Wizengamot Trial Instructions

OOC Wizengamot Trial Rules

The upcoming Wizengamot trials will be played IC in the Wizengamot forum using a
structured, facilitator-led format.

These trials are narrative events with clear guardrails to ensure:

• Strong pacing
• Fair participation
• High-stakes storytelling

This is not freeform court RP. The structure is intentional.

Prior to each trial, a set of instructions will be provided to the Wizengamot body, with the details of the case, a list of witnesses and OOC dates.

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GENERAL STRUCTURE

Each trial will proceed through fixed phases, announced and controlled by the assigned Facilitator.

Posting is only open during the active phase.

No phase-skipping.
No surprise witnesses.
No retroactive edits.

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ROLES

• Facilitator – Controls pacing, rulings, and progression. A rotational role and can be signed-up for after the conclusion of the 1921-1922 trials.
  
  
• Defendant – May respond when directly addressed.
  
  
• Advocates – Prosecution / Defense - NPCs for now. As more sign up to be lawyers/barristers, these roles will become available.
  
  
• Wizengamot Members – Observe, review evidence, question (when allowed), deliberate verdicts
  
  
• Witnesses – Appear only when called
  

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TRIAL PHASES

1. Convening the Court - Day 1
   
   Charges are read. Rules are set.
   
   Each Wizengamot member may quietly enter and take their seats. Inner monologuing is fine.
   
   No dialogue from anyone but the facilitator during this phase.
   
   
2. Opening Statements - Day 2
   
   One post per side from the facilitator and then the defendant/their attorney. Defendants have the option to either:
   
   • Defend themselves
     
   • Utilize an NPC attorney that they themselves control
     
   
   No interruptions.
   
   
3. Evidence Review - Day 2
   
   Facilitator Discord-posts a locked evidence summary that only sitting Wizengamot members have access to.
   
   Wizengamot members may then argue interpretation within the Discord forum (IC only!).
   
   
4. Witness Testimony - Days 3-5 (Dependent On Pacing / Number of Witnesses)
   
   Limited number of questions from the Wizengamot to be decided by facilitator. Depending on the number of witnesses and time constraints, the questions will be asked and then the witness will have the opportunity to answer all of them at once.
   
   When a Wizengamot member would like to pose a question, notify the body in the Discord channel. The question does not have to be revealed. The facilitator will give the go ahead, and that member may post their question/post in the trial thread.
   
   Should several Wizengamot members have questions at the same time, the facilitator will dictate the order of posting. Each member is urged to remember that this is a time sensitive thread and they should post as soon as they are given the go-ahead. If a member does not post within the timeframe the facilitator finds reasonable, the next member will be instructed to post theirs.
   
   The witness may answer as many questions as they'd like within their posts, and/or choose to not answer any of them. However, the witness must indicate within their post that they are deliberately choosing not to answer the question. This can be internal and does not need to be voiced.
   
   Wizengamot members may interject (argue with / pressure the witness) once per witness. This does not need facilitator approval, but must be done within two hours of a witness answering a given question. The witness will then have the final word and can post a response to any arguments/pressure or let the facilitator know their character would not engage further. At this point, the witness questioning would be considered completed.
   
   At any time, the facilitator may overrule a question or interjection by a Wizengamot member for whatever IC purposes.
   
   
5. Examination of the Accused - Days 4-6 (Dependent on Pacing)
   
   Examination of the accused will follow a similar format as the witnesses. However, their attorney can and may object to the questions posed and ask the facilitator to strike them down for whatever reason (prejudice, would lead to the accused self-incrimination, etc.). If the accused is defending themselves, they can choose not to answer the question, however the facilitator can overrule and force the accused to answer.
   
   Limited number of questions from the Wizengamot to be decided by facilitator. Depending on time constraints, the questions will be asked and then the accused will have the opportunity to answer all of them at once.
   
   When a Wizengamot member would like to pose a question, notify the body in the Discord channel. The question does not have to be revealed. The facilitator will give the go ahead, and that member may post their question/post in the trial thread. Follow-up questions are allowed as time constraints allow, however the context must be given to the facilitator prior to posting.
   
   Should several Wizengamot members have questions at the same time, the facilitator will dictate the order of posting. Each member is urged to remember that this is a time sensitive thread and they should post as soon as they are given the go-ahead. If a member does not post within the timeframe the facilitator finds reasonable, the next member will be instructed to post theirs.
   
   The accused/their attorney may answer as many questions as they'd like within their posts, and/or choose to not answer any of them. However, the accused must indicate within their post that they are deliberately choosing not to answer the question. This can be internal and does not need to be voiced. However, the facilitator may force the accused to answer in a follow-up post.
   
   Wizengamot members may interject (argue with / pressure the accused) once per trial. This does not need facilitator approval, but must be done within two hours of the accused answering a given question. The accused will then have the final word and can post a response to any arguments/pressure or let the facilitator know their character would not engage with that question/member further. The facilitator cannot overrule the accused's decision not to engage in arguments or pressuring.
   
   At any time, the facilitator may overrule a question or interjection by a Wizengamot member for whatever IC purposes.
   
   
6. Closing Arguments Day 5, 6 or 7 (Dependent on Pacing)
   
   One post per side. The Wizengamot will post their closing argument first, followed by the accused.
   
   No new facts will be allowed into evidence at this time.
   
   
7. Deliberation & Verdict Day 6, 7 or 8 (Dependent on Pacing)
   
   Verdict delivered by vote or facilitator ruling, along with sentencing if applicable. The accused is given the courtesy of first reaction/post following the verdict. The Wizengamot body may react after if they wish.
   
   For the purpose of the 1921-1922 cases and the ongoing site-wide storyline we have, all rulings will be made by the facilitator OOC, with the ruling standing as an 'IC Vote'. Going forward, any subsequent trials will all be decided by vote of the Wizengamot body.
   
   Consider this a fun intro!
   
   

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POSTING & PACING

• Short, focused posts encouraged
  
• Facilitators may cap post length or number of replies
  
• Threads will advance even if a participant is quiet
  
• Momentum is prioritized over perfection
  

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CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS

• No powerplaying or power escalation
  
• No introducing new evidence without approval
  
• Facilitator rulings are final
  

These trials are designed to be high-pressure, emotionally charged,
and time-boxed.

All Wizengamot members will be given access to the Wizengamot Discord channel to be kept up-to-date on pacing and for OOC discussions / suggestions.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Amber on Discord (@.ambers.) or PM Julia Laurence.

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The Trial of Gideon Blackwood
Facilitator: Dorian Montreaux
Charges: Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Child Endangerment
Date of Trial: September 30, 1921
OOC Start Date: January 10, 2026

The Trial of Ruby Haswell
Facilitator: Bertram Nordstrom
Charges: Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Child Endangerment
Date of Trial: November 1, 1921
OOC Start Date: January 21, 2026

The Trial of Maddox Barlowe
Facilitator: James Laurence
Charges: Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of Unforgiveable
Date of Trial: January 15, 1922
OOC Start Date: February 15, 2026

The Trial of Wylder Merrow
Facilitator: Dorian Montreaux
Charges: Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Child Endangerment, Conspiracy, Treason
Date of Trial: March 1, 1922
OOC Start Date: March 1, 2026