The Fated v. The Giordanni
From The Hub
Argued 632 HR
No. 03-8126. Certiorari to the Supreme Court of Sigil
Contents |
Background Summary
It is required by Sigilian law (civil statute: 271 Sig. 7339 (97 HR)) to register all incoming goods from other planes with the Fated Department of Planar Trade. The reason for this statute is so that the Fated may determine the value of the goods and thereby tax them accordingly. This procedure also allows Sigilian lawmakers to determine if the intended goods are safe enough to bring into the city. Each trade family is assigned a Fated tax official to oversee their specific flow of goods. Items are to be described and cataloged in detail- and a final tax sum is calculated. Failure to do so has a penalty dependent on the number and rarity of the goods.
Behind The Case
It is, of course, known to the Azrai that the Giordanni family assisted the Butcher in a scheme to use the memories of Fel to go back in time to a world from the last cycle called Ranais. Going back to Ranais allowed the Butcher access to Old Empire Tech Dream Machine parts. Somehow, the Butcher realized that items from this world could be brought back to Sigil and continue to exist here (Episode: The Beastlands Become Ranais). The Butcher coerced several victims into helping them deal with the research and planar issues; notably Tripicus and Reana of Oghma. The coercion of at least Tripicus required the use of Korachons, although some of the other victims were adequately controlled by a partially-functioning Dream Machine. Though the Butcher was not the "face" of the operation, the Azrai know he and the Eschaton's corrupt leadership was behind the scheme. Although Falkirk lead the actual expedition, the Azrai finagled themselves into gaining access to Ranais.
Evidence
Otto Tallfellow, a high-ranking Fated official, wondered how the Giordanni were able to import such odd and potentially dangerous items into Sigil without anyone (at least at the Fated) raising an eyebrow. After looking at the import paperwork filed by the Giordanni, Otto noticed two things- 1) the paperwork on file was not the original but a duplicate and 2) it listed an extremely vague and incomplete list of missing items. Someone had to be working with the Giordanni from inside the Fated.
Otto eventually tracked down a double-agent named Charlie who was the Giordanni's dedicated tax official. Charlie apparently allowed the Giordanni to bring in whatever they wanted. After a short conversation between Thofalcon and Charlie, Otto had Charlie arrested and forced him to testify that he forged the documents and turned a blind-eye to much more Tech that didn't make it on the list.
Otto has gotten Nicolai of the Mechanists Guild to testify that some of the items on the import list are mis-labeled or mis-represented and that some of the items could not be identified as safe for the citizens of Sigil.
Reana of Oghma will testify that she was coerced into staying in Ranais longer than had been agreed and what it was she was researching for the Giordanni.
The Case
After legal delays instigated by the defendants, the case is finally scheduled to begin.
Implications
If the court finds in favor of the prosecution, Otto will then be able to prove the Giordanni forged their tax records and charge them with bringing "dangerous goods" into Sigil, thereby allowing him to mount a criminal case against the Giordanni. A criminal case would allow for wider and more effective search warrants which, in turn, authorizes (in theory) Otto to inspect and seize the Dream Machine parts and Old Empire Tech- and/or implicate the Eschaton in their subversive dealings. Of course, Otto realizes this may be a difficult case to win. If it occupies Helios, the Giordanni, and the Eschaton however, that's almost as sufficient. To this point, it has done just that, severely limiting the movements and illegal imports of both the Giordanni and the Eschaton.
The Defendants
- Helios (Defense Attorney, not a defendant.)
- Bruno Giordanni
- Falkirk Giordanni
- Charlie
The Prosecution
Key Witnesses
- Tripicus (Currently in witness protection.)
- Reana of Oghma
- Josephine, former proprietress of One-Eyed Jack's Brothel (Contingent on plea agreement.)
- Shilah, serving girl from One-Eyed Jack's. She was witness to Josephine's rituals. Kedward Bone kidnapped her for a time, trying to extort Otto into doing his bidding.
- Fel
- Charlie (Contingent on plea agreement.)
- Nicolai, member of the Mechanist's Guild.
Suspension
The case was suspended after forces of the Meridian Group attacked the City Court. The case has become a casualty of the War of Reckoning as the Courts of Sigil aren't currently functioning.
The Court's Decision
TBD
