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I did not witness the trial, but I submit the opinion that the standards of proof required for judgment in times past were much lower than they are today (particularly compared against the overly litigious Western societies such as most of us live in). Most people subscribed to something like "a 60% solution now is better than a 90% one later" and less generous rulers simply threw undesirables in prison (or worse).

Speaking specifically about the Forgotten Realms, even some of the most methodically just of groups, Tyr's church, appears in game literature (e.g. Faiths & Avatars, Warriors and Priests of the Realms) to err on the side of punishment for a crime. This may rankle our modern sensibilities, but it may enable such role-play if such role-play is indeed desirable.

Harroghty wrote:Speaking specifically about the Forgotten Realms, even some of the most methodically just of groups, Tyr's church, appears in game literature (e.g. Faiths & Avatars, Warriors and Priests of the Realms) to err on the side of punishment for a crime. This may rankle our modern sensibilities, but it may enable such role-play if such role-play is indeed desirable.

I think next time (if there is one) I may stick to the "We are judge, jury and executioner" way

Harroghty describes more what I expected. Not something so modern in its ideals. I was surprised beyond a reasonable doubt was expected. Actually I thought a trial was being done instead of a Judge, Jury, Executioner because the more magical aspects of the realm were going to be used, specifically something like an Aura of Truth. While I understand that it isn't something that can randomly be implemented in a game in a special RP situation like the trial it seems appropriate and I had expected something like that would be done.

the problem is that OOC when planning an event which is classic good against evil, the good side complain it is too hard to catch the evils and the evil side complain if you don't offer them a clear cut way out of the situation

There's absolutely no way to catch a thief who has not RPed a theft properly if they pass their hide and steal checks. That's just the way it is until spot is actually placed in the game. Even still, PCs will be at a disadvantage until they train it up (which will, most likely, be very difficult to do considering the few events that you will actually get a chance to increase it).

Basically, the goodies involved (including myself) will need to suck it up and find another way to convict these sorts or deal with it the way it should have been dealt with in the beginning.

Briek wrote:the problem is that OOC when planning an event which is classic good against evil, the good side complain it is too hard to catch the evils and the evil side complain if you don't offer them a clear cut way out of the situation

I'd ignore ooc complaints. If people cannot be expected to act appropriately to the roleplay they commit to or cause, if they cannot accept the results of such, then they can be affected by the decisions of a court without they themselves being present.

I've been on both sides of this, as an enforcer and victim and I can say that on some occassions I took it badly ooc for a result of my ic actions. It was perspective changing to see how badly I reacted to a taste of my own medicine, but were it to occur again, I believe I would accept it.

So yes, you have to roll with the havok you caused, complaints aside, but if you cannot or feel slighted ooc, you can discuss it, but if the grounds are sound, you need to accept it. (Unless of course it is abusive or threatening rp that is not in line with the game's policies, wherein it should be reported.)