Morcant Vale is a member of the Pale Council tasked with investigating deaths that failed to remain deaths.
When a citizen is murdered and subsequently restored to life through public or private means, Morcant is dispatched to speak with the accused before formal proceedings begin.
He does not gather evidence.
He does not determine guilt.
He does not issue sentences.
Instead, he seeks understanding.
The laws of Goldcrest recognise that murder carries consequences beyond death itself. Resurrection may restore a body, but it does not erase trauma, intent, grief, terror, financial loss, or public harm. As such, every restored homicide is reviewed by the Pale Council.
Morcant's role is to ask a simple question:
"What outcome did you expect?"
His interviews become part of the official record reviewed by magistrates, civic healers, and occasionally the Council itself.
A murderer who expected their victim to return may be judged differently from one who intended permanent death.
A desperate act of passion may be viewed differently from a calculated attempt to force the City to spend hundreds of gold pieces in restoration costs.
A husband who killed his wife knowing she would be revived.
A merchant who murdered a rival to delay a contract.
A gang leader who viewed resurrection fees as merely a business expense.
All are of interest to Morcant.