Juspera's Good Ole GS4 Page / History

The trial of Juspera, part 6: Verdict rendered and bridges burned

"I still mean what I say. I hope I never see you again."

You say, "It's time."

We return to the courtroom.

[Trading Post, Foyer]
The foyer is decorated with banners from nearby cities.  A large, pine desk sits in one corner of the room.  Near the entrance, a rickety podium, covered with a thick layer of dust, stands to greet visitors.  Chairs and tables, clearly not often used, are placed at intervals along the unadorned wooden walls.  You also see an ash wood arch with a small wooden sign on it, a thick canvas curtain and a curving staircase.
Also here: Quinstol, Eponyne, Thrassus, Lady Ysharra, Kinshack, Lady Jacina, Perigourd, Xanthias who is sitting, Rhyshadow, Lecea, Songowl, Lumaco, Genivie
Obvious exits: out

Cappurnicus came down a curving staircase.

Cappurnicus walks to stand behind a rickety podium.

Ysharra smiles.

>whi capp Will you announce the end to the recess over the net?
You whisper quietly to Cappurnicus.

You hear the faint thoughts of Cappurnicus echo in your mind:
"The jury's decision has been made.  Any who wish to witness, please return to the Trading Post."

Xanthias groans.

Xanthias takes a drink from his red Vornavian wine.

Xanthias asks, "Mnh?"

Ysharra whispers to the group, "Please, please behave."

Mnar's group just arrived.

Mnar says, "If not, death."

Eponyne glances at Mnar.

Gahread's group just arrived.

Mnar asks, "Shouldn't the prosecution be here?"

Siwas says, "Yes."

Siwas nods to Mnar.

Siwas says, "We should be. Thank you for asking."

Siwas takes a drink from her ice blossom brandy.

Thrassus snickers.

Cappurnicus asks, "Foreman, what has the jury found?"

Cappurnicus glances at Songowl.

Songowl softly says, "we, the jury, have reached a unanimous decision regarding all three counts."

You glance at Ysharra.

Cappurnicus nods.

Ariafela turns an inquisitive ear towards Songowl.

Jacina raises an eyebrow.

Ysharra touches you.

Eponyne bites her lip.

Jacina rests a gentle hand on Kinshack's arm.

Quinstol fidgets.

Mekthros whispers to the group, "Juspera, I hope you are prepared for travel."

(Xanthias sits up straighter in his chair, only leaning a little bit to one side.)

Ysharra whispers, "Are you scared?"

Jacina breathes very slowly and looks much calmer.

>whi ysh I'll be more scared at the sentencing.
You whisper quietly to Ysharra.

Ysharra nods to you.

(Maimara folds her arms across her chest and leans against the wall.)

Mekthros fades into visibility.

Songowl softly says, "for charges levied regarding the incident involving Jacina Purpleheart.."

Songowl softly says, "..we find the defendant guilty of criminal assault"

Xanthias stares at Songowl.

Ariafela slowly empties her lungs.

Siwas slowly empties her lungs.

Maimara grins smugly.

Jacina lets out a sigh of relief.

Xanthias leans to his left slightly.

Eponyne closes her eyes for a moment.

Quinstol sighs.

Achillea smiles slightly

Cappurnicus nods.

Xanthias wobbles, looking a bit faint.

Songowl softly says, "for charges levied regarding the incident involving Vonka Yvanke.."

Siwas moves to stand behind Jacina.

Siwas hugs Jacina.

Kinshack smiles with a twitch of his lips.

>whi capp lol... is that our definition of simple assault, or aggravated assault
You whisper quietly to Cappurnicus.

Songowl softly says, "we find the defendant guilty of Aggravated assault"

Xanthias squints at Siwas.

Jacina smiles at Siwas.

Eponyne sways back and forth.

Eponyne sits down.

Cappurnicus whispers, "Simple, apparently."

Ysharra whispers to the group, "I've failed..."

(Mekthros strides quietly to Juspera's left, standing just behind.)

(Eponyne presses one hand to her forehead.)

Quinstol whispers to the group, "It's not over yet."

Mekthros whispers to the group, "We shall see."

Mekthros whispers to the group, "The sentence decides all."

Songowl softly says, "for charges levied regarding the incident involving Xanthias Ostlander.."

You whisper, "You entered this with a different goal than me, I think." to your group.

You whisper, "You may have failed. But you have not failed me." to your group.

Quinstol smiles slightly at Juspera.

Songowl softly says, "we find the defendant guilty of aggravated assault, but NOT with intent to kill as previously prescribed"

Eponyne blinks.

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

Ysharra whispers to the group, "You wanted this.  Don't try change that."

Genivie raises an eyebrow.

Xanthias blinks.

Cappurnicus nods.

Xanthias gets an odd look on his face for a moment.

Siwas gets an odd look on her face for a moment.

You whisper, "Two charges were lessened." to your group.

Cappurnicus says, "Thank you."

Ysharra smiles.

Ysharra says, "Indeed.  Thank you."

Thrassus whispers, "Yes, you have gotten your martyrdom in a fashion."

(Siwas glances at Juspera out of the corner of her eye.)

Cappurnicus says, "This concludes the hearing.  Sentencing will be decided via committee."

(Juspera lets her head bow, little more than a slight flush on her face.)

Siwas says, "Cappurnicus, I would request a day to submit my recommendations for the sentence."

Siwas says, "I.. really ought to sleep first."

Siwas coughs.

(Jacina moves to stand between Siwas and Kinshack.)

Cappurnicus nods to Siwas.

Mnar says, "The committee, likewise, would love a day to rest."

Cappurnicus says, "The committee will have time to consider the options."

Alisaire quietly says, "Agreed."

Ysharra mutters under her breath.

Ysharra says, "I suppose the defense's travel plans will wait."

Vonka bites her lip.

Vonka asks, "Dun' us git any say?"

>whi capp I dunno, you want the victims to be able to make pleas at a sentencing hearing? Can't recall if they do that in real life or not.
You whisper quietly to Cappurnicus.

Ysharra says, "You already had your say."

Siwas moves to stand behind you.

Songowl softly says, "duly note that the aggravated assault finding for the incident involving Vonka is an escalation of the previously prescribed criminal assault"

(Siwas leans down slightly.)

Eponyne whispers, "I hope this is what you wanted."

Siwas whispers, "Worry turned to fear, yet?"

You close your eyes for a moment.

You say, "I will take what comes."

Siwas says, "I had noted that."

Cappurnicus whispers, "Errrgh."

Ysharra glances at you.

Ysharra asks, "Did I have any reason to be here, Juspera?"

Eponyne glances at Ysharra.

Ysharra asks, "Could you say one more time that you're waiting for punishment?"

You say, "No."

You say, "I told you what I wished."

Ysharra says, "You did and you didn't."

Kinshack says, "Why of course.  To make appearances that Juspera's guilt in these crimes, and the punishment thereof, didn't serve the dark alliance."

Ysharra says, "You left out a great deal.  And you know that."

Maimara says, "We all left out a great deal."

Maimara says, "But a fraction of her deeds condemned her."

You say, "And you may say my god is rot, and that he has never worked through you, but I say he has worked through you as surely as you say your god has worked through me."
 
Ysharra chuckles.

Ysharra asks, "If that's so, then where the hell is he, now?"
 
Siwas asks, "I think Vonka wished to say something.. Vonka?"

Gahread says, "Your god? I wasn't aware you followed one, Juspera."

Ysharra asks, "Why would he have to wait on sentencing?"

Songowl softly says, "if I may also add something.."

Vonka says, "I dun' wan' Juspera punished."

Xanthias nods to Vonka.

Ysharra folds her arms over her chest.

You say, "You know why I did this. Because some justice is better than none. Because I cannot ask for it without undergoing it myself."

Ysharra says, "It doesn't matter, Vonka.  Koar wants her punished."

You say, "And I did not submit myself to simple punishment exactly because of the worries of martyrdom."

Ysharra says, "She's telling us that right now."

Ysharra points at you.

Songowl softly says, "for a greater part of the trial, the jury as a whole had.. great reservations concerning the representation of the defense"

Perigourd says, "this isn't justice"

Perigourd smirks.

Cappurnicus says, "I ask that those on the committee keep their positions unknown from the public.  I will speak to you soon."

Ysharra asks, "Is that so?"

Vonka says, "I dun' wan' 'er punished."

Vonka says, "I wan' 'er helped."

Ysharra asks, "You had issue with the job I did?"

Ysharra says, "Then you try to do it."

Xanthias says, "I'm afraid ve don't get a say in it, miss Fonka."

Songowl softly says, "I wasn't asked"

Eponyne says, "The jury should've been impartial. Period."

Ysharra says, "Try arguing for someone who doesn't want to be exonerated."

Maimara says, "The jury was impartial."

Songowl softly says, "completely impartial"

Eponyne says, "But the representation should not be in question."

Ysharra folds her arms over her chest.

Eponyne mutters under her breath.

Songowl softly says, "it was a technical reservation, eponyne"

Maimara says, "It matters little.  What was brought to light was the truth."

Maimara says, "No matter who asks the questions, the answers are still the same."

Ysharra says, "I believe I will go to Ta'Illistim."

Ysharra says, "Good night, everyone."

Ysharra turns to face you.

You glance at Ysharra.

Ysharra says, "I still mean what I say."

Ysharra says, "I hope I never see you again."

Ysharra nods to you.

Lady Ysharra just went out.

You close your eyes for a moment.

Eponyne whispers, "You remember what that witch is sayin' about you...that Maimara."

Maimara asks, "Who what?"

Eponyne scowls at Maimara.

>whi epo Maimara... she lied on the stand... why?
You whisper quietly to Eponyne.

Eponyne whispers, "Why do you think?! Don't be such a fool. They've blinded you to the truth."

You shake your head.

Eponyne shifts her eyes to you.

You say, "I knew. I knew it would be imperfect justice. But it is better than none."

Mekthros quietly says, "So it is."

You say, "Come not by my decision, but worked through the minds and hands of men."

Siwas says, "It's better justice than some of us accused of crimes have had in this town."

Siwas stares at you.

Xanthias says, "Or ozer towns, Sivas, let's not forget."

Xanthias takes a drink from his red Vornavian wine.

(Xanthias drops another empty wine bottle on the floor.)

Fremie asks, "you admitted your guilt in attacking them...eh?"

You say, "I admitted to doing it."

Achillea says, "She wanted to serve Koar by having a trial."

Achillea smirks.

You say, "I didn't... trust myself to say I bore full responsibility. It seemed to serve Mularos too much, to be too much martyrdom."

Achillea says, "I guess serving Koar never entered her mind while committing the crimes."

You take a deep breath.

Kinshack says, "I'm sure she had lots of friendly anxious help."

Kinshack smiles.

You belt out, "I can't even get through the day without--"

Mekthros quietly asks, "Did it of her own volition, you think?"

(Juspera turns around and buries her fist in the wall.)

Mekthros quietly says, "That would be naive."

Lumaco says, "Ah innocent Achillea, pure as the new snow."

Mekthros quietly says, "She had help."

You ask, "How am I supposed to decide... anything?"

Gahread tilts his head up.

Siwas nods to Gahread.

Gahread glances at you.

You ask, "Anything, anything?"

Maimara asks, "Must we argue?"

Maimara says, "She has been tried, and judged."

Maimara asks, "Isn't that enough?"

(Xanthias gets unsteadily to his feet.)

Xanthias stands up.

Xanthias leans to his left slightly.

Xanthias suddenly stumbles for no apparent reason.

Vonka strides over to stand before you.
 
Vonka peers quizzically at you.

Vonka hugs you.

Ariafela stares at you.

Mekthros looks thoughtfully at Vonka.

Vonka whispers, "It be done."

Siwas says, "For what it's worth, I'll likely recommend some sort of rehabilitation over something punitive."

Lumaco says, "She seems repentant to me."

Maimara says, "I really don't care."

Siwas says, "You need help, Juspera."

Siwas says, "Even I can see that."

Vonka whispers, "Whutever happened it be done."

Siwas shakes her head.

Maimara says, "She needs a spanking."

You say, "Either I am taking people's fate in my hands and that's bad, or I'm not taking it in my hands and that's bad too... either I'm steeping in the guilt and that's martyrdom, or I'm asking others to decide if I should bear it, and that's... martyrdom..."

Achillea says, "See how repentent she is when she does it again."

You say, "I..."

Gahread asks, "My thoughts exactly. After all, it worked for Setzier, right?"

Maimara whispers, "Or you're lost, and you cannot find your way."

Kinshack says, "Lose lose lose scenario."

Kinshack says, "Can't please anyone."

Kinshack snaps his fingers.

Siwas says, "If you want to be a martyr so badly, I can recommend you be burned at the stake."

Ariafela whispers, "Why didn't ye ask ta have yer torture of me added ta the charges then? Are ye goin' ta ask fer a trial on that?"

Siwas says, "I hear if you do it on the Hangman's Bridge here, the flames can be seen almost from South Haven."

Perigourd says, "you would know"

Perigourd nods to Siwas.

Siwas scowls at you.

Siwas gets an odd look on her face for a moment.

Rhyshadow says, "Sentencing is in the hands of the commitee.  The rest of us have done our jobs.  Knowing I have weighed only what was presented in this room will let me sleep soundly."

>whi ariaf It was too late, they did not have time to interview you.
You whisper quietly to Ariafela.

Vonka says, "Juspera. Yer made yer peace wit' Koar."

Xanthias says, "It's all right, Juspera.  Zey'fe tainted your gift to Koar just as ve'fe all tainted Lorminstra's sword."

Vonka says, "Whutever happens."

(Xanthias slurs and lists a little.)

Xanthias gets an odd look on his face.

Xanthias waves his hand in a dismissive gesture.

Eponyne sighs deeply.

Eponyne just went out.

Ariafela stares at you.

Xanthias asks, "Vhat did you expect?"

Cappurnicus says, "I will take my leave.  If any have questions of me, I can answer them later."

You look at Ariafela blankly, at a loss to express yourself.

Ariafela whispers, "They would hae if ye'd gone ta them the next day."

(Ariafela gives Juspera a look of disgust.)

You shake your head.

Mekthros quietly says, "The thief has finally done something... good."

>whi ariaf Did you want me tried? For what I did to you? Or do you only want to see Sepher tear me apart again?
You whisper quietly to Ariafela.

Vonka reaches out and holds your hand.

You shake your head.

You say, "I don't know."

Mekthros quietly says, "I never thought I would see the day."

You say, "But I did it, because it was better than not doing it."

Siwas takes a drink from her ice blossom brandy.

Siwas takes a drink from her ice blossom brandy.

Siwas says, "Goodnight."

Siwas shakes her head.

Ariafela whispers, "Only the thought of what Sepher would do ta ye keeps me from wantin' ta see ye tried."

Ariafela clenches her jaw.

You nod to Ariafela.

You tilt your head down.

(Xanthias sinks back into a seat.)

Mekthros whispers, "Yet does this now mean you are lost to me?"

Mekthros whispers, "I am afraid... it may."

>whi mek I am simply lost.
You whisper quietly to Mekthros.

Achillea says, "what a piece of work you are."

Ariafela nods to Achillea.

Rhyshadow says, "I gotta find some more ale."

Achillea smiles amused at Juspera.

Mekthros whispers, "You have given a pure gift to Koar."

Mekthros whispers, "I do not know why it is not... recognized."

You shake your head.

>whi mek Not pure.
You whisper quietly to Mekthros.

Mekthros whispers, "Though I am distressed you have done so."

>whi mek I suppose they have reason to be cynical. But their words can't change what I did... right?
You whisper quietly to Mekthros.

Mekthros whispers, "Ah, but it is not justice to place your fate in the hands of others?"

Mekthros whispers, "I think... that it is quite possibly just that."

Ariafela whispers, "By yer own defense's theory I should be able ta torture ye or some other innocent now. Because of what ye did ta me."

>whi ariaf The defense theorized that I was being controlled. The jury ruled I wasn't. Are you being controlled?
You whisper quietly to Ariafela.

Ariafela whispers, "Aye.. and tightly at the moment by Imaera. And me hatred of violence. Fortunately fer ye."

Ariafela whispers, "Ye were nae controlled. And ye and I know it. Ye hurt me because ye enjoyed it. Ye wanted revenge on Sepher."

Mekthros whispers, "Their words change nothing."

Mekthros whispers, "Yet tonight, I feel you have changed."

You blink at Mekthros.

Vonka says, "Juspera. I t'ink yer dun right."

(Xanthias slumps, slightly drunkenly, in his chair.)

Mekthros whispers, "And I like it not.  But, if that is your destiny, unfortunate for me as it is."

Mekthros whispers, "Little can... stop you."

Mekthros sighs bitterly.

You say, "I guess... no matter what is said, none of those... words change what happened. My god knows. If I did wrong, then I did. And if I did right..."

You rub your eyes.

Vonka says, "T'ough I be skert o' who gonner git ter judge yer."

Lumaco whispers, "For what it's worth Juspera, I think you're very brave. I don't think I'd be ever able to own up to my crimes, and it's horrible that all these people... these people who have done much worse..."

Xanthias says, "You did your best, miss Juspera."

(That's it! Unfortunately, I don't have any material from the sentencing. I don't even recall what the sentence was. If anyone has material or information relating to this, please contact me at Zilal@aol.com. Thank you for reading!)

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