Lady Hillara Summoned by Inquisitors Over Scrolls

The legal dungeons of Waterdeep are echoing with the sounds of a high-profile inquisition as Lady Hillara of the Deleted Scrolls faces questioning regarding the classified grimoires found in her private tower. The Special Inquisitor Smith has been appointed to determine whether the Lady intentionally hoarded state secrets for personal gain or if she was merely disorganized, a common affliction among high-level casters. Boxes containing spells of national security were discovered in her basement storage room, mixed in with old Christmas decorations and broken wands, raising questions about the security protocols of the former Archmage.

Lady Hillara maintains that she had the authority to keep the scrolls as souvenirs of her time in office, arguing that she declassified them with a mere thought, though no written record of this mental decree exists. Her legal team, composed of the most expensive barristers in the realm, argues that the investigation is a politically motivated hex designed to prevent her from seeking higher office in the future. They claim that similar actions by Warlord Donwald are being ignored, pointing to a double standard in the enforcement of the kingdom's secrecy laws. The public remains divided, with some viewing her as a victim of a witch hunt and others as a noble who believes herself above the law.

The Inquisitor has called upon several witnesses, including former aides who claim they warned the Lady about the improper storage of the magical texts. Some testimony suggests that a private server was used to transmit sensitive information, bypassing the secure crystal ball network established for official business. The potential penalties range from a heavy fine to permanent exile from the casting of arcane magic. The trial has become a spectacle, with vendors selling popcorn and commemorative robes outside the courthouse.

Security experts warn that the presence of these scrolls in an unsecured location poses a risk to the realm, as enemy spies could have accessed them during the time they were missing. The Intelligence Guild is currently auditing all former officials to ensure no other magical artifacts have wandered off into private hands. Meanwhile, Lady Hillara continues to campaign for support, framing the legal battle as a fight for the soul of the bureaucracy. The verdict is expected before the next harvest, though delays are likely as both sides file motions to summon additional demons as witnesses.