Crim225-1

*See:* Case history

# Brief for the King, submitted by Shani
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Prosecution of Talithia for the Murder of Salrim and Ruthra Submitted by Shani, Private of the Justicars.

On or about the 14th of Serenus, Salrim the fighter and Ruhtra the Bishop of Bilanx were sitting in the Adventures Guild Longe in Thrace when a very tall human came out of the shadows and started to attack Salrim. Ruhtra saw his friend in danger and joined in the fight. As he joined in the fight a female catfolk stepped from the shadows and started to attack them as well. They both died as the outcome. They both remember seeing the catfolk wielding a Dragonfang.

It was rumored that Talithia the Thief owns the Dragonfang. Akrm, Kylawyn and Skurge did a scry on a catfolk thief named Talithia, she matches the description Ruhtra remembers.

After talking with Talithia and ascertaining that it is she that does own the Dragonfang weapon and that she has had it in her possesion for about a year, maybe longer. Dragonfang is a very unique weapon, there is only one if its kind in existance.

In summation, both victims remember seeing one of thier attackers wieldinga Dragonfang. We have determined that Talithia of the Thieves guild owns and wields the Dragonfang. Talithia also matches the discription of one of the victims, Ruhtra.

# Brief for the defense, submitted by Talithia
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My response is quite simple. The two in question, Salrim and Ruhtra give no evidence that I committed such a crime other than they claim that they were attacked by someone of my description who was wielding dragonfang, the weapon that was in my possession at the time. The fact that I had dragonfang was widely known to many residents of Sable. Anyone who wished to frame me for a crime at that time could easily state, "it was that catfolk thief, with dragonfang, in the adventurer's guild". However, this testimony by these two was given after their deaths, and quite soon after, if I remember correctly. Minutes after the rumours of their deaths spread through Sable, I had people asking me if I had dragonfang. Well, of course I do. The only explanation I can see for this, is that they woke with fuzzy memories in Vivoria's temple and for some reason decided, or had it suggested to them while their minds were in such a weary state, that they would use this death as an opportunity to get at me. Why? There doesn't seem as if there is much motive, other than the fact that one is Bilanxian, the other a canis, so, who better to frame than a catfolk thief.

Quite simply put, this is a case where it is their word against mine. I had been hunting out in the northern swamps the entire day, and most certainly was no where near the lounge in question where these murders took place. Unfortunately, I have no alibi to state where I was since I was hunting alone, however, they also have no witnesses saying I was in the lounge, either. So, again, it is the shaky word of two who were recently dead at the time against mine. I hope that the Judge sees that this is simply a case of a false accusation.

Thank you for your time. And, again, I apologize for the lateness of this response. I throw myself on the mercy of the court in this matter.

## Judgment: Crim225-1j

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                        )
Rex,                    )
                        )
                        )
v.                      )       Crim225-1
                        )
                        )       DECIDED: Hoerfest 1, 235
Talithia                )
________________________)
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**Charge:**

Talithia stands accused of the murder of Salrim and Ruthra

**Findings of Fact:**

1) The artifact DragonFang is a very distinctive, unique artifact.

2) Both victims described a murder weapon that was clearly DragonFang.

3) Talithia was wielding DragonFang at the time of the murder.

4) The description given by both victims of their murderer matched exactly with the description of Talithia given by three independent individuals.

**Discussion:**

*Description:* Both victims gave a description of the female catfolk that murdered them. Three other citizens (Akrm, Skurge, and Kylawyn) were able to verify that these descriptions matched that of Talithia, a female catfolk. This evidence, while not absolutely conclusive, creates a reasonable belief that the murderer was in fact Talithia. It is important to note that this amount of evidence alone IS NOT sufficient to prove that Talithia is guilty of murdering Salrim and Ruthra.

*DragonFang:* The unique, mystical artifact known as DragonFang is a very distinctive item. Artifacts of this type are so spectacular that oftentimes their wielder is known more by their possession of the artifact than their own deeds! It has been clearly established that at the time of this murder, Talithia was in fact, the Wielder of DragonFang. It has also been adequately established that the murderer was wielding that same artifact. Again, this evidence alone IS NOT sufficient to lead to a verdict of guilty.

While neither piece of evidence is enough on its own to lead to a conviction, together they create a reasonable conclusion that Talithia did in fact murder Salrm and Ruhtra. The issue of the artifact is the most conclusive of the two, but it is only the existence of both that lead, in this case, to a conviction.

**Holding:**

*Murder of Salrim:* Guilty

*Murder of Ruthra:* Guilty

**Sentence:**

Talithia is to pay 150 orb to a Justicar of sergeant rank or higher. 20 orb of this will be held in trust to be distributed to Salrim and Ruhtra.