I rolled it in my IC post. Didn't go well, unfortunately.

Duty Roll: 1d100 22

Rion's Duty is triggered for this episode.

So this ends with my blowing up the trial?

That's quite the plot twist.

Duty Roll: 1d100 22

Rion's Duty is triggered for this episode.

So this ends with my blowing up the trial?

That's quite the plot twist.

Or, maybe, sabotaging the Hutt criminal prosecution!!

It makes sense to me...

Naah - probably blowing up the trial. ;-)

Maybe we could offer to work as saboteurs for the Hutt Cartel?

Or we break out by blowing a hole in the prison...

Naah - probably blowing up the trial. ;-)

Maybe we could offer to work as saboteurs for the Hutt Cartel?

Or we break out by blowing a hole in the prison...

I say we do both! More explosions = better story. Just ask anyone who's produced a James Bond film.

Or Michael Bay! Pearl Harbour anyone?

Now the big question - where do we get the explosives from? Have we got any MacGyver in our squad and some paper clips at hand?

Edit: Sorry, I forgot that this is StarWars we're talking about - let me rephrase my question: Have we got any laser paper clips at hand?

This is rapidly running out of control. You're the social character! Why are you plotting to blow up my carefully crafted social encounter?!!

Edit: Sorry, I forgot that this is StarWars we're talking about - let me rephrase my question: Have we got any laser paper clips at hand?

Ahem...I think you mean "flimsi-clips."

No lasers? ;-(

Alright I've decided to slightly extend the deadline since I don't feel like sending you in completely unprepared, but I need you guys to have a plan pretty soon.

I think we need you (as GM), through the Jedi (to make it IC), to at least explain what the trial is going to look like. I am assuming that he at least knows what to expect during the trial if he is here to advise and represent us. None of us players, however, OOCly have any idea what that means. This means we're all just grasping at straws and are having a hard time mounting anything resembling a defense.

Is Hutt justice similar to most rule of law countries on modern Earth or is it decidedly different? If it is modern rule of law like we're used to on Earth, then we have an idea of how to proceed (read: we're largely screwed and can, at best, try to mitigate charges). I'm assuming that Hutt justice is different in some ways, but by not knowing in what ways, it is impossible to mount a defense to fit the trial we'll face. It would be a defense to something we think might occur, that might have no basis in reality and thus be pointless. The context is everything, I believe. If our Jedi also doesn't know what to expect and thus cannot share, then I know I am ready to just go to the trial, since I have nothing of value to add beyond grasping at straws that may not be there (e.g., my last IC post).

Hmm... That is actually a good point. I will wait for the GM to elaborate and then post the info, along with some information regarding the captured Imperials. It will have to wait a few hours though (I am about to go to sleep as it is night over here).

I will do that, but tomorrow. I admit I have been a bit remiss in providing detail here, but I will provide an appropriate knowledge dump. I'm not hugely knowledgeable on legal procedures though, so while I can't provide comprehensive notes on judicial process I can give a rough idea. What sort of information roughly would be essential to what is needed?

General ideas of the trial procedure would probably be helpful. Also any expectations of what types of things to say (and when to say them), how to submit evidence, whether bribery is frowned upon...I realize some of this would likely be in the realm of a knowledge check, but if we had a general idea in our group of what a Hutt trial would even look like, that'd be a good start.

I'll get on that in the morning.

General ideas of the trial procedure would probably be helpful. Also any expectations of what types of things to say (and when to say them), how to submit evidence, whether bribery is frowned upon...I realize some of this would likely be in the realm of a knowledge check, but if we had a general idea in our group of what a Hutt trial would even look like, that'd be a good start.

Bribery would indeed be frowned upon, by the way.

Sigh... Murphy being a bastard, albeit a predictable one, my router has expired. And I will probably not be able to get a new one until tomorrow. So, while I do have the info in my inbox, I cannot make an IC post with it until I am back online.

So, if the GM would be willing to post that info as an OOC post in order to save some time, I would be fine with it. Otherwise I will make an IC post probably tomorrow, an option I am also fine with.

Since nothing else can be achieved while you're away, here's a rough summary of what the local Hutt lord has to say:

- His name is Karokk the Hutt. He governs the area with a gilded fist, taking hefty taxes and protection money in exchange for completely ignoring goings-on in his district.

- He was wilfully ignoring the Imperials, so as not to provoke anyone and because they paid all their taxes on time.

- He wasn't involved in the trial or arrest though, that was the responsibility of the Hutt Council. Thus he can't really influence what goes on.

- In fact, as he makes clear, he ought really to have Jeren thrown into his pen of wild vornskrs just for insinuating that the Hutt Council might be corrupted or working for someone else.

- He suggests that unless Jeren leaves his palace for such wilful slander, he will call the Constable, Vorna the Hutt, to come down and have him arrested with the other fools who disrupted his district.

Hutt Justice effectively relies on the idea that people should be moved along as fast as possible so that the judges can return to their palaces and all the dancing girls therein. They will put up with a lengthy debate provided it's interesting enough, but that's always a risky strategy in case they get bored and decide you're dragging on. Thus you can work your way out of virtually any case through the power of argument.

The format of the trial is as follows:

• In the court, you will be stood before the judge with the prosecutor stood next to you (but separated by a barrier for obvious reasons).
• Each side will make a speech of testimony outlining their side. The prosecutor will speak, then the defence, then the prosecutor may reply and that opens up free debate.
• Free debate continues pretty much until the Hutts get bored or someone wants to call a witness, or if the defence calls for a verdict.
• At that point either the witness is summoned (I'll be voicing them) or else you must make a closing statement of innocence or guilt (depending), after which the jury makes their vote.

Any other questions on procedure?

Should we get a Hutt lawyer?

What's our plan?

I think it'd be best if we act spontaneously to counter the prosecutor's speech.

Points in our favor:

- The Imperials violated the treaties with the Hutts and had no right to be there at all

- The Imperials spied on the Hutts as well as on the Republic (maybe parts of the information gathered by Tee-Nine could show that?), so our Hutt master had every right to act against the Imperials

- We only followed our masters orders (I think there's one thing that Hutt's really hate: servants who don't follow orders)

- We did not kill everyone but took prisoners

- We treated the prisoners well (we even treated their wounded)

- We did not destroy the facility completely

On top of that, it would probably speak in our favour if we offer some sort of compensation to the Hutts (maybe we could help the Cartel performing some kind of mission) in exchange for a milder sentence (exile, I'm looking at you).

Another point speaking for us would probably be if we try to get the Imperials out alive as well (that's at least what Marcelus would do --> he feels responsible for his prisoners).

Would it be possible to make a bargain / an alliance with Karokk? He probably got some trouble with the Cartel now. Maybe we could back him somehow in exchange for some help in the trial?

Well, looks like my guess about the Hutt in control of this sector being behind the uncanny coincidence we encountered was off base. Any chance the Republic could ask their pet Hutt who he thinks might be behind the scenarios I envisioned?

Just so as you know, the data you recovered is sufficiently encrypted that you'll access to one of the SIS' decoding systems before you can get anything from it.

I concur with FeBommel's suggestions about using some of the mitigating arguments (argumentation is what the Hutts want) to try to downgrade anything thrown our way. If we're able to find out what Korro Zal is interested in pre-trial, that could also be of potential benefit. It just depends on how quickly we can get and act on information relative to the trial (i.e., if the trial is tomorrow, we won't be able to get information in time for it to be actionable; but if the trial is a week off IC, then we'd have time to try to act on it).

RE: Karokk, if he did get in trouble with the Cartels (or is facing more trouble), maybe a deal can be cut. Maybe "our Hutt" could have been working with Karokk to get rid of this "problem" in Karokk's territory. If Karokk is not facing any additional trouble, then this probably won't work. He needs to stand to gain something; showing that he was trying to fix a problem could be mitigating for him.

Karokk isn't facing trouble for what happened, from what you've picked up from Jeren's connection to the local holonet. What passes for news - which at the moment is mostly coverage of the Miss Ryloth Pageant - is saying that he was questioned and then released since he'd known nothing and had nothing to contribute to the case.