Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

On Ashan 29th, Hina would hear a knock upon her door, "Open up, Lightning Knights." But they didn't wait for Hina to answer the door. It was promptly kicked open, shattering the door and lock alike. There were several Lightning Knights there, in full armor and garb. These weren't Guardians. These were Inquisitors. They quickly grabbed and manhandled Hina, binding her wrists, ankles, wings, and neck in chains. A Sergeant Inquisitor stepped forward as the other Inquisitors held her in place.

"Hina Braveheart, you're being taken to trial. You're accused of assaulting a man on Ashan 11th."

They stuffed a gag in her mouth, and began escorting her from her home to the court. It was a long walk, and many people that lived in Hina's neighborhood saw her being arrested, and the rumors began to spread. Soon, Hina was dragged into a courthouse, placed standing before a judge, her gag removed but chains remained.

"Hina Braveheart, you stand accused of the crime of assault on one Mister Fergis Shellbury on Ashan 11th, in the 719th arc. You are also being charged with the lesser charge of property damage stemming from said assault, as a subset of Theft. According to the report of other Lightning Knights, you pursued Mr. Shellbury under the suspicion of drugs. During your pursuit, some pots were damaged that belong to one Missus Sandford. You pursued the man to a rooftop, where you engaged him in combat without his consent. You then arrested him, passing him into the custody of the other Lightning Knights.

The possession and distribution of drugs is not a crime of any degree in Rharne. As such, your charge against the man was errant. Because of this failure of justice and procedure on your part, Ms. Sandford's pots were destroyed, and Mr. Shellbury was injured. Mr. Shellbury was well within his rights under the protection of the law to flee from you, for fear of his life. Additionally, Mr. Shellbury was defending himself from your assault. Mr. Shellbury has been released from custody, and the Lightning Knights have paid for his treatment, as well as payment for time lost from his job. Ms. Sandford has been compensated for the destruction of her pots.

Mr. Shellbury, Ms. Sandford, witnesses in the neighborhood, and the accompanying Lightning Knights have all been interviewed, and all corroborate this account. You will be given one chance, now, to provide evidence and testimony against these charges. Upon hearing that, I will make my verdict, and should you be determined to be guilty, your punishment shall be implemented immediately.

You may speak, Ms. Braveheart."

!	Message from: Aegis
	Hina is being charged with a crime. As such, all threads dated on or after Ashan 29, 719 are now considered locked until the outcome of this modbomb. Hina, you are not to post any more threads on or after Ashan 29th, 719 until this is resolved. You have your next post to prove your innocence, or not, in accordance with Rharne laws.

The judge listened carefully to the woman's words, giving her a fair chance to tell her story. More importantly, he was comparing it to the accounts that were given by the witnesses and the victims. Hina spoke the truth, or at least, the supposed truth. Her story matched that of the others. That was a good thing, it would help her in his judgement.

Once she was done, he spoke. "Ms. Braveheart, it is your duty as a Lightning Knight to not only understand and enforce the law, but to also keep the peace. By your own admission, and by the testimony of the witnesses, you saw Mr. Shellbury behaving suspiciously. You immediately gave chase, without any proper form of approach, warning, or questioning. Anyone in Mr. Shellbury's position would flee if someone began running at them. Had you approached him first, attempted to question him, attempted to keep the peace that was already in place, this would be a different story.

But you did not.

Your chase damaged Ms. Sandford's property. For that, this court finds you responsible.

Your pursuit to the rooftop resulted in combat with Mr. Shellbury, combat in which both of you were injured. Consent under duress, while pushed into a corner is not consent at all. Mr. Shellbury was clearly defending himself. You state that he failed to yield to lawful questioning, yet it seems you never truly offered the chance. You acted before you thought, and thus, an innocent man was injured.

Your combat injured Mr. Shellbury and is a crime of assault. For that, this court finds you responsible.

In summary, Ms. Braveheart, those who are responsible for enforcing the law are held to a standard higher than those they protect. You were not holding yourself to this standard during this pursuit. You were not professional. It was your superior officer who brought this case to me. This has shown a dangerous recklessness on your part, even if it was with the best of intentions.

But that same superior officer thinks that you have potential to be better. To be more useful. And on that, this court agrees. For the crime of assault on a private citizen, you are sentenced to 50 trials in Rharne Prison. This sentence begins on Ashan 34th, 719 after you've been escorted to the prison by the Lightning Knights. You will be released on Ashan 84th, 719 and escorted back to Rharne proper, and released back into the custody of your superior officer.

For the crime of property damage during an unlawful pursuit, the Lightning Knights have seized your home, and all belongings within it, as collateral. Upon your release, you will be expected to pay the Lightning Knights the cost of the pots. Upon full payment, your home will be returned to you. If you fail to pay, your home is forfeited to the Lightning Knights and will be resold at auction. During your sentence, the Lightning Knights will repair the damage done to the door of your home, and will keep it protected.

May you learn from this, Ms. Braveheart, and may Ilaren find forgiveness for you."

The judge looked to the knights, one of which was Hina's superior, "Knights, please safely escort Ms. Braveheart to Rharne Prison." And with that, they did. Hina would be taken away, loaded into a wagon with other chained up prisoners. The travel would take five days, during which time the prisoners were provided extremely simple meals twice a day, and allowed to relieve themselves twice a day. The rest of the time, they remained chained up in the wagon, escorted by a large contingent of Justicars. Upon arrival at the prison, Hina and the other prisoners were passed into the prison's custody, and Hina was escorted to her own cell, allowed to keep the clothes that she was arrested in, but given no more.

!	Message from: Aegis
	Alright, this is my last post in this thread. If you wish to do one more, feel free. After you feel this thread is finished, you may send me a review request for 15 exp and 8 skill knowledges, and I will do a review. If you have any questions about this thread or any of the following consequences, drop me a PM or contact me on discord. Godspeed and have fun!