HT Player DS Character Name Type Status/Notes Sex -- ----------------------------------------------------------------- R1.John Haight.......HY..Arawn.............Druid .Normal/Alfar .. Ma --.Tobie Bonahoom....YY..Fremea............Sidh....Normal/Faerry.. Fe R3.Mark Murtha.......HN..Kell..............Trader..Normal/Human....Ma W2R2.David Sanders.....HN..Kiet.Sunan........Acrobat Normal/Human ..Ma R4.Wout Broere.......YY..Unali.............Ninja...Normal/Human ..Fe R3 Panthera..............Pyandalgor........Hunter..Normal/Human....Ma W3R4.Alex Koponen......YY..Z'leyra...........Healer..Normal/Human ..Fe Animals: Corona [Eagle] Z'leyra Game Web Site - http:/nrgcomputers.com/pbem/ Public posts/actions to pnpgm@list.powersandperils.org (mailing list) Private emails (not public actions) to pnpgm@comcast.net Game Update #44 sequence (file #326) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Admin Notes: None. ---------------------------------------------------------------- [Recap] From Z'leyra: [Re: Actions] Z'leyra replies to Arawn's question about her twin "Yes, we are Z'leyra then asks Arawn to complete the transaction that she had agreed to in getting the merchant's gold to Ticasi. GM: Ack. Arawn will have to do it in morning as by time leave the courthouse it'll de dark and might be closed. From Kell: [Re: Actions] Kell arrives late at the courthouse, finds the group and asks, "What did I miss?" [Waiting for the big reveal. Guessing this will toss a big monkey wrench in things, so just waiting, and not slowing the next update. Is Tiren not really dead? Did he fake his murder??? Could it be??!! Or Z's Twin?? Or maybe it is Taco Tuesday. We all love Taco Tuesday, with the Taco man. :) ] GM: Ack. No no! I not a fan of tacos. IT is Ice Cream Fridays! From Arawn: [Re: Actions] FYI, Arawn would not have mentioned his thoughts on the twin while Z'leyra was around. This was said after she was escorted away by the constables. Gold transaction - assuming this is asked of him before she's escorted away, he'll offer to do so once he finds the time. GM: Ack. I know enough that you'd not be that crass so we all figure it was discreet. As to gold I didn't know this until now so can't do till morning game wise. ------------------------------------------------------------ [New Stuff] [Ticasi] [Decalis 24th, 1634TH] [Time: 3:26 pm] Before Z'leyra is escorted to the courthouse, Arawn asks a question. "Yes, we are identical, but I refuse to believe that she had anything to do with this. She loved our father and he kept his oaths. There would be no reason for her to kill him." The law dean looks to Z'leyra and frowns. "One that just looks like you? Where is she now?" [Poorda's house] [Time: 3:40 pm] Arawn asks if Pyan would like to at least learn some of the Donaran tongue so he can at least understand bits and pieces. Pyan considers Arawn's offer, wondering if he should trust his mind to the necklace again, if it can make him understand a new language what else can it do? Pyan decides he has already used it once so the damage to his mind is already done. He takes the necklace and puts it on then speaks the command word, 'understand.' AT his learning is less inclined to learn languages, Pyan does at least learn it at a low pre-school level. He may not understand every 5th or 10th word but maybe once in awhile at least grasp some [Time: 5:23 pm] Z'leyra waits almost 7 minutes now and nothing has gone on. Is this a test? Is she expected to flee and then killed in the attempt? There must be guards on the other side of the back door just waiting to take her down. Then the door opens and a man steps through. The door opens in the rear of the courtroom. A man in his early 70s. 0s steps in. His gray hair smoothed back and nicely trimmed. He is wearing a gray business coat and vest with black pants. This is not a common style but merchants in business may try it. He smiles as he enters the room. Z'leyra stares with jaw down as he crosses the room to her defense table. Z'leyra realizes this and regains her composure. "You know me?" Z'leyra nods, Master Scholar Hovan Vachera himself in front of her. "This whole business is very disturbing." He removes his smile and shakes his head as he paces back and forth in front of the defense table. "We had hoped you would not return. I respect that you want justice. But this brings up a whole can of meal worms into the mix. Many folks beyond you and Tiren will be affected." He stops and stares at Z'leyra. "You know I only met him twice. He seemed like a decent man. I saw him at council meetings but we never did social things." He returns to packing back and forth. "You mind?" He reaches for the talisman on the prosecutor desk and activates it without waiting for an answer. He watches the illusion while 'standing' in the shop wall. It ends and he places the talisman back on table. "It looks bad for you my dear. But your defense is clear. Has to be illusion or disguise right?" Z'leyra nods and the Scholar continues nodding. "I figure. There are many variables in this mess. You will learn some once this is all done tonight or tomorrow. What you hear may not be what you want to hear. But for the safety of this city we must keep our secrets dear." Hovan stops in front of the desk and stares at Z'leyra. "We have ...an ability to detect all spells. I don't mind magic in general. All that are common and rare. Under the magic school itself we have a hidden area that tracks all magic in the city and outside within 5 miles." He begins to pace back and forth again. "We've learned years ago that students will abuse the rules. Some simply prefer to cheat. After several...accidents and lost of property we set this system up. It records the spells and archives them. The day in question of Tiren's murder there was only 2 illusion spells and no masquerade spells. The two in question we quietly investigated. The first was a student trying to cast a illusion to hide a trap to help his hunter friend get rid of an animal in his house. The second was a teacher placing a illusion on a painting to demonstrate a staff member how moving pictures can be done. "This means...you...or others could not have used such magic in that shop. We'd have known it. I know it is possible that a person could have a item or done it outside our range. But I'm told by our experts this is unlikely. This means some other unknown magic or creature." "If you will not tell anyone even your friends of this secret of our ability. Then I will see that you will be set free tomorrow morning due to lack of evidence. Those who saw you at school will be your saving grace. Tomorrow afternoon you will then need to leave the city and find who did this. We have reason to believe whatever or whatever it was is been long gone from the city." Z'leyra detects a bit of more secrets within. "The hearing must continue as normal for show. But if you stay in town longer it will cause rifts. Even the judges and councilors do not know this secret. Only the magic school councilor and a few select people. If you have evidence that the person could still be here we might be able to work something out. But it would have to be strong evidence." He stops and stars at Z'leyra. "What do you say?" Z'leyra lifts her manacles and smiles. "I am inclined to believe you. Not to worry. I have no plans to violate such secrets. But my first inclination is that leaving town would not only look bad for me but would make it harder to find the guilty party. Heh, I would like to have the ability to verify that you actually ARE who you look to be, that YOU aren't someone impersonating our Master Scholar. Let me think this through. " A feral smile crosses the Scholar's face and Z'leyra is not sure if that's good or bad. "There are several methods for someone to have cast an illusion outside of range then teleported or otherwise come to Tiren's in which case it is likely that using Akasha to follow them would end at the arrival and departure perhaps giving no further clue as to whom they are or were. But I would still like to verify this. They may actually leave a clue or solution not having expected sufficient Akasha spells to follow them." "There is a nice lady who was killed. Perhaps because she saw someone, a man, around the time Tiren was murdered. I would like to use Akasha to see both her murder and the view she had before during and after the fire at Tiren's." "I see no good coming of getting into conflict with the powers of Ticasi. But I suspect that you would prefer to get rid of any bad apples in Ticasi. If I am allowed to do the Akasha spells before I leave, I agree to leave Ticasi. I will continue to seek Tiren's killer regardless. I would prefer to be able to come back if and when I find proof." The Scholar nods, "I do not know this spell of which you speak nor of this woman killed. I was briefed only a short while ago by someone on some of the basic details. As to teleport we checked on that none was cast that day at all. You must understand this city is on the edge. If the Resident heard about what is going on and an investigation of this nature continues he'll be asking questions. We must maintain our full independence. We must conduct this as quietly and as civiliy as we can. I suspect the Smith clan will have some issue but I suspect they may also back down." Z'leyra weighs his offer wondering if this the true master scholar. She could simply ask Arawn to bring in her stone and dispel any illusion. But the way this is being done in seclusion without even a formal judge knowing must be that only one of his power can do it. After studying the man for a few long moments she agrees. "Great. We will finish today. Do not even tell your lawyer anything. The only one in question would be the judge and we'll talk to him later." The master scholar looks at Z'leyra intently. "I do think I saw you once on a event at the Healer's school. Your teachers were impressed by you. Your name is rather unique and now I think I can place you. It is sad we meet under such foul circumstances. I can read your face. Do I think you did it you ask? No. A master healer would not do such especially to her own father." The old man steps back and grunts looking around the courtroom. "Now we will see that you leave tomorrow. I would prefer by afternoon. Now here are my conditions. We will free you if you take two of our best hunters. They will ensure you return as well as find the true killer. You may return only with that proof. If you return without...it will cause problems for many people." Z'leyra grits her teeth. So that was his game. To attach two others to her party. This man was indeed a nice card player. She guessed that was his game the second he came inside. She was played very smoothly. Z'leyra finally nods and agrees. The master scholar then pulls something out of his vest pocket the size of a round coin. He places it on the table in front of Z'leyra. He gets her attention and then taps the silver round disk. Suddenly a burst of light splays everywhere. But it was so fast not much can be done to block it. But Z'leyra feels nothing. He gathers up the disk. "When you return we will need to remove this memory of this meeting. This was a simple object to as they say index this memory in your mind. That way we can track back to this flash and pull back a bit from it to remove a half hour or so." "You must understand simple honor of your father and yourself is not just at stake. If the Resident even learns a bit of these secrets it could cause generations of problems. So we must remove even this meeting.. Later tonight when this room is closed we'll ensure no magic like your Askaha thing will be used as well." The Master scholar then turns and walks to the back of the room. At the door he opens and steps in the threshold. With his back turned he says, "your uncle played the game very well. He is quite your advocate." Then he steps through and leaves closing the door. Z'leyra stares at the door. Could her uncle be the one to get him here? How did he set it up so fast? They did meet yesterday. They were both navigators. She wonders for a few minutes then calls for the guards. [Time: 5:30 pm] Unali realizes what is going on in the courtroom is important. But it gives her a chance to do something she could not while the court was in session. Unali will try to let Z'leyra know later. But for now she asks the defense lawyer for a moment. She informs him quickly of what Z'leyra old dancing teacher told her. Since Unali was here during Milo's testimony she asks the lawyer if he can produce documents of the mine issues. She asks if Milo can explain his relationship with the dancer. The lawyer glances at the Smith's and nods to Unali. "I may not want to know how you got this info or why but I will certainly follow up." [Time: 5:38 pm] As Arawn checks out Gorsh's hand. Kiet tries to call the defense lawyer, prosecutor and Judge over. The judge looks frustrated that he has to stand here in the hallway. The judge crosses his arms waiting for Kiet to explain. "Judge, my name is Kiet Sunan and I am a friend of Z'leyra's. Please do not hold that against me. I have some information that may or may not be related to this case, but at least is important to help identify some people that should not be involved in her case." Kiet continues with "we as a group visited Poorda the day before her murder. She was a gracious old lady and seemed very nice. One thing I noticed was an especially gaudy vase she had...orange and red it was. Well, the day of her murder, but before I knew about her death, I saw a man (turns out to be this scum!) walk into a shop on Nasi Street where it was obvious he sold the vase. The owner of the shop could certainly identify from whom he purchased the vase. The vase was missing after her death and one of the constables or investigators noted there being a ring spot on a table that obviously had been where something had been, and I will testify under oath that it was the vase missing." The judge waves hand, "Poorda?" The defense lawyer quickly explains. But the judge shakes his head. "I do not see how this relates to this case. But continue." Kiet nods, "because I recognized the vase, I was extremely curious, enough so that I followed the man who sold the vase. He went to a gambling parlour/whorehouse and started playing cards. I was rather surprised when that Garr Smith boy came downstairs and immediately went to the vase man and started talking to him. I fount that even more curious." The judge raises a eyebrow and glances at Martin and Milo who are staring back some 50 feet down hallway wondering what is being said. "But then, after they finished talking, it got over the top. Old Man Smith shows up at the brothel! I hear him ask Garr. ' ...why do you insist places like this? We can bring girls to your place..Now come we need to go." The younger Smith finishes one more hand of cards then asks his daddy where they are going. As they are leaving, Old Man Smith...er, my Pardon...Councilor Smith...looks over his shoulder and indicates vase man, here, and asks 'Is that him?', and then they leave" The judge raises a hand and waves a constable over and whispers to the man. The guard nods and moves closer down the hall toward the Smiths. The judge turns back and nods for Kiet to continue. Kiet stops for a second. "My first thought was 'what are these three up to? I didn't put the pieces fully together until I found out about Poorda's death. I was shocked. I even told my friends what I thought had happened." "Well, this very day we caught up with this killer after someone tried to have him killed. I say he is a murderer because he confessed to us that he killed Poorda...and he said that the two Smiths put him up to it!" Gorsh hears this and shoves Arawn away, "this is not-" The judge waves a hand, "silence. For your own sake." The judge waves for Kiet to continue. "I understand that these charges are weighty. I promise to make myself available as Witness for as long as you might need me to do so. And I ask that this scum immediately be questioned and then held for HIS trial for killing that nice old lady." The judge looks to Gorsh and considers. "Why is his hand hurt?" He steps forward toward Gorsh. "You have the right to not answer until we can get your own lawyer. But I ask. Is this true?" Gorsh looks down the hall and the judge clicks his tongue to draw him back to his eyes. "I..." He looks to Kiet and Fremea by the wall. Both did sort of save him from the others. If he says no he could be set free and be could hope to survive or he could tell the truth and get immunity. "If I say yes do I get less a sentence?" The judge looks to the prosecutor. Who considers this. "We can see. For now consider this off the record. If you testify and this man does as well we can certainly consider options." Then Arawn realizes these people do not seem to like the Smith's as well. Gorsh nods, "Its true." The judge waves a guard down from the end of the hall. "Summon the chief investigator for a Poorda's murder. He will need to talk to this man. Then lock him downstairs in holding and see his hand is treated. We will see him in court in the morning." Kiet notices Martin motion Milo down the hall in the opposite direction. That's when the defense lawyer and judge both yell. "Gentlemen stop!" Both Smith men stop and look back. The judge waves the back. "I will need both of you in court when we convene." Martin growls as he moves back. "We are both busy we don't have time. Maybe in the morning." "Yet you wanted to be one of the Councilor Judges?" "Well..Yes..but" Martin Smith stutters. "Then its settled you both have time. I suspect we won't hold court tonight much longer." He smiles and watches as Gorsh is escorted down the hall. [Time: 5:45 pm] Z'leyra calls the judge and guards back in. The guards look reluctantly in at first then waves everyone it is ok to go back in. The Judge huffs and climbs the stone steps back to his bench. "Seats everyone we are running out of daylight." He glances at the windows of the fading light. Unali rushes in to try to explain what Armanth told her. But before she could open her mouth the defense lawyer- Silas Mun speaks up. "I wish to recall Milo Smith to the stand." The audience looks over at Milo who looks confused he glances at Martin then stands to move to the stand. Silas smiles and approaches, "we've come into some new information to light. First can you produce any documents as to the mine being far more valuable than Tiren suggests?" Milo frowns, "this was over two years ago. I can barely recall papers my students give me weekly." The spare citizens in the room laugh. But Silas continues. "Surely Orto might have the documents?" The lawyer looks back over at Martin and the others. Milo shrugs, "I am sure...we could try to find them. I am mostly the head of the company as figure head. But I can certainly ask my Manager to look for them. It may take some time - a day or two." Silas nods then goes in for the kill. "It seems you may have forgotten something. Do you know a woman named Armanth?" Milo becomes a bit pale as he glances over at Z'leyra. From behind Unali wishes she could tell Z'leyra first to prepare for the shock. But there is no time. Milo nods, "I believe I have ...seen her around the schools." "My new information is that you know her more than just a passing person in the crowd. Would you like to explain this or should I?" Silas looks straight at Milo. Milo glances at Z'leyra, then Martin and finally at the judges and councilors. He sighs and sits back in his chair. "We had an affair." A gasp rings out but to Z'leyra's credit she just stares at the man. Then Silas continues, "what period was this?" Milo checks his collar and straightens it. "Around two years ago." "Would you say this was during the time of Tiren's death?" "Yes. But she was no longer interested in Tiren." "So you say. I'm told by several that Tiren and Armanth were a couple. So Armanth chased you while with Tiren?" Milo looks around the furniture and walls. Could there be some magic here to test the truth? He has heard that such magic exists. But he sees nothing that could reveal his request for info on the subject. Milo looks back at Silas not knowing if he is being tested by magic. "I...I chased her. I've always liked her since we were younger. Tiren's work was straining the relationship. He was ignoring her more and more. I ...saw my chance. She actually went to eat and picnics with me." Silas adds, "if we summon Armanth she would advise this as truth? She was frustrated with things?" "I don't....I mean I just...assumed she was." "So two things give you some motive to see Tiren hurt. First this mine situation and now his own girlfriend. Is this true." "Not per-" The prosecutor stands, "Milo Smith is not on trial here. He has given answers he should not speculate on things that can't be shown as facts." Silas nods, "fine. That is all for now." He waves for Milo to step down if so wanted. Milo sits there a few moments and stares at Martin who could eat stone with ease. [Time: 6:00 pm] For the next 30 minutes the Councilors ask questions of Z'leyra and her relationship with Tiren and others. At the stand she answers everything truthfully. She also answers about her relationship with Armanth the Dance teacher. During this time Kell and Z'leyra's cousin arrive in the courtroom and take seats in the back. Kell leans into Arawn. "What did I miss?" But Arawn just nods and whispers later as Z'leyra continues to speak on the stand. [Time: 6:32 pm] The judge looks at the windows at the night sky as the courtroom gets dimmer even with candles lit. "I think this will be it for tonight. We shall adjourn until the morning at 7. Unfortnately, Z'leyra will have to remain in custody until this hearing is complete." Defense lawyer stands, "can she be under house arrest at Tiren's place?" The prosecutor stands, "Objection. Too close to the scene. She is a flight risk as she and her friends can use magic." The judge nods, "I concur. You will be escorted to the Munoz Street Garrison. Since you will just be under custody no need to house her in a jail cell. So we can use one of the guest holding suites." The judge slams down a ivory hammer on a metal plate. The court begins to stir until the judge raises a hand. "There is one other matter. Martin Smith please stand." Martin stands up from the pews and looks puzzled. "There have been some nasty accusations about the events today. Earlier I signed an arrest warrant for your son Gar Smith." "What!?" He moves out into the aisle and toward the bench area stopping between the defendant table and prosecutor when a constable stops him. "This is outrageous! Why?" "Right now it is questioning. But it could be as serious as conspiracy to murder." "My so is innocent and this is totally uncalled for. You will need to pass this through the council-" "We have three councilors here. Do you three have any issue?" All three shake their heads. "IT is just for questions at this point. I suggest you head to the basement now and see the investigator. He may have questions for you as well." "This insane. I'm too busy for this." He turns and heads to the door but is stopped by two constables. "While this is a suggestion if you leave now this will be far worse later. Legally we can't hold you." Martin turns around and points at Z'leyra. "Her and her friends have lied to ruin my and my son's reputation!" The judge leans forward and folds his hands on the bench. "Your son will have an advocate but if you do not at least attend you will be the one to blame if things go badly." All eyes turn to Martin who pales and then turns 5 shades of red. If looks could kill Z'leyra would be ash. "Fine!" "Good. That nice constable there will escort you to the correct place. Good night Councilor." Martin leaves and Milo sits gaping. Finally he raises a hand. :"Do..do I need to ..stay?" "At this point I do not believe so." He glances at Kiet but does not see a reason to keep him. "Till the morning." The judge stands and exits through the back door. As the courtroom begins to empty constables come to escort Z'leyra. The defense advocate looks to her friends. "We can give you directions. It will take about a hour or so to process her and then I'm sure you can visit her. I suspect you will need to discuss a few things." With that Z'leyra is escorted through the back door away from the party. The party quickly leaves and rushes down stairs. [Time: 6:43 pm] The party rushes out to see where Z'leyra is heading and to ensure she can be protected. Arawn calls for Corona but he is nowhere in sight. That could only mean that he has seen her and flown overhead. Fremea uses a tree and removes her dress and flies around the courthouse faster than the party could run and finds no sign of her as he was escorted away fast. As the group waits outside a constable comes and finds the party. "Whom is Kiet Sunan?" The party points to Kiet. "The chief investigator would like to have you downstairs in the basement to give your side of things please." Actions? Comments? Next Update....Monday??? GM: Gosh! A short update. :) I figure this is a good place to stop. Folks can find Z'leyra tonight or tomorrow morning to explain what you guys found. If there is a piece of info you don't want to share let me know as some things might hurt Z'leyra. Plan is to in next update start the court hearing for the morning. I may do a hour or two so maybe 10 am or so but not sure yet. But that is the general plan. If there is something to do tonight let me know. Party members will not be allowed to stay in the garrison after 9. I would do a bit more in this update but recovering a bit form a light cold. IF I have time and feel better I may do work this wednesday on next update. But if things get back then it'll probably be Saturday UNLESS I get off Thursday which I have been last 3 weeks. If so I can do lot more work on it then. Stay tuned. If this was a table game I'd torture the players by playing the Law & Order chords every few minutes and hold up a paper with things like where the location is. So imagine you are tortured by it while reading.