High Court of Mä-isma

The gall of it all, to take a building designed for Balance and turn it into a shrine to Justice. There is no justice here. Surely the heads on the wall make that clear. How the judges can stand their gaze, I will never understand.

— Vaiken IV, Diarch of Ozäxa-Lavüdh

The High Court of Mä-isma is a large courthouse in the titular city, and serves as the home for the highest judicial court in the Republic of Varrzaxadh. Even prior to its promotion as a legal power, the courthouse had held great significance to the people of Varrzaxadh and the people of neighbouring Ozäxa-Lavüdh.

Architecture

Unlike buildings with a similar use, the Mä-isma court was not built for this purpose. Rather, it is a converted cathedral, complete with the high arches and glass windows once would expect. As such it only has three courtrooms - the one in the main area, and two on the upper levels for smaller and more private legal affairs. Quarters previously used for housing the priests and audhils are used as resting rooms for judges and juries, where each may ponder their choice on a given case. The entrance has been extended from the original design to allow for the better processing of individuals who are attended trial, and prominently features the Mä-isma Wall of Heads.

History

Like the city it calls home, the courthouse of Mä-isma formerly belonged to the Diarchy of Ozäxa-Lavüdh, and to the Monarchy of Ozäxa before it. It was originally a small church dedicated to the Divinity of Balance, but found itself upgraded to a lavish cathedral during the reign of Därra I of Ozäxa-Lavüdh, who was born in the city.
In the years after the deaths of the new country's first diarchs, the two individuals came to be viewed as akin to saints, and embodiments of Balance. Due to her ties to the are, Därra was especially beloved there, and statues of her soon adorned the cathedral and the city overall. The building was renovated a few times over the eras, as well as being repaired in the Era of Flood after the River Tsädh overflowed its banks and drenched it.
When Mä-isma was seized by Varrzaxadh in the course of the Central War, the church was left intact, though its congregation fled. It was briefly utilised as a place to store war munitions when Ozäxa-Lavüdh attempted to retake the city, and after the war fell into a measure of disrepair.
This was rectified after The Collision caused structural damage to much of the city, causing many of its buildings to be rebuilt or repaired in short order. Recognising the usefulness of a large building in their most distant city, the rulers of Varrzaxadh decided to convert the cathedral into a court of law, simultaneously enabling the locals to have their concerns more effectively heard. While not originally intended to serve as the site of the highest court in the land, it was promoted to that position after the monarchy's peaceful dissolution during the Era of Disturbance, and subsequently helped to establish Mä-isma as the second capital of Varrzaxadh.

Founding Date

58 Redemption 1110 years ago

Alternative Names

Mä-isma's Cathedral of Balance (By Ozäxa-Lavüdh)

Type

Courthouse

Owning Organization

Varrzaxadh

Hall of Heads

During the conquest of Mä-isma, the Varrzaxadhayo sought to destroy evidence of Ozäxa-Lavüdh's influence in the region. Rather than razing buildings to the ground, this destruction was directed at the many statues of Ozäxa-Lavüdhayo heroes throughout the city. Naturally, this resulted in many statues of Därra I being beheaded, in a symbolic act of defiance against the country she founded.
Rather than crush the heads of the many statues in the city, they were placed into the Mä-isma Cathedral, displayed in its foyer as a reminder of the justice that had been served by Varrzaxadh's actions. After some of the heads were stolen by rebels and rascals, they were more officially installed onto its wall. Nowadays they are seen less as symbols of overthrown tyranny and more as symbols of judgement, both legal and divine.

Gothic Angel by darksouls1