Trial of Narfinsel

The **Trial at Narfinsel**, which took place in 4E 220, was a pivotal event leading up to the Covenant Wars during the tenure of High Chancellor Callistus Therin of the Elder Council. The trial's origins lay in the dispatch of ten Whiterun guards to protect an ambassador at Lady Kyrielle Therin's grand feast. However, as festivities progressed, rumors of a soldier's misconduct incited a mob against the guards, culminating in a volley of crossbow bolts. The ensuing standoff saw Cyrodiil's nobility demanding justice, with Lord Dinshar advocating for a fair trial and threatening repercussions against Chancellor Therin. Despite the trial's intent, it was Lord Dinshar who faced accusations and, upon his conviction, relinquished his keep to the Therins to avert further conflict. His pleas for mercy, rooted in the sacred tenets of hospitality, fell on deaf ears, leading to his execution by the eldest Sicarius son. This tragic event birthed a haunting ballad by the Slowhand, a reminder of the incident that resonates in Ceyatatar's streets and perpetuates animosity towards the Nords.

## Prelude

Narfinsel, an ancient Ayleid castle with a rich history, was chosen as the grand venue for Lady Kyrielle Therin's nameday celebration. The castle, with its majestic walls and storied past, stood as a testament to the power and prestige of the Therin lineage. Dinshar Woodland, a prominent merchant with extensive trade ties to Skyrim, saw this occasion as an opportune moment. He extended an invitation to the ambassador of Whiterun, hoping to bridge a dialogue with High Chancellor Callistus Therin regarding the escalating revolts in the north and the growing discontent echoing through the streets of Cyrodiil. However, beneath the surface of this diplomatic gesture, there were underlying currents of ambition and strategy. Some whispered that Dinshar's intentions were not solely rooted in commerce and peace, but also in the intricate dance of power and influence.

## The Trial of Narfinsel

Whispers among the smallfolk suggest that a young Sicarius might have been the catalyst for the events that unfolded. As the grand feast in Lady Kyrielle Therin’s honor progressed, a retinue of ten Whiterun guards, tasked with safeguarding an ambassador, found themselves surrounded by an agitated mob. Fueled by rumors of a soldier's dishonor, tensions escalated until a crossbow bolt was released, followed swiftly by seven more.

For two weeks, the nobility of Cyrodiil remained at Narfinsel, refusing to return to their domains until justice was served and the Nordsmen responsible were executed. High Chancellor Callistus Therin, with his formidable forces, had the means to storm Narfinsel and exact retribution. However, Lord Dinshar, advocating for justice and a fair trial, became a vocal opponent. He warned against any rash actions, threatening to charge Therin with tyranny before the Elder Council if the guards were executed without a proper trial.

However, as the trial's stage was set, it was Lord Dinshar who found himself in the defendant's seat. Upon his swift conviction, he relinquished his keep to the Therins in a bid to prevent further bloodshed. Despite his pleas for mercy, invoking the sacred rights of hospitality, Chancellor Therin remained unmoved. That evening, the Slowhand composed a somber ballad in memory of those struck down by the northern crossbow bolts, a melody that still resonates in Ceyatatar's streets. The animosity towards the Nords remains palpable among many.

Regarding the Ashcrows, Duke Godrich Ashcrow presided as one of the judges during the trial. Legate Septimorian, who was in Ceyatatar at the time, recalls Lady Ashcrow's vehement denouncement of the proceedings. The fate of Lord Dinshar was determined by three key figures: Duke Godrich, who sought to mediate between his wife and the Therins; Dalacard Rethwode; and Kydonius Therin. With the scales tipped equally between the Ashcrows and Therins, it was Rethwode's decision that sealed Dinshar's fate. While Prince Therin's fury threatened to raze Narfinsel, Callistus heeded Rethwode's advice against such action. The eldest of the Sicarius lineage executed Lord Dinshar. The Ashcrows, under the cover of darkness, departed from Narfinsel, marking a significant shift in the realm's dynamics. Tragically, Countess Kathelinne succumbed to a mysterious ailment within the next six months, leading to the eventual decline of the Ashcrow lineage.