments for these acts, and all you do here is stand around debating the finer points of a few meager inciting to riots!?”
Philip Valquette: “I understand your desire for Justice, Sergeant. Rest assured, this murderer will recieve due punishment for his greivous crimes. However, it will be meted out in a civilized manner. I do not enjoy serving up souls to the Lower Planes, but it should be done with due consideration.”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud sits, slowly, not seeming quite sure who to despise more – Valquette or Shenvallei.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Your honor without divulging my reasons for returning to the bar, as they do not seem to matter anyway..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I can assure you it was not to tamper with evidence. That is my statement for the record.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I sit
Philip Valquette: “Your statement is noted. While in most cases, Shenvallei, motive bears on the sentence, I think you will find that with cases of murderers, motive becomes decreasingly less important than the severity of their capital crimes.”
Philip Valquette: “Particularly since you are known for fleeing the scene of the crime, as it were, seeing how you were put on parole, and promptly broke it.”

Shenvallei D’ansille: “I did not break parole.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I retract that statement.”
Sergeant Iakken Nefud starts looking somewhat like a cat who just found the fabled milk mine.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I did so only to do what I thought was right.”
Philip Valquette: “Master Jan Van Haal, what were the terms of Shenvallei’s Parole, for the record?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “And of this I speak of leaving Sigil to find my friends.”
Jan van Haal: “Your Honor, the defendant was given one week to pursue evidence to support his claims of being impersonated and, consequently, framed – to be voided after the passing of that week, or the leaving of Sigil.”
Philip Valquette: “Very well. Let it show that the defendant knowingly violated his parole.”
Philip Valquette: “Let the court address one final matter… Shenvallei D’aniselle stands accused of murdering one Taiya Valquette.”
Alusair shifts nervously in her seat.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Taiya Valquette took her own life.”

Philip Valquette looks rather upset at this statement.
Philip Valquette: “The defendant claims that Taiya took her own life… which is hardly likely, unless she was given no other option. She was a woman of strong will, and full of life.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Taiya was under no duress save that of her own emotion. Further she was not enscorcelled. She made the choice willingly and took her own life by her own blade.”
Philip Valquette: “Alusair… while most of what the defendant claims is true, you seem to know more than you are speaking.”
Alusair: “Your Honor.. I speak as one who has spent the better part of two centuries in the service of Bast, a goddess and, subsequently faith, intimately acquainted with matters of the heart.”
Alusair: “We first met Taiya, though we did not know her name then, at the Bar of Belief. She was a waitress there, and she showed some interest in Shenvallei at that time.”
Alusair: “He must have made an impression, because she followed him from that point, I can only imagine waiting for an opportunity to speak to him. He is not always the most approachable, and we were often in a hurry.”
Alusair: “Not long ago, however, we encountered her in private, where she professed a rather extraordinarily strong love for Shenvallei. He denounced it as impossible, illogical, and she was taken to the priests of Hanseath, in the Hive – the temple near what was once the Bottle and Jug, if you wish to speak to them to verify my statement.”
Philip Valquette nods, as though he were familiar with the temple.
Alusair: “They, much as I already had, said it was no enchantment, that there was no possession. He refused to believe, and cast her away. We would meet her again later, when we were seeking out one of our missing companions. She aided us in finding our friend, hoping it might at least give Shenvallei cause to give her a chance, a hope I admit to sharing.”
Alusair sighs, closing her eyes as if troubled, and the words seem to take effort to bring out. “A love that strong is.. rare, to say the least. It is troubling to see it so quickly and callously thrown away and cast to the gutter.”
Alusair: “Things were difficult after that, and they argued heatedly for some time. Shen told her to leave, and rather than be cast out again, she..”
Alusair pauses, sighing, “She drew a dagger and killed herself. I can give no details on the event, I left the room when I realized what was coming.. there were others present, and I wished to keep them from having to see it.”
Alusair slumps back onto her chair, arms on the backrest and head down and resting on her forearms.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I would have stopped her. I swear it if I had known. But when she drew the dagger I thought she was going to attack me, not kill herself.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I dont understand it. It all made no sense to me. I couldnt even reciprocate anything back to her. I didnt even know who she was.”
Philip Valquette: “Who she was? A beautiful soul, taken too soon from this world. I know your words ring false… you did know her intent, and made no act to stop her. That is as though you drove the dagger into her heart yourself.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “She drew the dagger and my words were ‘Now we are getting somewhere. Who are you?’ it was soon after that she took her own life.”
Alex: brb…
Kiergath (Alusair): . . .right, I’m going brb, bio.
Kiergath (Alusair): fuck, headache, ow.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): me too
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): wonder why
Alex: Something about rapidly increased blood fl—-you’re not implying my DMing causes headaches, are you?
Kiergath (Alusair): not so much.. had one for awhile.
Kiergath (Alusair): Although tonight, yes, this particular session does cause headaches.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): grabbin advil sec
Kiergath (Alusair): TOO MANY HATS
Kiergath (Alusair): :P
Alusair sits there, slumped forward against the back of her chair, motionless except for an occasional shudder.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): k
Philip Valquette: “Oh, she did take her life… but it was due to your scorn, your pity.. you goaded her to end her life. Do not lie. You knew her intention the moment the knife was at her throat… but still she hesitated, begging for one last chance, that you denied her, murderer!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “She cut deep before I could speak! I swear it!”
Jan van Haal stands, “Your honor?”
Philip Valquette: “Oh, lies! Lies upon lies you weave! She stayed her hand for minutes while you stung her with words.”
Philip Valquette is visibly shaking with rage, his face flushed.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “You were not there!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I would have done anything for her to lower that knife!”

Jan van Haal: “Master Valquette! My honor as a gentleman and my obligations as a member in good standing of the Fraternity of Order do not permit me to remain in my present duty to this court.”
Philip Valquette: “YOU ARE DISMISSED, VAN HAAL!”
Jan van Haal stands, whipping his hat from the table and tucking it under one arm before storming from the room.
Jan van Haal: ...was already standing.
Jan van Haal: Nix that part.
Philip Valquette: “I have had ENOUGH of your LIES, criminal! You would not give her an OUNCE of hope. Not even a LIE, such that you give here. You pushed her over the edge, and now she is dead! You MURDERED her.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “You are blind! You were not there! And while you sit here reveling in your loss that she was to you, you lose sight of that.”
Alex: Brb…
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): Sigh. I hate this session more and more..
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): I don’t wanna be on all three sides!
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): its probalby why I have this headache, actually.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): lol why did you do it?
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): Because they’re my NPCs.
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): and it keeps alex guessing as much as it keeps you guessing.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): good
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): Not really, the infighting may not be to anyone’s benefit.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): it adds to the chaos which may make the judge forget some of the other charges :P
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): I sort’ve enjoy it, though. I’ve never gotten to be a witness, defendant, witness to the prosecution, local law enforcement, AND howling mad Hardhead.
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): all at the same trial, to boot!
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): what race is Iakken?
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): a Mul.
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): :P
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): za?
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): dark sun
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): sterile halfbreeds between humans and Athasian dwarves, always male.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): half dwarf ya
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): the size, generally, of the human parent, the strength and endurance of the dwarf, and all the in-grained vicious stubbornness of a mule. :P
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): that pronounced mull or myool?
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): I believe its “Mull”
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): sigh.. just waiting for alex before I paste the next rant.
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): good idea
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): copy/paste
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): yeah, already done.
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): I think half the audience must have umbrellas, just for when Iakken opens his mouth.
Kiergath (Sergeant Iakken Nefud): the spittle flying must be impressive.
Alex: back
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: wb
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: May I now lay about with Lawful-inspired rage, now?
Sergeant Iakken Nefud: yes, plz?
Alex: Have at.

Sergeant Iakken Nefud leaps to his feet and roars, “You would do well to remember that you are speaking to an officer of the Court of Sigil, you worthless ingrate! Your deplorable acts may be commendable or commonplace in whatever miserable gutter-world pissed you out, but here we expect criminals to pay for their crimes!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Your words are both foul and stupid. You contribute nothing to this case or matter since you were not involved. Best to shut your ugly mouth and cease drooling all over those in front of you.”
Philip Valquette: ”...this court is adjourned. Baliff, take the pewling wretch to the holding cell, to await judgement.”
The baliff aproaches the bench. He’s a congenial looking man, with spectacles.
“Defendants, if you would come with me.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I turn to the jury and shout, “You have heard my words, you know the truth! Dont be blinded by the law!”
Alusair gives no response nor indication she even heard.
Philip Valquette: ”...bailiff, belay that order.”
The jurors stand, appalled, shocked at what Shenvallei has said. “Blinded by the law? The law IS the truth. He has lied, and he is guilty of those crimes…”
Xii’lee stands, taking control of the Juror’s confusion to deliver a well crafted speech.

Xii’lee: “Your honor, ladies and gentlemen of the court, I entreat you not to let this man walk free. He has already plead guilty to three of the most sinister crimes a body can commit, which are already enough to warrant execution. Additionally, the man is so insane that he has begun confessing to deeper, darker murders that he was not being tried for! We cannot be sure he has told all of his dark, sinister secrets. Is it not safer to simply remove the source of any further taint and corruption, to save us from further lawlessness? Think of your children! I, for one, will not sleep if this renegade is let loose on the streets of Sigil, free to murder as he pleases! He refuses to respect the law, and despite multiple chances to repent, he failed to do so at every turn! We must put down this monster, before more harm can come to our fair city!”

Van Kellias has his head buried in his hands.
Alusair is still motionless except for an occasional shuddering sob, half-curled into a ball on her chair.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “DO IT THEN! Sentence me to death! Since I have set foot in this city as an outsider I have seen nothing but lies, corruption, greed, theft, murder and cons. I acted in self defense at every opprotunity and am now put to the stand for crimes that I did not commit! Do it, kill me if it makes you sleep better at night. But you only fool yourself, the real enemy is yourselves.!”
Philip Valquette: “Shenvallei D’aniselle, based upon the findings of this court, and in accordance with the Laws of Sigil, I hearby issue you a sentence of seven hundred and thirty-four years in Carceri, nine hundred years hard labor in the iron mines of Acheron, then given to the Lower Planes, for the beings there to do with you as they see fit. Baliff, escort this scum out of my courtroom.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: 2 questions
GM: Yes?
Shenvallei D’ansille: 1. I assume they stripped me of my items before bringing me in here
Shenvallei D’ansille: 2. I assume there is an anti-magic field of some kind in the room
GM: Those would probably be pretty good assumptions.
Kiergath (Alusair): But incorrect in one case.
GM: Although the guvner’s don’t see much reason to anti-magick a courtroom.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Did I see what they did with my items?
GM: They were taken at the door. They were presumably not left there.
Shenvallei D’ansille: How many guards by the door?
GM: You see two on this side of the door.
GM: There’s the bailiff, and several Harmonium in attendance.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill do nothing but follow the bailiff.
GM: You follow the baliff… you are brought outside the courtroom, where to more guards are posted.
You are taken down a long hallway, just the baliff leading you.
There are no guards present, and all doors in the hallway are closed.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Deep Slumber] -> Puts 10 HD of creatures to sleep.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Hopefully itll work.
GM: [1d20 = 7]
GM: The man collapses against the side of hallway, asleep
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Disguise Self] -> Changes your appearance.
Shenvallei D’ansille: To look just like him
GM: Sure.
GM: What do you do, then?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Listen at the first door and then open it and drag him inside if I hear nothing.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill Listen
GM: You hear nothing.
GM: You drag him in to a filing room.
GM: It is devoid of persons.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Go back in the hall, shut the door.
Shenvallei D’ansille: And walk back to where I have a view of the court room doors.
GM: You do so.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Guards in front?
GM: Yes.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Minor Image] -> As silent image, plus some sound.
GM: The last of the people inside seem to be filtering out.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Of a duplicate of myself undisguised walking next to me.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Where are the prisoner’s belongings.”
GM: “They’re in the Vault.”
GM: “Why do you ask?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Nevermind.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Did I happen to notice where the vault is?
GM: Nossir… you just came in the front door and into the court room.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ok I walk back down that same hallway with the closed doors looking for any sign of the vault.
GM: You walk down that hallway… you come to a great steel door.
Shenvallei D’ansille: [1d6 = 2]
Shenvallei D’ansille: I count the minutes when I get to 5 let me know.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I open the door.
You open the door.
GM: Within lies row after row of iron barred cells.

About 50 feet in, there is a clearing, of sorts, with several armored men, and several beings you aren’t familiar with, and the hallway continues after, to come to another steel door.
Shenvallei D’ansille: How many minutes have passed?
GM: It’s been four or five minutes.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Turn around go out the door and head for the exit.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I cancel the image.
GM: Do you run?
Shenvallei D’ansille: No but I walk fast.
GM: You Walk Fast.
You make it to the front door, and set a foot outside, when you hear an alarm raise up from within. “THE MURDERER HAS ESCAPED!”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Keep walking, try to get out of sight.
GM: Right. Roll a Hide.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill Hide
You manage to slip into a shadowy alley right as a troop of armed men run past.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I continue down the alleyway.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Mage Armor] -> Gives subject +4 armor bonus.
GM: You do so.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I try to get back to the bar of belief sneaking when I can, bluffing when needed.
You manage to make it largely without incident.
GM: The doors are closed when you arrive.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Is the gypsy arcane shop still there?
GM: It does not appear to be, no.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I open the door to the bar and go in.
GM: Can I get a strength check?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Strength check [1d20-1 = 7]
The door fails to open, as the lock holds.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Make my way to the great bazaar.
GM: You do so.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Find the wine vendor.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Buy a bottle of port.
GM: With what coinage?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Oh yea
Shenvallei D’ansille: nevermind going to the bazaar.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill find a dark alleyway, the one I arrived in from Sasal and sit.
GM: Uh…I’ll take an Int check.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Intelligence check [1d20+5 = 24]

You manage to, somehow, find your way back to the first alleyway you saw in Sigil. How you make your way back, you don’t know.
GM: Do you do anything other than sit?
Shenvallei D’ansille: nope.
Shenvallei D’ansille: look around I guess.
Shenvallei D’ansille: remember the day I first arrived.
Shenvallei D’ansille: then sit.
GM: You sit…
GM: Time begins to pass.
GM: It passes at various rates… sometimes slow, sometimes fast.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I stand up after a time.
GM: You stand!
Shenvallei D’ansille: I head to the bar where Van and I met
You head back to the coffee haus.
Shenvallei D’ansille: right
GM: You narrowly dodged some armored patrols.
GM: The coffee haus still is there.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Look inside, do I recognize anyone?
There is nobody inside.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ok Ill wait there and go in the back see if there are any supplies.
GM: There are tiny bits of food, but the place is mostly stocked with drinks.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill take the tiny bits and then make myself a drink.
GM: Alcoholic, or no?
Shenvallei D’ansille: If they have it.
GM: They do.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I do.
GM: You drink!
GM: It is a bitter drink…sour…
GM: Full of tears.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Ill find a knife.
GM: In the mug, you can almost swear you see Taiya’s reflection.
You find a knife. It’s not the greatest in the world, but it’s servicable.
Shenvallei D’ansille: sharp?
GM: Not like a razor, but it can cut things.
Shenvallei D’ansille: pocket it.
GM: You pocket the knife.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I wait for someone to come near the coffee haus.
Alex: How do you mean?
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): walk by it
GM: Someone does, indeed, walk by it.

A young, well to do looking redhead, with a basket slung over her arm.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Spell [Alter Self] -> Assume form of a similar creature.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Insectoid like bipedal creature with wings.
GM: ...mmkay…?
Shenvallei D’ansille: Run up on the passerby from behind silently as possible.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill Move Silently
GM: Mmkay…?
Shenvallei D’ansille: rip the basket out of her hand and keep running.
GM: You do so.
GM: She shouts bloody murder.
GM: Where do you run?
Shenvallei D’ansille: nearest alleyway.
Shenvallei D’ansille: and look in the basket
GM: It’s empty.
GM: Aside from a red handkerchief.
GM: It looks freshly cleaned.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Put it on the ground and move out the other end of the alley.
GM: You do so.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Look for another passerby.
You see a heavily armored man, and a large, potbellied man in a brown robe, belted with a simple cord.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Too tough. I head back to the harem.
Shenvallei D’ansille: still in insect form
You head back to the harem. In your disguise, you get there, but find the door straddled by two men in slightly tarnished armor.
Shenvallei D’ansille: head to zeros old hideout.
You head to zero’s old hideout!
GM: You arrive, and it is unguarded.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Go inside search for any food.
You find enough food to make a meal, in the room where you first found Taiya. Looking at the bed, you can almost see her there.
Shenvallei D’ansille: cancel the insect form.
Shenvallei D’ansille: eat the food.
GM: You do so.
Shenvallei D’ansille: and then lie down in the bed take a nap.
You do…throughout your dreamings, Taiya’s death plays over and over in your mind.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I search the whole hideout when I wake up and take stock of what I find.
GM: You find… a cabinet full of skirts.
GM: And some empty papers.
GM: That’s pretty much all that’s there, aside from some wrecked furniture and a good bed.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Leave the safehouse.
GM: you do so.
Shenvallei D’ansille: head to the warehouse where the priest was.
GM: You do so.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Head inside. Look for anything I can use to survive.
The place is just as empty as you had left it last time.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Is the dead priest still there?
GM: Yes.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Strip him and put on his robes.
GM: You do so.
GM: You are now wearing a grey robe.
Shenvallei D’ansille: If it has a hood I put it up.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Then head to the celestial peaks bar.
GM: You do so.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I look inside for anyone I recognize.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Shalezade, jhaelyn, ect.

You see Alusair and Van, discussing something in a corner. You also see the Vrock.
GM: He’s at the bar.
Shenvallei D’ansille: Look around the bar for any hardheads and then walk to their table.
Alusair: ”. . . that key, whatever it may be.. I have unfinished business th—-private conversation, berk.”
Shenvallei D’ansille is wearing a bloody grey robe that smells of rotting flesh.
Van Kellias: ”...oh hell, a fucking Dustman… get out of here. You people make me sick.”
Alusair: “Why don’cha pike off back ta the Hive before I chop yer bone box.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I whisper aloud, “Its me! Al you have to help me, I have no food please!”
Alusair: ”. . . Van, we need a room. Now, and quietly.”
Van Kellias: ”...okay, okay. Vhailor won’t like this.”
Alusair: “You sodding think I do!?”
Van Kellias sighs and heads off to the bar, then comes back, motioning to follow him, heading up to a room.
Alusair follows Van, herding Shen in the middle.
Van Kellias shuts the door behind him, and locks it, with you all inside the small room.
Alusair: “What the pike are you doing here?”
Van Kellias: “You should be in prison.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I didnt know where else to go.”
Van Kellias: “Why are you NOT in prison?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I escaped. And I dont want to go to prison you piker!”
Alusair: “Most people don’t.”
Van Kellias: ”...that’s the wrong tone of voice to take if you want any kind of help… I’m just saying.”
Alusair: “But in the meantime, you might remember who’s coin you’re here on.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Look, Ill do whatever it takes. Ive got nothing left but these rotting grey robes.”
Alusair: “Aye? Anything, huh? Tell me how to get back where you found me.”
Van Kellias grumbles and digs a fresh white shirt out of a satchel, tossing it to Shen.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “You found me remember.”
Shenvallei D’ansille catches it, nods in thanks to Van and puts it on.
Alusair: “No, I seem to recall waking up in a temple.”
Alusair: “So cut the shite and tell me how to open the portal you went through to rescue me.”
Alusair: “I have a lot of bloody work to do.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Oh recently. Fine, Ill tell you.”
Alusair: “Nice of you. Waiting.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Its an alleyway, near the tallow candle. Jhaelyn may still have the portal key.”
Alusair: “Jhaelyn? That tart you had with you at the temple?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “That ‘tart’ has proven herself a friend Al. But I dont know where she lives.”
Alusair: “Maybe she proved herself your friend. But I’m running out of friends, and I won’t call someone I don’t even know one of them.”
Van Kellias looks somewhat disheartened.
Alusair thumps Van’s shoulder, “I said running out, not out of.”
Van Kellias smirks, slightly, appearing relieved.

Alusair: “So, Jhaelyn had the key… so where do you find someone like that..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I have no idea, she wouldnt even tell me her profession, I suppose shes secretive about it.”
Alusair: “Wonder if those two Blues might know, or be able to find something out..”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “The bartender at the tallow candle spoke with us before we entered that portal.”
Alusair: “Him? That pike needs a sense of humor.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “By the way hes looking for you. Something about 10000 coins in damages?”
Alusair: “That all?”
Alusair: “I don’t have that kind’a jink, and if I did, he wouldn’t get it.”
Alusair: “Van, if that friend of yours might know something, it would be a help.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “The portal key is a piece of tatooed skin from some consort of Fionna Gallowglass.”
Alusair: “Fionna, eh? I don’t know where she kips out either, so not much help.”
Van Kellias: “I’ll get right on that, Alusair… I’ll have some food sent up.”
Van Kellias leaves.
Alusair: “I expect you’ll be coming with me, Shen?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Of course.”
Alusair: “Unless you’d rather stay in Sigil.. but thats not really a great idea for you, is it?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Not so much. Though I may just be a liability for you if a fight breaks out at this point.”
Shenvallei D’ansille motions to his body noting the lack of belongings.
There is a knock at the door.
Alusair: “Who is it?”
“Room Service.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill Hide
Alusair: ...
Alusair: Swear, loudly, at Van
Alusair: and then open the door
A buxom barmaid, with a crown of horns, steps into the room, carrying a massive tray, which she sets down on the bed.
Her hair is a shocking shade of black, and flows naturally.
Alusair: “Much obliged, miss.”
GM: “Oh, rest assured, I enjoyed bringing this to you.”
She laughs, somewhat harshly, then leaves.
Alusair: “Piking fiends. They smell the halo and never stop to chat..”
Alusair sulks as she closes the door.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I come out from under the bed and inspect the tray.
It smells…vaguely…like chicken.
Shenvallei D’ansille: I try it.
Alusair: “I doubt its poisonous, even if its not appealing.”
It tastes…a bit like char.
Alusair: Other than that.. while I will drift down into the common room periodically
Alusair: I’m just waiting for Van..
Shenvallei D’ansille: I only eat till im barely not hungry anymore.
GM: You do so…there’s a big waste of food.
GM: Hours pass…
There’s a knock on the door.
Alusair: “What?”
”...open the door.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: Skill Hide
Alusair: “Try again.”
Kiergath (Alusair): Shen puts a lamp shade on his head!
”...If you don’t open the door, I’m keeping your sword.”
Kiergath (Alusair): :P
Alex: LOL
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): were you there for that?
Kiergath (Alusair): If this were a modern campaign
Kiergath (Alusair): You could COMPLETE the illusion
Kiergath (Alusair): by sticking a chain up your nose
Nick (Shenvallei D’ansille): with dacian in stonetalon peak?
Kiergath (Alusair): to turn you on and off
Kiergath (Alusair): I haven’t a clue, dude
Alusair: Open the door.
Alusair: half expecting a trap
Van is standing there, somewhat bloodied, his sword out, covered in blood, his other hand holding someone’s arm, distinctly seperate from their body.
Alusair: “Oh. come on in.”
Alusair: “I can’t wait to meet your friend.”
Alusair: close the door behind him
GM: ”..I hope you and lampshade boy enjoyed that food…it cost me an arm. Hah…”
Alusair smacks Van upside the head, gently.
Van Kellias sighs and sits down, leaning back against the door. “I got you your key.”
Van Kellias pro-offers the arm.
Alusair: Spell [Cure Light Wounds] -> Cures 1d8 damage +1/level (max +5).
Alusair: healing – Van. [1d8+5 = 13]
Van Kellias: “Thanks…”
Alusair: “Y’okay? More? Good?”
Van Kellias: “I’m good..”

Alusair: Inspect the proferred arm
Alusair: :P
Shenvallei D’ansille: “The skinpiece Jhaelyn had acted a bit like some sort of cryptic map. The closer we got to the portal the brighter a blue mark would glow on it.”
The arm appears to have been torn from it’s socket, and it’s forearm is covered in an odd tattoo.
Alusair: “Nice. Knife?”
Alusair: ”. . . sharp, knife.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: I had Alusair the half dull butterknife
Alusair: “Van?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: hand
Alusair hands the butterknife back.
Van Kellias: “Oh…here..”
Alusair: “Shen, does this tattoo look right?”
Van Kellias pulls out a thin kinfe.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “If its of a candle and a camp with a mattock its a match.”
Alusair: DM?
It does have those elements, yes.
Alusair: “Whatever.”
Alusair: cut it off
GM: You do s.
Alusair: “Van, I believe you have my sword.”
Van Kellias: ”...I’d like to never have to do that again, for the record.”
Alusair: “Can’t promise that, luv.”
Van Kellias hands over Alusair’s sword.
Alusair takes it and buckles it back on, “Lets see.. should find Almach, see if he’s aright.”
Alusair: “He is the only one still unaccounted for, yes?”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Azuras. He would still be at the harem but its guarded by harmonium now.”
Alusair: “Azuras is not unaccounted for.”
Alusair: “I suspect he is still cleaning my future temple.”
Alusair: “Finally performing a deed worthy of his fool race.”
Alusair: “Nice of the Hardheads to do something useful, though.. if they’re guarding the Harem, nobody’s liable to rob it.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “True.”
Alusair: “Very well. We need to find Almach, the great bazaar would be the most likely place, if he’s not imprisoned. I can’t imagine he is, or Riley or Jess would’ve mentioned him.”
Alusair: “I need to find Riley before I go, on that note. I made a promise to her when we met that I never kept.”
Alusair: “And then? Then, we get to go on a bit of a trip.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Do what you will.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “And the sooner the better.”
Alusair: “I have a war to wage, my friends! And Shen, at least, is coming with me.”
Alusair: “Van.. I can’t ask you to come, but if you wish it, I’d be happy to have you.”
Van Kellias: “Gods be damned… I’m never going to get into the Mercykillers helping an escaped convict… but friends I can’t not help.”
Alusair: “Eh. You’re helping me, not Shen. If you don’t mention him, it’ll never be an issue.”
Alusair: “They can’t detect a lie you never speak.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “How long do we have before they get magic involved to track me down?”
Alusair: “Probably already do, luv.”
Alusair: “Stay near me.. it’ll stop some of it, anyway.”
Shenvallei D’ansille inches closer to Alusair.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “One other thing. I think that I may be cursed.”
Alusair: “Quite?”
Alusair: “Tell me about it as we go.”
Alusair: Start out, heading for the bazaar.
Shenvallei D’ansille: “When Taiya took her own life she promised to haunt me.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: We walk and talk.
Alusair: “Shenvallei, I will help you against the Law, because it means nothing to me. It protects the weak, and it discourages some of the noblest acts known to any being.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “When I sleep I dream of it, when I meditate it distracts my concentration.”
Alusair: “But against the spirit of a scorned woman, I can, and would not, do anything. It is not personal, it simply cannot be.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “I understand.”
Alusair: “The bazaar is safer than some places for you, at least.. The harmonium is weak there, perhaps weaker than anywhere outside the Hive.”
Alusair: “But they are still present. And while the League protects its own, we are *not its own, whomever our enemies may be.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Perhaps we could purchase me some new clothes.”
Alusair: “Ah. Yes. With what gold?”
Alusair: “You have had yours taken, and mine is, along with a few other minor things, like my armor, missing.”
Shenvallei D’ansille: “Van or Almach may have some.”
Alusair: “Van has done too much for us as it is.”
Alusair: “And he may yet give far too much more by the time this is over…”

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SESSION SUMMARY

Before the court procedings even begin, they meet the prosecution, and Shenvallei is held in contempt of court for not showing respect to the Judge. Shenvallei retracts his statement of pleading not guilty, instead opting to directly address each of the charges brought against him. He attempts to implicate the Athar in the whole ordeal, which gains outrage from an Athar factor. Alusair sticks her neck out for Shenvallei, and ends up at the defendant’s bench. Gregor Challach gives his testimony, and Shenvallei ends up in contempt of court again. Sergeant Iakken testifies, and Shenvallei admits to breaking parole. Finally, the trial turns to the murder of Taiya Valquette. Alusair provides a moving summation of the tragic tale of unreturned love, at which point Philip gets extremely emotional and begins shouting at Shenvallei. Shenvallei unleashes several outbursts, aimed at the Jury, the Judge, and Sergeant Iakken. Xii’lee entreats the courts to have Shenvallei put down, and Shenvallei makes one last defiant speech. He then leaves the courtroom and overpowers the baliff, attempting to escape. He makes his way back to the Alley into which he had arrived from Sasal. He scavenges for food, and then runs into Alusair and Van at the Celestial Peaks, who quietly herd him into a private room. Van goes and gets the key to the Slave camp, and the party goes to seek Alusair’s equipment.

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