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Scrawled on the margins of a Scroll of Wall of Ice

Realization: elections unpleasant. Campaigning unpleasant. Contrarians unpleasant.

Still want to be Legate. One day. But path to getting there hellish.

Relieved when Sephidra won the primary; didn't have to suffer being candidate again.

Role and purpose in question. Talking, working with Sephidra has been enjoyable. Not preferred, not ideal, but still feels productive.

Don't need be at the top to get things done.

Deputy Chief Scribe Aaisha al-Samar,

With Sephidra Niridhe as the Purple League candidate, please add her to the Purple League Account as another Treasurer.

Please also send all treasurers a statement with a record of transactions and current account balance.

Live and drink, sincerely,
Beatrice Margo

Scrawled on the margins of a Scroll of Dread Seizure

Already exhausted.

No surprise three week old plans fell apart. Flexibility, adaptability as important as forethought--maybe more. Especially in chaos, disorganization.

Conflicted if worth running. Others have strengths; vice versa: weaknesses.

Sephidra: Seeing her work, admiration grown tenfold. But polarizing with Astronomers, Janissaries.

Hu: Heart. Earnest. Honest. Best things to say of a person. Best things maybe not enough.

Hamdan: Eh.

Seeing Lady Shabani's signature surprisingly overwhelming. Pride? Accomplishment? Not first time but feels different. Makes running feel worth it.

Captain Fergus,

You may have heard that Legate Domhnall made a bellow stating that Aurelio requested that al-Sayaadin be disbanded.

I have confirmed this with Aurelio. I won't put his reasons down on paper as I imagine you'll find them unsatisfying but let me know if I'm wrong and you would like to read them regardless.

Legate Marcellus has also asked me for clarification on this issue as the decision now rests on him.

I am of two minds: first, a group like al-Sayaadin, as a force not inclined to the political maneuverings of the Accorded factions is needed for the Palatial Pyramid to better direct a marching force as the Well needs; second, Aurelio's disenchantment in al-Sayaadin is a sign that, ironically, the Rose has successfully tainted al-Sayaadin, turning it into another point of contentious debate.

The decision in how to respond to Marcellus is yours, Captain. Find him at your leisure or respond with your answer and I shall relay it on your behalf.

Live and drink, sincerely,
Beatrice Margo

To Grand Strategist, Poet-Extraordinaire, Swashbuckling Bravo, Known Philanthropist, Baz'eeli Debonair, News Mogul, Purple League Patriot, Official Envoy & Diplomat of Ephia's Well, The Most Esteemed Hamdan al-Hamdan,

Coffee gives me the jitters. But I won't decline an offer of Rosewine or Baz'eel Blue. I'll keep an eye and ear out for you.

Live and drink, sincerely,
Beatrice Margo

The roster is updated and refreshed, awaiting for any others additions or corrections.

This letter, in addition to be mailed out to all (listed) members of the al-Sayaadin, is also posted to the front of Beatrice Margo's office door.

To the members of al-Sayaadin,

With the lost of Captain Ast Ironbanner, so to were some of our records noting membership within al-Sayaadin. As of this moment, the roster of al-Sayaadin is known to be as thus:

• Captain Fergus Greaseglop
• Commander Beatrice Margo
• Balladeer Aurelio d'Lyon
• Atticus Naros
• Alejandro Benjazar
• Richo Aylomen
• Syclya Xaose
• Ur-Khal
• Janissary Aino Keijo
• Alecto Hadwyn-Zagar
• Donny Crumbs
• Percivale Kross
• Sophia Carrass

If you know of any correction that this roster needs: spelling to a name, removal of deceased individuals, addition of al-Sayaadin members not listed, please inform me as soon as convenient.

Live and drink, sincerely,
Beatrice Margo

Scrawled on the margins of a Scroll of Cloud of Bewilderment

"It is not personal."

When said, initial reaction is feeling insulted. Feels personal. But they're right. Those who say "it is not personal" work for greater things. Faction. League. Higher ranked superiors. Instruments without agency. Spokes of wheel.

Duty to a sworn oath. Duty to follow orders. Never swore an oath, joined Purple of own volition, just started acting like one of them. How different my decisions from an oath? Can leave any time. Can others?

Engida's tale lead to realization that agency lacking for many. Even if they deny it. Promises made have long lasting effects.

Need be careful. Don't be tempted by things not being personal. The saying won't be enough to calm everyone.

To Hamdan al-Hamdan, Citizen of Baz'eel and Ephia's Well, Known Scholar, Esteemed Strategist, Official Diplomat, Owner of the Fine al-Hamdan Herald,

We should speak soon. I'll try to make myself available so we can meet at your leisure.

Live and drink, sincerely,
Beatrice Margo

The Basics of Successful Prosecution:
A Primer for Law Enforcers and Other Like-Minded Individuals
By: Beatrice Margo

Introduction

A key basis to maintaining law and order in any society is the pursuit of both punishment and rehabilitation of criminals. Punishment serves as society enacting justice and as a deterrent. Rehabilitation serves to allow criminals to return to society on good terms so that they do not need or are not tempted to return to criminal activity.

Before an accused can face either punishment or rehabilitation, however, they must first be found guilty and convicted of a crime. Once the criminal's guilt is established, the sentence given to them is then legitimate.

This work provides a basic introduction to the practice of prosecution and how they can be successfully carried out. It is this work's author's hope that enforcers of the law or any other like-minded individuals who wish to serve as a prosecutor learn from this work so not only are criminals justifiably convicted, but also so that cases that do not deserve prosecution do not take up precious time and resources.

Three Components of a Guilty Individual

The establishment of guilt of an accused can be carried out by providing, to the judge, three key pieces of information: means, motive, and opportunity.

Means is the physical (and perhaps metaphysyical, if dealing with magical, divine, or otherwise supernatural elements) explanation of how an accused committed a crime. This can include: physical descriptions of how the accused committed the crime; and the results of a crime matching a tool or capable of producing those results possessed by the accused.

Motive is the reason for why the accused committed the crime. This can range from general vices such as greed to more specific explanations such as a person murdering another to avenge someone close to them. Generally, the more specific the motive provided, the stronger indication of the accused's guilt.

Opportunity explains when an accused committed a crime and that they had the chance to do so. This can be argued by using witness testimony or logical arguments that places the accused at the scene and time of the crime.

While not all three key pieces of information are needed to determine that the accused is the guilty criminal. The more numerous and more detailed the information, the stronger the argument that the accused is indeed the guilty criminal. More information can also have an exclusionary effect: by providing evidence that specifically applies to the accused, the possibility of the crime being committed by another party is whittled down.

Evidence and the Relation to the Three Components

Evidence is any object, piece of information, or witness testimony that supports arguments answering how (means), why (motive), and when (opportunity) an accused has committed a crime.

Evidence can be (but is not limited to):

• Eye witness testimony
• Written witness testimony
• Expert testimony
• Physical objects

The strongest piece of evidence are the ones that can, using basic logic or direct observation, tie the accused to the crime. For example, a witness can state they saw the accused commit the crime; expert testimony can state that the results of a crime do indeed qualify as a crime; physical evidence can place the accused at the time, place, and perhaps even as the perpetrator of the crime.

It should be noted, however, that certain types of evidence may not be worthwhile to present depending on the circumstances or if other stronger evidence can be presented. For example, eye witness testimony can be easily countered by other eye witness testimony, devolving the case into a they-said/they-said situation.

Conversely, written witness testimony, when not backed up by the testifier in the court, is at risk of being effectively argued against should the defense find a suitable weakness within it. Generally, the longer the written testimony, the more possible holes the defense may find within it.

Expert testimony is indirect and risks providing information that is removed from the specific context of the crime.

Physical objects also require suitable context to be effective evidence. Mere possession of an object does not necessarily denote execution of a crime. A person in possession of a skeleton may be a necromancer hoping to raise the skeleton for nefarious purposes. However, separate from all other context, it could also be effectively argued that a person possessing a skeleton may be on their way to give it a proper burial.

Because each type of evidence has its weaknesses, a prosecutor should always attempt to layer multiple pieces of evidence, creating an overlapping series of arguments that rules out distractions and counter-arguments.

Evidence and the Relation to the Laws

Every piece of evidence should, most importantly, be properly compared to the laws that the accused has been accused of breaking. Laws should be, as much as possible, interpreted and related to the evidence as literally as possible to establish the strongest relation between evidence, crime, and accused. While a judge may exercise discretion and rule according to a non-literal interpretation of the law, ignoring a literal violation of the law is much less likely to happen as it is commonly considered the bare minimum of interpretation of the law.

Critical examination of a law is key in determining if a piece of evidence is of useful relation. This can be done, for example, of noting the verbs within the law--the actions which are specifically outlined as illegal.

For example, consider the following law:

Desecration: A person found guilty of attempting to dishonor, defile, or animate the dead has committed Desecration. Minor to Capital.

Minor: Tampering with a grave or retrieving things from it.
Serious: Destroying a grave or committing otherwise irreparable damage.
Capital: Animating the dead.

And note the verbs describing actions contrary to the law:

• Dishonour
• Defile
• Tampering
• Retrieving things from
• Destroying
• Causing irreparable damage
• Animating the dead

Detailing a list of actions, this law clearly specifies actions--some of which are more literal than others--which would be illegal for people to perform. One should also note, however, actions which are not listed and described. For example, possession of a corpse or disembodied body parts, possession of necromantic items, possession of necromantic literature.

While these unlisted actions may be related to the listed actions and may be considered vile and abhorrent to the average person they are not strictly violations of the law. It is important to break down an accused's actions into as many base component parts as possible so you can critically examine their actions.

A person who digs up a buried corpse and carries it on their person has committed multiple actions. This includes digging and the act of carrying/possession of a corpse, both of which are different actions of which only one is specifically defined as illegal.

Likewise, a person who possesses and uses an artifact of animating the dead to animate a skeleton into unlife has committed various different actions, including: possession of necromantic material (the artifact), possession of a skeleton, and the actual animation of the dead. Again, only one of these is strictly defined as illegal.

When the actions are broken down into these distinct parts, it becomes clear what evidence is necessary to prove the accused has performed which action. That is, evidence that proves the accused possess necromancy related material is weak and does not conclusively prove that the accused has broken the law. Instead and in comparison, evidence (such as eye witness testimony) that proves the accused has animated the dead is much stronger and more likely to convince a judge of the accused's guilt.

While weaker tangential actions may support other evidence, the key to a successful prosecution is determining the many base actions performed by the accused and following through on focusing on the evidence that the accused has committed actions which are specifically illegal.

Summary - Point by Point Guide

In summary, to successfully prosecute an accused, one should strive to go through the following steps:

1) Capture the accused (and provide them with the ability to call for an advocate to ensure a fair and just trial)
2) Gather and re-examine as much evidence as possible, including:
2a) Searching the accused for any contraband or criminally related items
2b) Gathering eye, written, and expert testimony
2c) Referencing previously written files related to the accused
3) Examine the evidence to determine what laws the accused has broken
4) Critically compare and contrast the evidence to the laws to determine what specific actions taken by the accused violated the laws, this includes determining:
4a) The specific actions the accused has performed
4b)If these specific actions are explicitly listed as contrary to the laws
5) Prosecute the accused and bring the case to trial

By following these summarized points, one should have the basis to prosecute the majority of cases that come across one's desk.

Appendix: Frequently Asked Questions

"Other than the types of evidence already listed, how can I gather more evidence to prove an accused's guilt?"

A good enforcer of the law documents and reports every instance of note as part of their regular duties. Even if an incident seems minor and inconsequential at first, records of these incidents may prove to be valuable later on as they could be tied to an accused at a later time.

"What if I capture a suspect but all the evidence gathered so far is insufficient?"

Release them. First of all, they might actually be not guilty of whatever they are suspected of doing.

Secondly, for a number of reasons, law enforcers should avoid detaining and questioning suspects when there is insufficient evidence to suspect them of wrong-doing. Law enforcers do not exist within a vacuum and, in fact, the relationship between law enforcers and the rest of a society is a key tool in preventing crime and convicting criminals.

For example, law enforcers that are corrupt or frequently hassle the public are less likely to have developed a cache of good will that they can be drawn upon to convince witnesses and bystanders to offer their help and cooperate with a case.

"If I release a suspect due to lack of evidence, what do I do next?"

Just because not even evidence is gathered at a certain time, does not mean no other evidence exists or can be discovered. Unless a suspect is completely cleared, continue to investigate and search for new evidence: one could monitor the suspect for any further wrong-doing or associates of the suspect can be questioned.

It is better to take one's time and secure the evidence needed to achieve a conviction instead of rushing a suspect to trial where they will be found not guilty due to a lack of strong evidence.

Fergus,

I'll check with Aurelio again about the roster. If that ends up being unhelpful I'll do a roll call and start from scratch.

As I understand it (or how I think it works is) we are a citizen force because our leadership (the captain, specifically) is (supposed to be) comprised of un-Accorded Voiced citizens. This was (maybe?) due to a limitation of the Stele which could not recognize a citizen from being more than one group (for the purposes of wage distribution).

Citizens from the Accorded factions (should be) welcomed in al-Sayaadin, they just won't be able to draw a wage from the dedicated al-Sayaadin funds (because they are already drawing a wage from another funding pool). I think this is also true of un-Voiced citizens since only Voiced citizens can be added to the Stele.

I spoke with Soldier Arnock Reyer recently. He's interested in continuing the work Sergeant Fauchard started with al-Sayaadin, starting with a few pieces of siege equipment he has available. I told him to seek you out since you mentioned renting property recently. If need be, I can store them in my office for a time.

Thank you for the warning about Rosseau.

Live and drink, sincerely,
Beatrice Margo

Scrawled on the margins of a Scroll of Identify

Anais only one who ever asked.

Forced it, even.

Because she was good friend?

Or asshole?

Doesn't matter.

To Fergus Greaseglop, Acting Captain of al-Sayaadin,

Legate Guivarch and Prelate Shabani held an Allotment Assembly last night. Discussion about funding for al-Sayaadin was had but not finalized due to lack of time and technical difficulties with the Stele of Law. I initially requested 6000 dinari or a top of funds to the initial funding amount provided to al-Sayaadin in the previous Assembly (5000 dinari). Guivarch mentioned 3000 which should bring the fund near or up to the latter.

If the chance comes up, please feel free to discuss with Legate Guivarch, Prelate Shabani (or Legate Saenus if he returns by then) to finalize the amount.

Aurelio also mentioned that you have a copy of the al-Sayaadin roster. Could you send me a copy? I have been thinking of other prospective recruits: Richo Aylomen and Syclya Xaose come to mind, if they are not already members. Pursue them at your discretion if you agree.

Live and drink, sincerely,
Beatrice Margo, Acting Commander of al-Sayaadin

Scrawled on the margins of a Scroll of Endurance

Feels odd. When others speak as if I am the experiment. Evaluating numbers. Tweaking variables. So used being the one who tweaks, adjusts the numbers. Mustn't forget that the experimenter affects the experiment. Experimenter is an experiment.

Almost cringed, winced, when others spoke of me, despite visible presence. A tool to be moved about the table, worked upon material, gadgets, gizmos. But no reason to interpret as insult. The hand that drives the wrench, the mind that puts it into place, extension of the people that seek to build.

Feel better this time. Time feels short but, objectively, have fair amount. Planned from the beginning this time. Previously, inspired into impulsivity. Now I can plan better. Others can plan better. Hopefully all plans align. Or at least parallel without intersecting collisions.

Can't forget: as I observe, so am I observed. Disarming, when others speak of me, to me. Noting things about me. How others react to me. But good, it is all feedback. Important data. Bashir. Domhnall. Hu. Ironjaw. Many others. Nothing more jarring, nothing so strongly reminds of existence in the world--sharing in the grand experiment that is reality--than their kindness.

To the members and supporters of the League of Purple,

In anticipation of the upcoming Subat elections (and all elections in future months), I have arranged with Magistrate and Deputy Chief Scribe Aaisha al-Samar to have a League of Purple Election Funds Account created at the Office of the Sublime Bank.

Anyone of you may contribute to this account (see M&DCS Aaisha al-Samar to do so) and the funds it contains is only intended to fund election related operations and transactions. The treasurers of this account with withdrawal privileges are: myself, Prelate Nasreen Shabani, M&DCS Aaisha al-Samar.

I know that each of you are people of different means and so donations to this account are just that: donations. If you have dinari to spare and wish to contribute to the League of Purple in a material way, your generosity and kindness would be warmly welcomed. No one should feel pressured to contribute to this account, if anyone makes demands of you to do so, please inform me as soon as possible.

The League of Purple is on the precipice of great works and action. Legate Marcellus Saenus is one of the most successful and popular Legates in the history of Ephia's Well. Let us work together to see another Purple Toga in the other Legate's seat so that the principles of the League can be truly put into motion, allowing the Well to flourish.

Live and drink, sincerely,
Beatrice Margo