The Laws of Therendry - 602 E.R
By the Baron Simeon S. Silvercord
The purpose of this writ is to serve as a reminder to all citizens and travelers
in Therendry of our Laws. It is your responsibility as citizens and visitors
to be cognizant of our laws. Failure on your part to learn the laws is not a
valid defense in trial. Those who are established citizens of Evendarr or recognized
visitors are protected by and subject to these laws. The Nobles or Magistrate
will make the final decision of who is or is not covered under the law.
Matters of Commoner Law may be handled by a magistrate or noble of the land.
Within the city of Calais all matters of commoner law are handled by the Lord
Magistrate. As of this writing that position is filled by Magistrate Corin Sunliner.
Matters of Noble Law shall be handled by the liege of the Noble in question.
While all laws have suggested punishments, it is the privilege of the Magistrate
or Noble sitting in judgment to punish each criminal as harshly or as leniently
as he or she sees fit, depending upon the circumstances surrounding the crime.
There are proper channels available to challenge the decision made in a criminal
trial. That proper channel is NOT the Raven's Herald. If any citizen of Therendry
is in need of information regarding the appeal of such decisions, you may ask
of any noble of these lands.
The following is a legal definition of Obliteration:
Obliteration shall mean that the offender shall suffer the equivalent of three
deaths. This does not mean an Obliterate Ritual. It means that the criminal
will suffer a successful Obliterate Ritual, or three deaths, at the discretion
of the magistrate or noble. Failure of an Obliteration shall NEVER be considered
to be caused by the innocence of the condemned. Failure of a ritual is caused
by a failure of the magicks themselves, or by an error in the casting.
Regarding Nobles
All those persons that are under consideration for assuming noble title within
the lands of Therendry (Squire, Lady/Lord, Dame/Knight, Baroness/Baron, Viscountess/Viscount,
or Countess/Count) must be presented by their liege-to-be to the Duke for introduction
and examination prior to their appointment. If a noble is appointed without
having been presented to the Duke, they shall be found guilty of Pretending
to a Noble Title, and their liege shall be found to be in Contempt of this law.
All those holding Noble Title within the lands of Therendry must attend at least
one half of the Gatherings in the Capitol City in order to retain their title.
Extenuating circumstances will, of course be taken into account, but only if
communicated well ahead of time. However if a noble is absent from more than
one half of the Gatherings without excuse, their title shall be removed.
Low Crimes
Low Crimes usually consist of damage or theft of property or assault, and are
therefore punishable by fining or incarceration. Multiple or repeat offenses
may be punishable by confiscation of the individual's possessions, or by death.
Arson:
Destruction of another's property by fire.
Assault:
Placing someone in fear of harm, seriously threatening another person, or causing
harm to a person or their property. These threats may be physical or magical
threats.
Bribery:
Obtaining favors, money, or other property by force, intimidation, or illegal
means.
Conspiracy:
Planning to commit a crime, aiding a criminal (a person in the commission of
a crime), obstructing the investigation of a crime, or obstructing the course
of dictated punishment of a criminal (i.e. setting a criminal free from incarceration,
delivering a Life spell to one sentenced to a death, etc.) is conspiracy. In
matters involving nobility, this will become Treason. In matters involving Undead,
the charge will be Necromancy.
Contempt:
The willful disrespect of a noble or public official, or the willful disobedience
of an order given by them. Please know that His Highness Prince Miles Tegg has
passed a law requiring that all nobles be addressed by their proper titles.
Forgery:
Producing or planting of false documents or money for the purpose of deceit.
Theft:
Stealing or destruction of another's goods by any means. Tax evasion is theft.
Public Disorder:
Anyone found to be acting in an abnormal or irrational manner (i.e. babbling
nonsensical statements, walking about unclothed, speaking or acting in a manner
unlike themselves, etc.) must be brought to the Mage's Guild immediately for
Celestial Identification, and if necessary, detained there until the madness
has passed. If no external cause can be found for the disorderly behavior, a
fine of no less than one gold shall be extracted, and paid to the Mage's Guild
by the afflicted person, whether in cash, material goods, or guard duty for
1 hour.
According to Evendarr Law, common folk may not engage in "Honor Combat"
without the sponsorship of a noble. Any common folk engaging in "honor
combat" without a noble sponsor present will be charged with Contempt,
as well as any crimes committed (such as Assault or Murder). If anyone is harmed
other than the two parties engaging in the "honor combat" the person
who caused the harm will be charged with the appropriate crime.
High Crimes
High Crimes are punishable by confiscation of goods and by death. Obliteration
and banishment may be ordered for multiple or repeat offenses.
Kidnapping:
Taking or constraining a person with unlawful force.
Murder:
Taking of another's life, even if a Life spell is administered.
Necromancy:
Casting of a necromantic spell (any spell with the word "Chaos" in
the incantation) or ritual is Necromancy, as is the creation or knowing possession
of any necromantic item (any item created through necromancy or one that produces
a necromantic effect) or creature, consorting or conspiring with Undead. If
one is forced to consort with Undead under extenuating circumstances, this consorting,
and the circumstances must be reported to the Duke immediately for any future
plea of leniency to be considered.
Pretending to a Noble Title:
A commoner who seeks to convince another that he or she has a noble title is
guilty of this crime. It is unlawful to present oneself as a "former noble".
You may not represent yourself to the monster races (such as Goblins, Ogres,
Trolls, etc.) as a noble.
Slavery:
Forced servitude, the buying or selling of another to enforce servitude. This
can be through the use of Charm spells, Dominate poisons, Enslavement poisons,
Euphoria poisons, Love poisons, as well as by physical or implied threats. No
one may own slaves in Therendry, monster or not. The possession and use of the
elixirs commonly known as Euphoria, Enslavement, Forget-Me-Not, and Forget-It-Well
are always illegal.
Treason:
Attempting to overthrow the lawful government of the land by means of force
or trickery. This crime may be punishable by death and confiscation of all worldly
goods. In the matter of High Treason (the attempt to overthrow the Duchy, Principality
or Monarchy),Obliteration is mandated, and may be to the final death. Banishment
after Obliteration is an option.
All citizens and visitors are protected by these laws, and required to obey
them. Invaders of this land are not protected by these laws. You may not be
arrested for committing the following
against a monster, an invader or their property:
Arson, Assault, Theft, or Murder.
There are certain laws which may never be violated, regardless of the victim.
These are:
Kidnapping, Slavery, and Necromancy.
Circles of Power with any duration exceeding that of Battle Magic must be granted
by the Duke, and the "owner" of the Circle must be able to produce
a writ to that effect. Ungranted Circles of Power are prohibited, and shall
be considered a crime of Treason.
Similarly, anyone looting the defenders of the town while the town is in threat
will be considered guilty of Conspiracy to the crimes committed by that threat.
This is likely Conspiracy to Treason as a minimum, and will result in severe
punishment.