Fort Akton, The Bunker, Klos 13th, 350AC, new moon
(FYI, the next adventure starts after this trial) The weather has warmed a bit over the last week. Highs in the 40s have started to melt the snow, so the ground is now covered by a thin crust. The snow has melted completely over any previously used trails, rock or ancient pavement. Day brings cold wet mud, night brings frozen ground.
Zeebo is given access to the seven prisoners, the ex-enforcers that were unflinchingly loyal to The Deacon. They surrendered at the Battle of Conquered when defeat was inevitable. Talking to them, it is obvious that they think The Deacon is a supernatural being (his death apparently doesn’t lessen his influence, they believe his spirit is as powerful as ever). Serving him is the only way in life. They followed his orders to kidnap badlanders and bring them back to be exposed to the glow. They also killed any resistance to the Deacon, although after a rash of killings, no one voiced any opposition. They are not hiding any of their actions, nor are they apologetic. They believe they have followed the will of a higher power.
The day of the trial arrives. Numerous citizens, including the Presidents, the witnesses (Ragnor and Arvak perhaps among them, Phallon can avoid the scene altogether if he wishes), and a lot of soldiers, crowd into the Main Hall of the bunker. Everyone listens to what unfolds in the nearby Chamber of the Tribunal. Within the chamber, the three judges sit behind their high desks, looking down at the laa’yers, and the accused, who are brought in by Akton soldiers. Each prisoner is still wearing ancient orange coveralls with a black armband. Their wrists and ankles are shackled.
Zeebo represents the accused. The accusing laa’yer was difficult to establish, as many of those worthy were actually at the battle of Conquered, or closely tied to the events. Eventually, a worthy candidate was found: the sister of the queen of the Lex, Tiana. In her mid-30’s, weathered and scarred, she arrives wearing a pink hopper fur cloak, then opens it to reveal leather armor and sandles, decorative feathered bracelets, and wears a rapier on her belt. She speaks slowly, deliberately, and questions everyone tenaciously.
The summary of the trial is as follows: Tiana lays out the agenda of The Deacon, and how his enforcers murdered any opposition within Conquered. The enforcers were then sent out into the badlands to kidnap any they found. These victims were then regularly exposed to the glow until they died, or mutated and were given a chance to join Conquered (the alternative = death). With this framework in place, Tiana then calls on various witnesses showing specific events: the norfo fishermen being abducted and the little girl being killed by a stun baton. Lex tribeswomen being attacked by enforcers, with some of them being dragged off. Conquered citizens detailing individual enforcers brutality against them or outside badlanders. Four of the enforcers present are pointed out by witnesses as being directly involved in these events. The other three are not fingered with specific crimes, although they were present with the groups (alpha and beta squads) that did.
Zeebo, how are you going to frame your defense? Arvak and Ragnor, your influence and experience will allow you to make some comments in the trail (likely called in as witnesses, or perhaps some behind the scenes persuasion). Would you like to add anything?
