h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This grand room doubles as the throne room, ball room, court room, ceremonial hall and orchastra hall. The original monarch who inhabited this castle was so kind-hearted and unselfish that he had said he didn't want a throne room - or any one room dedicated to himself alone, which led to this unusual, though delightful arrangement.

His Majesty King Michael himself often sits here upon a golden throne. Beside him the Queen's throne is not empty because he has his daughter, Her Highness Princess Abigail, sit there. After the loss of his beloved Queen, he could not bear seeing it's emptyness every day for the rest of his reign. Now the historical Princess's seat fills in for providing the empty feeling instead.

Here, there is always rich food and wine, entertainment, music and dance, intelligent conversation and a general feeling of keeping the riff-raff happy but elsewhere. Except when the King is speaking or holding court. Then the hall is silent except for the echoes of his voice, for the room is accostically designed for any decently loud sound from a spot where he stands directly in front of his throne to be heard from everywhere within it.

Also always here is a definate feeling of the solid presence of the law.
Nerd42

[Herald] Hear ye, hear ye! His Majesty King Michael the First will now listen to the petitions and buisiness of the people of Quavia! Long live the King!

[Crowd] Long live the King! HEY!

[Herald] (just for good measure) Long live the King!

[Crowd] Long live the King! HEY! HEY!
Nerd42

A huge commotion starts in the crowd as many people try to push their way to the front. A huge armor-wearing individual brings in a Jester. who seems dreadfully afraid that his head will be chopped off.

[Tough Guy] Your Majesty, I have brought you a criminal. This rouge has looed the spirit of a cursed Dark Blade on our fair town, and I have captured him! I claim the bounty that lies on the heads of all cursed criminals!

[King Michael] Indeed? And who is this other odd looking chap?

[Gandark] *bows* I am Gandark Underhill, your Majesty. A professional spell-caster, and an honest one.

[King Michael] Gandark?? ... Yes! I remember my father, King Charles, spoke of that name! You were Court Magician, were you not?

[Gandark] That is correct, Sire. So long ago, even I had forgotten. No wonder your fair realm seems so farmiliar to me!

[King Michael] Your old position is open, now, much to the Grand Master of the Order of Quavia's chagrin!

[Gandark] And you are offering it to me again, as your grandfather first did?

[King Michael] Indeed I am! Will you take it?

[Gandark] I shall have to think on the matter. But I am at your service, sire, and I tell you this poor knave is innocent!

[King Michael] Well, that will be determined at the trial.
[King Michael] Servants! Prepare this chamber to be a courtroom!



[Herald] Yes, your Majesty!
Nerd42

[Aeryn] *watched in amazement and tried to fade into the shadows inconspicuously*

[Event: "Dark Sword Rises Part II; the Jester's Trial" by Nerd42]
This is not a combative event. Unless somebody wants to start a riot and get killed, but it is possible to stop the trial and/or rescue the jester, but probably not wise or nessicary because he'll likely get off.
Players can take either side in the trial if they want to speak up, though, especially if they are witnesses, and both sides want to be able to produce witnesses. Anyone who wasn't at the last event can try and help as well if they like, and can even lie under oath.
Such behaviour is terrible bad luck for whoever does it, but makes for a very interesting game. At some point in this (not during this event hopefully) somebody should start a rebellion. That'd be interesting!

Nerd42

The servants begin bringing in huge wooden pieces of furnature that make the ballroom look just like a courtroom.

The herald finally proclaims, "ALL RISE!"

[Herald] The High Court of Quavia is now in session! His Majesty the honorable King Michael the First presiding! God save the King, and this honorable court!

Since the crowd was already standing and the King was already sitting, nothing much changed when the herald said this.

[King Michael] The prosecution mag begin!

[Tough Guy] erm ... Just a second!!

[Tough Guy] (to player characters) Anybody got any ideas? I'll share the bounty with anybody who helps out if we can get this scoundrel convicted. I need a good prosecutor!

[Jester] Mr. Undeerhill, sir! Will you be my defense lawyer!?



[Gandark] I'm not liscensed to practice law in this province ... In fact, I've never been liscensed to practice law at all ... but then my memory's not the best considering I'd forgotten that I'd lived in this building for years ... looks like the prosecutor isn't going to be a lawyer either so I guess that doesn't matter... hmm I'm not sure...



[Gandark] Will no one else take up the defense!?
Nerd42

at this point, I'll let it sit until some people (besides Aeryn who I know is already here) show up and read all this backlog. sorry it's so long folks! This "Jester's Trial" event might involve alot of reading but it will be very exciting, I promise!
There are no requirements to join in the trial. In fact, it would be better to have prosecuting and defense attorneys who weren't at the original incident so they won't have to call themselves to the stand. But that's not even a requirement - and completely possible.

Jump in there, folks!

Nerd42

*Sidles into the ballroom, leaving watery footprints behind him.*

[Gandark] Oh look its the Walking Mess again. Hi-ho!
Nerd42

[Filth]Oi! I'm not that messy... just a bit grubby, and maybe a little damp...

fancy reading the backlog and takin a side?
Nerd42

I think I'll side with the Jester.

If you read the backlog, Gandark was just asking if anyone would take up the defense. To get in on that side, it might be a good idea to offer to be the defense attorney.
Nerd42

[Filth]I'll take on the defence...

[Jester] Excellent! I had no idea that sword was cursted!

[Tough Guy] Nobody's answered me yet! Come on! Help put a dangerous criminal away and get money for it! Help me prosecute!
Nerd42

[Filth]While we're waitin' for a prosecutor can I have a look at the case history wotsit and any edivence stuff you may have?

[Gandark] Well there's the accused's own testimony that the prosecution can't cross-examine .... we can call witnesses ... All the heroes who saw the battle are witnesses, and it looks like the Jester wants to plead total innocence and ignorance of the curse.
it all happened in the Marketplace ... but the NPCs who weren't there (like the King) will of course not know what that thread says so the past is not exactly a matter of record and nothing says liars will be caught. There is no obligation to tell the truth besides the oaths the witnesses will take, the risk of discovery and their own consciences.
Nerd42

[Sharp]: *Bursts into the room by butting the doors open, and makes a theatrical display of smoke to accompany his dramatic entrance, as well as throwing down 2 fistfulls of flash powder for effect,*
"I have here with me the one who is truely responsible."
*Hoists up arms dealer by scruff of shirt and sets him down in the center of the room. "You don't even think about trying to escape, I'm watching you."

[Sharp]: "And I am Sharp, black arts mage, and justice-seeker to boot!"

*Yelps involuntarily as the flash powder goes off.*

[Filth]Looks like my job's gonna be easier than I thought.