Litigation

The conveyance to the City of Brass turns out to be a very stubborn flying carpet which finds you and leads you out of the city and then convinces you to climb aboard. Once you do it shimmers and you are transported to the City of Brass. Atop the flying carpet you get a good view of the city. Which looks nothing so much as any market you've ever seen in your life but far more varied in the shape and number of stalls, patrons, and shopkeepers. Everyone it seems is welcome to the City of Brass. From a tiny squirrel bartering for nuts, to a balor stalking the streets looking for a soul for a steal.

The carpet stops for no one however and eventually takes you through many dips and turns and adverts for various mundane and magical items. Some you've never heard of. Others you have and the sheer number of adverts for 'acorns' makes you wonder if there's some significance to them that you've never known of before. Eventually you reach a large building with several vaguely sith-looking folk standing guard outside. Closer examination of these individuals in their dark blue uniforms makes it clear that they are *not* sith-makar however. Their features are both more and less humanish and their intimidating glares brook no questions. The carpet leads you inside to a small room where a nervous-looking man of red coloring (from head-to-toe) in a purple outfit of odd-looking clothing seems relieved to greet you. "Greetings. My name - no invitation to take it given - is Al and I am hoping you can tell me a bit about how your names were taken and any information about or deals made with the individual known as Zelgu?"

GAME: Khepri rolls knowledge/the planes+3: (11)+9+3: 23
GAME: Nameless rolls knowledge/the planes: (1)+19: 20 (EPIC FAIL)

It says a lot about the City of Brass that Khepri is positively normal-looking in comparison to some of its denizens. The wargolem Executor stalks along, evidently displeased with the entire situation. Once they arrive at the building (probably a courthouse), Khepri unbends a -tiny- bit. Perhaps it's the lawful nature of things. But the construct makes no comment on the guards, instead keeping its counsel until they arrive in the room with this... person.

Khepri regards Al with those blank, sulfur-yellow eyes for a moment, before starting. "There was an investigation into the fate of a magician known as Dremarim. This event was linked to a wargolem wizard known as Thoth. I was caught by the usual trick 'may I have your name'. At the time, this 'Zelgu' was masquerading as a mage known as Ilenzi."

The golem makes an ominous sound, like gears grinding. "He refused to return our names unless we assisted him in his schemes regarding Thoth. I refrained from interfering, as I lacked understanding of the matter, and instead isolated myself to prevent being suborned further."

"Once we get all this dealt with, I'm going to have to come back here and see what cool stuff I can buy." the purple gobbo of no certain moniker remarks as the carpet weaves through the marketplace. "And I should bring some nuts. Maybe use them as currency. Make some squirrel friends." she suggests when the carpet comes to a halt. "Oh, hi Al." She ponders the question for a moment, and replies "That asshole lied and cheated and stole, and then gave a ridiculous quest that was a bunch of lies too. Then he reneged on the deal too, and killed someone. I think he's dead now. Good."

Tlanexhuani is both impressed and concerned by the aggressively-seeming enchanted rug. The subsequent flight and/or vanishing is ... well, pretty much the same. He can only hope that he did not offend it with possible claw marks during the travel. While the strange sights are some distraction for the latter part, they are only -some- distraction.

He is most relieved once they are on the ground again, even if it is strange and unknown ground. There is even a moment of burgeoning familiarity in spying the reptilians.. until he realizes that they are not, in fact, makari. Then Al addresses them.

"This one did not know the name-stealer by that name." Which probably isn't surprising that he had a fake one; he had so many to choose from, it seems. "This one did not know fey customs, or talents; only offered name to be ... proper. Did not know would keep."

He blinks and looks to the others. "This one not know name-stealer was defeated."

Al tilts his head and looks between the group of you. "Oh yes. Standard stipulation of name-laws suggest a mandatory service. Can you go into detail about the 'lying, cheating, stealing, and reneging that occurred? Or do you only refer to the taking of your name as 'theft'?" Al glances toward a sundial on his wrist and then looks back at you eagerly. You also notice a thin gold band on his wrist as well.

Khepri simply stares at Al. "Since 'Zelgu' did not recognize the laws of Alexandria, is there any particular reason I should recognize name-laws?" The golem lets that stand, before continuing, "In any case, my life and work are not my own. I am bound to the will of the Gray Harpist."

Khepri turns to look at the nameless goblin with curiosity. "It appears you know more than we do. Please continue."

"Sure. You scam someone, and you get to make them do something for you too - that makes a ton of sense. You know that's not how the laws around where we're from work. He tricked me out of my name before he even said he was a fae, so his rules can't apply. As for lying - he lied about who he was, and he lied about what he was up to, and he asked me to help Thoth - but then when I found out he was working against Thoth, he revoked the deal. So he didn't stick to his deal." the colourful gobbo seems quite irate about that fact.

"Oh, and Thoth said he was dealt with. I assume he meant dead. He said some other stuff but... I got distracted."

Tlanexhuani listens to the others, then thumps his tail lightly. "Ssa. This one asked the same, to help. Not know how best to help, but did not deny. This one would help Thoth without threat."

"Oh! You can ignore the law if you want! Breaking the law is always an option!" Al laughs. "Of course, it might kill you to do so. Depends on the verdict. But that's assuming you're mortal of course, and that the case goes a certain way... Well. It's still an *option*. You mentioned that you are bound to the service of someone else? That could be very helpful to your case. Do you have the exact details of your service? Some kind of prior record perhaps?" Al seems very interested.

Then a little bell goes off and he sighs. "Ah, that's my time. I'll have you bring it up in court. Looks like they're all ready for us. Oh! You'll need to fit the decor!"

With this Al waves a hand and your clothes change to some version of his own. Purple outfits for all! Strange though they might seem. "Love a power suit!" He says cheerfully and motions for you to follow him toward the door. "Any last questions? We've got six seconds to get out there. OH and one last thing - don't try to sway the judge in any way. Magical, non magical. They'll disintegrate you for trying. Unless you don't mind disintegration I find it a little tingly and my throat itches for hours!"

The Executor simply shrugs. "I serve Vardama. I was purpose-built to act in Her name, as She wishes." Khepri taps the emblem embossed on its chestplate. "If someone wishes Her to release me from Her service, that is their option, of course."

The illusory purple suit looks -bizarre- on Khepri, with its weirdly too-long limbs and plague-doctor faceplate. At Al's strict instruction, the wargolem nods. "Acknowledged."

"But...how do you argue your case then, if not with saying stuff?" The gobbo says, baffled by that, and unsettled by the sudden clothing change that she didn't do this time. "Hey, my outfit is very carefully balanced, and this is just, like, one colour. How does that even work?"

Purple on blue? Probably not the best color coordination. Tlanexhuani blinks and looks down at himself a moment before hissing out a light breath. "Many custom are very ... strange." The note of disintegration is received firmly, though. "Ssa. This one wish no disintegration."

"*I* am allowed to speak to the judge of course. Those are the rules." Al explains this in a rush, then frowns. "Though I'm not allowed to use magic to sway them on your behalf unfortunately. But then neither is the counter-council!" This seems to satisfy him and he hurries along to what looks like a rather proper interior for a court house if a bit odd in some respects. There's a judge behind a desk with a huge gold chain in front of him just laying there. He has the look of someone incredibly bored but unable to go anywhere else. He has a similar look to Al with dark red skin and purple robes on.

To the left is another djinn this one is more purple in skin tone which means that their purple 'power suit' looks nearly the same color of their skin. This djinn seems to be female and she smiles a thin smile as Al leads the group of you to your own low table.

The most interesting thing however is the crowd watching. They seem interested in the goings-on and murmur to themselves as you walk past. They seem to be a group of rather random individuals like the ones you saw outside.

"Order, order." The judge says unhappily and bangs his gavel. "Al, I think you have the floor?" He looks at not your 'Al' but the female Djinn who smiles.

"Yes, the three standing before you were politely asked for their names, and having willingly given them now seem willing to contest that these names should belong to the person they gave them to!" Her words make the crowd boo and hiss.

Khepri tilts its head quizzically, then looks at the group's advocate. "That raises an interesting question," the golem says quietly. "If this person wishes to -claim- our names, should he not step forth and declare himself? Where is this person that dares to lay claim to three mortal entities?"

Its voice is pitched -just- loud enough to be audible to the crowd and counter-council, though it's clear Khepri is speaking to their lawyer.

"Speaking name, giving name not same things. Very different," Tlanexhuani opines aside to his peers and their representative Al (as opposed to any others called Al). Maybe that is just for mortal people, though. Still, he has problems conceiving that it could be so different for others.

"That's complete bs!" The gobbo complains at their lawyer, "You can't willingly do something you don't do intentionally. That's mutually exclusive. Seems like a bad move to open with a lie. Shut her down, yell Objection or something!" She's pretty sure that's how you win legal cases.

"Are you sure? This early? I'm only allowed three objections." Al blinks at the nameless goblin and shakes his head. "I'll try the other strategy first." He clears his throat and the judge looks at him. "Where is this person who claims the names then? Surely if they wish to do so they should step forth and do so?"

This gets some grudging support from the crowd and the female djinn smiles. "One of my clients is currently in a small bolt-hole dimension, but I could easily retrieve them with some latitude from the court."

The judge returns his gaze to the male Al. "I will leave it to your clients then. Ask them if they wish this entity retrieved."

The male Al nods politely and turns toward you all. "Well? What do you think? If they're bluffing and the entity is dead then you'll have a mark in your favor with the crowd for sure!"

"Ssa, want see name-claimer here." Tlan does not know how this system works (or much else about this place), but he would prefer to bring the name-stealer into this. Unless he is actually dead, which should mean there is no more claim... right? Even if he is around, why should he be free to do as he wishes while they are here?

Khepri tilts its head to the other side now. "The entity may not be dead, but some places are harder to retrieve people from than others." A pause. "I wonder how Thoth managed to dispose of this creature."

The golem taps his fingers absently, looking to 'their' Al and the others. "It might be best to challenge them to bring the creature forth. All things are laid bare in the court of the Harpist; I wish to emulate Her in that regard."

"Wait. I think... Thoth said something about that dimension thing. Maybe not 'dead' just planeshifted somewhere? I'm not sure we want to free him, unless the court would put him right back afterwards. Which I doubt." The gobbo suggests. "And your rules are dumb, Al. You can't call them out on lying more than three times? Why don't you just lie a whole bunch yourself then. They can only stop you three times, too, right?"

Al smiles thinly at you and looks at the judge. "It seems we have a difference of opinion. A moment of the courts time?"

The judge sighs and nods. "Six seconds on the clock." He says and lifts a hand so that an hourglass appears counting down the seconds. The crowd boos and Al turns back toward you. "I can lie, sure. Just tell me what you'd like me to lie *about* but if I'm proven wrong then I'll get points taken away from the crowd's favor. If I'm proven wrong three times..." He shrugs. "It's your case. Decide amongst yourselves, but you only have six seconds."

GAME: Khepri rolls sense motive: (4)+10: 14
GAME: Khepri rolls sense motive: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

Tlanexhuani hand't thought of the name-stealer being trapped. The gobber makes a good point. "Maybe will put him back?" He would ponder this, but obviously they don't have a lot of time. "Which better? Name-stealer free to be stopped again, or name-stealer trapped and still hold names?" They are all much more aware of his tricks this time, at least.

Khepri confers briefly with the others. "I will set the question aside for now," the golem intones. Then it adds, "Though if this entity was so keen on retaining our names, one might think he would at least show up when challenged." A pause. "Unless he is incapable of doing so."

"I don't think we want to free him from wherever he is. But we should be clear about why - he's a murderer and I don't want him released from his punishment. Then he'd be free to return to killing bystanders." The purple gobbo, now all purple head to toe, suggests.

"Murder isn't in our jurisdiction, so it has no bearing on the case. Besides-" Al is cut off by a ding and he straightens up a bit as the judge looks at him for his words. "They have decided to disallow the counter-council to summon her client."

"No doubt so that they can attack him undefended." The counter-council says quietly looking at the crowd and your Al bristles at the words.

"Your Honor, one of my clients has a prior claim of service to the Goddess Vardama!"

The crowd, busily booing goes quiet with interest and Al clasps Khepri on the shoulder. "This good individual belongs to Her! Surely a prior claim of service denies another the right to property unless agreed upon! Did the counter-council's client ask Vardama for Her leeway?!?"

The female counter-council frowns and looks at Khepri. "If he has a prior claim of service - if - let us hear from his truthful testimony what words of service he has spoken to this goddess."

Khepri draws itself up, and sweeps the crowd with that yellow stare before turning to look directly at the counter-counsel. "I serve the Gray Harpist, Vardama. I was constructed by mortal reckoning in the year 1021, to act as Her Executor. I serve in Her Temple in the city of Alexandria."

"The words must be spoken. The dead must be remembered, and laid to rest. This is Her will, and I still serve until my own end."

It may not be in there jurisdiction, but Tlanexhuani still feels its relevant; to others if not their case here. So the Name-stealer will stay wherever he is. He is quiet, now, looking to Al and Khepri as the point of Khepri's prior commitment is brought up.

"Yes, that point the opposing council made is *exactly* why I thought it was relevant to the case to explain why we don't want him freed." The goblin asks with visible frustration. "Can you get me a copy of the relevant laws? It seems like none of the rules here make any sense, at least not to those of us who're subject to them."

The female counter-council eyes Khepri warily. "Were you asked by my client to do anything that would have been against the nature of your service to Vardama?" Her voice is very careful and the male Al veritably vibrates with anticipation... At least until the goblin speaks up and then he pales.

Al leans down and whispers to the nameless goblin. "It takes years to memorize the rules of the court. I can get you the first book if you like, but I'm doing my best here!"

Khepri's voice is flat and hard. "Irrelevant. The fey in question had murdered at least one man, by his own admission, and stolen the identity of another. His theft of my name could be construed as a ruse to further his scheme against Thoth as well as to evade justice for his crimes."

-TBC