Transcribed by Tyler (Twitter: @Tyler_MoonSage)

## Intro

Rhi: Welcome back to Duskwall. As always, thank you so much for joining us.

I recently finished editing the series finale which is a very strange feeling. I really appreciate all of you who have stuck with us as we head towards the end of the show. But even as The Magpies is ending we’re making big strides towards our next show including casting a new player.

We are so excited to be joined by Aki of Goblets and Gays. She’ll be joining Josie, Minna and Kim as they form the new crew for Project Bluejay.

Speaking of other podcasts… This transition is a bit of a stretch …be sure to follow Moon Harbor Cast, a Masks actual play, to hear Josie on their upcoming show The Dishonorables. She’s playing Velvet, and it looks like the show is gonna be a ton of fun.

Next, Minna is going to tell us about this month’s Featured Charity.

Minna: Hi, this is Minna. So, it is Fourth of July weekend and I know not all of our listeners are Americans, but I am, so right now I’m thinking about history and about community. This month I’m gonna make my donation to the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.

They’re a really great space. They preserve African American history in the city, and they provide education, they provide a community space… and I would like to encourage you either to donate to them or to donate to a local organization or museum or somebody who is preserving and spreading the word about history where you live. Thank you.

Rhi: There’s a lot that is wrong and scary and deadly in the world right now. No matter where you live you probably know the issues that have the most impact on you and your community. So, bother your elected officials at every level of government and demand that they do their jobs to try to make things better. Donate to organizations fighting for change if you can. Volunteer if you’re able. There is so much need in the world for kindness and generosity and support. Find the places in your community where you can pitch in.

Now then, let’s get started. Shall we?

 

 

## Pre-Score Continues [0:02:35]

Rhi (as Drake): Very well. Why not? This will be a lot more fun anyway.

Rhi: She will drain her glass, set it down, and stand up to leave.

Josie (as Minx): I sincerely hope so.

Rhi: Yeah, so she exits. No food or wine was brought to any of you. [laughs]

Josie: Mm-hmm.

Kim: Not even bread?

Rhi: Nope, not even bread.

Minna: So we can’t take all the breadsticks and stuff them in our purse and leave?

Rhi: No, you cannot fill your purse with breadsticks. [laughs, claps]

Josie: I was literally about to say. [laughs]

Kim: I’m sorry. I have to leave immediately.

[laughter]

Rhi: So, I kind of—for the trial prep, I want to kind of montage it.

Kim: Yeah.

Rhi: I can tell you that if you ask Nick to be the prosecution he’s gonna hem and haw about it a little bit but mostly because he’s worried that he won’t be able to do a good enough job, but he will eventually agree.

Kim: Hmm.

Josie: Mm-hmm! So, to be clear, we are going to lie and cheat about this, right?

Kim: Oh yeah, absolutely.

Josie: Like, we are going to do that? All right. Excellent.

Rhi: Because she’s going to, too.

Josie: Yes. [laughs]

Rhi: Yeah.

Josie: I want to secure publicity.

Kim: Ooh, that’s a good idea.

Josie: You know that lady who was in town for the demon fight?

Kim: Yes.

Josie: Yeah. I wanna make sure that people fucking know.

Rhi: Yeah.

Josie: If she gets put away, people are gonna know it and try to… yeah.

Rhi: Yeah. So, that reporter is no longer in town, but you can definitely tip off the Daily and they will send a bunch of reporters.

Josie: Yeah. Point is I want a bunch of scrutiny on her so she can’t just willy-nilly.

Rhi: Yeah, that’s easy enough to do as well. I’m not gonna make you roll for that. So let’s get into the score, which is gonna be another trial. Very exciting. I love these courtroom dramas. Let’s figure out the engagement roll. One for luck. Is this operation bold or daring? Yeah. You’ve just gambled your entire life on this.

Kim: Yeah, seriously.

Rhi: Does the plan’s detail expose a vulnerability of the target or hit them where they’re weakest? Yes, but she also is prepared against this approach, so that kind of evens out. You’re hitting some of her weaknesses but she also has some preparations. Friends or contacts? Yes. Other elements? You’re the same tier. You know what, I think I’m gonna give you another one because you do have, again, a Tier 5 lawyer helping you out. [laughs]

Kim: Right.

Rhi: Nick is gonna be able to do some work here. He will be able to assist you. Phew, that was a 4d6 roll and you got a 4. It was close to starting off in a real bad spot.

Josie: Mm-hmm.

 

 

## Score [0:05:15]

Rhi: The day of this trial arrives, and due to tipping off the press the city has been kind of abuzz. Everybody is clearly picking up that the magpies are clearly working through some vendetta with the noble classes, because this is the second time you’ve arranged for a very public showdown with somebody.

Josie: Mm-hmm.

Rhi: Gossip and rumors are running wild. You show up to the courthouse. The magistrate overseeing this trial is Lady Strathmill, Althea Strathmill.

Kim: Mm-hmm.

Rhi: She is a fairly new magistrate and has been kind of a protégée of Lady Drake’s.

Kim: Okay.

Josie: Mm-hmm. That’s not stacking anything.

Rhi: No, of course not. You all promised to play fair. [grins]

Minna: None of us are playing fair. [laughs]

Rhi: None of you are playing fair. Everyone has shown up to this game with weighted dice. It’s just gonna be a question of who did a better job of cheating.

Kim: Yep.

Minna: Everyone at this game has stolen my dice.

Rhi: The three of you show up with Nicholas Firebird in tow. He’s very nervous.

Kim: Aw.

Rhi: He hasn’t really had to do this since law school.

Kim: Buddy.

Josie: [giggles] You can do it, Nick.

Rhi: But he has been brushing up on things. Even if he hasn’t had to make an opening argument in several years he’s still a very smart, talented, charismatic lawyer. It comes back. He figures it out. Also, this is not a traditional trial, so he doesn’t necessarily have to follow the standard procedures. What do the three of you look like as you show up?

Josie: I think Minx is in a slim pinstripe suit.

Rhi: Nice.

Josie: Tailored in at the waist.

Rhi: Excellent.

Kim: I think Blaire is in her normal clothes but like the snappy casual version of it. She doesn’t have her eye-black smeared all over her face and her hair is a little bit neater. She’s probably not wearing her cape, but otherwise it’s her usual clothes.

Minna: Myra is in full-on formal teacher outfit.

Josie: Yes.

Rhi: Excellent.

Minna: [giggles] Just like a high-collared black dress with a nice jacket over it.

Kim: Dark academia.

Minna: Mm-hmm.

Rhi: I like it. Lady Drake is also there. She is wearing a really nice, stylishly tailored suit. She is representing herself, unsurprisingly. And yeah, you all settle in. Magistrate Strathmill calls this unconventional trial to order.

Minna: This is such a funny trial because it’s like kind of we’re both on trial even though that’s not how trials work. [laughs]

Josie: Uh-huh.

Rhi: Yeah. This is pure theater.

Josie: Right. Well, we’re not… It’s not formalized that we’ll surrender if we fail to prove our case, it’s just that we’ve agreed to her that we will.

Minna: Mm-hmm.

Rhi: Yeah. I think this is gonna be racing clocks, basically. You’re gonna have two opposing clocks. Yeah, as Minna said, you’re both on trial, essentially. She is gonna have a 6-tick clock and you’re gonna have an 8.

Kim: Okay.

Rhi: What’s your first…? I think both Nicholas and Drake will make their opening arguments to the judge. They’re both very eloquent and neither of them are gonna really move the needle on those clocks. You can all use flashbacks. You can pull on any number of people to pull in as witnesses or have them do stuff for you. But yeah, how do you wanna start?

Josie: I think our assertion is that this is the latest in a long line of crimes and attempts to cover up those crimes basically spanning as long as we’ve been active.

Kim: Hmm.

Josie: You know what, we’ll leverage the Mora thing. This whole time we’ve been trying to mitigate her crimes, right?

Kim: Right.

Rhi: Okay. Yeah. You all are… yeah, play up the fact that you’re heroes who revealed this demon and you’ve uncovered that she’s tied to him.

Josie: Uh-huh.

Rhi: Okay. Yeah. I think that’s kind of the thrust of Nick’s opening statement which gets a lot of murmuring and outcry from the press. Y’all wanna call a witness?

Kim: Yeah. I think we should call Severin to the stand.

Rhi: All right. So, he needs to get up there and make some rolls.

Minna: I like the idea that Lady Drake’s opening statement was something like “the Magpies think they can personally prove me wrong and beat me in a fair trial,” and they were like shit, I guess we have to personally—

[laughter]

Rhi: Yeah. Nicholas starts to stand up to do his initial questioning and Minx is like “no-no, we’re doing this.” So yeah, you can call in Inspector Severin. Who is gonna start doing the questioning?

Kim: I’m okay to do it if y’all are okay with that. I’ll do my best.

Minna & Josie: Sure.

Rhi: Yeah! So it’s gonna just, you know, this will be based on rolls.

Kim: Yep.

Rhi: The engagement roll, I got a 4, so you’re starting in a risky position. I’m gonna say this is just gonna be risky-standard as we’re off to the races here.

Kim: In that case Blaire summons Inspector Severin to the stand.

Rhi: Yep. He will come up, take a seat. Let’s start with the roll and then we’ll kind of figure out—we can kind of hit the high points of what this looks like.

Kim: Right. Remind me again why Severin was on trial?

Rhi: … Clicks into my notes. [laughs] Uh… that was season—?

Kim: It wasn’t because he was being outed as a possessor ghost, right?

Rhi: No.

Kim: It was for something else. I think it was because…

Rhi: Ah! I got it. I found it.

Kim: So why was he on trial?

Rhi: He was on trial… Oh okay. He had been charged with fraud and corruption which was—Oh, this is great. He was investigating Lord Mora…

Kim: Oh~

Josie: Mm-hmm.

Minna: Ah~

Kim: Funny how that works out, huh?

Rhi: …and was charged with fraud and corruption, and Lady Drake was the one hearing the case. Yeah. So that further… Man, look at us go.

[laughter]

Kim: Look at us. We’ve connected the dots.

Rhi: You haven’t connected shit.

Kim: I’ve connected them.

Rhi: Connected them!

Kim: Anyways.

Rhi: Do your roll first. Do your roll first. It’s risky-standard.

Kim: Okay, that’s a 5.

Rhi: Five. Okay, you do it but there’s a consequence.

Kim (as Blaire): Inspector Severin, do you recall the trial you were on of which you were prosecuted of fraud and corruption?

Rhi (as Severin): Well, as you likely remember…

Rhi: He gives you a bit of a smile.

Rhi (as Severin): …I had been framed under charges that I had been taking bribes and not doing due diligence in my investigations. This began only after I investigated criminal activity including gun running connected to two gangs with ties to Lord Mora.

Rhi: Another murmur runs through the crowd. As the questioning proceeds, you know, the trial is recounted and it comes out that Lady Drake was the one overseeing that trial.

Kim: Yep.

Rhi: Do you maybe want to have Minx come up for the bit about talking to Lady Drake?

Josie: Oh yeah.

Rhi: Yeah. So I think Blaire— [laughs] Blaire and Minx tag out and Minx will come up to ask these questions.

Kim: Yeah, joint questioning here, because that’s how courtrooms work.

Josie: Mm-hmm.

Rhi: Shh~

Josie: I’m trying to spin it like she tried to cut a deal with us in there.

Rhi: Okay. Yeah.

Josie: Right? Like, she offered us something and we tried to get out of it because there were law enforcement around and this really isn’t the place, you know. Like, basically she was trying to cut a deal or threaten us to back down.

Rhi: Yeah.

Josie: Right? Minx is gonna kind of spin it like almost a little bit like she’s telling an intrigue story. She gets a little into it. [laughs]

Rhi: Uh-huh.

Josie: She weaves this intricate meaning to one of Lady Drake’s statements and stuff like that.

Rhi: Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead and give me…

Josie: So we’ll see if it comes across as fake or not.

Rhi: Yeah, go ahead and give me a roll.

Josie: Uh-huh.

Rhi: It’s still gonna be risky. I think in this case you’re gonna have greater effect because Severin can at least back you up on yeah, I saw, I was there, I saw them get summoned back into Lady Drake’s private chambers in the middle of the trial.

Josie: Yeah, and the ultimate end-goal is because we were working on exposing her so she needed to silence us. Right?

Rhi: Mm-hmm.

Josie: And I got a 6.

Rhi: Okay. I didn’t say this, but Blaire’s first roll ticked up both clocks by 1, so they were at Magpies were 1 out of 8, Drake is 1 out of 6.

Kim: Okay.

Rhi: A 6 with greater effect for Minx I think is gonna push the Magpies up to 3 out of 8.

Josie: Woo!

Rhi: So yeah, your argument… I think tying, you know, starting to tie her to Lord Mora, making it look like she was trying to potentially frame or at least convict an innocent inspector in order to protect Lord Mora. I think that narrative is starting to be woven. Myra.

Minna: Hello~

Rhi: What would you like to do towards this?

Minna: I think that I wanna elaborate on the Mora and Drake link, drawing on Roxanne and Lani’s research.

Rhi: Okay.

Minna: Because they’ve spent literal years looking into the Circle of Flame at this point, I think.

Rhi: Yeah. Yeah.

Minna: And Myra’s good at writing a research paper, so she’s gonna do that, basically.

Rhi: Yeah. You did have the two of them specifically hunt down the identities of the members of the Circle of Flame.

Minna: Mm-hmm. So I think I’m going to use that research and be like “they are members of the same secret society. They are clearly very close to one another.”

Rhi: Yeah! Go ahead—and yeah, you can pull out the research. If you had talked to Lani, and she would haul out all of the paperwork and give you all of their notes, so yeah, you definitely have access to all that.

Minna: I have a dense file folder. [laughs]

Rhi: Mm-hmm!

Minna: That I can possibly submit to the court.

Rhi: Uh-huh. “I would like to submit this as evidence.” THUNK!

Minna: Yes.

[laughter]

Rhi: This magistrate is just like “uh…”

Minna (as Myra): Since I don’t expect all of you to read this right now, I’m going to summarize it and tell you my argument.

Minna: So she’ll pull out papers and quote from them as needed. Well, I don’t think it’s—I think she has notes. It’ll be like, here’s a very convincing link between the two of them in their little clubhouse.

Rhi: Yeah. Yep, so go ahead and make a roll of some kind.

Minna: I need to check whether Sway or Study is better, but I feel like both of those are equally valid.

Rhi: Yes. Yes.

Minna: They’re the same, so I’ll just roll three dice. [laughs]

Rhi: Okay.

Minna: I almost want to push myself.

Rhi: Yeah. This is gonna be risky-standard still.

Minna: Cool. Wait, you said these were flashbacks. Does that cost stress?

Rhi: For this? No. I think if it’s something where you need somebody to fabricate something. This is just like you would have asked Lani hey, can you get me your research on this stuff, and that’s not gonna cost you any stress. It is a flashback, but it’s a no-stress one because that would have been very easy. If it’s gonna be something where it’s like oh, we asked the Silver Nails to forge some paperwork, that will cost you stress.

Minna: Mm-hmm. Guess what I rolled.

Rhi: A critical?

Minna: [smiling] A 6. [laughs] You did assume the worst.

Rhi: I’m disappointed in you, Minna.

Minna: [laughs]

Rhi: Only a single 6!

Kim: How dare you.

Rhi: All right. I think this will actually work out. I think maybe that’s the closing argument for the prosecution’s side, because that’s gonna bring you all up to 4 out of 8. Yeah, Myra just very methodically walks through these links. I think that any one of these things individually would not be enough, but there are several items that definitely, like, there’s a pattern.

I think as Magistrate Strathmill calls for a recess you can see that she’s starting to look a little uncomfortable. You’ve actually maybe managed to plant a couple seeds of doubt in her mind. She figured this was just gonna be show up, listen to a bunch of people make some bullshit arguments about my boss/friend, and then convict them… but shit, it seems like she was friends with a demon. [laughs]

Kim: Yeah.

Rhi: I think during the court recess the crowd is abuzz. Everyone is talking. Some of the reporters are trying to grab people for interviews. Nicholas is refusing to let any of you talk to the press.

Josie: [laughs] Okay.

Rhi: I think Minx is just like “yeah sure” and he’s like nope-nope-nope-nope-nope, absolutely not. Do not talk to the press until the trial is done. [laughs] So, I think that he’s gonna give you all a little coaching on what’s gonna be happening now with the cross-examinations, and she’s gonna be making her arguments, basically just giving you some pointers about what to prepare for. He’s basically like:

Rhi (as Nicholas): You all have been doing really well so far. I can’t guarantee that this will be decided in our favor, but I think you might win the court of public opinion… which isn’t gonna keep you out of prison, but it’s something. [uncomfortable chuckle and exhale]

Kim: Yeah.

Rhi: Is there anything else that you all want to do during this break in the trial?

Kim: Not that I can think of. What about you two?

Minna: Let me think.

Rhi: The trial reconvenes and it is the defense’s turn to make their argument. Lady Drake basically opens up with nobody knew Lord Mora was a demon, including myself. He had a lot of friends. Having connections to him, you know… if that is a sign of guilt then half the nobles in this city will have to be sent away.

Josie: Now there’s an idea.

Rhi: Yeah. [laughs] I was gonna say. The Magpies are all like “yeah, you’re getting it. You’re seeing. You’re getting it.” So, I think her first witness is somebody who used to work at The Centuralia Club and who, according to her testimony, she is the one who found Avrathi’s body and saw you all fleeing from the scene and is tying all of you to this heinous crime. At this point you all will kind of be—your rolls will be the cross-examination slash defending yourselves.

Kim: Right.

Rhi: Since again, this is not really a normal trial. I sincerely apologize to any lawyers or law students listening to this show.

Josie: Hey, this is fantasy Victorian. It’s different.

Rhi: Yeah, it’s theater. So yeah, does somebody want to make a counterargument?

Josie: There was a human sacrifice alter down there.

Rhi: [laughs]

Kim: That’s true.

Josie: We can’t gloss over with that.

Rhi: Yeah. If that’s the counterargument you’d like to make…

Minna: It was self-defense! Minx was on an alter!

Josie: She was in league with a demon and of course demons do human sacrifice. Duh.

Rhi: Yeah.

Kim: Let’s go with that.

Rhi: Yeah! Yeah. So who wants to make that roll?

Minna: I feel like Minx should make that roll.

Kim: Yeah.

Josie: Okay, I’ll make the roll.

Rhi: You were the one tied to the sacrificial alter. [laughs]

Minna: You can be, like, dramatically reliving that bullshit.

Kim: Yeah.

Josie: She’s pushing herself because she’s weaving a terrible story of kidnapping and dealing with the demons and being gallantly rescued at the last minute. [laughs]

Rhi: This is gonna be… What are you rolling?

Josie: Sway.

Rhi: Okay. Risky-standard for this.

Josie: Okay. I got a 6.

Rhi: She’s going to get a point just for she’s making her side of the argument, but you are also going to get a point. Basically while she’s on defense she’s just kind of ticking up her clock. But, you guys are at 5 out of 8, she’s at 2 out of 6. You’re doing very well. Minx is able to paint this vivid scene. There’s definitely a sketch artist from the Daily who, based on your descriptions, is just drawing this sacrificial murder room in the basement of a popular club and is just like “oh my god! This is amazing.” There’s a lot more…

Minna: This is like those old illustrated police papers.

Rhi: Mm-hmm. The final illustration has a lot more chains and skulls than you strictly remember there being, but you know, artistic license.

Kim: [laughs] You know.

Rhi: So… let me think here. I’m just trying to think back about your numerous, numerous crimes that she could pull on. I think she’s gonna continue to try to prove her innocence and pivot a bit away from your actions and talk about her own record, her many years of service, her legal scholarship. Calls in some witnesses of people who have worked with her and talk about all of her excellent magisterial work.

Kim: Mmm.

Rhi: She’s gonna automatically get 1 for that, but you all can make a counterargument to try and tick up your side as well.

Kim: I feel like just calling out that she’s spinning it is a good starting point.

Josie: Mm-hmm.

Rhi: Yeah! Blaire, do you wanna…?

Kim: Yeah. Would that be… What roll would that be? I can kind of see it being a Command almost if Blaire just wants to point fingers and be like OBJECTION!

Rhi: Yeah!

Kim: [laughs] I might push myself, I think.

Rhi: Yeah, go for it. Risky… This is gonna be reduced because this is actually probably her—She actually has the most solid evidence here, like “I have been practicing law for 25 years. Back off.”

Kim: Right, but also she’s avoiding the question which is what Blaire’s getting at.

Rhi: Right. Yeah.

Kim: Wish me luck, y’all.

Josie: Do it~

Kim: Okay good. Oh! That’s a critical actually! Two 6s and a 2.

Minna: Hey~! [claps]

Josie: Nice.

Kim: My dice are cured, maybe. Even though I didn’t bless them.

Rhi: You’ve done it. Amazing. So… yeah, I think Blaire—I feel like we just have the shot of Nick is just sitting here staring at Blaire just bewildered as you’re just busting out these complex legal arguments of why she’s wrong about things and he’s just like “where did she… how did she learn this? How?”

[chuckling]

Rhi: I’m just picturing a flashback to Blaire just sitting in her room surrounded by legal textbooks.

Kim: Yeah. Yeah. Blaire kind of gives Nick the side-eye and rolls her eyes and I think she stands up, slams her hands on the table, and says:

Kim (as Blaire): [projecting] Objection, your honor!

Rhi: [laughs] yeah, and then it just goes from there.

Kim: Yeah.

Rhi: So yeah, because you got a critical you do it with greater effect. That gets you to 6 out of 8 and she’s still at 3 out of 6. So, she should be starting to sweat at this point. I think it’s kind of clear from the vibe of the room that people are leaning in your direction, but she is very calm.

Kim: Right.

Rhi: She calls her next witness, and Myra, your heart drops, and probably the other two too but it’s worse for Myra, as Jeren takes the stand.

Kim: What?

Minna: Oh…

Josie: Oh no. Oh, Jeren.

Rhi: Looking deeply unhappy, like he’s clearly reluctant.

Minna: [hopeful] Uh-huh?

Rhi: He is not looking at the three of you at all. He’s avoiding eye contact.

Minna: Oh buddy… baby.

Rhi: She just starts peppering him with questions about what he knows about your activities, and I’m gonna make a fortune roll to see how well he does at being evasive.

Minna: [smiling] Luckily Myra didn’t tell him about a lot of things because she thought it would make him feel better.

Rhi: Yep. Oh God, God bless you. Jeren, I’m proud of you and your character growth and your ability to lie.

Minna: Aw!

Rhi: I got a 6. [laughs] So, he is doing his best to avoid giving, like… He does have to give some answers, some information up, but he’s downplaying, one, how well he knows all of you, and is doing so in such a way that she can’t pin him down and get him to admit anything more concrete. So, she’s gonna get another tick, but it’s only 1. If he’d done badly on that roll it could have gone a lot worse. Then yeah, you can try to do a cross-examination on him. Myra, since you’re the one left.

Minna: Hmm…

Josie: Mm-hmm.

Minna: Yes. Boy oh boy. What do we think he knows that won’t get him in trouble? [laughs]

Minna (as Myra): What is your experience working under Lady Drake? Have you had any experience with her professionally?

Rhi: Give me a roll. Let’s start there. It’s gonna be risky. On the one hand he wants to help you out but on the other hand he doesn’t want to implicate himself, so I think those cancel each other out. It’s just gonna be risky-standard.

Minna: I think it has to be Sway because we’re not having an honest conversation.

Rhi: No.

Minna: I am having a conversation that specifically tries to prod for details that won’t hurt him but will be useful for me.

Rhi: Yeah.

Minna: That’s a 6.

Rhi: It would be. [laughs]

Minna: You heard me shaking them really good!

Rhi: I know! I know. I’m  not… It’s just hilarious.

Minna: I rolled a 3 earlier!

Rhi: I know you did. [giggles] So your question was what do you know about working with her?

Minna: What’s your experience working with her professionally? What is she like? Does she seem like she’s on the up-and-up? Does she ever pressure you into—or like, do you ever feel she creates an environment in which you’re pressured to act unethically?

Rhi: Yeah. I think as you steer him in that direction he actually starts talking about the circumstances around this recent spate of arrests and how she was putting pressure on his Bluecoat captain and how there was talk of what the charges would be before specific people were even identified to be arrested and just how obviously fabricated this whole thing was. He and several of his compatriots all felt this pressure to comply with her, potentially putting their jobs in peril or other things like that.

Minna: [smiling] I’m rubbing my hands gleefully at what a big mistake she made bringing him in. [laughs]

Rhi: Yeah. She thought she had a slam dunk here, and quite frankly if I hadn’t rolled as well on that fortune roll this could have gone a lot worse.

Minna: Mm-hmm. Yeah. We had two very good rolls that made this perfect.

Rhi: Power of friendship!

Minna: [giggles]

Rhi: So, you all are at 7 out of 8. Closing argument? To dunk this thing home.

Minna (as Myra): In this trial we have shown you that Lady Drake is connected to people who have done a lot to undermine the rule of law in this city. We have also shown you that Lady Drake herself is not invested in running a fair trial or in executing justice which is the basis of her job. In my opinion, she should not have any place in the legal system of Duskwall, and she has stacked this system against the people that it’s meant to protect.

Rhi: Give me a roll.

Minna: So it’s Sway because it’s an argument?

Rhi: Mm-hmm! Oh yes.

Minna: Is this still risky-standard?

Rhi: I think at this point it’s gonna be risky-greater because you all have made very solid arguments here throughout. You’re in a good position.

Minna: I’m going to push myself for an extra die.

Rhi: All right.

Minna: Six.

Kim: Oh my God, Minna.

Rhi: I mean… yeah. [laughs]

Minna: [giggles]

Rhi: Really, as long as you’d gotten a 4 or higher.

Minna: I got a 4, a 5, a 6, and a 2.

Rhi: [laughs] So, you make your closing argument. Lady Drake makes hers and she seems to think she’s won. She’s very confident and smug as she concludes.

Rhi (as Drake): I look forward to justice being served and the criminal threat posed here being removed.

Rhi: Magistrate Strathmill I think has to dismiss the court for a couple hours to deliberate, herself. This is clearly not an easy decision for her, and that immediately, like—I think you’re all still hanging out in the courtroom. That immediately, like, that confidence that Lady Drake had evaporates, because she was expecting this to just be like, I make my argument, my protégée says that I’m innocent, we go about our lives. Why is she having to think about this?

Kim: Yeah.

Rhi: So after I think an hour and a half Strathmill comes back out, calls court back to order, and says:

Rhi (as Strathmill): I take no joy in this verdict. I looked up to you, a lot, but I have reviewed the evidence and I can’t argue with the facts… I find the defendant guilty.

Rhi: And the, in this case, inspectors swoop in for the arrest because they do not trust the Bluecoats to handle this.

Kim: Wow.

Minna: Mm-hmm~

Rhi: And she is just stunned into silence. Lady Drake is just standing there as they cuff her and begin to escort her out. If anyone would like to get in any parting verbal shots, now is your chance.

Josie: I think Minx is just gonna slyly side-eye Lady Drake and say:

Josie (as Minx): Game over.

Rhi: Yeah. She just shoots you a murderous glare before she is escorted from the room. The press is going wild. They are shouting questions at her, they are shouting questions at you. I think, again, before any of you can really start talking to the press, Nicholas is gonna start gently but pointedly herding you towards a side door as he’s looking back towards the main doors of this courtroom.

Rhi (as Nicholas): I think the Bluecoats may have had orders to arrest you no matter what the outcome was. You should go. You should go now. I’ll handle the press, just go.

Rhi: [laughs] If you look back you can see… having to kind of fight against the crowd, but a number of Bluecoats are trying to get into the room.

Minna: Ah.

Kim: Hmm.

Rhi: So, the three of you are gonna have to make a hasty exit, but you are able to do so and head back to your still-secret hidden lair whose location you have not had to reveal.

Josie: Mm-hmm.

Kim: So good.

Rhi: And yeah, let’s go into downtime.

 

 

## Downtime [0:34:52]

Rhi: I think you actually are gonna make a little bit of money off of this. I think the family, friends, and other assorted loved ones of the people who you got out of prison are gonna get a little money together for you.

Kim: Okay.

Rhi: Nick included. Nick is providing the bulk of this money.

Minna: [laughing] Aw, we saved his boyfriend.

Rhi: He’s also the wealthiest of the people here.

Minna: Yes.

Rhi: So you all are gonna get 2 coin.

Kim: Oh.

Rhi: Not a ton but a little bit. People kinda scraped some money together for you. So, it takes a little bit of time for everything to get processed, another couple days for the charges against Lady Drake to be formalized, for the charges that she had put in to be dropped, but within a few days there is a big happy relieved gathering at The Hound’s Paw.

Not everybody goes directly there. Nessa just goes straight home to her family. Briggs I think also just goes straight home because he is older and had a rough time with this and just needs to rest, but you do get a note thanking you all for your help, that he hopes you will stop by sometime soon. Rigney comes in and just… he’s a tall man, and I think he gets taken to the ground by the number of people piling on him to hug him.

Kim: Aw.

Rhi: Because it’s all three of you, Nevan, and Nick, just (whoomp)! [laughs]

Kim: Yeah.

Rhi: He’s like… I’m picturing that he just ends up falling against the bar and is having to brace himself with one hand.

Rhi (as Rigney): Hi! I’m glad to see you all…! I can’t breathe!

Kim (as Blaire): We love you~

Rhi (as Rigney): [catches his breath] Love you all too. Thanks. Guys, really, I can’t breathe. I need you to get off of me.

[laughter]

Rhi: I think Lani and Roxanne are not here. I think Lani went to collect her herself and they have just gone straight home for alone time together, because they’re very attached and very worried. Roxanne also has never been to jail. This was a stressful experience for her.

Josie: [sympathetic] Mm-hmm.

Rhi: Tuhan stops by and drops off some money to thank you all, probably buys a bottle of something off of Rigney and then leaves with it.

Rhi (as Tuhan): This is from me. I’m going home.

Rhi: Then, Kit comes in looking very frazzled and just immediately goes up to the bar… Nevan is working the bar. [laughs] Rigney is too busy being fussed over by everyone. Kit goes up to the bar and immediately orders a shot, throws the shot back, and has a coughing fit.

Kim: Oh no.

Minna: Baby. [laughing] I think Myra comes over.

Minna (as Myra): It generally helps to breathe.

Rhi (as Kit): [deep breath, coughs] I didn’t—I didn’t realize it was gonna burn that much. Oh… I don’t like jail.

Josie (as Minx): It’s not fun.

Rhi (as Kit): No. I didn’t… I didn’t enjoy the experience. I don’t know how you all do all of this with that risk looming over you.

Minna (as Myra): Mostly we try not to think about it.

Josie (as Minx): Yeah.

Rhi (as Kit): Hmm.

Josie (as Minx): If we thought too hard about things, we wouldn’t be doing half the things we’ve done.

Rhi (as Kit): That does not seem like a healthy coping mechanism, but I see your logic.

Josie (as Minx): We’re glad you’re back.

Rhi (as Kit): I am glad to be back and very grateful that you all were able to help. I think I want another drink.

Rhi: [laughs] He’s gonna flag down Nevan again. I think the next ones to enter are Bazso and Nyryx. Nyryx is holding onto Bazso’s arm and is fussing over him a little bit.

Rhi (as Bazso): [gritted] I’m fine, Nyryx. This is not my first stint in Ironhook. I know what I’m—Minx!

[laughter]

Rhi: Pulls his arm free from Nyryx.

Josie (as Minx): Heh… It wasn’t my fault this time, Bazso.

Rhi (as Bazso): I got arrested by somebody who was trying to get at you, so I feel like—

Rhi: And I think as he’s talking Nyryx just walks straight past  him and wraps both arms around Minx and is just sort of leaning against her in a hug.

Josie: Aw.

Rhi: Letting Bazso do his yelling, but is like [sweetly] “hi, hug time.”

Josie: Minx hugs back.

Rhi: Yeah, so the two of you are having this adorable sweet hug while Bazso is just flailing angrily.

Rhi (as Bazso): I was arrested by somebody who was trying to get at you, so I do feel like it is your fault this time! Again!

Josie (as Minx): I… I can’t help but feel that way too. I’m sorry, Bazso. It—

Rhi (as Bazso): No. Oh— [stammers] I didn’t… Ugh. You were supposed to be all like “but I got you out of prison so it cancels out.” I didn’t… Ugh.

Josie (as Minx): No, no…

Minna: [laughs]

Josie (as Minx): Bazso, this isn’t the first time people have been threatened or hurt because of their connection to us. It’s why I don’t think I’m gonna be doing this much longer.

Rhi: [laughing] Bazso, like—all of the anger which I think you can now kind of tell was sort of feigned just deflates.

Josie: Aw.

Rhi (as Bazso): Shit. I’m sorry, I wasn’t actually that pissed. It was just a couple days.

Josie: [laughs]

Josie (as Minx): But I’m glad everyone’s okay.

Rhi (as Bazso): Me too. I’m glad one of us had the sense to run for cover.

Rhi: Nyryx just, like, nod-nod-nod, still hugging.

Josie: [laughs] Aww.

Rhi (as Bazso): I’m gonna go buy us a round of drinks.

Rhi: [laughing] He feels bad! He didn’t think Minx was actually gonna take it seriously and get guilty!

Minna: [laughing] Aww!

Josie: But Minx has had character development.

Rhi: She has! It’s beautiful! So, the door… like, this sort of reunion is going on for a little bit. There’s lots of hugging. There’s lots of drinking. Everybody is just very relieved. The door creaks open and I think Blaire is near the door and looks over to see Needle poking her head in and looking around.

Kim (as Blaire): Hey!

Rhi (as Needle): I…

Kim: She’s gonna rush up to hug her

Rhi (as Needle): Hi~

Rhi: She will hug back.

Rhi (as Needle): I take it it’s safe to come out now.

Kim (as Blaire): Yeah! Oh my gods. Did they try to get you too?

Rhi (as Needle): Yeah. Yeah. They came sniffing around, but I still have plenty of boltholes so I hid.

Kim (as Blaire): I’m sorry. If I’d known I would have come and sought you out.

Rhi (as Needle): Oh no, it’s fine. I think it was for the best.

Kim (as Blaire): You’re not hurt, right?

Rhi (as Needle): I saw them coming and was able to get away. It’s just I didn’t have time to send word or anything. I’m sorry.

Kim (as Blaire): Okay.

Rhi (as Needle): Good news. One, didn’t get arrested, always a plus. And two, uh… I’ve done a little digging and I think I might have some things that can help with your, um… former friend.

Kim (as Blaire): [lowering her voice] Really?

Rhi (as Needle): Yeah. Let’s, uh… Here.

Rhi: She’ll wave you over to a table to sit down and she’ll start talking about what she’s found.

 

 

## Outro [0:42:10]

Rhi: Thanks for listening. The Magpies will be back in two weeks. In the meantime, follow us on Twitter at @magpies_pod, and visit our Patreon at patreon.com/magpiespodcast.

The Magpies podcast is GMed and produced by Rhi. Follow me on Twitter at @rhiannon42 and check out RPGSkillCheck.net for my copy editing and accessibility freelance site.

Blaire Culhane is played by Kim Kogut. Follow her on Twitter at @kimdianajones.

Minx is played by Josie. Follow her on Twitter at @DragonGirlJosie, and watch her art streams at  picarto.tv/DragonGirlJosie.

Myra Keel is played by Minna. Follow her on Twitter at @mynaminnarr.

The opening and closing theme music is from ‘Trio for Piano, Violin, and Viola’ by Kevin MacLeod, and is used under a Creative Commons license.

The Blades in the Dark roleplay system is the creation of John Harper, and is published by Evil hat Productions.

 

Next I’d like to thank our lovely Patreon backers. Neil de Carteret, thank you.

 

 

## Blooper [0:43:29]

Rhi: You know what I realized would be another one you could do, Josie?

Josie: Uh-huh?

Rhi: Twink!

Josie: Aww, damn it!

Kim: A twink!

Josie: I panicked and said clink.

Rhi: Save it. Save it for the future.

Josie: God damn it. All right.

Rhi: That’s okay.

Josie: I need a list.

Rhi: Save it for the future. Sneak it in.

Josie: [laughs]