Session 49: A Fair Trial in Sigil

Brotor and Danaya awoke after a blissful, mushroom-aided rest and stepped into the hall, where they found Iskar fast asleep in an arm-chair. When Brotor asked the butler for breakfast, the servant instead launched into a lecture about lawful ownership, true proprietors, and documentary proof. The title deeds Brotor carried were suddenly unreadable.

Outside, Saya, Surina, and Fenris were tending their mimics, which had just frightened Apple the pony. As the newly rested adventurers entered the courtyard, the butler slammed the door behind them and refused to let them back in. With no other option, they headed to Fasir’s tower for advice.

They found the tabaxi in dreadful shape: his dearest friend Sevadir had died, he was about to lose both job and lodging, and he had gone three nights without sleep while recreating case files for court. When asked how they could help, Faseer begged them to find an advocate—he was far too exhausted to represent Lux Astra himself. The companions remembered that a Harmonium* guard had once recommended a lawyer named Elison and set out to locate him.

Leaving Lux Astra through the main gate, they emerged into the Hive Ward, specifically among the food stalls of the Greasy Pit. While hunting a route to the Lady’s Ward and the courthouse, they wandered between booths laden with delicacies from every corner of the multiverse—until they spotted a familiar troll porter from Tea Street. Ducking into an alley to follow him, they were blocked by a goblin who demanded, “What business have you on Green Street?” One “last” gold coin from Brotor persuaded the goblin to call the troll, and the party finally secured transport to court.

En route, the troll introduced himself as Yark—a Sensate (member of the Society of Sensation) who, like Factol Erin Montgomery, wished to learn to enjoy unpleasant feelings.

Yark left them at the steps of the Fraternity of Order (the Guvners’ courthouse) in the Lady’s Ward and bade them farewell, adding that anyone wishing to hire him again should look on Green Street.

Inside, Danaya, Brotor, Saya, Fenris, and Surina found Elison, who agreed to take their case. He explained that the newly formed law firm representing the plaintiff referred to the settlement as Pax Lustra; if that name were accepted, every Lux Astra property deed would be void. The adventurers therefore had to prove the city’s true name and have the evidence notarised by Harmonium officers.

Their investigation revealed that the sign above the main city tower read “Pax Lustra,” yet clearly showed recent replacement. Luckily, the genuine name appeared chiseled into the fountain, printed on the plaque beside their house, and even scratched by a prankster on an alley wall: “Lux Astra—one nasty place.”

While awaiting the hearing, the party stayed in rooms provided by Elison. Faseer finally slept, and the mimics—well fed on carcasses—grew noticeably. With Elison’s blessing, Brotor petitioned the Bleak Cabal, whose clerics lifted the petrification curse from several Lux Astra residents.

At last, court convened.

The plaintiff’s counsel was a young gnome who looked suspiciously like Fregnard. His opening statement brimmed with baseless accusations. Surina proposed casting zone of truth, and the stern judge—Factol Hashkar of the Fraternity of Order—approved the experiment.

Even under magical compulsion, the gnome evaded, half-answered, and parried every question. Finally he cried, “Fine! I’ve got what I came for!”—snapped his fingers, and vanished.

Silence fell. Judge Hashkar sighed, counted down: “Three… Two… One…,” and the gnome reappeared exactly where he’d been standing.

“I told you—no one escapes justice,” the judge said. The disguise faded, revealing Fregnard himself. He bolted for the exit on his stubby gnome legs, but guards tackled and restrained him.

Faseer and the adventurers won the case. After paying Elison’s fee and Sigil’s residence taxes, the chest Fenris had discovered held only a modest pile of coins. Still, Brotor received fresh deeds to the house, and the party returned at last to Lux Astra.