It’s time to win the trial.
Are you quite sure of this? You cannot present any new evidence once the trial has begun. The more evidence you collect and the more witnesses you have, the better your chances of winning the trial will be.
Do you wish to begin with the trial or would you prefer to continue your investigation?
I have enough evidence. Let the trial begin!
The trial will proceed as follows: I will present our case for each charge that is to be brought against Salina and you will then have the opportunity to refute our case. You may present each statement and each piece of evidence only once during the trial. Consider carefully which evidence you wish to present and in the order in which you present it, my friend.
You will also have the opportunity to address the court and enter a final plea for the accused. You may also present circumstantial evidence in order to prove Salina's innocence or to outline your case against another potential perpetrator. The same rule applies here: Each statement and each piece of evidence may be used only once. If you have already presented a piece of evidence during your defence, you may not use it again while entering your final plea.
Do you understand?
I understand. Let’s begin.
Salina, Queen of the Mountebanks, is charged with having committed a number of serious crimes against the dwarven kingdom of Tosh Mur and the Royal City of Murolosh. In the course of this trial, I, King Arombolosh of Murolosh, will prove the guilt of the accused beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Let us come to the first charge. Salina is new and unknown in Murolosh, she is a Mountebank with no permanent roots - and that alone makes her very suspicious. Furthermore, she repeatedly performed her arts in front of Murolosh's youth during the last few days, even though she had been expressly forbidden from doing so. With her disobedience Salina planted all kinds of unDwarflike thoughts into the heads of our young Angroshim!
I am also a stranger to this city. Why don't you put me on trial too?
You are no stranger. You are a valiant companion of Prince Arom of Murolosh - my son. I understand your intentions however and I shall ignore this point in my judgment.
High Priest Xolgorax was found nearly dead in his chamber, because someone had poisoned the beer for the temple. At the time of this vile attack on our high priest no one saw the accused Salina in Murolosh.
[Present 'Alibi' as evidence]
It may well be that Salina does not have an alibi for this crime. But I can present to you a witness who can provide Salina with an alibi for the time of one of the other crimes.
I call Grimbeard son of Kirolosh as my next witness!
Grimbeard, son of Kirolosh, you have been called as a witness in these proceedings. Angrosh himself is looking upon you from above. Speak only the truth, and let no lie pass your lips. Have you understood?
Then speak!
Salina cannot have been involved in the sabotage attack on the mine tunnel. At the time of the attack she was ... staging a private show ... for my friends and me. I realize that you had previously forbidden us from attending the Mountebank's performance and that we will be punished for our disobedience, but I cannot stand by and watch an innocent woman be punished for a crime she did not commit.
Grimbeard, you knew that I had expressly forbidden any contact between yourself and the Mountebank. And yet you chose to defy my wishes! You will be punished for your actions in due time. But! Your statement does indeed clear Salina's name. I will decide on the appropriate punishment for you and your friends later.
Dwarf Grazima's storerooms were overrun by a plague of lice. At the same time valuable items were taken. Shortly before the deed, a Bigling was seen leaving the chamber. And Salina is a Bigling!
A stone tablet was stolen from Grazima's storeroom. Was it found amongst the accused's belongings?
I have to admit that we failed to find the tablet on her or at her place of residence here in Murolosh. She may have tried to hide it somewhere, although she really didn't have enough time to do that ... Hmm.
A valuable artifact was stolen. Shards of glass that have been identified as being from one of Salina's juggling balls were found at the scene of the crime. She must have dropped them when she broke in!
The artifact is still missing, isn't it? If Salina had stolen the artifact, the guards would have found it among her possessions.
The artifact has not been retrieved yet, but Salina may have hidden it or even sold it in the meantime. She had plenty of time to do so. The evidence is against her.
And finally: A few hours ago a gallery collapsed in the mine that destroyed several days' work and took the lives of good Dwarf laborers. We found a scrap of cloth from one of Salina's dresses at the scene of the tragedy. In addition, a woman's voice was heard, so she must have been at the crime scene!
[Present 'Scrap of Cloth' as evidence]
Look! The scrap of cloth is filthy, but the dress that the cloth was allegedly torn from is clean and tidy. It's as though somebody deliberately placed the scrap of cloth at the scene!
Let me have a look ... Hmm, you're right. That looks most suspicious! And she hardly had enough time to wash, dry and iron the dress afterwards. That would indeed appear to weaken our case against Salina.
I have read the charges and have heard the defense's arguments. You will now have the opportunity to deliver your closing remarks, Martin Schulz.
I’m ready, your Majesty.
Present us with your next item.
[General remarks] I would like to begin by making a few general comments.
Of course. Take your time, Martin Schulz.
I know Salina well and I'm willing to vouch for her character. She is a trustworthy individual.
You have mentioned this before, Martin Schulz. But perhaps you are simply too quick to trust those you meet?
Present us with your next item.
[Mention the red hair in the storeroom]
I found another piece of evidence relating to the poisoning of Xolgorax!
Really? Tell us more.
[Present 'Red Hair' as evidence]
We found this strand of red hair in the storeroom. But Salina doesn't have red hair! The hair must belong to the real perpetrator and this strand of hair is exactly the same color as Aldessia's hair!
Aha! Aldessia ... Hmm, what you say is true. Salina does not have red hair. But Aldessia is one of our trustworthy guests. A strand of hair is not enough to make a suspect out of her. But I shall take note of your argument.
Present us with your next item.
[Mention the louse bait]
I found out the cause of the lice infestation in Grazima's storeroom: This bottle of lice bait was hidden in the storeroom!
What else can you tell us about this bait?
[Present 'Khom Connection' as evidence]
This type of lice bait comes from the Khom Desert - and everyone knows that Aldessia trades with merchants from the Khom Desert. You just have to look at her wares to know this ... The bait must belong to Aldessia!
But perhaps Aldessia sold the bottle to Salina?
But then why didn't Aldessia come to you as soon as the bottle was found? Her silence is extremely suspicious.
That is a good point. She knew that I was willing to pay a reward for any information pertinent to our inquiries. Her actions are indeed very suspicious.
Present us with your next item.
[Mention the burglary at Salina's rooms]
I would now like to speak about another incident - one which demonstrates that Salina is not a criminal, but is in fact the true victim here.
Another incident? Speak!
[Present 'Burglary' as evidence]
An unknown person was observed breaking into Salina's sleeping quarters. I would like to call Shrobosh son of Simosh as my next witness.
Come forward and address the court Shrobosh son of Simosh!
Shrobosh, son of Simosh, you have been called as a witness in these proceedings. Angrosh himself is looking upon you from above. Speak only the truth, and let no lie pass your lips. Have you understood?
Hmm, that is indeed most extraordinary ... it would also appear to support several of the arguments you have put to the court, Martin Schulz. I will consider this when making my judgment.
Present us with your next item.
[Reveal your suspicions regarding Aldessia]
I have another point I would like to raise concerning Aldessia.
[Present 'Aldessia's Disappearance' as evidence]
I have a statement from Domax son of Doromax! He can testify that Aldessia was frequently absent from her stall in the last few weeks. And ... that she was not at her stall at the time of several of the incidents!
I call on Domax son of Doromax to testify before this court!
Tradesman Domax, Son of Doromax, give your testimony!
In itself that is hardly what one could call suspicious behavior - there could be a perfectly harmless explanation for her absence. However, when I pass my judgment on this matter I will also consider the fact that Aldessia was not at her stall at the time of the incidents.
The defense's closing remarks are herewith completed. All evidence and arguments have been submitted, I will now announce my verdict!
It was an honor, dearest Salina.
You will have plenty of time to thank me later. There are more important things to be done now. We still have to catch the person behind these foul deeds.
Of course, your Majesty. I’m listening.
Martin Schulz, bring Aldessia to me. She has some questions to answer.
Thank you, your Majesty. I will bring Aldessia before your court!
The reward for helping Salina is just a ring.
Yes Dranor, I know. I can't be angry with you after all that has happened.
Shall we return to Ferdok together?
My dearest Salina, I would love to return to Ferdok with you but there are still things to be done here. Our heroic struggle is not over yet. I can't leave Martin Schulz now that we've almost reached our goal.
I understand that. I will wait for you Dranor. Martin Schulz, take good care of my Dranor.
And thank you once more for clearing my name of those despicable crimes.
I was glad I could help.
You are so modest. But I would like to thank you for what you have done for me. Please take this ring as a sign of my gratitude!
Thank you fair lady. What will you do now?
I'm not sure yet. I think I will stay in Murolosh and recover from my imprisonment before continuing with my travels. I don't resent the Dwarves for what they did, but I certainly don't want to perform here anymore.
I wish you good luck on your travels. Farewell, my fair Mountebank!
Guess only games made in Wapan would include “alternative” payments.