Inquisitor 1577

[Ripper]

As usual, nearly there!
Just need help with three: How the word play works would be appreciated!
41 across: Eventful life not initially helping current allegation (5) ST?RY. 7 down: Sign replacing second note in melodies with a different one (5) I assume ARIES, which then changes to ARISE? 12 down: Amerind, we hear, at one with old and new world (8) ?REATI??.
Now I also need to know what letter to put in center cell (I assume 'S' but why?)
Thanks in advance
P.S. It's freezing here!

[JJ109]

12 Creation sounds like Cree Asian

[ProfessorMaisie]

41 'eventful life' = (h)(i)STORY - 'not initially' (h)elping + abbrev for current = (i)

[ProfessorMaisie]

sounds like 'cree' is right, but then it's AT+1+O+N jj109

[JJ109]

Eventful life HISTORY not initially h(elping) = istory somehow remove the i ????= story (allegation)
Why is current "i" ??

[ProfessorMaisie]

S is right for the centre Ripper - another letter (repeated) appears in orbit around it).

[JJ109]

Sorry Prof - should have scrolled

[ProfessorMaisie]

'i' is the abbreviation for electrical current

[ProfessorMaisie]

sorry, jj109 - I thought you were asking me to explain - I'm sure you know that i = current.

[JJ109]

Thanks Prof - I was thinking aloud and had not seen your answer - but no. I was not aware that i = electrical current, or at least if at some stage I was, I had completely forgotten! That's my excuse anyway!

[ProfessorMaisie]

Change the second note (a) of ARI(a)s = melodies 'for a different one' - E, to get ARIES, as you already have it.

[ProfessorMaisie]

sorry JJ109 - I'm struggling to keep up - I must be the slowest typist around!

[ProfessorMaisie]

It's pretty cold here Ripper - but not quite freezing.

[Ripper]

Thank you SO much everyone, sorry for the late reply but my computer wasn't 'sending' emails to let me know I had replies (if you see what I mean!)
Thanks again