Various Murders in a Cottage Somewhere Options

[Jasper]

Good Afternoon Mercenaries

I am hearing reports of a number of slayings carried out whilst a group of mercenaries were on a prolonged mission recently. I have one individual - Helkaton - in custody, but seek statements from all those present as I understand his was not the only crime committed during the hire. I am particularly keen to hear from anybody who knows where the cottage concerned was in a geographical sense.


Thanks in advance

Lucas Belphebe
Magistrate General

[dhurrell]

Hey there
Which ones are ya interested in? The house kept moving, an' tha mercenary group got killed a lot, an' did a lot of killin'..
I'd like ta be helpful, but you're really gonna have ta be more specific on what yer interested in? Is that first one Helkaton killin' Zelda tha witch?
Barra'

[Stuart]

Dear Lucas

We were in a hovel in the Brandins. Best of luck in unwinding the most complex series of events I have ever heard of!

Kazathael

[Jasper]

Hey there
Which ones are ya interested in? The house kept moving, an' tha mercenary group got killed a lot, an' did a lot of killin'..
I'd like ta be helpful, but you're really gonna have ta be more specific on what yer interested in? Is that first one Helkaton killin' Zelda tha witch?
Barra'

I'm interested in mercenaries killing mercenaries, for the most part. There have however been suggestions of other felonies, which may provide some context.
Helkaton has surrendered himself to my custody for the killing of Zelda but I am told that there were several other killings during the hire.

Was there a licence hire involved, or did the mercenaries become involved by chance/exterior forces? If there was a licence, where was it issued?


LB

[Stuart]

No hire - when a powerful witch died cards of date appeared on the persons of a number of mercenaries and we spontaneously gathered. I think Sellaville was nearest perhaps.

Kazathael

[Mart07]

We defend hovel, in fight with many foes, two of group already dead. Akki transport next to person we fight - speak - starts fighting us. Barra punches him in head many times - he keeps coming, and coming - K'rowE attack with spear face to face - until he stopped. Better those fighting us dead than any more of us. At time, he most dangerous thing to be attacking us. After told he controlled.

Next night, group split up in dark many many walking dead. Akki make stupid comment - I tell him so, then turn round to look to deal with rite empowering undead and Liche we fight - he kill me from behind, and is killed by Hangman's Hill. He controlled again, or so he say - didn't attack anyone else though.

After we both alive and talk it through. No bad blood between us. Finish with hovel - travel our own ways.

K'rowE

[robmcd]

Hello dears...is this working...this modern magic is a bit beyond me...I miss letters...

Anyway, yes this is I, Zelda Ravensclaw. A kindly grandmother, baker and spinster, who does her best to help her friends, communities and especially the sweet and tender young children of Labyrinthia.

I was indeed travelling with some friends, and a few people I didn't care for much. Apparently they went back in time, I don't know really as I was left behind, but I think they met me as a younger and even more beautiful self in that time. I can only imagine it was a bit embarrassing as several of them were quite obsessed with me. Anyway, somehow I was killed, in a wholly uninteresting way...I do miss a good burning or dunking in the village pond, but I digress...

Being the first witch of Labyrinthia, apparently a lot of nasty things happen when I die. I understand that my Grandmother sent a spirit to avenge my death, who was treated quite rudely, so she lost her temper a bit. Luckily she didn't kill anyone and I was restored to life, so she left again. As it was my past self, from many decades ago I have to admit I don't really remember it. I am fond a glass of sherry or two and so can barely remember last week...

Anyway, they then came back and some of them apparently blamed (current) me for the upset which I couldn't really remember. Helkaton strode out with Klein, tripped me over with his tail and then I don't remember much. Apparently I died and it was quite brutal and unfair in my opinion, but I have died so many times I don't really mind. If you have him in custody I would ask you to request that he does a good old trial and burning next time though....lets make a bit of a show of it....

Anyway I must get back. I have something toasting in the oven.

Cheerio dears

Granny Zelda

[Alasdair]

We defend hovel, in fight with many foes, two of group already dead. Akki transport next to person we fight - speak - starts fighting us. Barra punches him in head many times - he keeps coming, and coming - K'rowE attack with spear face to face - until he stopped. Better those fighting us dead than any more of us. At time, he most dangerous thing to be attacking us. After told he controlled.

Next night, group split up in dark many many walking dead. Akki make stupid comment - I tell him so, then turn round to look to deal with rite empowering undead and Liche we fight - he kill me from behind, and is killed by Hangman's Hill. He controlled again, or so he say - didn't attack anyone else though.

After we both alive and talk it through. No bad blood between us. Finish with hovel - travel our own ways.

K'rowE

K’rowE summarises things broadly correctly. And I confess I was surprised as I am not easily controlled, but yes…

1. I was controlled, attacked the group, and whilst being subdued by several was then _savagely_ killed by K’rowE. I made clear that there was nothing more to be done between us: the matter was over once I had been restored and first conversations completed. I believe this does not resolve any Imperial legal position.

2. I was again controlled, the next night (much to my surprise as a spiritless Fey whilst fighting undead, but such are things with surprisingly powerful Liches, I suppose). This led to K’rowE being attacked by me, and proving surprisingly tough and slow to topple. Fortunately this gritty nature allowed another - Hangman’s Hill Halgar - to fell me before others were also struck down. And again, after restoration and conversation, I had believed that the matter was closed between us all (but not perhaps in the eyes of the law)

I have been looking into ways to become more resistant still to being controlled. In both cases, and particularly the second, there appears to have been powers used that would - in my view alone - seem to have been extremely unlikely for a mercenary of less than _substantial_ experience to resist.

Should reasonable people have further questions on these matters, please post them here and I shall endeavour to answer them.

For the record, I believe the first controlling was psychic, and the second a highly potent and mantic spiritual mastery.

Akki Solstrum

[Ryan]

The first was a thrall spell of a significant number of runes, I heard it cast and shouted loudly and audibly to the group Akki was thralled before he attacked anyone.

Helkatan

[dnsmantra]

I have been looking into ways to become more resistant still to being controlled. In both cases, and particularly the second, there appears to have been powers used that would - in my view alone - seem to have been extremely unlikely for a mercenary of less than _substantial_ experience to resist.

Experience would say otherwise. I tried three others before you, and they were all resilient. You played your part well though. I grant you that much. So well they even begged me to make you a ghoul. And who am I if not a gentleman.

Zed

[Edd]

Get lost Zed. You're rubbish. If you were a picnic food, you'd be a quiche. I'm sure you understand what an insult that is.

Back to important stuff:
- Akki killed K'rowe (like the bird), but he was controlled.
- Hill killed Akki later, because Akki was controlled.
- There's a Lich involved, but that's not important right now.
- Zelda's grandmother/death vengence scared a lot of people: cursing things to die in the first instance, touching things to death in the second. No one 'actually' died.
- Helkatan and Klein did a very well executed assassination.
- Their point that if we came across a foe on the road who had repeatedly cast the Curse to Die and Touch of Death miracle, we'd have jobbed them in, is definately sound.
- Zelda is a mercenary though, so probably shouldn't just be jobbed in.
- Zelda also provided lots of healing potions, and antivenoms to us during our journey, and trinkets for all, so I would say that if you met someone on the road who gave you an artifact of power, some potions and plenty of Whisky, would you job them in?
- The juice from a jar of pickled onions is quite pleasent, contrare to popular belief.

- Vinry Swiftspirit
Munchkin

[Rob]

I have made a statement direct to the magistrate

One thing I should point out

I had no idea that Akko was controlled when he killed Kcrow - looked like they had a row that turned to blows - had he obviously been controlled Inwould have tried something less… fatal

HHH

[Jasper]

In the matter of the killing of Zelda by Helkaton, I find as follows;

Whilst there appears to have been the admission of a number of historical felonies by Zelda, there is no further evidence of wrongdoing. The law regarding Mercenaries is quite clear and if we are to avoid a return to the chaotic free-for-all of the era from which Zelda hails, then we must practice restraint. The time to be killing Zelda for what she said she did was IM990.

The punishment for killing another Mercenary is Death.

In recognition of the fact that Helkaton voluntarily surrendered himself into my custody before even any accusations had been made, and the fact that the victim has stated that she 'doesn't really mind' (which I shall take as forgiveness) I am prepared to mitigate the usual punishment and instead order Helkaton to serve one year in a penal legion, where his talents as a Mercenary can be put to the good of the Empire and/or Primus. I will make these arrangements privately. Any future infractions, however slight, will find the original punishment reinstated.

In the absence of the Covenant I ratify this judgement myself, as Magistrate General.


I will take this opportunity to remind all involved of several things;

Those Mercenaries with death vengeances or powerful protectors beyond their control are responsible for any actions taken on their behalf. That is, if you know that a spirit of Touch of Death will arise upon your death and choose to follow the life of a Mercenary, then you will be outlawed when it kills someone. I am reminded of the case of Miranda Winterhaven, as precedent for this ruling.

Religion is no protection from the law. The statement "I am a priest of vengeance" holds no weight.

I will not consider the cases of individuals who are not in custody. Anyone involved in the other killings which took place during this incident who, by the apparently confusing turns of fate, has been identifed as an outlaw by the Imperial Seers may stay as they are.


Lucas Belphebe
Magistrate General

[Alasdair]

The first was a thrall spell of a significant number of runes, I heard it cast and shouted loudly and audibly to the group Akki was thralled before he attacked anyone.

Helkatan

Thank you for the clarification.

Akki

[Jasper]

In the matter of the Killing of Akki by K'rowe, I find as follows;

The sentence for the murder of another Mercenary is Death. In this instance I find that there are a number of mitigating factors, and therefore hereby commute that sentence to one of penal servitude. K'rowe will serve in the Empire's Penal Legion for the period of one year, during which time any pay earned as a Mercenary will be paid at the earliest convenience to his victim, Akki.
Furthermore, he is bound over to keep the peace in future. Any further infractions, however slight, will see the original sentence reinstated without recourse or appeal.

In the absence of the Covenant, this judgement is ratified by myself.

Lucas Belphebe
Magistrate General

[Alasdair]

Thank you sir,

Akki

In the matter of the Killing of Akki by K'rowe, I find as follows;

The sentence for the murder of another Mercenary is Death. In this instance I find that there are a number of mitigating factors, and therefore hereby commute that sentence to one of penal servitude. K'rowe will serve in the Empire's Penal Legion for the period of one year, during which time any pay earned as a Mercenary will be paid at the earliest convenience to his victim, Akki.
Furthermore, he is bound over to keep the peace in future. Any further infractions, however slight, will see the original sentence reinstated without recourse or appeal.

In the absence of the Covenant, this judgement is ratified by myself.

Lucas Belphebe
Magistrate General