The First Heretical Trial

[Arbrek the Ancient 140]

"Dwarves o' Karik! Thank ye for comin', the Trial will start shortly!"

The aging High Prophet sighed and leaned on the Altar of Yemekar for a moment, sighing at how the foolish commoners had acted. It was not the Dwarven way! Back when he was a child you respected your elders and betters, and you respected the god above all. No, it wasn't right, but the entire Dwarven Society wasn't right and rooting out Heresy was the best way to start fixing it. Taking out his notes, he glanced at the Jury. It was an odd lot, composed of many different Dwarves. Every member of his Clergy, bar one, was assembled there, as well as two of the three Clan Lords. Gulroid, the Paragon Kjell, and the Goldhands informant were not to come untill called upon. In the center of the room was a locked cage with the accused, Gorum Goldhand, inside. Noting that everyone was in place, he motioned to the cloaked Dwarf beside him who, in turn, motioned to one of the many guards placed around the room to bar the doors. As soon as that was done, Kazraden spoke again.

"Now that we are ready, I hereby begin the Heretical Trial of Gorum Goldhand! The Heretic stands here under teh charges of Defying the Gods, an' Heretical Behavior,

as charged by meh upon the admission of 'is son Toran Goldhand. To begin this Trial, I ask that any who wishes te defend this Dwarf, either from Jury or assembled Citizens, speak up. I do, 'owever, deny any Dwarf descended from the Frostbeard Clan from speaking."

Looking out over the varied Dwarves, the High Prophet awaits a response.

[Gorum© 623]

Gorum shakes his head as he sits in the cage, his eyes closed, not wanting to see the dwarves reaction to him in this disgraceful state.

" Hm, ah wonder 'ow they were able to accuse me ov 'eretical behaviour when der are no signs ov dis ever occurin'. Ah guess now a 'uman can come walkin' in, claimin' a random dwarf is a 'eretic and dey will be sittin' in this dis'onourable cage tu be shamed infront ov th' kin... "

Gorum clenches his fists, his body shaking in anger. He aches to get his hands on Toran and the Goldhand Informat who accused him of being a heretic.

[Omithiel 192]

*Omithiel steps ups and stands by Gorum's cage, he sees from the distance Gorum's body tense*

I will defend Gorum 'ere 'e 'as been a good fellow kin. We 'ave work toget'er far back. We 'ave battle with each ot'er in wars. Gorum s'ould not be accused 'e proudly follows Yemekarr 'nd 'as been as long as I 'ave known 'im. Unlike 'is son... I can't defend t'at lad. T'ough I can defend Gorum cause I know 'im fer almost a 'undred years. I seek 'im to be released without punishment, 'e 'as done not'in' wrong, 'is son falsely accused 'im.

*He stands still by Gorum's cage and looks to Gorum, smiling under his beard*

Ahh oh yes I am t'e son ov Ulint'al Strongbrow 'nd proud dwarf ov t'e fallen city ov Kal'Urguan.

[Wizard 125]

Midst the crowd of dwarves, William stands up to present his support for his friend, Gorum.

Ah 'ave known Gorum from long ago in Kal'Alras Hold. He has done nothin' wrong 'ere and ah think he was wrongly accused as Omithiel said. T'at is all I will say for now. Let the others speak.

Sitting down in his seat, William waits to see what others have to say.

[Nefarious Aus Shitpost 891]

Bael, at the rear of the chamber speaks up.

Teh accusations uv 'rresy was mention'd by Toran, aye? Yer cannae take 'is werd, 'e 'as alreadeh been pruv'd a 'eretic an' tuu us a 'eretic's werd be nufin'. Toran be at fault 'ere and nae wun else.

[Aryon 679]

Tognik Grandaxe glances over at the trial, his mind racing. He speaks a single word, his face emotionless.

"Proof?"

Tognik then awaits the response, not knowing what may happen next.

[Zezimus 1523]

Valen stands up amongst the crowd after hearing Tognik make his short but abrupt comment.

"Ah 'ave spoken wit' ye in private un t'e matter uv t'is trial, 'igh Prophet... Whoile ah dunnae know t'is Gorum fella vereh well, maneh uv t'ese Dwarves seem tae 'old doubts about t'ese accusations uv 'erecy. Iv past experience 'as shown t'e lad tae beh a Dwarf uv 'onour, ah tuh, ask wut proof dae ye 'ave tae support ye claims?"

[Nefarious Aus Shitpost 891]

Bael, prophet of Grimdugan, once again rises from his seat at the rear of the chamber and in a cloak of shadow, skulks his way to Valen, whispering in his ear.

"Teh evidence t'at wash brought forwardsh ish circumstanshal. Ah 'ave been inform'd t'at Toran Gold'and did enter teh 'oly temple uv teh Brathmordakin an' spout werds uv 'eresy an' den inciminate 'is fadder, Gorum."

By the time Valen turns to see who was speaking in his ear, Bael has already vanished and returned to his seat.

[Arbrek the Ancient 140]

Sighing at the words of the other warves, particularly about how the evidence the High Prophet had was unsubstantial, he held up his hand to stop any more comments.

"I already told ye all, I do nae make idle claims, nor do I randomly accuse others o' Heresy. I beh not as insane as ye all would like teh believe. Now, furthermore, I would like to--"

The elder Dwarf was soon cut off by a commotion from the gate of the Hall, stumbling a young Hopeful for Prophet rushed in. After reaching the Altar and taking a moment to recover his breath, he panted,

"H- High Prophet! The Vault in yer Clan Hall! The C- Clergy's valubles 'ave been stolen! Teh diamonds, teh gold, yer records! They're all gone!"

Kazraden stiffened, his eyes wide with shock. He had build the vault himself, as well as the gate needed to access the Citadel. How was this possible? The Vault was practically under his own feet! Regardless, he murmured to the clocked Dwarf beside him before turning back to the crowd.

"I'm afraid the Trial is suspended untill I have investigated this robbery thoroughly. Gorum will stay quite safe here until then. Dismissed."

[Nefarious Aus Shitpost 891]

Bael is not shocked by the new of the robbery, in fact, his face has remained completely stoic throughout the entirety of the proceedings. As the dwarfs present begin to shuffle out of the room, Bael walks towards the high prophet and whispers into his ear.

"Allow meh to launch meh own private investigatshun. No one is to know w'at ah'm up tuu."

Before Kazraden has a chance to react, Bael jumps down through a crack in the floor and disappears into the darkness below.

[[ aka no one other then Kazraden knows I am launching my own investigation into this affair. ]]

[Phelrin 60]

Stepping out of the shadows, Phelrin locks eyes with the High Prophet. Recieving a slow, but serious nod, The Inquisitor headed out to see what he could find of this situation

[Boomack21 124]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.