Ricardo the Thief

Ricardo awaiting trial

Ricardo is a key figure in the Inu plotline, the "prologue" chapter of the Warriors of Destiny event cycle.

Character Overview, and Storyline Importance

When Inu the Crone was imprisoned by her enemies, a legendary lockpicker was needed to get her out, and Ricardo, a long-time resident of Buccaneer's Den in Felucca, was the only one around. However, his assistance was difficult to obtain and came at a price.

Ricardo went into Terathan Keep to steal from the Terathans. He was captured and imprisoned by them. The players were able to rescue him by distracting the Terathans. During his escape from the Terathans, he decided to do a little stealing from the Ophidians as well. He stole what they called their "artificed scion," a sacred crown that, to them, represented the future of their race.

They reacted to the theft with a prolonged assault on our cities that has come to be known as the Ophidian War. Their assaults were eventually repelled, and Ricardo opened the door to Inu the Crone's cell, thus enabling her to be rescued.

Though stealing from Ophidians, or any other monster, is not typically considered a crime, it can be considered one when it starts a major war that leaves many people dead, and this was the case with Ricardo. He was arrested and then persecuted in Court by Casca. Evidence against him was partly obtained by players, and his trial was a live, in-game event that could be attended by players, either "live" or in reenacted form. (Meaning that players not present when the event first took place could still witness it.)

He was awaiting his execution, as the Warriors of Destiny event cycle ended but eventually received a pardon from Queen Dawn for his help in a battle against the Shadowlords. After the war he remained one of her advisors until he went mad. He ended up yet again in Yew Prison for the absence of a better facility for those who go mad.

Keywords

Ricardo will respond to keywords when said near him.

• Trial: A few months ago I would not have worried, but my luck lately...
  • Your Luck: I think I contracted a curse or something. Damn gypsies.
    • Curse/Gypsies: Don't worry. I am not sending anyone out on a quest.
      • Quest: Sorry, no adventure can save me this time. I must face this myself.
        • Adventure: I think this might be my last adventure. I never thought it would end.
          • Never Thought: Don't worry. I haven't completely lost hope. I have an angle.
            • Angle: Of course I won't tell you.
• Lost Hope: Depending on the defender they assign me, maybe even a real chance.
  • Defender: Yeah, my old defender Jamos did not work out so well.
    • Jamos: Well, not the defense I would have chosen, but he did his best. I guess.
      • Chosen: Now that old dog has himself locked up as well.
        • Locked up as well: Yes, and with quite a bit more privacy, sprinkled with less humiliation.
          • Humiliation: No need to rub it in.
• Scion/Zenith: Over such a small thing! Honestly if that is all it took...
  • All it took: They would have fought over anything. The Zenith was just a scapegoat.
• Court: not too bad as far as courtooms go, I can't complain.
  • Complain: You know you've messed up big time when you end up here.
    • Messed: Messed up because I got caught, or messed up because I did wrong?
      • Wrong: I'll leave that decision up to you.
• Casca: We had a nice chat. Smart Guy. I hope a castle falls on him.
  • Castle: I jest of course. *smiles*
• Judge: Can you put in a good word for me?
  • Good Word: Anything will help.
• Yew: Nice town, but I've spent too much time here already.

Archive

He's located in a moving stage south of Brit moongate on the road.

Keywords

• Ricardo : Hey! Help me get out of here, and I will repay you ten times over!
  • get out : The key to this cell has to be on a guard or something! Find it!

• bandit : Oh no! Villains completely unknown to me are ambushing us!

• brigand J: How unfortunate! We are being assaulted for absolutely no reason!

        R: We will be stolen away against our will! Blamed for escaping no doubt.
        J: I will bear witness. We are but helpless victims here.
        R: Aye, completely powerless to prevent our imminent abduction.
        J: Completely.

• Innocence J: Exactly. My client is wrongfully imprisoned.

          R: I'm innocent! This is simply a trumped up accusation!
          J: Probably nothing more than a nobleman bribing judges for petty revenge.

• Nobleman J: If we were of noble blood this debacle would never have happened.

         R: This is the rich oppressing the poor!
         J: This is the most grievous case of oppression that I can recall.
         R: That is a good angle, lets use that.
         J: Patience my friend. Let us see how this current angle plays out.

Transcript of Crown vs. Ricardo

• Jacob: Weapons are prohibited. Please see the banker outside.
• Jacob: Weapons are not allowed in this building. A banker is available outside to assist you.
• You cannot say anything at this time; you have been muted.
• You see: William the Guard
• You see: Thomas the Guard
• You see: Ricardo the Thief
• You see: Ellie (squelched)
• William: Sit down.
• William: We'll 'ave our eyes on ye the whole time.

• You see: Kyle the Bailiff
• Kyle: Gentlemen.
• William: Sir.
• Thomas: Sir.
• Kyle: Good morning, Mr. Ricardo
• Ricardo: Mornin', Kyle.
• Kyle: *smirks*
• You see: Lilian the Clerk
• You see: Casca the Prosecutor
• You see: Beauregard the Defence Counsel
• Beauregard: Have no worries, sirrah. I hath rarely lost a case!
• Ricardo: *shrugs*
• Ricardo: Meh, what's the worst they could do?
• Beauregard: Ah, aha. Most brave! Well said.
• Beauregard: *coughs*
• Kyle: All rise! Hear ye, hear ye!
• You see: Justice Verina the Magistrate
• Kyle: This court is now open for the trial of criminal cases with and without jury.
• Kyle: All those having anything to do before the Honorable Verina, Justice of the Court of Truth, draw near and attend.
• Kyle: This court is now in session. Please be seated.
• Lilian: Britannia versus Ricardo.
• Justice Verina: Good afternoon. The clerk shall announce counsel.
• Lilian: Casca of Heartwood as the Plaintiff, representing the government of Britannia.
• Casca: Good afternoon, Your Honor.
• Lilian: Beauregard of Trinsic, for the Defense.
• Beauregard: Good afternoon, Your Honor. Might I say Her Ladyship looketh well today?
• Justice Verina: The court shall disregard, and the Defense will keep observations of the Court to themselves.
• Beauregard: Ah.
• Justice Verina: The clerk shall read the charges against the Defendant and report his pleas.
• Lilian: The Defendant, Ricardo, has pleaded Not Guilty to the following charges:
• Lilian: Theft, namely of a foreign national treasure.
• Lilian: Conspiracy, in the attempted assault upon a Kingdom prisoner transport unit.
• Lilian: High Treason, for inciting the Ophidian War.
• Justice Verina: Very well, and again, good afternoon to you all.
• Justice Verina: Art thou prepared to open?
• Casca: Indeed, Your Honor.
• Justice Verina: Thou mayest do so.
• Casca: Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, Id like to begin by telling you a story about a young girl named Liane.
• Casca: Now this young lady was kind, generous, altogether virtuous, and quite beloved of the townspeople.
• Casca: Her father was an innkeeper, and as such, she often had the opportunity to greet travelers and serve as a hostess for their visitors.
• Casca: She lived with her family in a sleepy little village, and lived a humble yet blissful life.
• Casca: All this was shattered one horrible morning... In a single instant everything she'd held dear was ripped away from her.
• Casca: You see, ladies and gentlemen, Liane lived in Papua, a territory of Britannia in the Lost Lands, and the first city to suffer under the sudden onslaught of the Ophidian army.
• Casca: An army that would soon overwhelm Papuas pitiful defenses, and march on towards our heartland.
• Casca: Liane suffered that instant of agony alone, as she watched her father fall before her eyes, yet in all the carnage managed to escape meeting her familys fate.
• Casca: Instead, the terrified child sought shelter in the depths of a dark cellar, hidden, as best she could, in the impossibly tight space between a few water barrels.
• Casca: Here alone, in shock, drenched in tears and sweat and blood, the poor girl hid.
• Casca: ...
• Casca: Forgive me, my friends, for this graphic rendition.
• Casca: I only wish to convey the horror this child must have endured in the darkness, while the screams of the dying echoed all around her.
• Casca: I want to tell you that she remained hidden and safe in that cellar.
• Casca: I want to tell you that the Ophidians withdrew and returned to their lairs, content with their mayhem.
• Casca: But I cannot.
• Casca: The Ophidians hunted down every man, woman, and child they could find in that city, and slaughtered them without mercy.
• Casca: Liane was no exception.
• Casca: Yet, you see my friends, Liane died under an Ophidian's blade, true! But it was a Man who sealed her fate.
• Casca: A man who's arrogance, who's unmitigated gall, who's foolhardy quest for glory and riches so infuriated the Ophidians that they poured war down upon us.
• Casca: A man who fled to safety, never warning those left behind of the horrors following after him.
• Casca: That man, ladies and gentlemen, is seated before us.
• Casca: That man is Ricardo, the so-called legendary thief.
• Casca: The prosecution will show beyond any reasonable doubt that Ricardos theft of the Scions Zenith, an artifact of great importance to the Ophidians, was the direct cause of the war.
• Casca: We will further show that Ricardo, in doing so, invoked a war upon our shores like none seen in recent memory.
• Casca: We will prove that Ricardo has committed High Treason, and we will demonstrate the law to which he will be held.
• Casca: We will justify our call for the maximum penalty. This was a crime committed against all Britannia.
• Casca: Ricardo did not wield the bardiche that cut short Lianes life.
• Casca: Nor the ones that destroyed the thousands of lives lost during the war.
• Casca: But we cannot show mercy.
• Casca: No, today, Justice cannot yield to mercy, even as Compassion was never shown to all those who paid the price for Ricardos crimes.
• Casca: Our only wish is that the jury carefully hear all the evidence presented from this point forward.

• Casca: That they decide only upon the facts of this case.
• Casca: That their sole, and greatest duty, be that the Truth come forward, and upon that foundation a fate be determined.
• Casca: A fate, I believe, that will be bound by Justice. Thank you.
• Justice Verina: I feel this would be an appropriate time to take a short break.
• Casca: Thank you, Your Honor.
• Justice Verina: Members of the jury shall remain seated, all else are free to go.
• Justice Verina: Court shall recess for one Britannian hour.
• Beauregard: Hold tight!
• Beauregard: I shall defend thee to the bitter end!
• Justice Verina: Well spoken, Mr. Casca.
• Lilian: That was most impressive, sir.
• Ricardo: I'm sure you will.
• Casca: Oh, please don't be impressed.
• Casca: Just take it in your heart to remember those who've gone on ahead of us.
• Town Crier: Hear ye! Hear ye! The Trial of Ricardo, murderer and thief, is being held in Yew.
• Lilian: Oh, ah, yes, yes of course.

• Town Crier: Come and witness the trial of the century, at the Court of Truth!
• Town Crier: Let Justice be served!
• You see: Casca the Prosecutor
• You see: Beauregard the Defence Counsel
• You see: Justice Verina the Magistrate
• Kyle: Be seated, please.
• Justice Verina: The Prosecution hath concluded its opening statement.
• Justice Verina: Is the Defense prepared?
• Beauregard: Indeed, Your Honor, quite prepared!
• Beauregard: My client is innocent!
• Beauregard: How, ye may ask, might a man, a thief, in fact, be innocent?
• Beauregard: Well I shall tell thee!
• Beauregard: The man you see sitting before thee is but a pitiful pawn in a game of chess.
• Beauregard: A game played by politicians and liars (as though the two could be separate!)
• Beauregard: The Defense shall refute the claims of the Prosecution, and prove, or at least provide some reasonable shred of doubt, that Ricardo is innocent of the crimes attributed him.*
• Beauregard: Ask thineselves, Is it reasonable that a man should be put to death for committing a crime he couldst not know would harm another?"
• Beauregard: No!

• Beauregard: Ask thineselves, Is it possible that an entire war could begin with the actions of just one man?
• Beauregard: No!
• Beauregard: And finally, ask thyself, If it were I in Ricardos place, how wouldst I wish to be treated?
• Beauregard: No!
• Beauregard: Oh.
• Beauregard: I mean, please ask thyself that question, and consider this case most carefully.
• Beauregard: For the ramifications could be dire.
• Beauregard: Thank you.
• Ricardo: Thats it?
• Ricardo: *sighs*
• Justice Verina: Is that all, Mr. Beauregard?
• Beauregard: Er, yes, Your Honor.
• Justice Verina: Very well, let the record show that we hath concluded opening statements.
• Justice Verina: Mr. Casca, thou mayest begin.
• Casca: Thank you, Your Honor.
• Casca: The Prosecution wishes to submit the findings of Justice Edgar, juge dinstruction for this case, as Peoples Exhibit the First.
• Justice Verina: Let the record show that Justice Edgar was the Investigating Magistrate for this trial.
• Lilian: The record shows the findings as Peoples Exhibit the First, and that Justice Edgar was the Investigating Magistrate for this trial.
• Lilian: One, that Ricardo is the same Ricardo accused in the matter of this trial.
• Lilian: Second, that Ricardo committed, and did in fact admit to, the theft of the Scions Zenith.
• Beauregard: Objection, Your Honor!
• Justice Verina: The findings of the Investigating Magistrate are not a matter for debate. Continue.
• Lilian: Ahem.
• Lilian: Third, that a band of brigands did assault the transport carriage of Ricardo during his relocation to Yew.
• Lilian: Fourth, that the theft of the Scions Zenith was an instigating factor in the sudden uprising of the Ophidians.
• Casca: Thank you.
• Casca: The People calls Hudson of Papua to the stand.
• You see: Hudson the Fisherman
• Casca: Hudson, are you from the town of Papua?
• You see: Kyle the Bailiff

• Hudson: Yes sir, I am. Whats left of it at least.
• Casca: Ah, and could you tell me a little about Papua? Before the invasion, I mean.
• Hudson: Aye, tis a beautiful little town, sitting on the shore surrounded by jungle.
• Hudson: Wed had our fair share of trouble with the neighbors, but itd been right calm since wed become a part of the Kingdom proper.
• Casca: When you say neighbors, whom do you mean?
• Hudson: Those snakes and spiders, ya know, the monsters.
• Casca: The Ophidians and Terathans, you mean?
• Beauregard: Objection! Leading the witness!
• Justice Verina: Overruled. That was for clarification. The witness may answer.
• Hudson: Aye, thats them.
• Casca: Could you tell me about what happened when the Ophidian army invaded your town?
• Hudson: It was fast, thats what it was.
• Hudson: One moment it was quiet, the next the jungle was a full of em. They were everywhere.
• Hudson: Soon enough the guards were down, and the barriers around the town, they just werent working.
• Casca: When you say barriers
• Hudson: The magic ones, you know, that protect cities. All of em have em.
• Casca: Indeed. So the Ophidians had no opposition?
• Hudson: Oh no! We fought em, we did. I had me trusty crossbow at me side.
• Hudson: But they were too fast. And then the big uns, the ones with the blood-stained bardiches
• Hudson: *shakes head*
• Hudson: Soon we were all running for the shore figured we could swim if we couldnt get through the trees.
• Casca: What happened then?
• Hudson: They were all over the docks, so I climbed a tree. Turned out they never found me up there.
• Casca: Did you see anything while you were up there?
• Hudson: Aye. Aye Saw the innkeepers girl run into the old shipwrights. Shed been in the weaponsmiths - had something in her hand.
• Hudson: I thought shed hid good, was sure of it, hoped so at least. But then I saw one of them snakes sniffing around the door.
• Casca: What happened then?
• Hudson: It went in. It was in there for a long time, and then I heard a scream. Itd gotten pretty quiet by then.
• Casca: Thank you Hudson.
• Hudson: *nods*
• Casca: Your witness, sir.
• Beauregard: So, it seemeth my friend Mr. Casca wisheth to establish a most sad tale of woe! Is that it, Hudson?
• Casca: Your Honor! Speculation!
• Justice Verina: Sustained.
• Beauregard: Well, well well. So you saw this scared, little, child of a girl run into this building all by herself?
• Hudson: Thats right.
• Beauregard: And ye were up in some tree looking down, is that right?
• Hudson: Yes.
• Beauregard: Mmhm and you saw that snake heading towards her?
• Hudson: I did.
• Beauregard: And you just sat there?
• Hudson: What?
• Beauregard: You sat there, armed with a crossbow, and watched a girl get killed, doing nothing?!

• Casca: YOUR HONOR! Please!
• Justice Verina: Sustained. Mr. Beauregard, this man is not on trial. Change your line of questioning.
• Beauregard: Im done with this man.
• Beauregard: *hic*
• Justice Verina: Excuse me?
• Beauregard: Ah, hiccups, Your Honor, just a tad nervous.

• Justice Verina: Mr. Casca, your next witness?
• Casca: The People calls Nicholas to the stand
• You see: Nicholas the Merchant
• Casca: Sir, may I inquire as to your profession?
• Nicholas: Sure. Im a fence.
• Casca: Could you define the meaning?
• Nicholas: I take stolen stuff and pass it on, or sell it to others.
• Casca: Have you ever met this man, Ricardo?
• Nicholas: Met em? Were good buddies! Hey Ricardo!
• Ricardo: Hey, Nick.
• Justice Verina: The Defendant will remain silent.
• Casca: Are you familiar with the Scions Zenith?
• Nicholas: The crown thing? Sure. Broke it up for for the rares: gold, jewels, you know.
• Casca: I see. Who gave you that crown?
• Nicholas: Ricardo.
• Casca: Do you know where he got it?
• Nicholas: *shrugs*
• Nicholas: Heard it came from the snake people.
• Beauregard: Objection! Hearsay!
• Justice Verina: Sustained.
• Casca: Er, did Ricardo tell you where he obtained the crown?
• Nicholas: Like I said, he told me he got it from the snakes.
• Beauregard: Your Hon
• Justice Verina: That was acceptable.
• Casca: Thank you, sir.
• Nicholas: Always a pleasure.
• Casca: Mr. Beauregard?
• Beauregard: *hic*
• Beauregard: Why art thou here, Nick?
• Nicholas: Cause the court ordered me.
• Beauregard: Oh? And why was that?
• Nicholas: I got caught fencing some jewels. My testimony is part of the plea bargain.
• Beauregard: Aha! Did you hear that everyone!?
• Justice Verina: Order!

• Justice Verina: I remind the court that testimony given as part of a plea bargain is perfectly admissible.
• Beauregard: Oh, well then, thank you.
• Ricardo: *groans*
• Ricardo: Your Honor, I
• You see: Inu the Crone
• Kyle: Stop! Stop I say!
• Thomas: You there! Halt!
• You see: Inu the Crone
• You see: Inu the Crone
• You see: William the Guard
• Justice Verina: Order!
• You see: Thomas the Guard
• William: *looks confused*
• Inu: A trial by fire burns the beast!
• Thomas: *blinks*
• Kyle: Someone help me catch her!
• Inu: Come! Stop! Go!
• Inu: Hehehehe.
• You see: Inu the Crone
• Inu: Hehehehe.

• Inu: You cant stop fate! They come! Oh they come!
• Kyle: Get down from there!
• You see: Inu the Crone
• William: Gotcha!
• Justice Verina: Guards!
• Justice Verina: Get this fool woman out of here!
• William: Yes, Your Honor!
• Inu: Decide his fate! Dont be late! Kekeke.
• Justice Verina: Court will recess for twenty Britannian minutes!
• Kyle: Forgive me, Your Honor.
• Justice Verina: *nods*
• Beauregard: What the devil was that all about?
• Ricardo: I've no idea.
• Kyle: All rise! Hear ye, hear ye!
• You see: Justice Verina the Magistrate
• Kyle: All may be seated.
• Sticky Fingers: Obsu Vulni - Close Wounds
• Justice Verina: What an interesting woman.
• Justice Verina: *shakes head*
• Justice Verina: A friend of the defendant?
• Ricardo: Never met her in my life, Your Honor. Although
• Justice Verina: Moving on. Mr. Casca?
• Casca: Your Honor, the Prosecution would like to submit Peoples Exhibit the Second at this time.
• Justice Verina: Proceed.
• Casca: I am handing a copy of the Treason Act to the clerk at this time.
• Lilian: I have received it.
• Casca: Could the clerk please read the various conditions for which High Treason is defined?
• Lilian: *coughs*
• Lilian: One, Compass or imagine the death of our lord the Sovereign; or the Sovereigns companion; or their heir, or
• Lilian: Two, Levy war against the Sovereign in their Realm; or adhere to the Sovereigns enemies in their Realm; giving them aid or comfort in their Realm or elsewhere, or
• Lilian: ...
• Lilian: Three, Counterfeit the Royal Seal; or any of the Sovereigns money, or
• Lilian: Four, Kill any member of the Royal Court; or the Sovereigns Justices; or the Royal Council while in the pursuit of their duties
• Beauregard: Your Honor! My client hath done none of these things!
• Justice Verina: Be patient. Continue Mr. Casca.
• Casca: Thank you. Is there any additional text concerning the definition of High Treason?
• Lilian: Yes, there is a specific clause extending the definition.
• Casca: Please read it.
• Lilian: And because that many other like Cases of Treason may happen in Time to come, which a Man cannot think nor declare at this present Time;
• Lilian: it is accorded, That if any other Case, supposed Treason, which is not above specified, doth happen before any Justices,
• Lilian: the Justices shall tarry without any going to Judgement of the Treason till the Cause be shewed and declared before the Sovereign and his Council,
• Lilian: whether it ought to be judged Treason or other Felony.
• Casca: Thank you. Your Honor, I call my next witness to the stand.
• Casca: Lord Francesco, please.
• You see: Francesco the Royal Treasurer
• Casca: Lord Francesco, could you introduce yourself briefly?
• Francesco: I am Francesco, Treasurer of the Royal Council. I am here representing their will today.
• Casca: And we appreciate it. My lord, has the Royal Council considered the charges of treason against Ricardo?
• Francesco: We have.
• Casca: How do you find the defendant?
• Francesco: We judge his crime Treason most High.
• Francesco: His actions have resulted in the deaths of thousands, and extraordinary loss to the Kingdom.
• Casca: By what authority to you judge this crime High Treason?
• Francesco: By the authority vested in the Royal Council, ruling pro-tempore, and by the Treason Act.
• Casca: How so?
• Francesco: The Act allows the Council to define new and specific instances of Treason.
• Casca: And how have you defined this instance of High Treason?
• Francesco: We define this instance as: "A willful act that results in great loss of life and property."
• Francesco: "The former to be no less than five-score peoples, the latter to be no less than the value of the smallest town in the realm."
• Casca: Has Ricardos crime met these conditions?
• Francesco: The conditions are not only met, but are exceeded.
• Casca: I yield the witness to my friend, Mr. Beauregard.
• Beauregard: Can you truly say all that Ricardo has wrought is ill?
• Francesco: Im sorry?
• Beauregard: Can you truly say that Ricardo has done nothing good for the Kingdom?
• Francesco: *looks around*
• Francesco: Is that at issue? I did not
• Casca: Your Honor? Objection?
• Justice Verina: Sustained.
• Beauregard: Tell me, then, did Ricardo not aid an old woman locked in a dungeon? Surely the Council is aware of this incident?
• Francesco: Which incident is that?
• Beauregard: Why, the door behind which Inu the Crone lay prisoner!
• Francesco: Inu the what? Who?
• Justice Verina: Mr. Beauregard, does this line of inquiry have a point?
• Beauregard: Yes, Your Honor, just a moment more.
• Beauregard: Inu the Crone, kidnapped off the streets of Britain, held against her will, this man saved her!
• Francesco: *coughs*
• Casca: Ah, Your Honor, I believe he is referring to Ricardo picking a lock for some mercenaries.
• Justice Verina: Wait, is this the same woman who just willfully obstructed the court?
• Beauregard: Er, well, yes Your Honor.
• Casca: Indeed.
• Justice Verina: The jury will disregard testimony concerning Inu the Crone - irrelevance.
• Lilian: So noted.
• Beauregard: Ah, well, then. Carry on.
• Casca: Thank you, Lord Francesco.
• Casca: Finally, I would like to call Luiz the Guard to the stand, who will testify concerning the assault on Ricardos transport earlier this month.
• Casca: Ah, excuse me
• Beauregard: zz.. Zzz...
• Beauregard: Zzz
• Justice Verina: Mr. Casca?
• You see: Casca the Prosecutor
• Casca: Your Honor, my witness seems to be absent.
• Beauregard: ...
• Justice Verina: This is unfortunate, dost thou have any further witnesses?
• Casca: No, Your Honor. Motion to delay?
• Justice Verina: Does the Defense wish to accede?
• Beauregard: ...
• Casca: Mr. Beauregard?
• Justice Verina: Mr. Beauregard?
• Ricardo: Your Honor?
• Justice Verina: Yes?
• Ricardo: My defender seems to be asleep.
• Justice Verina: MR. BEAUREGARD!
• You see: Beauregard the Defence Counsel
• Beauregard: Ah, *hic*, ah, yes Your Honor, I am present.
• Ricardo: If it pleases the court, my defender seems to be drunk, as well.
• Justice Verina: Order!
• Justice Verina: Bailiff! Escort this man from the building!
• Ricardo: Your Honor?
• Justice Verina: One moment Mr. Ricardo.
• Beauregard: But wait, Im not Im f
• Beauregard: *vomits*
• Casca: Your Honor, the Prosecution is most distressed by the behavior of the Defense.
• Justice Verina: As is the Court. Didst thou have any further witnesses?
• Casca: No, Your Honor. The Prosecution rests.
• Justice Verina: I see. Still, we must arrange the representation of the defendant, or reconvene when Mr. Beauregard is in a position to fulfill his capacities.
• Casca: I agree, Your Honor and
• Ricardo: I would like to put forward a motion of no confidence in my Defense, Your Honor.
• Justice Verina: Mr. Ricardo? Thou understandeth that ye are in no position to dictate the course of this affair?
• Ricardo: Yes, Your Honor, unless I were to represent myself before the court.
• Justice Verina: Mr. Ricardo, I doubt you comprehend the ramifications of representing thyself.
• Ricardo: Your Honor, from the moment I entered the custody of the courts I've had no chance of defending myself.
• Ricardo: Both of my representatives have proven useless to me. Both were provided by the government, which also tries me.
• Ricardo: Mr. Beauregard had not even arranged any witnesses to testify on my behalf.
• Ricardo: The least I can be allowed is a chance to speak. Is this not fair?
• Casca: Your Honor, surely you will not?
• Justice Verina: Hmm Save for the serious nature of the charges I might have already ordered this case retried.
• Justice Verina: Mr. Ricardo, dost thou feel that you canst more truly represent thyself than those who have been, or may be appointed in thine behalf?
• Ricardo: I do, Your Honor.
• Justice Verina: This is the Court of Truth, Mr. Ricardo, dost thou so swear?
• Ricardo: Wholeheartedly.
• Justice Verina: Then thou mayest proceed.
• Casca: Your Honor, I object to this, and
• Justice Verina: Objection noted. Please proceed.
• Ricardo: Lacking any further witnesses, I call Mr. Casca to the stand.
• Casca: Your Honor!
• Justice Verina: Irregular, but I can allow it.
• Ricardo: Mr. Casca, of the charges levied against me, which have you failed to demonstrate?
• Casca: Your Honor! Calls for speculation on the part of the witness! On my part!
• Ricardo: Your Honor, surely Mr. Casca is an expert in his field and capable of evaluating his own case?
• Justice Verina: Proceed, but tread carefully Mr. Ricardo.
• Ricardo: Mr. Casca?
• Casca: The Prosecution has failed to establish a link between the assault on the prison transport and any conspiracy on the part of defendant.
• Ricardo: Thank you. Not bad for a thief, eh?
• Casca: Your!
• Justice Verina: Sustained!
• Ricardo: Forgive me, Your Honor.
• Ricardo: Mr. Casca, are the Ophidian lands under the control of the Britannian government?
• Casca: Britannia lays claim to all of the Lost Lands.
• Ricardo: Claim? Do our laws extend to the Ophidians?
• Casca: That's immaterial - they're monsters.
• Ricardo: Please answer.
• Casca: They do not, for they cannot.
• Ricardo: Thank you, Im finished.
• Justice Verina: Nothing further, Mr. Ricardo?
• Ricardo: No, Your Honor.
• Justice Verina: Then we will proceed to closing statements. Mr. Casca?
• Casca: Ahem.
• Casca: Right, then.
• Casca: The Prosecution has submitted its case to the court quite plainly.
• Casca: It cannot be argued that Ricardo stole the Scions Zenith, as we have written testimony that he has admitted it.
• Casca: This has also been corroborated by a witness who had personal dealings with Ricardo.
• Casca: What the jury must decide, though, is the validity of the Kingdoms complaint.
• Casca: Some may be confused by the elegant words you heard Lord Francesco speak, please dont be.
• Casca: The Royal Council has determined that the acts Ricardo committed amount to High Treason.
• Casca: They submit to you, as do I, as does Britannia herself, that Ricardos actions resulted in the needless deaths of thousands.
• Casca: He committed a crime, and, through his negligence, compounded the crime in an incalculable way.
• Casca: My friends, I walk amongst you as a stranger to your culture, and to your ways.
• Casca: My people, the Elves of Heartwood, were long separated from our brethren the Britannians.
• Casca: Yet here I stand now, a citizen, yearning to do Justice by the laws and codes that have built our great society.
• Casca: I have always respected the great Britannian legal system. I have placed my trust in it.
• Casca: That trust tells me that you must act in accordance with those laws. I have laid them plainly before you.
• Casca: It is my hope you will answer Justice this day with a resounding voice.
• Casca: Thank you.
• Ricardo: Ladies and gentlemen, I am not a smart man, and definitely not a noble one.
• Ricardo: I do not understand the cunning ways of law, nor the subtleties of court.
• Ricardo: But one thing I can tell you is the Truth.
• Ricardo: I did, in fact, take the Scions Zenith from the Ophidians. Please notice I did not say stole.
• Ricardo: How can I have stolen something, when the Ophidians do not recognize our own laws?
• Ricardo: The Prosecution has failed, you see, to actually prove a crime was committed.
• Ricardo: If a man slay a beast, even outside the Kingdoms borders, can he not take whatever he finds?
• Ricardo: And yes, my friends, this was well beyond the Kingdoms borders.
• Ricardo: What the government of Britannia wishes is for me to die, not to receive Justice.
• Ricardo: I am a necessary sacrifice. I am the scapegoat: the man who suffers their sins.
• Ricardo: Where, I ask, were the soldiers when Papua was attacked?
• Ricardo: Where, I ask, were the mages to protect the barriers around our cities?
• Ricardo: Where, I ask, was this vaunted Royal Council, that so easily passes judgment, in our time of need?
• Ricardo: I cannot tell you. I doubt they will ever tell you.
• Ricardo: Instead they left their nation defenseless, and now, in their haste to cover their cowardice, they lay the blame on me.
• Ricardo: Did I murder a Brood Queen at the behest of some noble in Britain? No.
• Ricardo: Did I send wave after wave of invading marauders into the Ophidians lair seeking treasure? No.
• Ricardo: How could I, by myself, have incited a war when the "crime" I committed was so minor?
• Ricardo: A thousand things contributed to this war - the Scions Zenith was just one of them.
• Ricardo: How are we to know it was not all a lie? A mere excuse?
• Ricardo: Did we not turn over a replicated copy, which they readily accepted, convinced of its realness?
• Ricardo: Did we see the Ophidians withdraw after that peaceful move?
• Ricardo: No! Instead, we found them building machines of horrible power deep within the earth.
• Ricardo: What of this blackrock then? These strange magics and a rogue Ophidian queen?
• Ricardo: Why arent questions being asked?
• Ricardo: Because theyre afraid youll discover the truth. And the truth is this:
• Ricardo: This government has given itself the power to destroy any one of us by simply rewriting laws.
• Ricardo: Lord Francesco was kind to point out that strange and curious addition to the Treason Act.
• Ricardo: Did you listen carefully? Thats right. They, the Royal Council, are allowed to define Treason however they wish.
• Ricardo: At any time.
• Ricardo: Even after the so-called crime has been committed, as they have done to me.
• Ricardo: My friends, there is no body and there is, no, crime.
• Ricardo: I plead for my life, but, oh my friends, I plead more for Justice.
• Ricardo: May the mercy of our True Sovereign be upon us.
• Justice Verina: Order!
• Casca: Your Honor!
• Justice Verina: Yes?
• Casca: The Prosecution wishes to dismiss the charges of Theft and Conspiracy against the defendant.
• Justice Verina: Dost thou wish to explain?
• Casca: The charge of Theft, at this point, may unduly influence the decision on the charge of Treason. Also, the charge of Conspiracy cannot be substantiated.
• Justice Verina: Very well, the charges of Theft and Conspiracy are hereby dropped.
• Justice Verina: The jury will now decide the facts of this case, and render a verdict of Guilty or Innocent for the charge of High Treason.
• Justice Verina: Court will reconvene in one Britannian hour.
• You see: Kyle the Bailiff
• You see: Thomas the Guard
• Kyle: Be seated.
• Justice Verina: Would the jury foreman please stand.
• Justice Verina: Have you reached a verdict on the charge?
• Enrique: Yes, Your Honor.
• Justice Verina: On the charge of High Treason, how does the jury find the defendant?
• Enrique: Guilty.
• Justice Verina: The court finds the defendant guilty of High Treason.
• Justice Verina: Mr. Ricardo, you are hereby remanded to the State for execution.
• Justice Verina: Bailiff, take this man away.
• Justice Verina: Court dismissed.
• Ricardo: *shakes head*
• Lilian: I'm... I'm so sorry...
• Ricardo: For what it's worth, thank you.
• Kyle: *coughs*
• Town Crier: And so... Justice is done. Ricardo is Guilty.