World Boss: Break the Narrative

So if you kick a snow lion’s head hard enough -really, really hard mind you- it will detach and launch itself into a wall, bounce off the first wall, ricochet around off two more walls as it almost gets stuck in a corner, and then nearly slam into Brand’s face.

Fortunately he is very quick when he wants to be.

I put a newly crafted pelt rug over the blood stain on the floor. It was in the center of the… space in front of the jury? The well, so it looked on purpose.

Another thirty minutes of scrambling later and Brunhilda and I had installed a judge seat… pulpit… bench. A witness stand was next. Then two big amphitheater style sets of seats. We would have installed a balcony, but frankly we ran out of time. Also, we never built stairs, which I was beginning to realize was a recurring issue.

“I would place our table here,” Toad said. He pointed at the floor, “and the defense here.”

“That puts us next to the seats for the… humans,” I said. I tried to find a better way to say that. … nope couldn’t think of one.

“Exactly, we will have to convince them of Tazia’s goblinhood. Proximity is key. We need them looking at you, not the killers,” Toad insisted.

I paused, “Isn’t that a little underhanded?”

Toad shrugged, “Do you have any doubt in your mind they are guilty?”

“None,” I said.

“Then it is zealous protection of all potential future victims,” Toad pointed out.

Moral gray areas aside, I did what he said.

A few problems became immediately self evident once people started to show up. Toad was correct that the people from the Mandir weren’t going to sit with the people from the goblin camp. I wasn’t surprised there. I was a bit disappointed, but not surprised. The first real issue that needed to be addressed was that the doors on the sides both lead straight out into the open. If both doors opened at the same time the wind blew through and made a hell of noise. Brunhilda and I crafted two entryways. The wind led to another issue. It was freezing inside this building. The crowd warmed it up about twenty degrees. So that took the interior from minus thirty to minus ten.

I could see everyone’s breath. A lot of folks were shivering. It turns out buildings are more complicated than four walls and a roof. Some Blood Iron braziers set up under the seats, and a lot of pelts on the walls, and the room got above freezing temperature.

“Not bad, only a little late. We weren’t gonna start on time anyways,” Nanny Shank admitted. “Before we get too far into this. Did you two put bathrooms somewhere I don’t know about?” When she saw us exchange looks she sighed.

“I’ll take care of it.” Brunhilda muttered as she trudged outside, “People are gonna have to make due with outhouses. I figure fifty shitters should be enough for 1,000 people.”

That was going to need toilet paper. I crafted another three rolls of vellum and tossed them to her, “Thank you.”

She caught and tossed the material into her inventory, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

Nanny Shank climbed up the stairs and pulled an actual hammer out of her pocket and loudly slammed it on her tabletop, “Shut up!”

Mark Nanny Shank as Judge for Red Hall of Justice? Yes/No

I selected yes. I guess this was my building. I did make it.

It took people a while to actually quiet down.

“Pappies, make the kids calm down,” Nanny Shank said. A small collective of old man goblins stood and basically every goblin shut up. When she saw one of the Pappies heading toward the humans, Nanny Shank called after him, “Pappy Havok, no. You deal with goblins.” She scanned the crowd and found Zarina, “Can you get your people to stop talking? Where is the mustache man?”

Zarina nodded to her students, and then hopped down to the well, “Sunit is staying outside to make sure nothing silly happens.”

“So you are going to be responsible for inside then?” Nanny Shank asked.

“Yes,” Zarina nodded.

“And the… elf?” Nanny Shank pressed.

“She is staying at the Mandir,” Zarina explained.

“Good enough,” Nanny Shank acknowledged.

Allow Nanny Shank to mark you as Prosecutor? Yes/No

I hit yes.

Everyone looked at me.

Ah shit, “What?”

Nanny Shank pitched her voice low, “You going to produce the accused?”

Ah shit!

“I sent for them,” Toad announced. “They should arrive shortly. I apologize for any inconvenience, but I expected some delays and decided to let the pieces fall into place.”

Mark Toad Badkiss as Assistant Prosecutor? Yes/No

Again I hit yes.

“You psychotic bitch!” Madigan yelled. To his credit Rachel had just chucked him through the entryway and he had landed hard on the floor. It is difficult to stick the landing when your hands are shackled behind your back.

I winced inside. That was going to look awful… also we shouldn’t do that sort of thing, even to people like Madigan.

Rachel stepped into view. She stalked after Madigan and seized the collar of his jacket and yanked him to his feet. “Fight me again. Do it. Let’s see what happens.”

Madigan decided against direct conflict. Instead he turned to the crowd, “This is all a sham!”

Grimset materialized out of the crowd, “We talked about this. Don’t fight the enforcers. We will have our chance to speak. We need to use it.”

To my surprise Madigan listened. Chet and Waldo followed. Both were flanked by thick-necked chimera soldiers. The two young men looked like scared kids. Yeah, the injuries had healed, but their clothes were covered in blood and tattered.

I should have considered that. Not just because of the optics. It was wrong to simply let people stew in old and damaged clothing in the cold.

“Sit there,” Nanny Shank told them. She pointed with her hammer.

Allow Nanny Shank to Mark: Travis Madigan, Chet Adams and Waldo Seevers as Defendants? Yes/No

Allow Nanny Shank to Mark Marvin Grimset as Defense? Yes/No

I selected yes to both. Should I really have control over this? That doesn’t seem fair.

“I do not recognize the authority of this court. This is a sham trial meant to destabilize the Mandir. All of this is just a blatant power grab of the Titan Spawn!” Madigan was shouting at the end.

A large number of humans cheered. Some tried to stand, but others held them back.

Ah shit. This was almost certainly going to get violent.

Rachel grabbed Madigan again and placed one hand on his neck and kicked the feet out from under him. She flung him into a chair, “She said sit down.” Rachel eyed Chet and Waldo. They dutifully sat.

“Nanny, is this trial simply going to be people beating my clients?” Grimset asked.

The crowd started shouting again.

“Shut up!” Nanny Shank slammed the hammer again. “If I have to, I will start ejecting people from this court.”

“You and what army?” a young lady from the Mandir demanded.

“Yo!” Angelica called, with a casual wave. She was standing in the back of the courthouse, leaning against a wall.

The formerly-agitated young lady sat down, “That’s a good army.”

Things began to quiet. Grimset called over the noise, “Nan- Your Honor, I request my clients be unchained during the trial.”

Nanny Shank nodded and turned to Rachel, “Take the cuffs off.”

“Do it,” Rachel ordered the other soldier. They dutifully let Madigan and the others out of their chains. There was a very tense moment once Madigan was free. To my surprise he simply sat down.

I expected more of a fight from everyone involved in that exchange. Maybe it was an accident on their part.

When things quieted down Nanny Shank spoke again, “Let’s get some stuff out of the way. This trial is happening. Everyone here will hear testimony presented by first the prosecution and then the defense. After that twelve of you, six goblins and six members of the Mandir, will be selected at random. Each will offer a verdict of Guilty or Not Guilty. If a majority verdict is guilty the accused will be sentenced. If the verdict is a tie or Not Guilty they go free.”

Nanny Shank took a breath, “Next order of business. Who here is armed?”

Basically everyone raised their hands.

“What a shock,” Nanny Shank muttered before declaring to everyone, “Everyone keep the weapons in your pockets. If you try something stupid, it will go badly for you. I have marked Angelica De Leon, Philip Spindle-Bite and Sunit Patel as bailiffs of the court. Don’t make them make you behave.”

Allow Nanny Shank to Mark: Angelica De Leon, Philip Spindle-Bite and Sunit Patel as Bailiffs of the court? Yes/No

The crowd didn’t seem to like that. I did, though, and hit yes.

“Good. Let's get this going.” Nanny Shank said. “Opening statement.”

I almost blue screened. I just kept looking at the faces of the crowd.

Toad elbowed me, “Do not be intimidated. Our goal is to seek justice for Tazia Shiv. Tell them what happened to her.”

I felt the nail on my pinkie finger. I am not the titan.

I can’t treat this like everything else. A plan would be great, and I should have prepared more, but this was happening now. No getting lost in my thoughts and outline goals. Toad was right, I needed to tell Tazia’s story.

“Tazia Shiv was a young woman, serving her people as a scout. She would go into the wastes and find the safest paths. It was risky work. All of you know the dangers out there. Mobs, the weather, dungeons, none of that stopped her. She was killed because she crossed the paths of two young men, Chet Adams, and Waldo Seevers. We, the prosecution, will present evidence showing that Chet and Waldo approached Tazia, started a brawl with her, and then murdered her on the orders of Tavis Madigan. Tazia should be here now, with her younger brother. She died because of a political grudge. All of us are obligated to listen to this with an open mind, and if necessary as a member of the jury provide a verdict based on the facts. Thank you.”

A lot of people looked confused. A murmur rippled through the crowd.

A lot of it was noise, but one thing did cut through, “Why didn’t he use a skill?”

I felt the weight of scrutinizing skills press on me. Not sure if people could use the system to actually read my intent. I did have a lot of traits that made that difficult.

Nanny Shank pounded with the hammer, “Shut up. You’re here to listen.” She turned to Grimset. “Defense, do you have an opening statement?”

“Yes,” Grimset stood. When Nanny Shank nodded he continued. “The prosecution sounds so certain. They shouldn’t though. The defense will show that the prosecution has no concrete evidence nor eyewitnesses. They have claims of an old man who did not see anything, a burnt musical instrument, and the testimony of three men abducted from their homes and beaten into confessions. The Prosecution is correct that politics are at play but they are misleading when they imply that the accused are ones engaging in machinations. The defense will show this.” Grimset turned to the goblins in the crowd, “Just like the prosecution we ask that you listen and see the insubstantial nature of this case. Tazia is dead, but they have to prove these men are guilty. That requires solid evidence, not implications and baseless assertions from a Titan Spawn. Thank you.”

Mental Resistance blocks the effects of Persuasion skill

Grimset’s words had a much more acute effect. Several people from the Mandir cheered. As dumb as it was -this was a trial, not a sport- a similar number of goblins booed. The Pappies stepped in and were less than gentle in quieting their side of the aisle.

Angelica shot the crowd from the Mandir a single look, and they stopped cheering.

I probably do need to actually develop social skills. …no. Not today.

Once things calmed down Nanny Shank pushed things forward, “Doug, Call your first witness.”

This was happening fast. Just keep moving.

“Call Chet first,” Toad prompted me.

“Are you sure?” I asked, quietly.

“Yes. We want them first, and Minoru last,” Toad whispered

I stood, “Prosecution's first witness is Chet Adams.”

Everyone looked at Chet. He didn’t stand to approach the stand, “Uh…I don’t recognize the officialness of this. So… I refuse to participate in this sham trial, because it is rigged.”

“Get up there or I will throw you up there,” Rachel said from behind him lightly kicking his chair.

“Rachel stop that,” I cut in.

She glared at me but stepped back.

Nanny Shank eyed me, “The prosecution will refrain from any further outburst like that.” She turned to Rachel, “Touch one more person in this court and I will have a bailiff eject you.”

“Yes your Honor,” Rachel said quickly. Apparently respect for authority was drilled into people from the Technacoast.

Actually, I really shouldn’t be surprised by that.

Nanny Shank studied Chet for a long moment, “You got two options. You can either come up here and testify, or I can compel you to.”

“What does that look like?” Chet asked.

“If need be, a bailiff will physically bring you up to this witness stand.” Nanny Shank explained.

Chet sighed like a teenager, “Fine.” he stood and walked to the witness stand and sat sullenly. “Do I have to swear something?”

“I mean you can lie, but if you get caught doing that it basically ruins your defense,” Nanny Shank pointed out. “I would advise against it. Ask your questions Doug.”

I considered for a second. May as well just go for the main point. “Chet, did you kill Tazia?”

Grimset stood, “Objection! That question is… Prejudicial.”

Nanny Shank shook her head, “Overruled.” She turned to Chet, “Answer the question.”

Chet looked to Grimset and Madigan. After they both nodded he said, “I choose not to answer, because I do… don’t respect the… validity of this court?”

Before I could speak Toad stood, “Objection! That is not an acceptable answer.”

“That’s not a valid objection,” Nanny Shank said. “He can say what he wants, within reason, but I am going to warn the defense that the jury could make an adverse inference if the accused refuses to testify.”

“What’s that mean?” Chet asked.

“People may think you are guilty because you aren’t providing a defense,” Nanny Shank explained.

“That’s not fair,” Chet complained.

“How do you figure?” Nanny Shank asked.

“Uh… because… that could… fuck me,” Chet stumbled through his answer.

“Would answering the question have the same risk?” Nanny Shank asked.

“I guess,” Chet admitted.

“Then it is fair,” Nanny Shank pounded her hammer. “Prosecution, continue.”

“Let’s start a bit more basic.” I said. “Is your name Chet Adams?”

“I do not wish to answer.” Chet said.

“Okay, where were you last night between the hours of ten p.m. and three a.m.?” I asked.

“I don’t want to answer,” Chet said.

“Can anyone vouch for your whereabouts at that time?” I asked.

“I don’t want to answer,” Chet repeated.

I shrugged ,”Your choice, Let’s try something a little different. Do you regret Tazia’s death.”

“Objection!” Grimset pounded the table.

“On what grounds?” Nanny Shank asked.

“Relevance,” Grimset offered.

Everyone looked at me, “I would argue the mental state of the accused is at the heart of the issue.”

Nanny Shank considered that for a long time, “I am going to allow this.”

“That’s bullshit!” Chet protested.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because the whole point of it is to make me look like an asshole. If I say I am sorry I look guilty. If I say I am not sorry I look like a murderer. If I say I don’t want to answer I am just opening myself up to adverse interference.”

“Inference,” I corrected.

“That,” Chet pressed on. “It’s bullshit. You are pushing it because you don’t have any evidence to talk about.”

“Okay, What about the tooth we found in your boot?” I asked.

Chet paled. “What about it?”

“Where did it come from?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Chet snapped.

Yep. That was a lot of people using a lot of skills to scrutinize us.

“Prosecution submits the following pieces of evidence.” Toad declared to the people of the Mandir. “One Goblin tooth belonging to Tazia Shiv, and one boot formerly belonging to Chet Adams. Note the hole in the sole matching the tooth. Before a verdict we invite any members of the Jury to inspect the material under the supervision of the court.”

“How did Tazia’s tooth end up in your boot, Chet?” I asked, I pressed a lot harder this time.

“Well shit… I mean…” Chet paused. “I am not going to answer that.”

I decided to throw him a bone. “Chet, I don't think you have thought out this defense. You realize it leaves you completely on the hook for Tazia’s murder, while basically only protecting Madigan. You see that right?”

“Objection!” Grimset almost shouted.

Everyone waited. Eventually Nanny Shank asked, “On what grounds?”

“It is a leading question,” Grimset said.

“That’s fair. Don’t answer that question,” Nanny Shank said. “Any potential jurors will disregard the question as well.”

Chet certainly didn’t disregard that question. He was staring at Madigan and Grimset.

“What happened, Chet?” I asked gently.

Chet took a long time to answer. “Things… got out of hand. No… that’s not true… Madigan told us to kill a goblin.”

Madigan glared at Chet. The young man shut his mouth.

“Why did Madigan order you to kill a goblin?” I asked.

“I don’t want to answer that,” Chet said, staring at the floor.

“Is there anything you would like to say?” I asked.

“I don’t want to answer that question,” Chet said flatly.

I looked to Toad.

He shrugged before whispering, “Let him go. We have what we need. Any further question could just make him look sympathetic.”

“No further questions,” I declared.

“Does the defense wish to cross examine?” Nanny Shank asked.

Madigan and Grimset were whispering at each other. Things were getting quite heated over there.

“Fine,” Grimset snapped, “No questions.”

“Alright, you can step down.” Nanny Shank told Chet.

“Could I sit somewhere else?” Chet asked.

I could hear the crowd muttering about that. Toad was right. We had gotten what we needed out of Chet.

I hated that thought. Okay, that isn’t quite true. I hated that I was thinking like that. This wasn’t about winning, it was about justice for Tazia. That had to be the focus.