Crim198-1

*See:* Case history

# Brief for the King, submitted by Dalaena

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The King's Brief for the prosecution of Archon for the Attempted Murder of Siegfried, submitted by Dalaena

Mortis, when He comes for us, takes quite a bit out of all of us. We are vulnerable when Vivoria brings us back from the realm of death, since death is such a strenuous event. We hope that the temple of Vivoria could be a place for all of us to be able to rest after the harrowing experience of death. Unfortunately, some exploit Vivoria's temple as a place where enemies are most weak.

Siegfried, a member of the psion's guild and Overlord of Clan Shiva, was victim to an attack in Vivoria's temple soon after rumors of his death reached the realm. According to Siegfried, he met Mortis and then arrived in the temple of Vivoria. Siegfried is known to be a strong leader, a gentle catfolk, and an all-around good guy; so several clerics rushed to the temple when they heard rumors of his death. Dalaena and Meara, clerics who have both been aided by Siegfried at one time or another, healed him and provided him with a cloak. The clerics left soon after they healed Siegfried.

Doral, another psion and friend to Siegfried, stayed behind to keep him company. According to both Doral and Siegfried, a fighter and another psion known as Lethalchem arrived at the temple of Vivoria. A few words were exchanged, and a fight between Siegfried and Lethalchem commenced. Here, the testimonies differ. Archon, the fighter who accompanied Lethalchem to the temple, testified that Siegfried was the first to attack, and Doral and Siegfried both testified that Lethalchem attacked first. At the time of the attack, Siegfried was unarmed and wearing only a cloak. Would an unarmed person who had just been back from the realm of Mortis attack a fully armed psion? That seems highly unlikely, especially for someone of Siegfried's intelligence and wisdom. Siegfried fled from the scene fearing for his life. Lethalchem did not follow but stood in the temple and cackled in glee. Archon, however, did follow Siegfried out. Doral, fearing for Seigfried's life, followed him out of the temple and saw Siegfried battling for his life against a fully armed and armored fighter. Siegfried was still wearing a cloak and was unarmed. Siegfried ran, and Archon gave chase.

Clearly, Archon fully intended to murder Siegfried. He and Lethalchem attacked an unarmed and nearly naked person who was just recovering from death. If the clerics had not healed Siegfried, a blow or two from Archon or Lethalchem would have slain him. Moreover, they would have likely known that Siegfried would be weak during the moments after his death, both being experienced adventurers who have likely met Mortis once or twice themselves. Archon and Lethalchem had every intention to slay Siegfried, and they failed only because Siegfried had been healed and ran from them fast enough.

Also, Archon deliberately lied in his interview with a Justicar. He stated that Siegfried had started the fight. Two testimonies contradict his; moreover, he refused to be interviewed for a second time. Also, logic dictates that an unarmed and naked person recovering from a visit to Mortis' realm would not attack a fully armed and healthy person. Apparently, under the light of these facts, Archon lied.

The prosecution recommends that Archon compensates Siegfried for the emotional and physical damage he suffered in Archon's attempt at murder in the sum of 20 orbs. The prosecution also urges that Archon be additionally punished for his attempts to mislead the investigation.