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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Janx" data-source="post: 5474288" data-attributes="member: 8835">I'd go with most of what Mort says.What is the PCs relationship to this case?  Did they capture the priate?  They they will likely be used as witnesses (and thus get to testify).Are they going to be the prosecutor or defense?  You might have them control an NPC if their PC is already going to be a witness.To me, a trial is a roleplaying exercise.  More talking, less dice.  Figure out how you want to handle social skills in relation to the talking.  I tend to expect players to give their speech, and roll a skill check for a bonus.  Based on the skill check and the speech, that determines sucess.You'll want to stream line the trial process itself  If nothing else, give a summary of what's happened and get to the part where a PC is going to talk.You should also consider spicing up the out of the court drama.  Somebody's making death threats, bribes, etc.  Or lying.  Or surprise evidence.And of course, you'll need to hastily create a legal system.create the laws that has in effect been broken (no kidnapping, no murder).  <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Yout don't need to make a full legal code, the charge is for breaking a specific law</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">identify what constitutes evidence, hearsay, magic, paper documents, eye-witnesses</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">define how the final decision is made (judge, or jury, or Groundhog)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">define what the defense and prosecution get to do (initial statements, witnesses and evidence, closing statement)</li> </ul>On the decision making process, here is a free idea:The judge maintains order in the court.  In front of him rests a big balance scale.  As each side makes a statement of fact, they get to put a small stone on their side of the scale.  The judge approves whether or not something counts as a fact.  When both sides have exhasted the matter, the judge announces the verdict by examining the scale.</blockquote>

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