Post by Admin on Mar 9, 2015 0:22:31 GMT
The Laws of Akliceium - 612 ER
The purpose of this article is to serve as a reminder to all citizens and travelers in Akliceium and The Southern Duchy 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 Akliceium or recognized visitors are protected by and subject to these laws. The Magistrate, Noble or a General 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 cities of Suldrion or Hawknest, all matters of commoner law are handled by the Lord Magistrate.
Matters of Noble Law shall be handled by the liege of the Noble in question, or any General or the High General. While all laws have suggested punishments, it is the privilege of the Magistrate, City Sergeant, Noble or General 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.
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 Akliceium (Squire, Lady/Lord, Dame/Knight, Baroness/Baron, Viscountess/Viscount, or Countess/Count) must be presented by their liege-to-be to the Duke or Duchess for introduction and examination prior to their appointment. If a noble is appointed without having been presented to the Duke or Duchess, 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 Akliceium 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 by nature.
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.
Contempt:
The willful disrespect of a noble or public official, or the willful disobedience of an order given by them. Please know that His Royal Majesty King Arios Cromwell 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 nonsense, walking about unclothed, speaking or acting in a manner unlike themselves, etc.) must be brought to the Mage's Guild immediately for 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 Ackliceium Law, common folk may NOT engage in "Honor Combat" without the sponsorship of a noble or military commander. Any common folk engaging in "honor combat" without a noble or military 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.
Pretending to a Noble Title or Military Rank:
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" or “former” military commander. You may not represent yourself to monsters or invaders as a noble.
Slavery:
Forced servitude, the buying or selling of another to enforce servitude. This can be through the use of charm, dominate, enslavement, euphoria, Love poisons, as well as by physical or implied threats. No one may own slaves in Akliceium, monster or not. Undead functioning as servants are not considered slaves. The use of the elixir commonly known as "euphoria" is 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.
Necromancy:
Definition: 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.
Possession and/or distribution of illegal substances:
Definition: The manufacture of or the possession or the distribution of substances including, but not limited to the following; (Alchemical substances consisting of gasses, elixirs, and contact compounds) Euphoria, Instant Death, Death, Love #9, Love, Enslavement, Dominate. (Potions) Cause critical wounds, Cause disease, Cause light wounds, Cause mortal wounds, Cause wounds, Taint blood, Wither limb.
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All citizens and visitors are protected by these laws, and required to obey them. These laws do not protect invaders of this land. 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 and Slavery.
Similarly anyone looting the defenders of the town while the town is in threat will be considered guilty of conspiracy to the Crimes of that threat. This is likely Conspiracy to Treason as a minimum, and will have severe results.