Inquistor Trial

The group in shackles and hooded. No one has any concept of where they are; there is just the knowledge of making many turns along the way and going up and down several sets of stairs as well as along several long straightways.

You stop and hear the sound of the guards shuffling and coughing nervously and then the hoods are removed. They have been on for several hours so that even the dim candlelight of the room you are in seems blinding until your eyes adjust. You are in a room that was obviously once a place of worship. It looks as though a small chapel was built onto over and over until now the beautiful small stain glass windows open on narrow stone corridors. This small chapel, once a place of worship has now been swallowed up, literally, in the bureaucracy of the church at large.

Taking in your surroundings a bit more, you notice that most of the pews have been removed. At the front of the church, where the altar should be, are three large chairs sitting side by side, facing the room. Only the middle chair is occupied, but you can't tell much about the figure in this dim light other than that he is obviously in priestly vestments. A large wooden pew is sitting, centered and facing the chairs, about ten feet away. Several guards stand around the room, more or less attentive and wary. They have been told, (most correctly), that you are potentially very dangerous.

Several of the guards that accompanied you here on your journey lead you to the large pew and sit you down. You can see the man more clearly now that you are much closer to the front. He is dressed in what appear to be black silk priestly vestments and a silk matching hood. He is also wearing a black half mask with silver filigree. The filigree is mirrored on his robes and stands out most prominently on the large silver Prophet's Cross stitched into the front of his vestments.

As you are seated, he finishes signing some documents and, giving them to a minor scribe, turns toward you and takes a commanding and regal pose. At that time, several guards open the hooded lanterns behind him. The room is no longer dim. In fact, the light coming from behind the priest is mildly uncomfortable, causing you to squint up at him. It also makes him harder to see and his voice seems even more detached as he speaks:

"I am El Togado. You will not speak until I tell you to. I have read the complaints against you. Very grave charges indeed."

"On the original charge of Murder, it appears that a mistake has been made. We wish to apologize for the zeal with which some of our lesser operatives pursue their duties. We now know you had nothing to do with the murder of our unfortunate messenger near El Universidad."

"However, there are several other charges that I will judge you on and among them is the charge of attempted murder of church officials, which carries just as severe a sentence as the original charge."

"Also, a book was found in your possession which has been found to be herético and has been sought for by the Church for some time. When asked of this book, you denied possessing it."

"The charges are as follows:"

1. Possession of Materia el Herético, 3 counts: Specifically, the Libro de Clandestino and 2 brújula de Legión.
2. Attempted Murder of Church officials and their subordinates, 12 counts.
3. Attempted Kidnapping of Church official, 1 count.
4. Assault on Church officials and their subordinates, 18 counts.
5. Evading arrest by emissaries of the Church, 2 counts.
6. Lying to Church Officials, 2 counts.
7. Destruction of Church property, 5 counts.

"Take note that you are being tried as a group. The guilt of even one of you determines the guilt of the others. Such is the wisdom of Church law in these matters in order to dissuade people from associating with lawbreakers and Legion sympathizers. I will give you a few moments to discuss these charges among yourselves, quietly. You may then give me your group's plea (guilty or not guilty) and I will then consider any testimony. I shall take this testimony, as I deem necessary. Do not waste the time of this court with argumentative statements. If anyone wishes to confess his/her crimes and the crimes of his former companions, they may do so at this time. I assure you that, in the case of a confession, I shall take care to be as merciful as possible in rendering judgement. I must warn you quite strongly that many of the charges I have read against you carry the death penalty so consider you answers and your testimony carefully. It would be prudent of any churchmen among you to give a full confession at that time. I stand ready to hear such confessions in private."

"You may now have a few moments while I go over a few more notes."

TESTIMONY, ETC.

"I shall now pass sentence. Considering the overwhelming evidence against you, it is the judgement of this court that you are found GUILTY of all charges, namely and most importantly the charge of Heresy. As punishment for your crimes against Castille, the Church, and Theus, it is my duty to sentence you to Death by hanging. Your body will then be left on public display for a period of no less than three days with your crimes detailed on a notice nearby. After this time of time of public display, your bodies will be burned and the remains shall be dumped on unhallowed ground. May Theus have mercy on you for this court can not. I pray that any Church men among you will come to your senses and repent prior to your death so that your soul will not become part of Legion. "

"I shall now hear final confessions after which time you shall be taken away to your cells for a period no more than 3 days until your sentence is carried out. During this period you will be given only water. As heretics, you do not deserve the bounty that the lord Theus provides his children."

"Guards, take them away."