1. A ridiculous request, as the demands Kindara had made were unreasonable and there was no way any sort of "package deal" could be made without tossing existing RP out the window.
2. If you torture the brother of the enemy's leader and then lose the war, you should expect there to be consequences.
3. You were told you can have Taop and that Ansopen was negotiable. You didn't even control Haul and hadn't for months, so to claim it's "humiliating" to not be given back territory that your ally currently controls is ridiculous.
1. I don't see why this is a ridiculous request. You are giving terms on the whole Empire, then the terms should cover both Cathay and Kindara. We had no idea how Kindara negotiated with the Empire, but Cathay will consider the terms "incomplete" if they do not talk about Kindara.
2. I didn't say there can't be consequences. I said it's "unlikely" been done. We can pay money or ask our Judge to step down. But effectively banning him from this continent seems too much. Keep in mind it's the first time the player has been playing a Judge. While assassinating nobles are acceptable for players, torturing such criminals is suddenly unacceptable and considered a "crime". That's a new lesson to me too.
3. I didn't personally think the terms were "humiliating" just because we were asked to hand out Ansopen, and Ansopen WAS controlled by Cathay at the moment. I said "Cathay will not give up her claim on Ansopen, Taop, or Haul." We never gave up our claim on Taop and Haul, though Kindara was having it. That's because we agreed Kindara needed the regions.
Beyond these points, we implicitly expressed we could accept all other terms, and gave up claims on Duchy of Colosan. We were making efforts. On other words, if the Empire would agree to accept the border line at that moment, where Cathay and Kindara controls Zarimel, Ansopen and Haul, Cathy was ready to embrace peace. But beyond that we can't make a deal. Betraying our only ally or banning our respectful Judge, who controls the largest Duchy, will bring a disaster to the foundation of this realm. So those were our bottom lines, and I was very frank to Velax on that point.