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LAWS OF THE VALE

These Laws govern the area known as Everglade Vale, which includes the Mountain Range known as the Blackspire Mountains.

LAWS OF THE EVERGLADE VALE

• Judgment and sentencing by a Noble or their designee (Magistrate) need not include a trial or even the presence of the accused.

• If a trial is granted, it is the responsibility of the accused to gather any that wish to speak for them. If witnesses are not present at the time of the trial, no time will be allotted to summon them.

• Once sentence has been pronounced, the criminal has a period of time (usually 45 minutes) to gather any fines, surrender to the authorities, or prepare for death. In the event that the criminal cannot pay a fine, he will be required to surrender any property, barring one weapon of the judge's choice, to make up the difference of the fine.

• Finally, the Noble may increase or decrease the sentence if, and only if, due to extenuating circumstances, it is merited. These cases should be the exception instead of the norm.

• If an individual is convicted of a crime, and sentenced to 'Public Beating', they will be placed within a circle of the townsfolk, and punishment will be exacted at the directions of a noble.

• Violators who receive sentences resulting in unconsciousness will regain consciousness on their own, without receiving aid from any parties to expedite their recovery. This is part of the accused's sentence.

• For the purposes of these laws, the term 'Sentient Being' refers to those races recognized by the Empire and the Kingdom of Keldesca, and possibly those possessing the ability to befriend or make war, to think and/or to reason

• Nobles, Guild Masters, Guardsmen, and others holding title of authority as handed down by Imperial or Kingdom representatives receive double the maximum punishment for premeditated criminal activity.

Accomplice
An associate in crime: one who willfully operates, aids or assists in the commission of a crime, either by action or inaction. The accomplice shall bear the criminal responsibility as if they were the sole participants of said crime.

Arson
The willful destruction of one's own property without consent by any means. (The willful destruction or damage by fire to any property of another or of the state. Also the destruction of ones own property by fire if it is done so for profit and/or if some collateral damage or destruction to the property of another or of the state ensues.)

1st Offense: Convicted will be burned at the stake until the point of unconsciousness.

2nd Offense: Death by burning and loss of all property.

Assassination
While the taking of another's life is covered by the crime of murder, assassination is both the premeditated murder of another for a fee and the hiring of such assassins. It is thus regarded, if possible, as a more callous crime.

1st Offense: Two Deaths by drawing & quartering and loss of all property.

2nd Offense: Obliteration and Banishment

Assault
The willful attack on another citizen by any means including weapon, spell, alchemy, potion or trap. An unlawful attempt or declaration (written or unwritten) on the part of one or several with force or violence or malice to cause unwanted harm or mischief upon another. An attempt or offer to harm another without touching them, as one lifts their arms in a threatening manner to another or strikes at them and misses. If the assault causes death the charge will become murder.

1st Offense: Public beating, monetary fine, and a public apology.

2nd Offense: Death by the sword and monetary fine.

Aggravated Assault - Agravo Adorior
The commission of Assault with the intent of committing additional crimes.

1st Offense: Public Beating, 50 gold piece fine, and a public apology.

2nd Offense: Death by the sword and loss of property.

Battery
The willful and unlawful use of force, violence, constraint, or mischief upon the person of another.

1st Offense: Public Beating, 25 gold piece fine, and a public apology.

2nd Offense: Public beating and loss of property.

Bribery
The offering, giving or receiving or solicitation of something of value for the purpose of influencing the action of a person in the responsible discharge of his or her public or legal duties.

1st Offense: Public Beating and 50 gold piece fine.

2nd Offense: Public Beating and loss of property.

Burglary
This law covers breaking into another citizen's home and consequently stealing property of another while in their home or business.

1st Offense: Return of property, severing of "off" hand (cannot be restored for a 48 hour period) and loss of all property.

2nd Offense: Return of property, severing of "primary" hand (cannot be restored for a 48 hour period), and loss of all property.

3rd Offense: Return of property, severing of "primary" hand (cannot be restored for a 48 hr period), loss of all property, and Spirit Marked with a "T" on the forehead for 6 months. Removal of spirit mark will result in additional charges being levied against the accused.

Charming Elixirs, Items or Magic
The possession and use of Charm, Dominate, Enslavement, Love and Love #9, whether potion, poison, item or spell is illegal. If you cause another to commit a crime while under the influence of this, you will be held as responsible for their actions if not more so.

1st Offense: 5 gold piece fine, confiscation of illegal goods.

2nd Offense: 10 gold piece fine, confiscation of illegal items and alchemical recipe book or spell book containing illegal goods.

3rd Offense: 50 gold piece fine, confiscation of illegal items and alchemical recipe book or spell book containing illegal goods, and must act as indentured servant to a person of Nobles' choice for 24 hours. Terms of indentured servitude will be administered by the Nobility.

Conspiracy
This crime is defined as the knowledge and willful cooperation in or planning by more than one person to commit any of the other crimes listed here. (A combination or confederation between two or more willing persons for the purpose of committing by their joint efforts some criminal act or some act which is innocent in itself but becomes criminal when done by the concerted action of the conspirators.) If the conspiracy is against a noble, the charge is treason.

1st Offense: Servitude in town militia for 3 months. The accused will obey the commands of their ranking officers without question or face additional charges resulting in double the maximum punishment.

2nd Offense: 25 gold piece fine and removal of tongue. Tongue may not be restored for 24 hours.

3rd Offense: Death by stoning.

Counterfeiting\Forgery
While the obvious cause of this crime is the use of false monies, it also includes the sale or trade of false formal components represented as real components and the use of a counterfeited signature or writ. If a Noble signature or writ is counterfeited this becomes treason. (Falsely making or materially altering by hand or otherwise with intent to defraud any document or symbol which if genuine might apparently be of legal efficacy or the foundation of a legal claim.)

1st Offense: 25 gold piece fine and branding of the back of the right hand. Said branding must be publicly displayed at all times.

2nd Offense: Death by beheading and loss of all property.

Impersonating a Noble
This involves not only the act of pretending to have noble title when no such title has been granted, but also acting as if under noble authority when in actuality no such authority has been bestowed. If a crime is committed while doing so, the charge is elevated to Treason. (To knowingly present oneself by document, raiment, statement to be of a noble station.)

1st Offense: Death by beheading and loss of all property.

2nd Offense: Obliteration, Banishment, and loss of property.

Kidnapping
This crime involves the unlawful taking and holding of a citizen against his or her will, and attempts to ransom said captives to friends, family, or others. Also, the forcible and unlawful confinement of an individual.

1st Offense: Death by impalement, loss of property.

2nd Offense: Obliteration and Banishment.

Libel
One person or group of persons issuing or presenting a prejudicial or false statement or accusation pertaining to any other by the use of print, writing, pictures, or signs. It is a crime to print, write, etc. knowingly false statements with the intent to injure the character or image of another.

1st Offense: Public Beating, 25 gold piece fine, and a public apology.

2nd Offense: Public beating, 100 gold piece fine, public apology, public incarceration, and indentured servitude to a person of Nobles' choice for 24 hours.

3rd Offense: Death by the sword and loss of property.

Mockery of a Noble
This involves the defamation of a Noble's character through insults, lies or mockery. If this is used to incite rebellion the charge becomes treason.

1st Offense: 100 gold piece fine, public beating, and public incarceration

2nd Offense: Loss of all property and possible death by drawn and quartering

Murder
The willful taking of another citizen's life, premeditated or in the heat of anger is murder. Even if the victim receives a Life spell, you are still held accountable for this crime. (Deliberate action to cause the death of any individual)

1st Offense: Death, Loss of all property.

2nd Offense: Obliteration, Loss of all property and Banishment.

Necromancy
Not only is Necromancy a crime in the lands of Avalon, it is a crime against the Land itself. This crime involves casting of spells with the word "chaos" in the verbal, creation and control of undead through Cantrips and Formal Magic Spells, and use of any item necromantic in nature as well as consorting with undead in any way. (The use of any spell, ability or item that calls upon chaos or causes a chaos effect. Also, the use of any spell, ability or item that causes the creation or release of undead as well as the use of any spell, ability or item that transforms a living being into undead. The willful and consenting possession of any item that possesses necromantic properties.)

1st Offense: Death by burning at the stake and loss of all property.

2nd Offense: Obliteration, loss of all property and Banishment.

Perjury
To knowingly lie or make false or misleading statements to a noble, magistrate or persons given the power to conduct an official investigation or trial while they are in the course of such an investigation or trial.

1st Offense: Same punishment as the crime demands.

2nd Offense: Public beating, public incarceration, and 100 gold piece fine.

3rd Offense: Death by beating and loss of property.

Public Indecency
Appearing in public partially or fully unclothed.  All townspeople must wear proper attire while in public, proper attire consisting of tunic or tabard and pants (at least knee length) or skirt.

1st Offense:10 gold piece fine.

2nd Offense: 25 gold piece fine and public incarceration.

3rd Offense: 50 gold piece fine and public stoning till unconsciousness.

Raising or possessing an illegal Circle of Power
By decree, permission to raise a circle of power lasting longer than one hour, celestial or earth, must be granted by the Liege of that land in writing. To do so without such permission is illegal.

1st Offense: 250 gold piece fine, Destruction of Circle at owner's expense, Loss of Formal Scroll used to extend the circle beyond one hour, and public death by beheading.

2nd Offense: 500 gold piece fine, restricted use of Formal Skills, Destruction of Circle at owner's expense, Loss of Formal Scroll used to extend the circle beyond one hour, and public death by beheading.

Slander
The speaking of false or malicious words concerning another whereby injuring results to their reputation.

1st Offense: Public Beating, 25 gold piece fine, and a public apology.

2nd Offense: Public beating, 100 gold piece fine, public apology, public incarceration, and indentured servitude to a person of Nobles' choice for 24 hours.

3rd Offense: Death by the sword and loss of property.

Slavery
The buying, selling or trade of sentient beings as well as the ownership of such is slavery. The use of an enslavement elixir is also a form of slavery. (The willful buying, selling, or holding of an individual against their will such that said individual shall have no freedom of action and whose person and services are wholly under the control of another.)

1st Offense: Death by drawing and quartering, Loss of all property.

2nd Offense: Obliteration, Loss of all property and Banishment.

Tax Evasion
This is simply the failure to pay any taxes levied by the Kingdom, Principality, County, or any Baronies of which you are a citizen. Note: Visiting adventurers are also subject to some of these taxes.

1st Offense: Double Payment of Taxes.

2nd Offense: Triple Payment of Taxes and possible loss of property.

Theft
The taking of another citizen's property without permission is theft. Looting another's body is a form of theft and will be treated as such. (To use any portion of or to take possession of the property of another against their will.)

1st Offense: Return of property, severing of "off" hand (cannot be restored for a 48 hour period) and loss of all property.

2nd Offense: Return of property, severing of "primary" hand (cannot be restored for a 48 hour period), and loss of all property.

3rd Offense: Return of property, severing of "primary" hand (cannot be restored for a 48 hr period), loss of all property, and Spirit Marked with a "T" on the forehead for 6 months. Removal of spirit mark will result in additional charges being levied against the accused.

Treason
Treason covers things from disobeying a direct noble order, attempting any form of criminal action on a Noble of the Empire of Avalon or the Kingdom of Keldesca, rendering aid to a sworn enemy of a Noble of the Empire of Avalon or the Kingdom of Keldesca, and inciting rebellion against the noble and royal courts of the Empire of Avalon or the Kingdom of Keldesca. (The involvement in any action or assemblage for the purpose of rebelling against the state or its lawful governing body or in aiding any other individual or individuals either foreign or domestic to do the same.)

1st Offense: Obliteration to Permanent Death.

Please contact the head of Research, Eric Augustson, with any comments or corrections.
The contents of this page was last updated on: July 21, 2003