Silver Moon Law

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Who are the enforcers? What do they do exactly? Who takes part in the judiciary system? The information that follows pertains mainly to Dreven City and Shadokhan. The other realms have their own system of law enforcement (Please refer to the individual region pages) and may impose similar punishment for the listed crimes, or they may vary with the influence of the Archmage and the local government.

• The Shadokhan Army protects and defends Shadokhan's borders as well as maintaining law and order within the region itself. While there are towns and cities that support their own guard, the presence of the army throughout the countryside has been particularly vital in the wake of the lawlessness and power-mongering spawned during the last of the Klock regime. Under the leadership of Kai dan Rikash, efforts have been made - successfully - to secure the northern and western borders against the instability and violence rife within the regions of Arboria, Cloosidian, and Luminii. Treaties with Southern Oceanuus have significantly reduced pillaging along the coastlines, although pirates independent of the Southern Oceanuusian government continue to raid sporadically. Forts on all borders have been raised or rebuilt, and the noose around the necks of the self-proclaimed warlords tightens... (Blossombud 1279)

• The Silver Moon Knights were once the original military force of the entire empire. The Klockmaster attempted to disband them, and when they would not swear their loyalty they were hunted down. They have since become an independent neutral police force, their numbers split between Luminii and Shadokhan. Within Shadokhan the SMK works in tandem with the Shadokhan Army and carries similar authority. The Knights fall under the command of the Lord General of the Silver Moon Knights.

• The Dreven City Guard polices Dreven City. Their uniforms are gray, their insignia___. They are currently under the command of Captain Enton Harso.

• Finally, there is the Office of the Magistrate. This office does not have authority over any of the organizations above, but serves as their local liaison. They conduct a court that deals with minor offenses and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones. The Office of the Magistrate issues Notices of Bail and Wanted Posts, sets trials and executions, and oversees the running of the gaols. They enforce judgments, collect fines and fees, and settle civil disputes. Guardsmen, gaolers, and executioners fall under the orders of this office.

• The Taysàyad Guard's responsibilities include protecting the Steward, his family, and visitors at Taysàyad Keep itself, and extend no further than that.

• The Imperial Guard no longer exists. They were a temporary entity during Icaruss Khan's rule as Emperor.

• The Imperial Wolves no longer exist. A small division within the military under the direct command of Chajar Shaldolf-Sundew, they disappeared with the death of Tumian Dreven.

The Dreven Pact

The most noteworthy bit of law that affects play the Crosswinds Tavern is the Dreven Pact. As a way to gain Balthazor's support in the Icaran Wars, Cornelius Dreven made a pact with Irmaa Vep. He promised never to garrison any Silver Moon Knights in her region, and in return all undead were banned from starting violence in the Crosswinds. Eventually the idea was adopted by all the Archmages and their minions, but Irmaa countered with a demand to make the Crosswinds a safe haven for all within its grounds. Criminals may not be arrested within the Crosswinds' walls or within 100 yards of the building. Law enforcement may only disregard the Pact if a crime is committed within the Tavern or if the Pact has already been broken by the actions of another. Drawing a weapon in the Tavern is illegal, as violence is not permitted in the Tavern.

At one point in time, Irmaa Vep herself broke the Pact by committing violence within the Tavern, however, there were no Silver Moon Knights foolish enough to try and arrest her.

Shadokhan Law

The following is a broad guideline and, depending on circumstances, the Office of the Magistrate may increase or decrease the punishment. Social status also affects the penalty and varies depending on the status of the injured and injuring party. Repetition of crimes usually results in a harsher punishment. Guilty verdicts result in a fee being paid to the injured party and/or a fee being paid to the court.

Notes:

If arrested and accused by law enforcement, a citizen is guilty until proven innocent. Punishment is to be decided by an officer of the Magistrate's Court and expediently carried out by the court's officers.

Accusation by another citizen warrants an investigation by the Magistrate's office. (Thus the punishment for False Accusation discourages false accusers and helps recoup the costs of investigating false claims.)

Severity and length of sentencing is left to the Magistrate or judge presiding over a case.

Methods of interrogation are unseen in the public eye and are up to the complete discretion of the inquisitor. (i.e. the rack, whippings, flaying, thumbscrews, water torture, dunkings...)

Women hold equal voice in terms of the law with men in accusation. However, precedence has shown that women are often granted leniency.

The standard method of execution is either beheading or hanging. The presiding judge at the trial will decide if the execution is to be public or private. Remains are subsequently incinerated.

*Crimes of Magic

Any crimes where the use of magic is shown to occur in the crime results in the following:

1. Loss/Suspension of status, privileges, and rank if the convicted is a member of rank within a gift (i.e. a Vivomancer convicted would lose their rings and place within the Vivomantic Order.)
2. If the crime convicted is High Murder, Treason, Murder, Attempted Murder, Rape, or Kidnapping, all lost status, privileges and rank are permanent and punishment is decided according to precedence.
3. Crimes committed and convicted which result in imprisonment will have the convicted imprisoned in one of two special prisons designed to detain prisoners with magical or supernatural abilities. The locations and details of these prisons remain secrets of the leaders of the regions where they are located.

Appeals

Appeals to a convicted crime can only be granted by the Shadokhan Magistrate, or by selected officials appointed by the Magistrate's office, or by the Steward of Dreven.

Outlanders/Foreigners

Crimes committed, magical or not, by foreigners (those not natives of Hyathis) will find all convicted individuals banished from the Silver Moon Empire with no recourse and no appeal. If precedence dictates a more severe punishment, it will be enforced, including Executions.

Animals/Beasts/Monsters

Crimes committed by a beast, animal or monster without a reasonable sense of intelligence will result in the destruction of said beast, animal or monster.

Bail

At the discretion of the Office of the Magistrate bail may be granted to any but those accused of Treason, Use of Mixed Magic, High Murder or (Passionate) Murder. The following conditions must be observed:

• Bail must be paid in full.
• The accused will be granted limited release into the custody of a "patron." Said patron will sign a statement of reliability, and shall fall under the same eye of the law should any conditions of bail be broken.
• Any infringement whatsoever on the conditions of bail will result in foregoing of the bail without recourse.
• The accused is restricted to an area set by the Offices of the Magistrate and -- for the duration of bail, until the commencement of the trial -- the accused is not to leave such area. The accused must report daily and without fail to the parole officer assigned by the Office of the Magistrate.
• Bail shall be revoked without compensation should the accused fall under suspicion of any crimes or misdemeanors while awaiting trial. If charged, even by a common citizen, the accused will be placed once again under arrest without bail with previous bail forfeited.
• The accused cannot bear or hold any weapon whatsoever. Should the accused be involved in any altercation -- with or without arms -- bail will be revoked without exception.
• The accused must wear a Band of Release to allow recognition by the common public as well as any law official. This Band, a bracelet of woven reed, colored in dark red, must be worn on the right wrist and uncovered at all times. Should the accused be found without the Band of Release upon his/her wrist, bail will be instantly revoked.
• Should the accused be found outside the set establishment of confinement anytime before trial, a reward is automatically placed upon his/her head. Any citizen is allowed to use any means to bring him/her back to the Office of the Magistrate, and his/her bail will be revoked.
• Should the bail be revoked for any of the reasons listed above, the patron who initially claimed responsibility will also fall under review by the legal office.

It is requested that the Office of the Magistrate be notified immediately should any of the conditions of bail be broken by the accused party.

Imperial Edicts

The Ambassadorial Proclamation of 1258
Soniarium Ban of 1258
The Outlander Edict of 1258

 

The Ambassadorial Proclamation of 1258

By year's end, each realm that stands beneath the banner of the Silver Moon will have chosen and sent one Ambassador to each of the other six realms. These Ambassadors will be handpicked by their realm's Arch-Mage. The Ambassadors must be chosen well. They are, for all intents and purposes, the voice of their home realm, and will have the power to speak on their Arch-Mage's behalf.

The Ambassador's duties are simple: act as a line of communication between the two realms. Ambassadors need not be Mages; they need not be Lords or Ladies of high station-they must merely have their realm's best interests in mind, and must be capable of expressing those interests.

Host realms must accept the appointment of the Ambassador assigned and are encouraged to make every effort to welcome the Ambassador into their court. The Ambassador will hold the same station as any member of court, bearing a social status just beneath that realm's Council of Six. They will be allowed to attend formal council sessions, and their input should always be weighed and considered.

Host realms can, if they feel it absolutely necessary, dismiss a particularly uncooperative Ambassador, but only after that Ambassador's replacement has arrived and has been fully acclimated to the job. The Ambassador will be treated as a welcomed guest of their host realm, and will be accorded the respect due their position. These Ambassadors will have political asylum and should not fear for their lives or physical well being in the event that their home and host realms have a difference of opinion. "Shooting the messenger" died with Icaruss.

The death of an Ambassador will be immediately investigated by a joint cooperation. Dignitaries from the deceased Ambassador's home realm, as well as dignitaries from Dreven, will work diligently to discern the facts surrounding the late Ambassador's death. The dignitaries will not leave until they have accomplished this. Please understand - the violent removal of one bureaucrat will serve only to invite more bureaucrats to that realm's court.

Terms of service are as needed. An Ambassador might hold the position for several cycles or for a lifetime. If the host's Arch-Mage is comfortable with the Ambassador, and the Ambassador's home realm is content with their Ambassador's performance, the Ambassador may very well hold this exalted position for decades.

The host realm will provide for, and support, the six Ambassadors - just as the realm supports its Council of Six. The Emperor understands that doubling one's inner court causes a financial burden, and has authorized each realm to enact an Ambassadorial Tax to support the monumental change, as each realm sees fit.

Dreven Ambassadors:

The realm of Shadokhan will welcome the Ambassadors given to it by the other six realms, and the Ambassadors will be invited to stay at Taysayad Keep, in Dreven City, for as long as they wish. Ambassadors en route to the city are welcomed to stay at the famed Crosswinds Tavern, free of charge, until such time as they decide to come to Taysayad, or find other housing of their own.

Soniarium Ban of 1258

(Player's Note: this ban was lifted everywhere but Oceanuus when the Emperor was restored to power in early 1259.)

By the Decree of the Emperor Sovereign, Tumian Dreven, I hereby proclaim that the dwarf-forged silent metal Soniarium, has been officially banned throughout Lyran Tal, and is now an illegal substance. The metal, called "assassin steel" by some, was directly responsible for the death of Golaria Seamere, Arch-Magess of Oceanuus, and has been linked to many, many more assassinations.

Banned in Oceanuus over the past two years, Soniarium has finally been recognized by the crown as the dangerous creation it has always been. What other purpose would a silent metal hold than stealthy killing? The Silver Moon Knights do not use it, for they have no reason to skulk quietly about. Soniarium has proven to only be a vague bit stronger than honestly forged steel, and its only real advantage is in stealth. Thus its import from - and export to - Arboria is hereby banned.

Current owners of anything made of, consisting of, or containing Soniarium are asked to turn in those items to their local Magistrate's office, no later than Summer Solstice. Fear not your worth - good Dreven coin will be immediately exchanged for peacefully surrendered items.

Following Summer Solstice, persons found with Soniarium in their possession will have their belongings confiscated and may be subject to fines or imprisonment.

The Outlander Edict of 1258

(Player's Note: this edict was rescinded when the Emperor was restored to power in early 1259. Anti-Outlander sentiment still runs high in places, however.)

On this day forth, the following Edict has been thrust fully into Law:

It is hereby Illegal to practice Magic, use a Magical Ability, or invoke an innate Magical Talent* unless:

1. it conforms to one (and only one) of the six known spheres of Magic, or:
2. it is a natural (I.E., racial) ability - but only for those races native to Lyran Tal, or:
3. it is practiced in a Designated Nexus Gate Area.

A remarkably accurate picture of the Crosswind's interior is placed in the center of the Edict, with a red circle drawn in a 50 yard radius from the tavern's central fire pit, the words "DESIGNATED CROSSWINDS NEXUS GATE AREA" placed beneath it in red.

Punishment for those failing to adhere to this law will be imprisonment, and injuries that result from any of these illegal castings are, for the cretin responsible, punishable by death.

The Emperor has let it be known that he is issuing a zero tolerance policy for the various "Outlander" forms of Magic, and it will now be known that these alien Magics will henceforth be treated on par with "Mixed" Magic (Sorcery).

*An innate magical talent equates to something impossibly accomplished by a normal human.

 

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