The City Court,[6][7][8][9] also known as The Lady's Court[4][5] the High Courts,[3] or simply the Court,[1][2] was the most prominent courthouse in the city of Sigil and the main headquarters of the Fraternity of Order.[3][6][7][8][9][10][note 1]
Location[]
This building was located in the Lady's Ward of Sigil.[6][7][9][1][2] The area around the building was referred to by locals as being the Court District.[11]
Structure[]
As one of the High Houses of its ward, the City Court displayed the power and wealth of the Fraternity of Order.[2] It was a regal, imposing,[1][2] and foreboding building. The building as a whole stood two stories tall, but its central tower rose above it by three more stories.[12] Its total height was 155 hands (15.7 meters) and it measured 150 feet (46 meters) wide.[13]
The building had a granite foundation,[14][15] with granite steps leading up to it, but the City Court itself was hewn from flawless white marble and sported bladed gables.[15] Marble pillars flanked the outside of the elevated entryway,[14] above which hung a triangular architrave that had the faction's motto etched into it, "Knowledge is power".[15]
Interior[]
Measurements, a floor layout, and rough map of its the roads around the City Court.
The entryway of the building opened into a large promenade that encircled the first floor. Close to the entrance was a reception area,[14][13] which opened into the Grand Court. Adjoining the reception area were also a small office and cloak room.[13] Lesser court rooms could be found on every floor of the building[14][13] and were considered public, civically owned spaces.[7] Attached to each of these was a private chamber,[14][13] which acted as a meeting place and study room for both the judges and counsels of nearby trial cases.[14]
The main floor of the Court also hosted a set of private quarters for the organization's factol. These were connected to the Grand Court's chambers by a short hallway and were one of the many spaces in the building to have stairs leading down into the faction's private library.[14])
Besides further lesser court rooms, the second floor of the City Court featured the offices of the Fraternity of Order's Bureau Chiefs (Factors),[14] wherein they discussed their cases and reached their decisions.[6][7] The second floor was also host to dormitories for the faction's Aides (Namers), quarters for its Administrators (Factotums), and a twin set of chambers that housed a fraction of Sigil's court records. Within these chambers were hidden portals that opened into several demiplanes, wherein the actual majority of Sigil's court records were stored. Only members of at least factol level had clearance to these portals.[14] Above this, the first two floors of the tower were taken up by lesser courts, and the top floor of the tower housed faction offices.[13]
Beneath the building stood the Vault of Knowledge, a private library accessible only to members of the Fraternity of Order, which could be accessed by stairs darted throughout the first floor. This library spanned a depth of three sublevels, each ranging 20 to 30 feet (6.1 to 9.1 meters) in height from floor to ceiling. All three levels were packed with all manner of perfectly arranged and catalogued books and scrolls on law, spells, and a wide range of other topics.[14] Practically every known spell in the multiverse was said to be housed throughout the collection.[4] The collected works of the library were regularly referenced by the Court's judges.[6][7]
A later addition to the building was the Hall of Concordance, which acted as an embassy for the inevitables of Primus and the forces of lawfulness.[15]
Services[]
Within the halls of the City Court were where most legal matters in city of Sigil were settled.[15] Most of the serious cases were tried in what was referred to as "Ward Court", which was conducted in any one of the building's lesser court rooms, while "High Court" cases were held only in the Grand Court chamber.[14] Each cases was overseen by a single, impartial magistrate.[4][14][15][16] Magistrates were typically members of the Fraternity of Order,[4][14][16] those known as Bureau Chiefs,[14] though sometimes a judge could be a modron or a dabus accompanied by a translator.[4]
Those of the namer rank in the Fraternity of Order worked for the City Court as court recorders, file clerks, and research assistants, following the orders of factotums so long as they didn't conflict with an ongoing task. Though some namers were forced to carry out far more menial duties in the City Court, such as cleaning or guarding.[17] Most guard duty was carried out by members of the Harmonium and Mercykillers, rather than Guvners.[6][7] These guards focused on the steady movement of prisoners through the Court's halls and maintaining order in the courtrooms. These tasks demanded such attention from the guards that they often didn't provide protection to either those in the courtyard outside of the City Court and or those beneath its arched porticos.[7] Additionally, the Mercykillers carted off those all those who were convicted as guilty.[16]
The Court strongly encouraged those facing trial to have an advocate to represent them, though there was nothing preventing someone from representing themselves in court.[15] Fraternity members of Administrator rank[14] served as both prosecutors and legal advocates.[16] They could be hired by anyone for a fee,[18] though the Fraternity assigned such advocates pro-bono to any members of the organization facing trial.[4][12] Outside the front steps of the City Court itself, all manner of cheap freelance advocates hawked their services for those who would listen,[4][12][15] bedecked in brocades, robes, and wigs.[4] Such advocates ranged the gamut from baatezu,[4][15] tieflings,[4] agents of other planar factions in the city, and bards.[15]
Atmosphere[]
The City Court was a heavily active space, with crowds of people coming and going from the building all the time. This level of activity could come across as though the courts were chaotic and disorganized, but the Fraternity maintained a steady scheduling that ensured the legal body of Sigil ran smoothly.[6][7] However, the hecticness of the Court did leave some vulnerable to being pickpocketed or strongarmed by thieves.[7]
Notable Inhabitants[]
- Aratik Melber the Mad, one of three most notorious judges of the City Court. He was a gitzherai and member of the Revolutionary League, known for his unpredictable rulings. Eventually he was sent away into one of the Lady of Pain's mazes.[4]
- Black Ogutus, one of the three most notorious judges of the City Court. He was a nearsighted human cleric of Ptah and was most often the one tasked with hearing cases brought by people from the Prime Material.[4]
- Jamis, a human Oghmanyte cleric and the Bureau Chief of the Ad Hoc Bureau of Courts.[14]
- Kartina, an erinyes who worked as the clerk of Ylvirron the Cloven. She was known for her agonizingly thorough cross-examinations.[19]
- Kolyarut, the machine originator of the inevitables of the same name, ratified contracts in the Hall of of Concordance upon solid sheets of gold.[15]
- The Lady's Own Judge and Executioner, a cowled figure with a deep voice that was implied to be a representative of the Lady of Pain. Their appearance as judge in a case was seen as a bad omen, as typically the Executioner only showed up for cases where death seemed to be a certainty.[20]
- Ylvirron the Cloven, one of the three most notorious judges of the City Court. He was a cornugon who cared more for profit than justice, often inflicting various fees and fines upon any who found themselves in his court. His rulings were known for being harsh, but perfectly logical within the legal framework of Sigil.[19]
History[]
Sometime in the late 14th century DR, a group of adventurers from Ravens Bluff traveled to the city of Sigil to meet with a sage on behalf of Mayor Amber Lynn Thoden and Lady Lauren DeVillars, who both desired to established a planar trade network through the aid of a recently made alliance with a group of githzerai.[21] When they finally arrived to the office of this sage, Zevon, the adventurers discovered his murdered body and not long after were apprehended by a patrol of Harmonium aasimar, having been mistaken for his murderers. They were placed in special manacles that inflicted pain upon those who tried to cast alteration or abjuration magic. A very formally dressed half-elf by the name of Korelstick later informed the adventurers that, as Zevon was a well-known figure in Sigil, a trial for them had been swiftly arranged and set to take place within an hour.[18]
Sources differ on whether their advocate for the trial was a human named Corvain, who charged a sum of 300 gold pieces, or a baatezu named Gorbon that charged 1000 gp for his services and admitted to having lost a case previously that same week.[5] What sources do agree on is that the judge who presided over their case was the enigmatic "Lady's Own Judge and Executioner" and that their arrival made the advocate quite anxious. Some sources say the advocate managed to convince the judge of that were was insufficient evidence to prove the adventurers guilty, resulting in a verdict of exile from Sigil until evidence could be found that they were completely innocence.[20]
For those who said Corvain was the advocate, the adventurers either had a portal opened by the court to their home or Corvain arranged a guide to escort them to the gate-town of Glorium.[20] Sources claiming it was Gorbon that defended them say the adventurers were offered a choice between a portal to their home or being transported to either the gate-town of Plague-Mort or Ribcage.[22]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Originally, it was written that after the events of a conflict referred to as the "Faction War", the Fraternity of Order was one of six factions that abandoned the city of Sigil, establishing a new headquarters elsewhere. In the case of the Fraternity, this was the Fortress of Disciplined Enlightenment in Mechanus. However, Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse does not fully acknowledge the events of the Faction War and depicts the Fraternity headquarters as still being the City Court.
Appearances[]
Adventures
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 David "Zeb" Cook (1994). Planescape Campaign Setting, Sigil and Beyond. Edited by David Wise. (TSR, Inc), p. 79. ISBN 978-1560768340.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Wolfgang Baur, Rick Swan (June 1995). In the Cage: A Guide to Sigil. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 30. ISBN 978-0786901111.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Justice Arman, F. Wesley Schneider (October 2023). “Sigil and the Outlands”. Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 19, 24, 40, 43. ISBN 978-0-7869-6904-3.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 Wolfgang Baur, Rick Swan (June 1995). In the Cage: A Guide to Sigil. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 978-0786901111.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Daniel S. Donnelly (October 1998). No Place Like Home. Living City (RPGA), p. 12.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 David "Zeb" Cook (1994). Planescape Campaign Setting, Sigil and Beyond. Edited by David Wise. (TSR, Inc), p. 80. ISBN 978-1560768340.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 Wolfgang Baur, Rick Swan (June 1995). In the Cage: A Guide to Sigil. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 34. ISBN 978-0786901111.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Monte Cook (1996). The Planewalker's Handbook. Edited by Michele Carter. (TSR), pp. 61, 66. ISBN 978-0786904600.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Tim Beach, Dori Jean Hein, J.M. Salsbury (June 1995). The Factol's Manifesto. Edited by Ray Vallese, Sue Weinlein. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 5, 71. ISBN 0786901411.
- ↑ Monte Cook, Ray Vallese (November 1998). Faction War. Edited by Michele Carter. (TSR, Inc.), p. 123. ISBN 0786912030.
- ↑ Monte Cook, Ray Vallese (November 1998). Faction War. Edited by Michele Carter. (TSR, Inc.), p. 11. ISBN 0786912030.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Tim Beach, Dori Jean Hein, J.M. Salsbury (June 1995). The Factol's Manifesto. Edited by Ray Vallese, Sue Weinlein. (TSR, Inc.), p. 71. ISBN 0786901411.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Tim Beach, Dori Jean Hein, J.M. Salsbury (June 1995). The Factol's Manifesto. Edited by Ray Vallese, Sue Weinlein. (TSR, Inc.), p. 73. ISBN 0786901411.
- ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 14.15 Tim Beach, Dori Jean Hein, J.M. Salsbury (June 1995). The Factol's Manifesto. Edited by Ray Vallese, Sue Weinlein. (TSR, Inc.), p. 72. ISBN 0786901411.
- ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 Justice Arman, F. Wesley Schneider (October 2023). “Sigil and the Outlands”. Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse (Wizards of the Coast), p. 43. ISBN 978-0-7869-6904-3.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Tim Beach, Dori Jean Hein, J.M. Salsbury (June 1995). The Factol's Manifesto. Edited by Ray Vallese, Sue Weinlein. (TSR, Inc.), p. 70. ISBN 0786901411.
- ↑ Tim Beach, Dori Jean Hein, J.M. Salsbury (June 1995). The Factol's Manifesto. Edited by Ray Vallese, Sue Weinlein. (TSR, Inc.), p. 75. ISBN 0786901411.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Daniel S. Donnelly (October 1998). No Place Like Home. Living City (RPGA), p. 11.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Wolfgang Baur, Rick Swan (June 1995). In the Cage: A Guide to Sigil. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 978-0786901111.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Daniel S. Donnelly (October 1998). No Place Like Home. Living City (RPGA), p. 13.
- ↑ Daniel S. Donnelly (October 1998). No Place Like Home. Living City (RPGA), p. 2.
- ↑ Daniel S. Donnelly (October 1998). No Place Like Home. Living City (RPGA), p. 14.