Prompt: victory, but a victory without ever having to strike a blow.
Laws. Order. Codes. The framework of all societies, and the favored tools of civilization. In a perfect society, they exist to ensure the well being of its citizens, defining their rights and offering an impartial means of providing sentence upon the guilty, and vindicating the innocent.
That’s what it should have been, at any rate. But the fiefdom of the corrupt Lord Aldaris had illustrated all too well how the law could be utilized as a weapon of tyranny and oppression. To the disgust of the paladin order of the Argent Scale, Aldaris had even expected them to not only permit his crimes to continue, but actively endorse him in his actions.
Rather than permitting his actions to continue, and not desiring to instigate a violent revolt of the citizenry that could not guarantee a worse outcome, the Argent Scale’s best Arbiter decided to remove Aldaris from power by legal means.
It had taken some time, but by first weakening the resolve of the Aldaris’ men, and by having the edges of his domain pressed by rival nobles wishing ot expand, Paladin Lora Thul was able to personally arrest the corrupt noble without an ounce of blood being shed.
Aldaris’s crimes were brought forth by the testimony of the citizenry, along with written accounts taken from his personal effects. By illustrating Aldaris as both a tyrant and clearly committed in greed driven activity, including embezzlement against the Empire itself, she alienated him from any potential allies who might have pushed to offer leniency.
Finally, the day came to pass judgement. The Empire held its breath, and for the first time in history, noble born of such esteemed rank was found guilty, altering the political climate of the Empire for centuries. In the years to come, a greater focus was on excising corruption became the unwritten law of the nation, with greater focus on the protection of the citizenry and safeguarding against corrupt leaders.