Regarding the recent trial against Clover and Myself-
I was informed that the hin Clover was made to pay for a crime which I was arrested and tried.
If you are unaware of the events, then I shall tell you the details--
Clover had spied a group of escaped slaves, and Drow which persued them. Clover came back to Sanctaury and told me about what she saw.
I gathered a party to rescue the escaped slaves. I parleyed with the Drow, if you call having them beat me to the ground as "parleying".
The drow were infuriated that we defended ourselves, and told us that they were going to lay waste to our city. We gathered our fallen comrads, and hurried back. I made a sending warning of impending attack, and officer Longbrook told me that I should have informed only the Watch of such attack. I told Longbrook that the safety of all citizens was concerned, not just those of the Watch. Officer Longbrook informed me that he would be arresting me after the eminent Drow attack.
When I was arrested, I gave all information to the arresting officer, and went with him willingly. I explained to the judge, Matterhiem, that I was the parties leader, and that all responsiblity fell to me.
Matterhiem agreed, and said that it was good to help free slave, and to oppose the Drow.
I have learned that Clover was arrested by the same officer that arrested me, Officer Longbrook. She was tried for the same crime that I was charged with. Bhast judged her for the crimes that I took responisblity for. Bhast extorted money from Clover in his judgment.
I have searched long and hard for books on the laws for Sanctuary, and all I can find are the few sold in the scrivener's shop. You have some laws posted at the Town Hall, as well. These are the only lawbooks available to us, if there are more, then please make them available so that the citizens may understand all things that have been made illegal, and the procedures for the judgment of crimes.
I do not see where it is lawful to charge two persons for the same crime, where one takes full responsiblity for it. If Longbrook wished to charge Clover for my crimes, he should have done so while Clover stood in the Watchouse with the rest of us at my trial.
It does appear that the Watch may arrest any member of the city multiple times for the same crime, and multiple people, as well.
The actions of Mr Bhast are unjust. He had no right to pass sentance on Clover for a crime that was mine, and that I had already faced the penalty for.
And just so we are clear-- this action was not a crime.
Barrister Fawkes went out and attacked the Lizzardmen at the Blue Mushroom, and started the war with the followers of the diseased god. He was not called into account. The Lizzards destroyed parts of the city, and killed our citizens, but Fawkes was never blamed for endangering the city.
I was with Julian Fryar when we attacked Drow at a tradign post. I was with him when he struck down Badlev Cole. When the Shadow Dragon came and threatened the city, Julian was not arrested or put on trial.
If rescueing slaves is a crime, then change the lawbooks. If defending yourself against drow while traveling in the wilderness is a crime, then change the lawbooks.
We did not seek out these drow to destroy them. The struggle against the drow city has been there for longer than I have been alive. They know where we are, and no one led them back to us.
Bhast has made Clover, who is a victim of Drow brutality, a criminal to the people. His judgement was unjust, as were the actions of the over-zealous Longbrook.
If we are to lay down and die and offer no resistance to those that would enslave us, then you must make a public proclomation to that fact, so that we may all hide in our houses and never leave the city.
I am asking for the council to review all the procedings, and I will make myself available to you, should you need me to bear witness to events. I want this false charge against Clover removed, as well as the unjust judgment made on her by Councilor Bhast.
Those that abuse the law for their own ends shall be judged by the hand of Tyr himself. I know this means little to those that are not of my faith, but when there is an abuse of the law, Tyr takes notice, and he is not pleased.
Make this situation right. Correct the injustice that has occured. For the sake of the Law and for the sake of those that wish to follow it. Without just laws, our city will perrish. Without justice, we will be devided and our enemies will defeat us.
Ferdinand Fenwick